Evening journal., 1901-03-23
.UNNIA and JAPAN
AT DAGGHRN POINT
.tIatiOnS Between Them Very
Much Strained
pan Will Oppose Secret Negotiations
Which Will Give Russia Any
Territorial Advantages

London, March 23.-The foreign Of
ce takes a pessimistic view OF the
Immediate future in the far east in
pite Of the settlement of the Tien Tsin
Incident, and entertains grave fears
hat the relations between Japan and
Russia may shortly reach the danger
oint
Judging from information obtained
various official quarters in London,
apan has conflded to at least some of
he powers her determination to op'
,ost at all costs any secret agreements
made between Russia and China by
which the former could secure terri
orlal or other advantages contiguous
o Korea.
The British government has received
o official confirmation that the Japan
Sc feet is mobilizing, but it would
; lot be surprised to learn that such
I we're the facts. A highly placed British
ficial said to a press Representatives:
"All Japan wants is a free hand
gainst Russia. This she has got so
4 ar as England and Germany are con-
81 erned and, l presume, so far as the
Il United States government is concerned,
e Though | do not imagine for one
Nnoment that any of the powers mem
q ioned would be drawn into a war be-
4 ween Japan and Russia. If Japan
n ees nothing for it but to fight, she
& would have the moral support OF OBJ
n HectiOns committed to paper by at least
n wo other powers against secret trea-
81 les with China. That is all, but Japan
81 GEMS to consider it sufficient to pro-
81 ide against interference"
Confirmation of the foregoing defini-
& ion of the situation was afforded by
he secretary Of the Japanese legation
no said in the course of an inter-
lew:
while rejoicing at the fact that
NJ lngland and Russia have reached q
acific settlement over the minor is.
+ ne, the main questionable integrity
the Chinese empire-remains unset
led. In response to pressure brought
y Japan upon Russia it was announc'
d that Russia's secret treaties with
hina had been modified, but the terms
ave been withheld. Until we see th'
reaties we will not be satisfied that thu
lodifcation does not consist of words
lerely, without any alteration in thu
pirit In this contention we beliey
ther powers viii support us"
It appears that Great Britain woul'
e quite Wiling to refer the Who'll
ltanchurian enattcr to arbitration ol
he lines of The Hague conference. Tn
lien Tsin siding affair is not consid
red important enough to be disposel
Z in this way. ana it will immediatel
ecome a matter of diplomatic inter
hange between St. Petersburg an
.ondon.
Gen. VOyron, commander of tn
H 'rench troops, has ordered a new reg
nent to Tien Tsin to replace the on
ow there. French officers think
yas a mistake to leave a regiment re
ruited in a city at Tien Tsin. Thi
egiment was composed of the toug
Paris element.
A committee of ministers has bee
ppointed at Pekin to discover China
esources and report on her ability {
ay the indemnity to be demanded b
he powers. Many ministers al
trongly opposed to China's having {
ay to keep an army of 10000 or 1906
hen in Pekin for the next two year
linking this entirely unnecessar.
iven those ministers who were {
'ekin during the siege are tired {
eeing that city a military camp. The
ope China will be put upon her fel
soon as possible.