The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-24
AHEAD ROAR
THE BREAKERS
Anglo-Japanese Treaty Con
strued as an Ill Omen.
THEJAPS MAY BE RASH
Russia, Too, May Spring a Great
! and Disagreeable Surprise.
PEACE BUT A THIN vENEERING
Events May Dissipate the Washing
ton Governments Dream OF :
Worldwide Harmony.
Now York Sun 9DeoEay 6ervncs.

t. Washington, March 24.-In spite Of the
surface Indications that peace In emma
and the preservation of the territorial
' integrity Of that great empire seems as
sured through the alliance Of Great Brit
ain and Japan and the joint declaration
OF Russia and France looking to the at
tainments of these ends, the diplomatic
situation is regarded here with the great
est concern. Occupying as 1t does a
position of strict independence, the
4 United States government is better able
than any other power to observe the trend
Of events in the far east. 1t has been
energetic in obtaining information and
the most recent adyices foreshadoW
crisis which will be fraught with danger
e to the whole world.
That Russia and France. on the one
hand and England and Japan on the other
are preparing themselves to meet what
ever may come is learned on authority
SO thoroughly trustworthy that it cannot
be susceptible Of doubt Instead of clear
ing the situation the announcement of the
English Japanese alliance and the joint
served only to increase the tension and
make more uncertain the future of China,
and for that matter the future of the
great nations concerned.
The Balmy First Impression.
When this government was informed
that England and Japan had entered into
q coalition to preserve the integrity Of
pnS no INN nccin
ated on the minds Of those concerned in
the making OF American policy was that
1t marked distinct advance in the inter-
est OF peace between the powers. This
was strengthened when, last week, Russia
and France declared their sympathy with
the object undertaken by England and
Japan.
Since then, however the feeling here
Is not so optimistic. Additional informa-
ton and the opportunity to study the
terms in which the Russian-French note
was couched, have brought to the gov
eminent realization that the crisis is
approaching and that something else
. must be done to clear away the danger
Gus clouds that have again begun to
gather on the International horizon.
In measure the government of the
United States, while it does not hold the
key to the situation, is an important fac
tor in this great world game. The gov
! ernments at st. Petersburg and Paris are
exceedingly anxious to ascertain what
may be expected from the United States
II they should become involved in war
with other nations over China
Russia and France Pledged.
In furnishing copies Of their joint de-
claratlon to the secretary of state, neither
Russia nor France asked for any ex-
preston OF opinion in regard to that mo-
mentous communication. 1t was learned
to-day that an identical answer had been,
however, separately made to the Russian
and French ambassadors, in which Secre-
tary Hay expressed the qualification of
President Roosevelt over the statement of
the two powers that they are DESTROYS of
maintaining peace and the territorial in
tegrity of China with an acknowledges
ment of principle of the open door, objects
for which the United States government
has been earnestly striving since the be-
ginning Of the troubles in China.
This acknowledgment must be regarded
as expressing an understanding on the
part Of President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hay that they regard Russia and France
as having pledged themselves to upholding
the policy to which the American govern
ment has consistently adhered. But, ac-
cording to the view taken here, pledges on
paper go for nothing when vital issue
between nations reaches point where the
opportunity is presented for carrying out
long cherished designs and where other
issues are involved that have given rise
to feeling that must find vent
The danger from the Washington view
point lies in the friction existing between
Russia and Japan. Unprecedented official
observers have been Informed by those
who side with Russia that there Is danger
that Japan, emboldened by her alliance
with England, may strike sudden blow
or make sudden movement that will
bringva conflict. Those whose sympathies
are with England and Japan are suspicious
that Russia will make an unexpected coup
td'etat In China or Corea that will force
Japan to enter hostilit1es. With such
ideas as these cherished by men who make
history, the situation is delicate in the
exteme and surprises are looked for.