The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
FORCE JAPAN TO DECLARE WAR
THAT'S RISSIRS PLAN, AIMING
no PLEAD SELF-DEFENCE.
Anxious for a Foreign Fight, which Would
Avert Internal Disorders-SIikad ado
Likely to Have to Make Struggle Alone
Special Cabs Despatch 10 THE sun.

Special Cabls Despatch 10 THE sun
LONDON. Oct. 1O.-The gloomiest i'm
preston has been created in Europe by
the latest developments in the Far East
Both Japan and Russia continue to pro-
fess the most peaceful intentions while
pushing forward the most active prepare
tons for war 1t is beginning to be be-
lievei that they protest too much Their
words and acts both suggest that each,
regarding the conflict as inevitable, is
nareuvring to place the onus Of initia-
ton on the other.
This is especially true OF Russia. 1t
is becoming more evident every day that
since NJ. Witte, the former Finance Minis
ter, who is now practically the Premier,
was kicked upstairs, the war party has
been in control of the Russian policy. and
no better opportunity is likely to arise
from their point Of view for the settle
ment at arms of all issues with Japan. The
Internal distress of Russia threatens crisis
which a patriotic foreign war would prob
ably avert or postpone, and the Man.
churian situation has reached a point where
Russia must have fresh excuse for the
non-execution of the pledges which she
never intends to red en-.
More important still, Russia ia convinced
that at the present moment not a hand
would be raised in protest or in aid of her
antagonist In this Russia is probably
right. The attitude of the Powers is clearly
defined. Great Britain would extend that
moral support which she gave to the United
States in the Spanish war. Beyond that
she will not go. 1t is even doubted il Eng
land could be depended upon to carry out
the terms Of her alliance with Japan and
declare war in case another Power Joined
in an attack upon her ally. The adherence
of war is so nearly universal in this country
to-day that no government would dare
to defy public sentiment except for the
preservation Of the life of the empire
1t can truly be said in the light of threat.
ened events that the real and greatest cost
Of the South African war will be paid by
Great Britain in losses in other parts of
the world for years to come. Germany
as we'll as France. there is reason to believe,
will render all assistance possible to Rus
STA under the most liberal construction
or evasion Of the laws of neutrality Ger
many expects to realize substantial rewards
in the Far East in cooperation with Russia
if the latter secures free hand by efeat-
ing Japan physically and Great Britain
morally in that quarter Of the world. 1t
is safe to say that very definite secret
understanding already exists to this effect.
In regard to American interests Russia
considers that in case Of immediate war
with Japan she can practically ignore or
defy them. She feels that such an excuse
must be accepted as ample for the abro-
cation of all her promises in regard to that
region In any event, she does not fear
the possibility of armed intervention by
the United States.
The Russian reading Of American public
opinion is that any ard all rights in the Far
East, no matter how valuable, present or
prospective, must be sacrificed rather than
fight for them. The whole secret Of the
Russian foreign policy is contained in this
assumption. Her defiance ofthe rights Of
other Powers, which she pledged herself to
respect, is based solely on the belief that
a defrauded nation would not consider
the matter worth fighting about.
There remains for the Russian war party
only the Car to reckon with. 1t is for his
sake chiefly that Russia must, if possible,
be put on defensive attitude in any quar-
rel with Japan. The Gar, as is we'll known,
is only technically master Of his own do
minions. Still he is sufficiently independ-
ent to refuse to permit an aggressive at
tack upon that or any other power, hence
the present Russian maI9lvres which
seem designed to incite Japan into some
act of open aggression. There is only too
much reason to fear that the plan will sue
coed.
1t may be assumed that Great Britain
has strongly urged her ally to refrain from
falling into the trap, and Japan is also prob
ably under no delusion in regard to her
absolute isolation in case of war. Never
theless, the feeling in Japan against Russia
is 50 intense, according to the latest I'd
vices. that it will be difficult, if not impos-
sDe for any Government much longer TO
resist the demand for war unless Russia S
attitude changes quickly