Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-30
RUSSIAN RULER PEACEFUL
Gear Will Do All He Can to Avoid
War With Japan.
WILL MAKE CONCESSIONS.
The Mikado's Advisors to Meet at Toxic
to Form Plans for Holding
Corea.

Toxic, Dec. 2S.-An important joint
meeting Of the cabinet and privy council
will take place today 20 consider ways
and means in view of the grave situa-
ton, but no difficulty is anticipated in
providing fer the extra ordinary expendi-
ture, including the completion of the
Seoul-Fusan railway.
1t is believed that unless Russia modi-
hes her reply, Japan will Immediately
safeguard COrea, though such a step will
not necessarily mean war with Russia.
ST. Petersburg, Dec 2S.-The consen-
sus Of unotficia! opinion among those as
ISOLATED with the government, but not re-
spOnsibc therefor, is that the Car is so
peacefully disposed that he will make
such concessions to Japan as are neces-
sary TO prevent war; provided that no
unforeseen events force the hands of the
governments concerned. At the same
time, the Car, it is pointed out, agrees
with those who believe that preparation
for war is the best safeguard of peace
and that apparent willingness to allow
matters to be submitted to the test of
arms is more likely to lead to a satisfac-
tory compromise than an exhibition of
overmuch peacefulness.
This unofficial opinion, however, be-
lieves the controlling party in Russia re-
CARDS COrea as necessary to the cOnSOli-
dation of Russian interests in the far
east and therefore is determined to pre-
vent the peninsula falling into japanese
hands and that any concessions Russia
now makes to Japan will only be with
the object of deferring the difficulty until
q more seasOnable time.
Russian Bankers Would Make Loan.
There is not likely to be much difficulty
in finding money in case of war. A for
elgn loan on acceptable terms is probably
impossible, but the Russian banks and
merchants have ample funds on which
the government could draw.
One reason why the British alarmist
news fails to convince the Russians is
the perfect understanding here of the
benefits Great Britain derives from a
continuance of the strained situation.
It was known here year ago that
Thibet and extend the railroad to point
IL the Yang Use valley, which is reach
able by gunboats from the sea. Great
Brltain'S forward movement at this time
excites both admiration and rage, the
former for the clever political move, the
latter because Russia is so pre-occupied
in the far east that she is unable to pre-
vent Great Britain from creating her
own Manchuria in the Yang Use prov
inces. 1t is pointed out here that the
present situation affords Great Britain
the same opportunity as actual war be-
Chinese Getting Ready to Fight.
st. Petersburg, Dec. 2S.-The Russian
government is noting with the closest at
tentiOn and keeneSt interest the quite
uncommon energy now being shown by
the Chinese in making warlike prepare
tons, under the guidance of large num-
Der of japanese instructors, cables The
Herald's st. Petersburg correspondent.
This has grown so serious as to come
Of col 10
TONS broadening out the situation on
quite new lines
Such a complication would bring into
play the Franco Russian and Anglo
japanese treaties.
London, Dec. 2S.-Japan is negotiating
for the purchase of the Argentine war
ships Moreno and Rivadavia, now build
ing at Genoa, Italy, but up to this after
noon the japanese legation had not heard
Of the completion of their purchase.
England Getting Ready.
London, Dec. 28.-An admiralty order
issued at Portsmouth, requires the Off
GERS and mer of the British naval re-
serve to notify the authorities of the
addresses where kilograms can sent
in case Of emergency. should they be re-
CURED for active service. The order is
generally connected with the rumors that
the feet in the far east is to be strength
ened.
Argentine Sells Men-O'-War.
New York, Dec 2S.-It is announced
here, says a Herald dispatch from Bue-
nos Ayres, that the Argentine men-of-
war Moreno and Rivadavia, built at the
Ansaldos yards in Italy, have been re-
Gently sold by the mediation Of the Eng
lish firm of Antony Gibbs & Co. for ST.
100000, but the government does not say
which nation is the real purchaser.
Russia Orders War Supplies.
Kansas City, Mo-, Dec 2S.-The Rus
sian government has just placed an order
with local packers for a million and a half
pounds Of mess meat for immediate ship
ment to San Francisco. The order calls
for the delivery Of the meat at San Fran
cisco by January %. The meat, it is
said, is for the use Of the Russian army
and its destination is said to be Port Ar
thur.