The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-06
Mlkado'S Subjects DeS-
perate and Open Con-
flict Inevitable.
THE CABINET MAY RESIGN
Russia, Meanwhile, Grows
Significantly Economical
in Her Expenditures.

LONDON. Dec. 5.-Great interest
contil ues to be taken in the Japanese
Russian situation. and the belief is en-
tertained in well-informed diplomatic
circles that an open conflict can now
hardly be averted, in view of the pro-
erastinating policy pursued by Admiral
AleNieff and his advisers.
The situation in Japan is well nigh
desperate. as the government is forced
10 face war policy and temporize.
While even the Mikado and his ad-
visers believe it would be better to pre-
cipitate hostilities in order TO maintain
Japanese supremacy i'm the Far East.
II Great Britain had consented to give
at least moral support to Japan. there
Is no question but that war would have
been declared last September. It took
all OF the persuasive powers OF the
British foreign Office to keep Japan
from declaring war, and 1t was only
because .t was pointed out TO former
Premier Ito that Russia would be able
to overwhelm the japanese navy that
with the peace party.
War Play in Ascendency.
With the present meeting of the
japanese diet, the government comes
face to face with an influence that will
be hard to combat. The war party is
IN the ascendency. and is only awaiting
the opportunity to precipitate a crisis
In the diet. That opportunity is likely
TO come when the budget is taken UP
for consideration The extremists will
seize upon the governments request for
more money for the maintenance of the
army and navy as a pretext for de-
handing that the contemplated policy
I'm dealing with Russian aggression in
Manchuria and Korea be outlined
Whether the cabinet can refuse to do
this is a question. and it is possible
that a crisis viii follow which viii re-
suit III the resignation of the entire
present cabinet and the substitution
therefor of officials affiliated with the
believers in Japanese supremacy-
Eussian Economy Significant.
That this belief is held in St Feters-
burg seems indicated in the economical
policy OF the Russian government on all
lines excepting the maintenance of the
army and navy. In one instance alone,
that OF estimates for future railway
work. the government estimate for
1901 Is 2ee)0.O00 roubles less than il the
current year. Similar reductions are
noted IN every Other branch OF govern
ment work and the belief is general in
European capitals that this severe econ
omy is due to desire 10 provide sine~,s
OF war for the impending conflict.
In London the assertion is made that
the seton of the British government in
its purchase of the two Chilean war YES
seis. the Libertad and Constitution, WIS
made in The interests OF peace. Great
Britain did not desire either Russia or
Japan TO increase their navy with Brit
ish built vessels II was felt that IN
view of the competition between Russia
and japan for possession Of the war
ships. their purchase by one or the other
of the nations would simply have added
10 tho present bitterness.
Besides this. either one of the two
Darships would be infinitely more pow
orful than any one vessel now owned by
Japan Or Russia