Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-10-15
BOTH EXPECT WAR.
Russia and Japan, While Talking
Peace, Are Preparing for Early
HostiIities.

London, Oct. A.-The most gloomy
impression has been created in Europe
by the latest developments in the far
peaceful Intentions, while pushing act
i've war preparations. 1t is believed
they protest too much. Their words
and acts suggest hat each is regarding
Il conflict as inevitable and is naneu
ve.ing to place the onus of Its initiation
upon the other.
This especially is true of Russia. 1t
becomes more evident daily since M.
White was kicked upstairs II a the war
party has been in control of Russian
policy. No better opportunity is likely
to arise from the point OF view of this
faction for a settlement at arms with
Japan. The internal distress in Russia
threatens a crisis which the patriotic
foreign war probably will seek to avert
or postpone.
ed a point where Russia u have a
fresh excuse for the non-execution Of
pledges she never intends to fulfill.
More important still, Russia is con-
WINGED that at the present moment not
q hand will be raised in aid of her an
tasonist. Russia probably is right.
Great Britain would extend that moral
support which h gave the United
States in the Spanish war. Beyond that
she would not go. 1t is even doubted IL
England could be depended upon to
carry out the terms of her alliance with
Japan and declare war In case another
power Joined in the attack upon her.
Germany Would Favor Russia.
Germany as we'll as France, there Is
reason to believe, would render all as
sistance possible to Russia, under the
most liberal construction or evasion of
the lays of neutrality. Germany ex-
poets to realize substantial rewards in
the far east in cooperation with Rus
STA IL the latter ecure n free hand by
defeating Japan physically and Britain
morally in that quarter of the world.
1t is safe to say that a definite secret
understanding already exists to this
effect. With regard to American inter-
eSts, Russia considers that In the case
of Immediate war with Japan she can
practically ignore or defy them. She
feels that such an excuse must be ac-
copied as ample for h abrogation of
all promises in that region. In any
event, she does not fear the possibility
of armed intervention by the United
States.
The whole secret of the Russian for
eign policy is contained in this assump-
tion of her defiance of. the rights of
other powers. which h pledged her
self to respect. and is based solely on
the belief that the %defrauded nation will
not consider the matter worthy fighting
about.
Possibility of War Grows.
Most English newspapers have given
prominence to the dispatches from
chefoo in the last two days, and today
the possibilities of hostilties are re-
garded much more seriously than two
months ago. Japanese securities on
change We're much depressed.
Tho reports that an ultimatum has
been addressed to Russia by Japan
were associated by the Chefoo CORE
spondent of the Morning Post with the
evacuation of Manchuria, but here it is
thought more probable that IL an lllti-
matum has been delivered 1t concerns
Corea rather than Manchuria.
The statement made by Baron
lIayussi a few days ago is recalled in
this connection. The Japanese minis
ter said Japan looked to Russia to keep
her promise, but had never stated that
she insisted ON Russian evacuation of
Manchuria.
that the Japanese position in regard to
Korea is on Il different footing, it hav-
ing been reported that Russia proposed
the division of Korea with Japan, n
that Japan refused to entertain n
such proposal. In further the
same paper says:
The two powers Russia and Japan
will, no doubt, continue to apply the
same policy of squeeze and counter
squeeze to Korea that all other powers
have applied to China. 1t would be
die to deny there are dangerous mo.
mentS in this proceeding, but materials
for a deal between Russian claims in
Manchuria and Japanese claims in
Korea are SO abundant that %setttle-
ment is most probable"
Russia's War Preparations.
A less hopeful view is taken by the
Globe. which
Even the most cheerful optimists
must recognize, when piecing together
the latest news from the far east, that
the political situation there has become
extremely grave. Instead of carrying
out its solemn undertaking to begin the
evacuation of Manchuria last Thurs
day, the st. Petersburg government is
making every effort to strengthen its
grip on the three provinces, while
strong reinforcements are being hur-
ried along the Siberian railway to sup
plement the Russian land forces in
northern China.
Admiral Alexieff, the newly appoint
ed viceroy, deems the moment oppor-
tune for Il great naval demonstration
off Port Arthur. This display of mari
time fighting force chiefly is intended,
it may be suspected, to brighten the
Toxic government into submission on
the Corean question.
Negotiations for ar amicable ar
rangement have. it appears, come to
an abrupt halt owing to Pavloff's re-
fusai t. withdraw from Yongamphu
n be content with opening Eviju, at
the mouth Of the Yalu. Russia and
Japan have thus come to close uar-
tefs. and utless n CT the other gives
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