The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-10-16
BOTH EXPECT WAR.
Russia and Japan, While Talking
Peace, Are Preparing for Early
Rostiities

I London, Oct. 14.-The most gloomy
/ Impression has been created in Europe
| by the latest developments in the far
east. Both Japan and Russia profess
! peaceful intentions, While pushing act
| i've war preparations. 1t is believed
they protest too much. Their words
and acts suggest that each is regarding
conflict as inevitable and is maneu-
vering to place the onus of it's initiation
upon the other.
This especially is true of Russia It
| becomes more evident daily since NJ
Witte was kicked upstairs that 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 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.
The Manchurian situation has reach
ed point where Russia must have a
fresh excuse for the non-eXecution Of
pledges she never intends to fulfill
More important STILL Russia is con-
vlnced that at the present moment not
a hand will be raised in aid Of her an
tagonist. Russia probably Is right.
Great Britain would extend that moral
States in the Spanish war. Beyond that
she would not go. 1t is even doubted if
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 well 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
sia If the latter secures free hand by
defeating Japan physically and Britain
morally in that quarter of the world.
1t is safe to say that 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-
cepted as ample for the 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-
ton of her defiance of the rights Of
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 giver.
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
Vot
change We're much depressed.
The reports that an ultimatum has
been addressed to Russia by Japan
were associated by the Chefoo corre-
spondent of the Morning Post with the
evacuation of Manchuria, but here it is
thought more probable that If an ulti-
matum has been delivered it concerns
Corea rather than Manchuria.
The statement made by Baron
Hayassi 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.
The Westminster Gazette points out
that the Japanese position in regard to
Korea is on a different footing, it hav-
ing been reported that Russia proposed
the division of Korea with Japan, and
that Japan refused to entertain any
such proposal. In further comment the
same paper says:
1.-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
idle 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 SETTLE. 4
ment is most proba BILE.