The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-31
Viii Be Handed to Mi
kado'S Ambassador Aft
er Russian New Year.
IN C0NCILIATORY TERMS
Little Hope in London That
Clash Can Be Averted.
Possible Alliances.

PARIS. Dec. 31--A dispatch from ST.
Petersburg states that Russia's replv
TO Japan Will be handed to the Mikado' s
officials on January 13 The reply will
be couched in conciliatory terms.
LONDON, Dec. 31.-This morning sees
no particular change in the situation in
the Far East. The struggle of the dip
lOmatic warriors to avert, II possible. a
war between Russia and Japan. contin-
ues, but there now seems little hope Of
averting a crash.
One of the most significant features
of the situation is the fact that diplo-
matte circles outside Of the two coun-
tries most interested. have ceased. 70 a
great degree, to talk of the ways and
means OF averting trouble and now
comment on the probability of this or
that nation taking a hand should the
night come. While II is true that other
powers may be drawn into the imbroglio
before il is over, the indications at pres
ent are that at the early stages Of a
war Japan and Russia would be left to
their own resources TO tight il out alone
China May Take a Hand.
1t has been thought that in the event
of clash the first power to take a
hand would be England, because of her
agreement with Japan. Events lately.
however. would seem to indicate that
Great Britain will take no more than a
diplomatic or perhaps commercial in
terest in the struggle. France. too. has
been looked upon as a possible ally of
Russia, but from several sources il Is
learned that France and the nations in
Guided in the Triple Alliance will main
tain an attitude of strict neutrality.
The one possibility OF an alliance at
present seems to be that China will
join hands with her old-time enemy,
Japan. in an effort to drive out her
most powerful foe. Russia.
Meanwhile all that can be done to
avert the struggle is being done by Jap
anese officials. They have taken a most
determined stand toward Russia,s AFRO
CANT attitude. but should the Cars Of
ficials show a disposition to give way
in any Of the more important points at
issue there is but little doubt that japan
would be found ready to reIinquish an
equally important point Russia, how
ever, has shown no such disposition.
and. as has been said, war seems in
evitable.
Relative Fighting Strength.
LIVERPOOL, Dec 31-The Liverpool
Post today prints an article on the
relative hghting prowess OF the two
countries The paper. on the authority
OF leading parsonage on the armament
OF the world, points out that the esti-
mates Of Japan's strength do not take
into consideration the fact that Japan
has recently been heavy purchaser of
fighting material. in fact, has been the
chief buyer OF such material in both
England and on the Continent. The
Eckhardt firm, says this parsonage, Is
now executing for the Mikados govern
ment one OF the most important orders
ever entrusted by foreign government.
ROME, Dec. 1.-The japanese minis
ter at Rome this morning left for Genoa
to inspect the two Argentine cruisers
MoranO and Rivadavia. which have been
purchased by the Japanese government
The guns of the two vessels have not
yet been mounted. but IL is thought II
necessity demanded they could be speed
lily got in readiness for active service.
LIBAU, Russia. Dec. 31.-The Russian
cruiser Almaz today sailed for the Far
East