New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-24
JAPAN'S ANSWER FINAL.
NO MORE CONCESSIONS.
Gloomy Viezcs at Peking-Mr. Wn
Predicts China's Partition.


Peking. Dec 23.-optinistic feelings in some
quarters regarding war between Japan and Rus
sa are not shared by those diplomats at Peking
whose knowledge of the present situation Of af-
fairs entities their opinion to the highest con-
sideration. 1t is positively known that the Jap
anese government has drawn the line for set
tement beyond which it will not make any ma
terial concessions. and that Japan is determined
to fight before yielding what she considers to be
her vital interests.
It is believed that unless Russia comedies i'm
portant points another exchange of notes will
precipitate conflict, and that Japan will refuse
any arrangement holding in allegiance the ques-
tion of the evacuation of Manchuria which was
one Of the terms Of the proposed arrangement re-
Gently announced from st. Petersburg, and
which, it is supposed. was intended by the
Russian government as a "feeier." This would
be a violation OF expressed pledges given to
japan and China
The japanese Minister, NJ. Uchda, is reported
to have said he would be obliged TO resign his
post if such an agreement were made.
BRITISH MINISTER APPREHENSIvE.
That there is only faint prospect that vtar
can be averted is the opinion of the japanese
Minister. and the British Minister. Sir Ernest
NJ I Satow. Sir Ernest was connected With
the British Diplomatic service In Japan for
quarter of a century. He is one of the greatest
living authorities on Japanese history and lit
erature, and is in constant communication with
the foremost statesmen of Japan. He is quoted
saying that any one who imagines that
Japan Will not fight for what she conceives to
be her greatest interests does not know the Jap
anese people.
NJ Uchida is adherent of the Young Japan
party. and has always advocated war. if neces-
sary, to secure the evacuation of Manchuria.
The most dangerous factors in the situation
are the confidence of the Russian officials in the
Far East that war would mean an easy vic
tory for Russia and the challenging tone of the
Russian officials and newspapers
The intelligent Chinese officials await de-
velopments with the deepest anxiety. They
foresee the many perils menacing China in
Of war and the possibilities that a partition of
the empire may result from China's inability to
maintain the neutrality of her harbors and
subjects.
The younger officials and the newspa pers dis
cuss the possibilities Of alliance between
China and Japan, but the only available Chi
nese troops are the $4,000 Japanese-trained men
Of Yuan .Shf- -Kai, recently appointed commander
of the imperial army and navy, who might fight
are incompetent and of doubtful courage.
CHINA's PARTITION FORECAST
Sir Robert Hart director OF Chinese Imperial
Maritime Customs. said to-day that he feared
China would be the chief sufferer should war
occur. for she might be ground between the two
millstones
The decadence Of the Chinese government has
never been more completely displayed than in
these times when her ministers go from legation
to legation imploring other governments to help
China. without thought of Chinss helping her
self There is absolutely no strong man among
the ruling ministers-no Prince Chung. Marquis
Tseng or Ii Hung Chang-au are venerable con-
servatives like Prince Ching.
WI Ting-fang, ex-ministar to the United
States. tells his official friends that he despairs
of Chinas future.
see no hope" he says. for China The
partition of the empire sooner or later is inevi-
table"
WI Ting-fang is disgusted with official life at
Picking, and intends to resign his present office
at the first opportunity. His experience IS that
OF the majority of the enlightened Chinese Off
cials He did good work in negotiating the COM
1nerciaI treaties recently signed, and sum
moned TO Picking. to take the vice-presidency of
the Board Of Commerce. The president Of this
important board is Prince Tsai-Chen, youth
whose only qualification is the fact that he took
a hurried trip around the world when he repre-
sented China At the coronation Of King Edward
He vetoes most of the practical proposals made
by the other members OF the board
The greatest encouragement prevails among
the provisional officials who come to Peking,
They all declare that they never before found
the government so lacking in able men.
TALK OF 4 COMPROMISE,