The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-28
CAR MUST YIELD
Or Japan Will Take Steps to
Safeguard Korea.
Joint Meeting of Cabinet and
Privy Council Today.
PREPARES FOR WAR.
China Getting Ready to Take
Part in the Trouble.
Her Action ArOuSes Serious At
tentiOn in Russia.
Immense Orders for Supplies
Placed in United States.

TOXIC Dec. 2S.-An important joint
meeting of the cabinet and privy
council will take place today to con-
slider ways and means in view of the
grave situation but no difficulty is an
ticipated in providing for the extraor-
dinary expenditure, including the COM
pletion of the Seoul-Fu San railroad.
It is believed that unless Russia
modifes her reply, Japan will immed-
lately safeguard Korea, though such
step will not necessarily mean war
with Russia.
CHINAS WAR PREPARATIONS
New York, Dec. zS.-The Russian
government is noting with close atten-
tion and the keenest interest the quite
uncommon energy now being shown by
the Chinese in making warlike prepara-
tions under the guidance of a large
number of Japanese instructors, cables
the Herald's St. Peters burg correspon-
dent. This has grown so serious as to
come into the first line of Russia's cal
on quite new lines
Such a complication would bring into
play the Franco Russian and Anglo
Japanese treaties.
ENGLAND'S OPPORTUNITY.
ST. Petersburg, Dec. 28.-The consen-
sus of unofficial opinion among those
associated with the government but
not responsible therefor, is that the
czar is so peacefully disposed that he
will make such concessions to Japan
as are necessary to prevent war, pro-
Vided no unforeseen events force the
hands of the governments concerned.
At the same time the czar, 1t is point
ed out agrees with those who believe
thai preparation for war is the best
safeguard OF peace, and that apparent
willingness to allow matters to be sub
mitted to the test of arms is more like
ly to lead to a satisfa ctory compromise
than an exhibition of overmuch peace
fulnoss.
This unofficial opinion, however, be
lieves the controlling party in Russia
regards Korea as necessary to the con-
Solidation of Russian interests in the
far east and therefore, is determined
to prevent the peninsula falling to Jap
anese hands and that any concessions
Russia now makes to Japan will only
be with the object of deferring the diff
ficulty until more seasonable time.
There is not likely to be much diff
Guilty in finding money in case of war.
A foreign loan on acceptable terms is
probably impossible, but the Russian
banks and merchants have ample funds
on which the government could draw.
One reason why the British alarmist
news fails to convince the Russians is
the perfect understanding here of the
benefits Great Britain derives from a
It was known here year ago that
Great Britain was planning to occupy
Thibet and extend the railroad to
point in the Yang Use valley which is
reached by gunboatS from the sea.
Great Britain's forward movement at
this time eXcites both admiration and
rage. The former for the clever po-
litical move, the latter because Russia
is so preoccupied in the far east that
she is unable to prevent Great Britain
from creating her own Manchuria in
the Yang Use provinces. 1t is pointed
out here that the present situation
affords Great Britain the same oppor-
tunity as actual war between Russia
and any third power.
JAPAN AFTER WARSHIPS.
London, Dec. 2S.-Japan is negotiat
ing for the purchase of the Argentine
warships Moreno and Rivadavia, now
being built at Genoa, Italy, but up to
this afternoon the Japanese legation
had not heard of the completion of
their purchase.