New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-06

aourre. not tell me. But he authorized me TO
say:
First-As TO Russian troops staying In Man
churia, in violation Of pledges, the outcrv IN
Japan for action is a newspaper agitation MIRA
"; it does not have any relation to the gov
ernments views What the government might
ultimately decide It is premature to discuss
now. But it cannot be too strongly insisted on
that the alarmist utterances about this matter
are irresponsible and unrepresentative Of the
nation its leaders. Those who urge that a
permanent Russian garrison in Manchuria
ought 10 be prevented. even by force as being
a menace which Japan could not under any
circumstances permit. are only a few ex-
tremists.
Second-As TO the UNFOLDING of japanese rights
IN Manchuria, these are not as gravely imperilled
as the press seems TO think The presence Of Rus
sian troops does not necessarily mean the loss
Of China's suzerainty of other nationalities
rights and privileges. though many people say
it VIII. Russia has promised to all nations that
these things shall be maintained. japanese
traders have for months gone about all over
Manchuria freely. There have been a few in
stances Of Interference but these are details to
be dealt with locally, and do not represent any
International disagreement. Apart from the
railway line, China governs absolutely.
Third-As to Corea, there might have been trou-
bic If Corea's integrity had been really impaired,
Premier Katsura says It is not to be denied or
kept secret that If all other efforts failed Japan
would consider It necessary TO fight 10 protect
the peninsula. as she did in 1894.
Fourth-There is no real prospect OF any such
contingency On examining the stories Of Russian
aggression in Corea, they turn out to be due
10 excess Of zeal on the part OF some Russian
officer. or exaggerations, and one case after an
other Is put right, according to circumstances.
so that on the whole, there is, after all, no real
ground for alarm.
Fffth-If war should arise regarding Man
churia, Japan would not stand alone, for in that
direction It is obviously unlikely she would act
apart from the other open door powers And
il war should arise regarding Corea. Japan can
easily hold her own there. II is therefore quite
evident that there is little fear Of war.
This is substantially all Premier Katsuras
statement There is no indiscretion prema-
ture disc -ure for all the facts herein set forth
have been published before; yet they are now
presented IN such q way TO convey all the
information required on questions which cannot
be asked or answered directly.
OF the future while declining TO be overcon-
hdent Count --atsura firmly opposes the some
what prevalent belief to a Russo-Japanese
war being ultimately inevitable. There is no
DENYING that the two countries interests over
lap. and there must be 6'-7utes from time to
time. but the count feels convinced that both
parties are sincerely DESTROYS of settling every
such question peaceably' and he thinks that
they will be able TO DO so. Yet finally, he ad-
naits in spite Of all that they might come TO
blows.
Other statesmen whom I have interviewed
have said about the same. One minister said:
1t is & powder magazine with the door open
and sparks flying about the doorway; it may be
possible 10 prevent an explosion, but il IS touch
and 60" Another said: Each country has its
hand IN its sword hilt and they may even draw
blades but I still think they will not fight"