Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-12-28
THE WAR CLOUD.

large number of japanese instructors.
This has grown so serious as to come
into the first line of Russia's calcula-
tions. increasing as it does the possibili-
ties of war and broadening out the sit
uation on new lines.
Nor does the attitude of the Chinese
in the least lismay the war party in st.
Petersburg. On the contrary, its mem
bers compare the possible entry Of China
into the arena to the "folly" of the
Orange Free State in espousing the
Trapsyaal cause, with the result of los
ing its freedom and making the cam
paign ''doubly easy for the English. "
In diplomatic circles the view Is taken
that if Russia is attacked by two powers,
according to the terms of the Franco
Russian alliance France must come 10
the aid of her ally, following which
nothing could stop England from coming
in, as she is bound to do hy the recent
treaty. should Japan be attacked by
more than one power. After that the
possibilities of further international
complications are unlinited. Such is the
talk of the day in st. Petersburg.
The Chinese board of war has ordered
the yiceroys to furnish full information
as to the numbers of foreign-trained
troops available for active service. The
yiceroys of three of the central provinces,
in response, have reported that 10000
such troops are in readiness. This un-
questionably is remarkable exaggera-
tlon, as the great majority of the foreign
trained troops exist only on paper.
The Dowager Empress has issued an
edict. at the request of Prince Ching, APP
pointing several unknown and probably
inexperienced officials as heads OF army
departments. One such has been APP
pointed director of training, another has
been given command of the department
of instruction, while third has been put
in charge of the department which has
to do with the supply of ammunition:
influential officials continue in their
determination to keep China neutral, If
possible, in the event of war;
The opinion entertained by the best
in formed diplomats in Peking that war
between Russia and Japan is probable
aud almost inevitable remains un-
changed.
In the opinion of three passengers who
arrived in New York yesterday from
Liverpool by the Cuuarder Etruria, war
between Russia and Japan is now IN
evitable. This trio consists of Percival
Phillips, war correspondent of the Lon
don Daily Express, who is hurrying to
the Orient, and r. Krishna and A. j.
de Sousa, merchants of Shanghai, going
back to China. Mr.. de Sousa said that
the management Of the Nippon line OF
japanese steamships has obtained
British captain for each of its ships, and
provided each captain with a certified
check equivalent to the purchase price
of the ship which he commands. These
captains have received instructions that,
Immediately upon the outbreak OF
hostilties, they are to hasten to the
nearest British Consulate, make out a
bill of sale to themselves, record them
selves as British subjects and sole owners
of the ships, obtain British registry for
them and hoist the British flag. Mr.. de
Sousa further said that whole fleet OF
fast and specially chartered steamships
has been hurried out to the east laden
with war material of all kinds by the
British government.
European diplomats, perturbed at the
prospect of Russo-Japanese clash, are
diligently trying to ascertain what will
be the position of the United States dur
ing the prospective war The policg Of
this government is declared to be to
keep its hands clear of all entaglements
in the Far East, but the rights it has OBJ
tanned By treaty in Manchuria and the
privileges it hopes to gain in Korea give
il vital and sui stantial interests which
cannot escape being affected in the event
of strife in Asia. Since Secretary Hay
| has been i'll the situation has become
graver. Mr.. Hay, of course, is the spokes-
man of this government on cue tons OF
diplomacy, and his absence from the de-
partment prevents interviews with for
eign representatives. A war in the East,
especially if it pulls down the whole
house of Europe by drawing in Japan 5
allv, Great Britain, on the one side aud
Russias friend, France, on the other,
will play havoc with many American in
terests, mainly through,the stagnation OF
trade and oceanic commerce.