New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-07
VAR MAY BE DELAYED.
French Official piesrs - Russia
Great Indebtedness.

| Paris. Feb 6.-PubIic attention IL riveted on
| the ominous war cloud hanging over the far
/ East The newspapers reflect the public feeling
that war Is near. only the most CONSERVATIVE
maintaining that pacific solution 10 possiDie'
1t IS noticeable that those having government
relations take a discouragns view oihciai
opinion has clearly turned toward the pessi-
rn,s,ic side although not yet ready to ccncede
that the last chance has gone. the ofnciaIs ar
however convinced that Russia VIII not yield 10
Japan's demands relative to Manchuria
In the matter of actual news the Foreign once
was unable to-day to give additional ilotihA-
ton as # has not yet been officially advised that
the Russian reply has been sent. Ihere 10 I'M
usual activity at the embassies ana lesauohs.
Ambassador Porter sees the Foreign Minister. NJ
DelcassA frequently. and also keeps in touch
with the Russian and Japanese representatives
NJ DeIcasse. in conversation with members OF
,ha d,rIorratio eorps does not conceal the grav-
ity OF the situation. but he holds that oiplo-
matte r11pture does not mean an immediate out
break Of hostilities. Asked whether he con-
sidered war a matter of few days. he said:
ON the contrary. / do not believe IL likely to
occur Cor a month two. even should the ne
gotiations completely ran.
This accords with the views OF other leading
officials who hold that the failure OF the neso-
tiations will be followed by period Of
and OF maneuvrins for position
The raising OF war funds is considered here as
being one Of the most vital questions should the
nerotiations fail. One Of the eminent
fnanciers connected with the Bank OF France
has made surprising statements concerning the
enormous Indebtedness Russia has already In
Cured here According to this inancier, Rus
sia's four loans amount TO S1.4OO.0Ooo00. most
Of which came from France. Russia has now
practically used Up these loans IN building the
Trans Siberian railroad. the feet and inter
nal improvements IN the waterways The
Trans-Siberian line alone has proved terrible
drain. the deficit last year reaching S2OOoCOco
Russia must have more means In case OF war,
and II Is the conclusion OF the fnancier that she
is not likely to place further loan IN Paris
which. heretofore. has been her chief financial
reliance.
ON the other hand. an American official com
pared this with the announcement to-day from
Toxic that Japan had succeeded In securing vol
untsry subscriptions Of 100000 yen toward
her war fund. adding:
That would nun a war for about one day
With Russia unable TO get more money here and
Japan unable to get IL at home IL Is believed
thar II breakdown in the negotiations occurs
each side Will take a long breath before fight
ing.
one OF the most prominent OF the Russian
officials here said this evening tina, definite
knowledge concerning the contents Of the Rus
sian reply would be communicated to the world
certainly by Monday. He recognized that war
would not be popular in Russia. because OF the
distance from the scene OF the conflict and the
uHfamiiiarity OF the Russian people regarding
the question
The Temps" correspondent 81. Petersburg
teiegraphs.
The mobilization OF the expeditionary corps
u proceeding rapidly. War viii not be popular
and VIII not provoke enthusiasm, but VIII be
none the less energeticaly conducted The
finances Of the empire are sufficiently prosper
Gus to provide the government with all the
money r. may need. French holders OF Russian
obligations can close their TO the cries OF
alarm which have come 10 them from Germany
and England and hold all the Russian securities
they possess. knowing that Russia viii not fail
To meet her obligations