The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-12-01

Toxic. By Cable.-Discussing the
var and the domestic, financial and
political conditions of Japan on the
CSC O. the assembling Of the Diet,
with the correspondent of the Asso.
Ci"red Press, Premier kalsuria said:
To insure peace in the Orient and
10 safeguard our national existence,
D. the aim and purpose of our empire.
and no sacrifice shall -ba too. great
for successfully efecting this purpose
Russia. besides violating her pledges
IN ianChuTia, crowned her overbear-
-ng and aggressive policy by extend
ing her arms to the Korean peninsula.
We are highly solicitous to pre-
serve peace. but had no alternative
save that Of war, which was forced
upon US. Throughout the negotia-
tons Russia showed a naughty and
oveTbcaring attitude. which. as has
lately been shown; W sainadeuuately
supported by military strength. Rus
sia allowed herself TO be deceived,
and siighted our empire. fer she ney!
81 believed Japan would draw the
sword of war. Then, after suffering
repeated defeats On land and sea, Rus
aid perceived the mistake she had
made. and, having discovered the seri-
BUSINESS Of the situation, began to take
adequate measures. The case was diff.
forent with us. We were alive to
The seriousness OF the situation and
were prepared for exigencies.
Russia must see that the war can
10. be concluded by the issues Of
few battles. With us, the war means
life or death. and not one of cur 45,-
100000 remains ignorant OF the vital
Issue at stake. We are prepared TO
sacrifice cur last man or our last
cent for this war
The delay in the decisive result Of
Iur siege at Port Arthur gives Rus
6ia hope of being able to relieve the
garrison, and for this purpose she re-
solved to empty her naval defense at
nome, while on land corps after corps
las been modified and sent east
ward
The military and naval plan of
Russia seems to center in the relief
of Port Arthur, and General KurCpat-
kin's southwark advance, which re-
suited in mis- serious defeat, had the
le!lef of the garrison as its sole OBJ
ject. The Russian Emperor's instruc-
tons to Ku"opatkin not to retire be-
yond Mukden were designed to raise
the gloom that had been hanging over
the people of Russia since the defeat
OF Russian arms at the battle of Lao
Yang; and Kuropatkin assumed the
aggressive, perhaps. against his own
Judgment.
Everything seems TO hinge on the
TAIL CT Port Arthur. but | do not
console myself with the thought that
The capture> of the ill-fated fortress
will bring the war to speedy termin
alton. Its capture will give occasion
for renewed plans of warfare by Rus.
sia, and | am watching keenly for
such new developments.
The domestic conditions of Japan
dre highly satisfactory. The history
OF Our Diet may be summed up by
saying that from tho first it planted
itself firmly in opposition to the gov
ernment on financial questions. AT
ter my appointment, friction became
increasingly violent. The two great
PARTIES, the constitutionalists and the
progreSsists, ncld d combined front
in opposition to my ministry. Despite
administrative reforms effected on
their demand, we failed to satisfy
them. They criticized our financial
measures as excessive, and refused
to pass the bills