The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-08-20

The excuse of unpreparedHess for thu
conili" no longer avails the Car in OK
planning the continuous defeats of hi,
forces. Practically ever since japan
WAS dcspoiled of the fruits of her vic
tory over China by Russia and her al
lies. the Island Empire has been known
to be preparing for the struggle with
Russia.
Japan made TO secret of her intention
to strike the country which initiated the
movement that eliminated in appropri
ating to its own Use Port Arthur and
adjacent territory coded by China to her
conqueror. Russia followed this up by
grabbing the whole of Manchulia. under
the pretense that the Boxer uprising
made it incumbent upon the Car TO
send large bodies of soldiers into the
country to protect its railroad and other
enterprises built in AIanchuria under con-
cC>ls0nS granted by the Chinese Gov
crnment. When the Boxer troubles were
ended by the allied Powers. Russia alone
refused To evacuate within Il reasonable
| time. 1t set various dates for returning
to China the administration of the af-
! fairs Of Manchuria. but broke every
! pledge it made to that Government and
violated every agreement it made with
ether Powers with respect to withdraw
ing it's troops.
Japan. realizing that if Russian aggre.s-
sion was not checked the national exist
cnce of the Island Empire itself would
he impcriled, finally addressed n sharp
note to the Russian Government, de-
handing to know the Cars intentions
in that part of Asia 4 curt note, which
in effect impaired the information that
it WAS none of Japan's business. was sent
in reply
Admiral AlcXicff WIS then sent to
Manchlrirl and given the title of Niccroy
Of Russians possessions in the Far East.
He immediately assumed u defiant air,
and even threatened war if Japan per-
sisted III "meddling in affairs that did
not concern her. But Jalnn wars not
to be curhcd by buster. She insisted
| that Russia set Il date for cvacuating
Manchuria. and also called halt on
Russian activities in Korea. The bold
ness of the Mika,o's Government further
incenScd .\leXieff. and he bluntly told
Japan that Russia WAS in Manchuria to
stay. whether Japan liked it or not. This
announcement fired the Japanese heart,
for war Diplomatic relations between
the Governments were about to be sew
cred. when the peace party of Russia,
headed by De White, got the ear of the
Car and prevented AN immediate rup-
| turc. De White. who had been the Min
lister of Finance for several years and
one of the most influential men in the
Empire until &idc-trackcd by the late
Minister Of Interior Won Plchwc. the
| leader of the war party and Russsia's
foremost rcactioniSt. told the Car some
plain truths about the condition of the
country'S finances, and succeeded in in
ducing his sovereign to conduct negOtia-
| tionS for n peaceful settlement of the
dispute between st. Petersburg and To-
kio direct instead of leaving the issue Of
peace o. war to the Judgment of Alex
Jeff.
Japan told Russia in plain language
what 1t wanted, but Itll>,$ia'S reply was
| rval>ivc 1t, however. dlu cCndeSccnd to
discuss with Japan questions relating to
koreA but carefully avoided all refer
encc to Manchuria. Some concessions
were granted the Mikado'S Government
i'll Korea but Russia reserved for her
self certain rights in the Hermit King
dom that practically nullificd the conces-
| Si"llcl in Korea. These negotiations drag
g"l a!"ng for several months and doubt
less. would have continued indefinitely