The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-08-12
WAR WRITER
GOING HOME
Correspondent Clough
Talks of the
Outlook.

Among the passengers on the Siberia
is Mr. E. H. Clough who was lately
representative of the Hearst papers
ih the Far East. Mr.. Clough went to
the Orient on the first trip of the
Siberia a year and a half ago and
| is now returning for a short vacation.
He has been in a position to view the
Eastern situation at close range and
last night gave the following interest
ing account of affairs:
THE recent trip of the vladivostoE
| squadron had a disastrous effect upon
Japanese commerce. AS long as the
cruisers are out they are injuring Japan
in this way far more than it is possible
to injure them by any reverses in their
military campaign. 1t is estimated that
while the squadron was virtually
blockading Toxic bay the loss to Jap
anese commerce was at least sS0.00O.O0O
in gold. There were seven or eight
large steamers tied UP in Yokohama
alone suffering loss of $5 per ton.
'.The foreign population of Japan is
decidedly anti-Japanese in it's sympa-
thy This is caused by the officiousness
of the Japanese who are feeling their
Importance considerably. The Ameri-
cans feel that Japan is not going to let
England and America get any more
benefit out of this war than she can
help. She wishes to reap all the fruits
of it herself. For this reason the Eng
Iish and Americans. are quietly anti
Japanese. In the Knight Commander
affair most of them hold that Russia's
attitude was correct. The manifest Of
the vessel is the evidence before the
prize court as to whether the steamer
was lawful prize or not. IF she was
sunk without warrant then Russia will
pay an indemnity. The foreign popu-
lation of Japan as a whole seem TO
think that there was no violation of in
ternational law.
1.-The Russians are the keenest dip1o-
mats in the world and their policy
seems TO be to draw some other nation
into the struggle even If it involves loss
to them. Then they will be able to say,
We can't fight the whole world and
thus can get out of a bad hole grace
fully by asking for intervention
North China is unanimously pro-
at least among the bulk of
the people. Among the high officials
and statesmen there is considerable in
trigue, and it is every man for him
self. AS whole, however, North
China is safely japanese. There is a
paper there published in the interests
of Japan. The Russians endeavored to
win over the country and even estab-
Iished rival paper but all their efforts
were fruitless. The Chinese army is un-
der the influence of Japan. There are
along the great wall between China and
Manchuria about 80, 600 Chinese troops.
These are ostensibly guarding the
frontier. There are in the vicinity of
Peking some $4,000 more. OF these
Yuan Shi Kai, the viceroy Of Chill. is
in command of 1900. all well drilled
troops. General Ma also has 5000. He
is in immediate connection with the
,ourt OF the Dowager Empress and the
element. They are opposed
% the progressive Yuan Shi KaL Both
If these generals are anxious for a fight
out the japanese do not want them 20
involved, at least not at pres
mt
1T is my opinion that if the Japa-
lese win in the present struggle they
will hand Manchuria back to China
and then ask her to pay her prOpor-
ion of the war expenses. The Japa-
lese will probably retain Port Arthur
( it can be made impregnable and the
over portion of the Liaotong penin-
Iula. The japanese consider that the
of Port Arthur by the Rus
iians robbed them of the fruits of their
,ictory in the Chino-Japanese war and
I is a matter of pride with them to
.apture it. There is no question that
Z they sat down and commenced a
egular seige they could starve the 20,-
70 Russians inside into surrender with
,ut the loss of a single man Instead
# this they are undoubtedly losing
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