The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-07

RARIS, Feb. 6.-PubHc attention is
riveted on the ominous war cloud
hanging over the far east. and for
the time being Dreyfus, the Humberts
and the expulsion of the religious or
ders are temporarily forgotten. The
newspapers reflect the public feeling
ttat wa- Is very near at hand, only the
most conservative maintaining that a
pacific solution is possible. 1t Is no
ticeabie that those having government
relations take a discCura Ring view. Or
iicial opinion mas clearly turned toward
the pessimistic idea, although not yes
ready to concede that the last chance
has gone. The officials are, however
convinced that Russia VIII not yield to
Japan's demands relative 20 Mancbu-
ria, 50 that if war depends on that is
sue it viii be for Japan to make a final
decision.
Official News Lacking.
In the matter Of actual news, the for
egn office was unable today TO give ad-
ditionaI information, as it has not yet
been officially advised that the Russian
reply has been sent. The last definite
official dispatch from st. Petersburg
said the reply was expected to be
signed and sent Thursday. Since then
there has been no Official advice that
the reply has actually gone.
In the meantime the embassies and
legations are the centers of unusual ac-
tivity in connection with the far east
ern situation Ambassador Porter sees
Foreign Minister DelcaSSe frequently
and also keeps in touch with the Rus
sian and japanese representative
Other members OF the United States
embassy nklgle in diplomatic circles
and exchange information with ali their
cOIIeagu Definite results are prompt
" communicated to Washington.
Neither Can Win.
During one Of these meetings NJ. Le-
roy Beaulieu, the eminent author and
authority on Russia and the far east.
was encountered. Being asked what
he thought of Russia controversy with
Japan, he made the following signih-
cant reply:
In the event Of war ana convinced
that neither party viii be able 70 con-
quer the other. That is. Russia. viii
not be able to penetrate into Japan and
administer a conclusive and lasting
overthrow. and Japan viii equally be
unable TO penetrate into Russia and
give lasting effect to any temporary
triumphs"
Mr.. Besulieu seemed 10 base his con
viction on the fact that after the first
great battles the contestants would
find the geographical obstacles - great
as TO make decisive h0stilties impOssi-
bic.
Delay in Hostilities.
N. Delcasse. i'm personal converse r.
ton with members OF the diplomatic
corps. does not conceal the gravity or
the situation, but he holds that even
if diplomatic rupture occurs. this
does not mean an immediate OUtbrea k
of hOstilities. one of the leading dip
Iomats asked N. DeIcasse whether he
considered war a matter OF few
days.
con the contrary" snc minister re-
piled. 81 do not believe IL likely TO &C
eur for a month or two. even should
the negotiations completely fail
This accords with the view of other
leading officials and diplomatists who
hold that the failure OF the negotis-
ti0ns would be followed by u period o.
strategic preparations, Of raising large
war funds and Of ma1eUverins for po-
sition.
Necessary Funds Lacking.
The raising of war funds is consid-
cred here as being one Of the most vital
questions should the negotiations fail
Therefore, a leading American oficisI
sought To learn whether Russia would
be able to issue a loan and raise more
money here. He consulted with one Of
the most eminent 6nanCieTs of France.
connected with the Bank Of France.
and this brought out some surprising
statements concerning the enormous
( Indebtedness Russia has already In
Cured here. According to this fnan-
cier. Russia's four loans total the CO.
/ lossal sum Of $4,000 00o, most ~
which came from France Russia has
now practically used up these loans on
building the trans Siberian railroad.
the new fleet and internal improve
ments in the waterways. The trans
/ Siberian line alone has proven a ter
rible drain. the deficit last year reach r.
ing S4200 90 Therefore. in the event
OF 2 conflict Russia must have some
sinews of war. and IL is the conclusion
I Of the fnancier from the foregoing
4 facts that she is not likely 20 place a
further loan in Paris which hereto
I fore has been her chief financial reli-
ance. on the other hand. the diplo-
matist compared this with the an
/ n0uneement today from Toxic that ia
/ pan had succeeded in securing voiun-
tary subscriptions Of 100000 toward
/ her war fund.
May Wen Consider.
THAT would run a war for about
+ one day said the diplomatist. WITH
Russia unable 10 set more money here
and Japan unable to get il at nome,
1 il is believed that II q breakdown Fl
the negotiations occurs, each side VIII
take a long breath before fighting
/ one of the officers of q trust COM
f, pany of New York city, who was re-
/ Gently here, reached the same conclu-