The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-01-17
WAR GOSSIP IN
GREAT BRITAIN
Past Week Shows No Change
in the Situation.
KING EDWARD FOR PEACE
HIS MINISTERS HAVE ALMOST
GIVEN UP HOPE.

London, Jan. 16.-In the opinion Of
the British government, the end of this
week does not mark any change IN the
far eastern crisis. which more than
ever keeps diplomatic circles in Lon
don in a state Of anxiety.
The latest and. if il had been true.
the most serious statement. that Rus
STA intended TO risk sending her Black
sea fleet through the Dardanelies. re-
ceived today a positive denial from the
foreign Office. Baron Hayashi, the
japanese minister, visited Downing
street and was told that after making
minute inquiries the British authorities
were convinced that the report was IN
founded.
May Be Three Weeks.
REGARDING the main issue, Baron
Havashi and the foreign Office had no
information. Neither at the japanese
legation nor at the foreign Office IS It
expected that any trustworthy indiea-
ton of the Russian action win be OBJ
tainabIe for several days. The excess
i've apprehension prevailing in the best
informed quarters here that Russia
answer win preciDitate war Is based
more upon knowledge OF the attitude
Russia has taken Up. during the pre-
than on any definite information OF
Russia's intention under the present
acute circumstances. Not even the
cars pacific utterances, however, can
dispel the fear which pervades British
officials that Russia win not give in.
king Edwards influence,
King Edward continues to use his
personal influence 10 an almost unprec-
70,
maintain peace, but the kings minis
tiers appear to have practically given
I'D hoPe that a resort to arms can De
averted. though the most pessimistic
persons do not look for any elimination
of the crisis within three weeks
The suggested Intervention in the
shape Of rendering their good offices,
on the part Of the powers, IS now uni
versalIy declared here to be quite i'm
possible. How determined Japan IS 10
face all the eventualities can be judged
from the fact that she is negotiating
in England for the construction Of tour
battleships. not two battleships, as pre-
viously. reported. The negotiations are
not vet closed but the contract IS likely
20 be taken up by the largest Enslish
firm within a week
War Would Last long Time.
Ifle nrn IN question: AiAOttlAS AAle 49,
ISOLATED Press that it Is satisfied Japan
is able TO carry on a possible war long
enough TO pay for and use the vessels.
which necessarily could not be ready
under two wears.
The Spectator now regards war as
inevitable in which It merely follows
up its own significant line of argument
that a japanese war would be
to Great Britain's advantage, so long
as Great Britain is only an on-loOker
and while the struggle does not involve
any other power. The Spectator has
previously pointed out in guarded Ian
guage that such a war vas likely to
leave both Russia and Japan crippled,
neither gaining a great advantage over
the other, which suggests the deduc-
ton current in official circles here that
in this event Great Britain would be in
q better position to foster her sphere
of influence in the far east, unmenaced
by the fear Of Japan becoming a too
paramount power in that quarter Of the
globe.
Baron Haysshi said humOr0usly to-
night. Great Britain and America
might well raise a subscription in our
behalf for If war results and we win
they are hound TO benefit by it