The semi-weekly messenger., 1904-01-01
STILL UNCERTAIN
Still Preparations for War Are Going
on and Russia VIII Not Exhibit O
Too Great Desire to Escape q Test
of Arms-British AlarInist News
Fails to Convince the Rassians-
japanese Council Approves Issue
For Expediting Work on Seoul
Fusan Railway.

consensus OF unofficial opinion among
those associated with the government
but not responsible therefor, is tina,
the Car is so peacefully disposed tha,
he will make such concessions tc
Japan as are necessary to prevent war
provided that no unforeseen events
force the hands Of the governments
concerned. At the same time the Car
it is pointed out, agrees with those
who believe that preparation for war
is the best safeguard OF peace. and
that apparent willingness to allow
matters to be submitted to the test Of
arms is more likely to lead to a sat
isfactory compromise than an exhibit
ton of over much peacefulness.
This unofficial opinion, however. be-
lieves the controlling party regards
Corea as necessary to the consolida-
tion of Russian interests in the Far
East. and, therefore is determined to
prevent the peninsula falling into
japanese hands. and that any conces-
sions Russia now makes to Japan will
only be with the object of deferring
the difficulty until a more seasona bic
time.
There is not likely to be much diff
flculty in finding money in case cf
war. A foreign loan on acceptable
terms is probably impossible, but the
Russian banks and merchants have
ample funds on which the government
could draw.
One reason why the British alarmist
news fails to convince the Russians -
the perfect understanding here Of the
benefits Great Britain derives from q
continuance Of the strained situation.
1t was known here a year ago that
Great Britain was planning to occupy
Thibet and extend the railroad to a
point in the Yang Use Valley which Is
reachable by g1mboats from the sea.
Great Britain's forward movement at
this time excites both admiration and
rage. the former for the clever politi-
cal move the latter because Russia is
so pre-occupied in the far east that
she is unable to prevent Great Britain
from creating her own Manchuria in
the Yang Tse provinces. 1t is pointed
here that the present situation affords
Great Britain the same opportunity az
actual war between Russia and any
third power.
Toxic. December 28.-An extraordI-
nary meeting Of the privy council to-
day approved the issue by the cabinet
Of emergency ordinance authorizing the
guarantee Of the principal and interest
OF an issue Of ten million yen deben-
lures for the purpose Of expediting the
work on the Seoul -Fusan railway,
which Is expected to be finished by the
end Of next year.
The ordinance also provides for all
possible military expenses for the ;ro-
lection of the railway ard Interests.
Ia 1>a1. &lo& L.
modifles her reply, Japan will imme-
diately safeguard Corea. though such
step will not necessarily mean war
with Russia.
London, December 29.-According
to the Daily Chronicle the japanese
government outbid the Russian gov
ernment and actually purchased the
warships Moreno and Rivadavia, both
of which are now nearing completion
at Genoa. Other papers print a re-
port that the Japanese ministerial
council has decided to transfer $25,-
100000 from the educational fund for
emergency purposes.
The cabinet held a sitting which
was prolonged until late at night. The
correspondent says that the finance
minister on Sunday entertained the
leading bankers at dinner for the
purpose of discussing with them the
best means of meeting the emer-
gency. Continuing the correspondent
says:
The Japanese officials already
have taken over controi OF the Seoul
Fusan railway. The president of the
railway has been dismissed or been
replaced by Mr.. Furnechi, chief Of
the Japanese railway board. The
Japanese fleet has been organized
and disposed in divisions and squad
rons, prepared to check any Russian
movement from Vadivostock or Port
Arthur
The correspondent adds that Baron
de Rosen is still confined to his house
by illness