The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-26
FRANCE AND GERMANY
ARE RUSSIA'S FRIENDS
Gar Is Counting on Their Support
in Case of a General War
in Europe.
SITUATION IN BALKANS

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 25.-There is
growing belief that an understanding exists
between Russia and Germany relative to
the developments from the war and the
diplomatists are giving more attention TO
the likelihood of other powers becoming in
volved. Frances enormous financial in
vestments in Russian funds and enterprises
are estimated at close to 1900. 100000, and 1T
is feared that in case of Russian reverses,
which might threaten the empire France
may be compelled to go TO the support of
her ally. There are suspicious of the mo-
tives of Great Britain of a character TO
cause complications in that direction. 1t is
strongly intimated that the return of the
Russian ambassador to Great Britain.
Count Benckendorff, to ST. Petersburg was
not solely to bid farewell to his son, previ
Gus to the latters departure for the far
East with his regiment, but that it was
also TO consult with the Russian Foreign
Office relative to the British expedition to
Thibet
The Russian government is angry at the
language used by Foreign Minister Lans-
downe, as printed in the recent British
blue book on the subject of Thibet, and
Ambassador Benckendorff may receive in
structions to reply in kind if exchanges on
the subject continue.
The conditions in the Balkans are also
considered extremely critical, and alto
gether the diplomats feel that if the danger
of a general conflagration is to be avoided
every energy should be directed not only
to limiting the sphere of operations, but
toward an attempt at mediation. They are
discussing the subject with great serious
ness 1t is not believed that Russia will
be disposed while smarting under the hui
initiation of defeat to accept Intervention,
but once a decisive victory is achieved, the
diplomats are inclined to believe that owing
TO the Cars sincere aversion TO war ne
will welcome good offices.
The NovOe Vremya declared Great Brit
aims failure to protest against the VIOLA
ton of the neutrality of Korea, whose IN
volatility was guaranteed by the Anglo
japanese treaty, provides that the treaty
was directed solely against Russia.
Some old believers in the schismatics or
500 years ago. who are among the wealth
lest Russians. show a disposition to place
vast sum at the disposal of the govern
ment if the occasion requires it. Scores OF
millionaires are among them at MOSCOW:
granted by Catherine the Great. AS they
are not believers in banks, the money would
have to come out of their private strong
boxes.
A special dispatch from Port Arthur says
Picking and Tien-Tsin report that there is
considerable dissatisfaction in certain Chi
neSe circles ut the neutrality OF China ana
that the japanese minister, III. Ouchida, Is
trying to force China TO side with Japan
1t is asserted that Yuan Shi Kai, the Chi
nese commander-in-chief, is under Japa-
nese influence, and that he secretly recon-
mendS an alliance between China and Japan,
on the ground that If japan gets Korea she
would not take Manchuria.
The Associated Press is authorized to say
there - no truth in the rumor current here
that the Russian embassy at Washington
will be intrusted TO a charge d'affaires, as a
sign of displeasure over the conduct of the
commander of the United States gunboat
Vicksburg at Chemulpo in refusing to join
with the commanders of the other warships
in the protest against the attack of the Jap
anese fleet on the Russian cruisers Varia g
and KorietZ. The Foreign Office declares
nothing of the sort is contemplated.
Count Benckehdorff, Russian ambassador
to Great Britain. who returned here a few
dience with the Gar to-day.