Oakes Republican. (Oakes, N.D.) 1898-1906, 1904-02-26
France Germany and Russa Arrayed Against Great britain and
Japan Is Possibility Widely Discussed Without Re-
serve IN Russian Official Cfrclex
Three Thousand Russian Troops Reported Have Been Drowned
While Crossing Lake Baikal- Anti American Feeling
Grows More Intense in Russia.

all the cities of Shantung., TIE Chi
nese received the announcement ia
vorably.
Berlin, Feb. 21.-In considering an
item in the foreign Office budget pro-
viding s3,500,000 for expenses in the
Far East, including the maintenance
Of the German troops at KiAo- -cEaou,
Shantung province, and in Chill prov
ince, China, some Of the members of
the richstag appropriations commit
tee
Objected to the Expenses
as being unnecessary burden. For
eign Secretary Won Richthofen conf
denttially communicated to the COM
mittee certain information about Far
Eastern conditions. and he added in
the public session that Germany had
Great Britain, 2,725; France, 1,718;
Japan, 1.2s7, and Italy TIL men In
China.
The present force in Chilli province.
the secretary explained, was too weak
to maintain internal order. vhile the
600 reserves in Kiao-Chou were q
slender precaution for, the preserva-
tion of the neutrality of that district.
This was no time, he added, to weak
en- German representation diplomat
ically of militarily in the Far East.
Make a General Mix-Up.
Paris, Feb. .21. - There is increas-
ing talk throughout Europe of the
possibility of France and Germany
finding themselves arrayed as allies of
Russia against Japan and Great Brit
ain.
Officials in Russia continue to count
on Germany's unreserved support,
and discuss openly the possible
change of the equilibrium of Europe.
The increasing possibility of war
with Great Britain is discussed with
out reserve in Russian military cir
cles.
TO Hold China in Check.
Washington, Feb. 21. - Having sc
cured the pledges of the powers that
China is not to be disturbed by either
the Russians of Japanese, diplomats
now claim that it will devolve upon
the United States and the other
powers to see that China maintains
absolute neutrality in the contest.
Large numbers of Chinese troops
are being hurried to the borders to
prevent any struggling. These troops
will be far removed from communica,
ton, and experience has shown that
the Chinese soldier is not subject to
much discipline. He generally fights
when he feels like it, ard he attacks
the persons nearest to him.
Because of this it is possible that
the United States, with the other
powers, will be obliged to have in
readiness expeditions to keep the
Chinese soldiers in order and
Preserve the Neutrality
Of China. Having this in view, 600
marines are now in San Francisco
and viii sail for Olangampo, in the
Philippine islands, on the transport
Buford on March 1. The administra-
ton has given out that the marines
are intended to. relieve like number
Of marines in the Philippines. It is
learned t.at great number of ma.
rines are to return within the near
future to the United States.
All the Pacific transports are being
detained at San Francisco in order
that they may be ready in the event a
sudden emergency should demand the
sending Of an expedition to China.
No troops can be spared from the
Philippines.
The warships on the Pacific station
have been coaled and ammunition put
aboard in order that they can leave
| at moments notice should occasion
arise In the Far East.
With the receipt of Russia's reply
the officials at the state department
! say that the "critical stage" of the
negotiations are ended; that Russia's