RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11153, 20 December 1901, Page 4

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

The situation in the Far East promises interesting dev»lopoi*Dtß. Ruoria* if we may judge bj tbe c»bl« |»obliebed yeaterday, will bo* t» allowed to 'Wlave fchinga ail her own tray in the extension of (her

influence over Northern Cfciaa. Th« Absorption of Maaoborifc by Bueria, for the completion of -whack it is &eliev«d that tthe proposed M&noharian treaty provides, has ell along met wrtiht opposition in Japan. There waa a year or two ago a party in Japan favourable *o en tuMierstanding with Russia, but the cotnsa of events hae weakened the influence of the pro-Russians «od to-day die leaders of Japan, ib ia said, «re unammooe in their ShostUity to the polky of the Oaar'a Government in £be Par East. " llhwb thfa Japanese are prepared to resist Russkin aggression in China by war, if necessary, «t4>e latest news plainly indicates; although, in taking the final step, they will expect Aβ support of tbe other Powers. The possibility of a "wwr .between. Russia and Jappai ibas frequently (been discussed, and Russian journals have lost so opportunity of impressing upon the Tokio Government thte "fatnoue foolishness" of such a course. A strong effort has been made by Russia, pending the completion of her gigantic Siberian railway scheme, to promote friendly relations with Japan, and avoid all semblance of friction. In return for being allowed to have iher own way in regard to Manchuria, Russia agreed to leave Japan a free hand in Korea, with the one proviso thai a Russian naval station should be established on tlte southern coast of that peninsula. Much was said on the Russian side about the "splendid "field of development" tJhua offered to Japan, and the benefits whioh both nations would receive from a friendly alliance. Bat the programme go attractively sketched out has apparently oo allurement for the Japanese; luheir newspapers are unanimous in tibeir disapproval of Russian policy, and it is dear that they express the feeling of -the country. The attitude of Japan is, according to the Tokio correspondent of "The Tijaes," based upon the obvious fact that she "has no competence to deternun* " Ufenchhwift'e fate without reference to tihe "other Powers interested, 'especially to the "owmer of Manchsuria," and that Russia "is similarly lacking dn authority to give " Japan a mandate in Korea." Moreover, it ia pointed out that in any case Japan is already guaranteed! by convention against Russian, interference with her commercial interests in Korea, so that the offer of free hand'" in the peninsula amount? to jjotifcumg at ell, whereas a Russian naval base in Korea would be a menace to thfe safety of Japan. Believing that objeot is merely to try to avoid conflict until she. da strong enough in the Far East to be success, tHw mere actively anti-Ruesiam jotwjmils in Japan-have

for come time past <beea advocating w&r. Since tbe conflict with Chana, Japan. 3ia# spem* eoanething like forty millions eteorling iipon etrengthemng >ber army and her navy f eewi ibter gw»t "Pogt-Beilum" Ppoifreanane" itae now ibeen practkally, carried out. Slno TrouliJ iprove a vejy formid* able aaffcagoniat. At the present, time, •however, .jfl>e could not afford, through wanrfi of funds, to .enter upon a great and oos% war, TJje eijiOOTious *rmwnept cX" pension eaheme and other underrtaki'mgß have, tihe txtlkof thQ Chinese indeminity, and enost of tffcte -oouotryVi avail*ble capital, Ami the'result as the* the nati<xnal treasury is badly ,jn need of foreign This is doubtlese the -w% Ja.pa,n requires "an, assurance of support fiom the othw Powers before she throws <k>wi the gajQOitlet to B-weia. If that assu].Tatioe were given, tihe prdbability \ie that ttoe situafcion would ba brought to a oiisi«^