From tHe "Jaran Trotes."
The " Jiji" publishes an interview with gentleman who has just returned from a trip through Manchuria, and who, from internal evidence, we have reason to be-Here is none, other than a certain cole" brated English war correspondent, opinions therefure: are of peculiar vale in this context. He. is thus reported by our contemporary When I reached Port Arthur during the middle of this month, I found 14 war. ships lying at anchor within the coven of being battleships and the rest cruisers. Besides, there were two or three warships outside the harbour, the entrance to which they were apparently guarding. They wore all painted black ther boats were all in grey. Not instead of white, the usual colour, while
a day pasted without manceuvres, but their target-practice was very clumsy. The construction of dry docks had not been completed, and though the work is pushed day and night, there seems no Prospect of their being ready within six serious concern for Russia is Japan's naval power and China's possible revolt against herself. In my opinion Russia can at this moment derive no advantage from going to war. From a Russian point of view, therefore, I believe there will be no war in the near future. To speak solely of her navy, seeing that there is no Russian dock in the Far East where repairs to her warships could be satisfactorily carried out, I believe, nay discovered, that the policy, of the Russian equal dron iti case of war would be to remain within the port and not to emerge unless for a decisive engagement.
The Russians have already completed the barracks in Port Arthur the construction of which had been planned from the beginning, but they are still hard at work on others among the hills that surround Port Arthur, where the troops have been distributed. The army at Dalny seems to be disposed for the purpose of defending Port Arthur against a Japanese attack from the rear. Russian troops are numerous in the neighbourhood of Moukden; but if I am not mistaken, there are not more than 20,000 south of Moukden, and their provisions will not Last six months. There I again saw the Russians busily constructing roads and barracks, all of which are intended for permanent use. All these works are only half-finished and at least six months more will be needed to complete them. I have heard that Russia has already 200 million pounds on the work, and its prosecution for another six months will swallow up another 200 mil-Mon pounds, but Russo is indefatigable. With all the energy bequeathed by Peter the Great, she is steadily pushing these gigantic enterprises.
(he Japanese cry out for the evacuation of Manchuria, but to any impartial eye-witness of Russian undertakings in that province it is clear that any such hope is vain indeed. Russia will pay no more heed to these outeries than to the ravings of an idiot! As a matter of fact she intends to annex the whole Empire of China.
Fortunately, however, there will be no war. I know that the Japanese demands are so moderate and justifiable, that England will never object to them. I know that. China's sympathies are with Japan. In the event of war, England will fulfil her obligations as an ally. And the Japanese are a courageous people,—so courageous that I once hoped that they would be able to force the Russians to abide by their promises. I hoped that Japan would not be so stupid as to let slip the opportunity. But all these hopes,—my vain expectations of Japan, had been falsified by my experiences before my departure for Manchuria. I do not know what: baptism Japan has undergone during my absence. But if Japan has the same determination as before there will be no war. The cunning Russians will not precipitate a struggle until their plans in Manchuria ae completed and they will not. be completed within 6ix months. Good-natured Japan will certainly earn the honour of aving allowed Russia the time necessary to complete those plans, and to substitute for her present useless menaces a real danger to Japan.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.