The Japanese Government, strongly pressed by its military party, has,
it is said, remonstrated with Russia against her proposed agreement with China about Manchuria. The answer of the Russian Foreign Office is that it objects to discuss with third parties negotiations not yet complete. When they are, it will be disposed to listen to any repre- sentations Japan may have to make. That will be regarded at Tokio as no answer at all, but as China has not signed the Treaty, Marquis Ito, who does not desire war, will prob- ably be able to hold his people in hand. The enmity of Japan is, however, a factor with which the Russian Foreign Office has seriously to reckon, as indeed its managers are well aware. They are believed to be even eager to avoid war as yet, partly because they are not ready and partly from con- siderations of finance. All the international generals, too, are greatly impressed with the condition of the Japanese Army as revealed in the operations against Pekin.
