The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-26
JAPAN after
MORE SHIPS.
She Is Negotiating With Chill
for Purchase Of Two.
Trying to Buy from Other
South American Nations.
ONLY PRECAUTIONARY
It May Be a Lot of Expense for
Nothing.
No Time Limit Was Placed on
Her Last Note.
ONLY PRECAUTIONARY

ing for the purchase of two Chilean
warships, the armored cruiser Esmerald
and another, probably the battleship
Captain Prat, which are for sale. 1t is
now only matter of price. Negotia-
tions with other South American gov
ernments for the purchase of warships
are also in progress. Baron Hayashi, the
Japanese minister to Great Britain said
to a representative of the Associated
Press relative to these negotiations: We
want more ships. OF course this is only
a precautionary measure and it may be
a lot of expense all for nothing.
Il have no indication of the nature
of the Russian reply. Personally, I
scarcely expect it will be delivered for
some little time.
There is no truth whatsoever in the
report that Japan's last note stipulated
a time limit"
Asked anent the dispatch from Ber-
lin of December "a, saying the British
government reported to the czar that
Great Britain deemed Japan's de-
mands just and earnestly expected that
Russia would grant them" Baron
Hayashi, while he was not aware of the
precise action taken by Great Britain
at st. Petersburg, said:
The British government is well
aware that Japan will be obliged to go
to war unless Russia, mOdifieS the posi-
ton she has taken in her last note"
At the foreign office here nothing is
yet known of the probable nature of
the Russian reply.
JAPAN TO ISSUE BONDS.
London, Dec. 26.-The Toxic cores
pondent of the Times cables that the
japanese government shortly will take
active steps 10 assert and consolidate
the interests of Japan in Korea. A pre-
liminary to this action was the extraor-
diary meeting of the cabinet yesterday
at which it was decided to guarantee
the issue of ten million yen debentures
for the purpose of completing the Seoul
F'uSan railway
ARTHUR.
New York Dec ga volunteer fleet
transport is on the way to Port Arthur
from Odessa with over 1000 picked re
cruits, says a Moscow dispatch to the
Times.
The transport also carries several
Black sea naval officers, a party of 50
naval gunners and engine room artifi-
GERS.
ITALIAN CRUISER TO SAIL.
Rome, Dec. 26.-Owing to the compli-
cations in the far east the Italian ar
mored cruiser Vettor Pisani. will sail
shortly for Nagasali.
VICKSBURG SAILS FOR CHEMULPO
Washington, Dec. 26-Rear Admiral
Stirling. temporarily in command of
the Asiatic station, cables the
navy department announces the
departure of the gunboat Vicks-
burg today from Shanghai for
ChemuIpo, Korea, where she has
been ordered at the instance of Mr..
Allen, the American minister at Seoul
The local riots at Chemulpo recently
endangered American life and property
and the dispatch of war ship was
thought necessary.
$1,000 TROOPS FOR KOREA.
Paris, Dec. 26.-It was learned IN au-
that Tan9n
IS about to send a large military force
to Korea for the purpose of restoring
and maintaining order at the disturbed
ports The departure of this force is
Imminent 1t will probably consist of
a division Of $1,000 men. Japan has been
assured that Russia will not consider
the sending of troops to Korea to be
an unfIiendly act or casus belli. 1t
is anticipated that the departure of the
troops viii revive the war rumors-
During the recent exchanges Of COM
munications between Russia and
Japan, the former fully recognized the
need of the presence of d strong mill
tary authority in Korea, and conceded
that Japan was in the best position
TO promptly send troops to the dis
turbed <5onts.
The sending of the troops. neverthe-
less is construed as having an imDor-
tant bearing on the present negotia-
tions. as it viii be the first conspicuous
evidence of JaDan's actual exercise of
paramount authority over Korea. 1t is
further said in the same quarters that
the preparations for this expedition
Were the cause of the recent great ac-
tivity at the Japan arsenals and dock
yards. which it is asserted has been
enormously ascribed to preparations
against Russia.
Information has also been received
here that Foreign Minister Lamsdorf
has personally received Japan's reply,
and that in view of its terms he is
said to have expressed surprise at the
reports of Japan's belligerent attitude
This, it is added. is regarded as clearly
showing the amicable spirit in which
the negotiations are proceeding.