The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
Japanese Minister Says His County VIII Wait No Longer
 Than Circumstances Justify
WHETHER THERE IS ID BE
 WAR IS NOW UP ID RUSSIA
MT. Tokahira Regards the Situation as Very Gloomy And Says That Japan Has Done All She
 Could.

Washington, December 90 With war staring his country in the face, Minister Takahira, the Japanese minister was as calm as any one in Washington as ne sat at his desk at late hour preparing dispatches for transmission to TolSio and talked of a. report of the Associated Press of the far eastern crisis. Having called at the state department and informed the officials of the gravity with which the Toldo government views the situation, Minister Takahira said tonight that he, with the other officials of the Japanese foreign service, was awaiting the answer of Russia to Japan's last note before mak- ing a second con munication to the powers. In conversation with the Associated Press reporter, Mir. Takahra said
 Thanks American People.
 'I wish the American people to know that their many expressions of sympa- thy for my country in the present crisis have been promptly communicated to Tol1io, and I can give the strongest as- surances that the Japanese government and the Japanese people profoundly ap- preciate this renewed evidence of the friendship of the United States.
 "In time like this. it would be mex pedient to discuss negotiations of slch worldwide importance as are now pro- gresslng at Toko. You ask me If I think war is inevitable. I can only say that Japan is awaiting the arrival of the Russian reply to her last note.
 Will Not Walt Too Long.
 "Japan will wait as long as circum- stances seem to justify, but no longer. We have been prompt in all our propo- sitons. our counter propositions, and, in fact. in all the steps of our negotia- tions with Russia. In our last note we have stated the minimum proposition which we can submit to Russia. That country has the deciding vote whether there is to be war or peace In the far east. We have done all that we could"
 MT. Takahira expressed the hope that war may yet be averted, but regards the outlook as gloomy and further stated that Japan, while not placing a time linn it on Russia's reply urged in her last note that the St. Petersburg government send definite answer at the earliest possible moment
 An indefinite answer will be regarded as wholly unsatisfactory
 Amercans Want to Help.
 Russia and Japan are receiving many letters from Americans all over the coun- try offering their services in case of war The Russian ambassador and the Japan csc minister are declining all offers of assistance
 At the Japanese legation the authority Is announced that for days MT. Takahira's 8 mail has contained many letters from Americans wishing to enlist in the Japan csc army or navy. The minister is sending a personal note to each writer expressing the profound appreciation of the Japanese people for this evidence of sympathy and support on the part of the citizens of the United States. but saying that even If assistance were needed the laws of Japan preclude the employment of any foreign troops. Furthermore, Japan's army and navy are adequate to meet the emer- gency MT. Talahra has advised his gov ernment by cable of these offers of as- sistance. and the Japanese embassies and legations throughout Europe also were made aware of this demonstration of American sympathy.
 Count Cassini, in declining the offers which his government is receiving, also is expressing his appreciation of the spirit which prompts them. He is likewise advis- ing St. Petersburg of the fact that the Russian government may know of the sympathy felt for Russia in the present crisis.