The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-12-26

6AnAchANhN AAoN sue ~~S
 Never Been Disposed to Take Any
 Step Which Would Lead 10 an Abrupt
 Termination of Negotiations-Untted
 States said to Favor Arbitration.
 St. Petersburg, Dec. 25.-The Russian government is still considering the re- ply of the Japanese government to its note which was sent in answer to Jap ans demands relating to the situation in the far east. A reconsideration of the proposals made in the Russian note is considered as a matter of course here.
 Russia has never been disposed to take any step which would lead to an abrupt termination of the negotiations with Japan. In answer to many irl- quiries made by the Associated Press the Russian foreign office has always insisted that the Russian proposals were so liberal that it would be scarce ly probable to conceive any further con- sessions. .....-...
 While the foreign office is unwilling to admit that Russia Is prepared to of fer more than the concessions outlined in the last note, it is considered pos- sible that the government may suggest changes by which the Russian require ments may be met and satisfaction giv- en to Japan. .s ,&., <:.E.
 A rumor has been circulated here that the United States government is still inclined to suggest the reference of the difficulties between Russia and Japan to The Hague arbitration tribunal, but this runor is believed to be merely the echo of a former suggestion made in the press of the United States.
 Tokio, Dec. 25.-At dinner given by the Oriental association tonight For mer Foreign Minister Kato, who pre- sided, said he deeply regretted that the people had not been taken into the con- fdence of the government regarding the position of affairs between Japan and Russia. Nevertheless, he said, should the emperor declare war, the nation wolud be found ready to give him unanimous support.
 Count Okuma, the former premier, said he agreed with the view expressed by MT. Kato and he thought it was now high time to let the people know the actual position occupied by the gov &ernment. He also declared that not on- ly feeling of chivalry, but a desire for self preservation required that Japan should buttress the integrity of China. 4 ii s s
 Both speakers thought that the situ- ation had reached an extreme critical stage.
 London, Dec 25.-The Daily Mails Kobe correspondent says it is reported that the note of Baron Komura, Japan ese minister of foreign affairs, to Baron de Rosen, the Russian minister, in re- sponse to Russia's reply to the claims of Japan, had a paragraph ta the ef- feet that only two weeks would be aI- lowed for an answer. This period ex- pires January z.
 Tokio, Japan, Dec. 25.--At an extraor- dinary meeting of the cabinet to-day 1t is reported that it was decided to issue an emergency ordinance authorizing the guarantee of the principal and interest Of an issue of 10,000,000 yen debentures on the Seoul-Fusan railway. which is expected to be finished before the end of next year.
 It was announced in a dispatch from Tokio recently that the Japanese gov ernment proposed to undertake the con- struction Of the Seoul -F'usan railway under ies direct supervision. The rail- road would be a very important factor in 9 Russian-Japanese war.
 London, Dec. 25.-The correspondent of the Daily Mail at Sydney, New South Wales. cables that the Japanese gov- ernment has placed orders for large quantities of pig lead with New South Wales concerns, and that the presump- ton is that this lead will be used for the manufacture of bullets.
 The Daily Mails report from Kobe that Japan had placed a limit to the time within which RusstM must respond to Baron Komura's note finds no con- firmation from any quarter and is prob- ably a revival of a similar rumor which was formerly current.
 Special cablegrams from the far east printed in this mornings newspapers reiterate the reports of alleged war preparations, but as Japanese securities yesterday recovered their lost value it is evident that little importance is at tached tol these rumors in financial cir cles. -.. a
 The Daily Photographs Shanghai cor respondent gives the names of six steamers which Japan has chartered for the conveyance of troops.
 London, Dec. 26.-The Times Tokio correspondent says that the Japanese government will soon toEe active steps to assert and consolidate the position of Japan in Corea. A preliminary to this action was the extraordinary meet ing of the cabinet yesterday, at which it was decided to grant the issue of 1o,o00,0o0 yen debentures for the pur- pose of completing the Seoul -Fusan railway.
 Carlisle Indians Win.