The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-17
WILL TRY ONCE MORE.
Japan Is Greatly DispIeased at
Russia's Course.

Toxic, Dec. 1.-THE conference of
the elder statesmen of Japan, including
the Marquis Ito, and the cabinet min
listers yesterday, resulted according to
a semi-official statement in a deter
mination to oppose strong front to
Russia, in view of the latter's lnsatis-
factory reply to the Japanese pro-
posals.
Another report said that although
the Russian reply was considered high
ly unsatisfactory the conference decid-
ed to make another and probably last
attempt to arrive at q friendly settle
ment.
Tie situation is considered grave.
Even the most sober section of the
Japanese press declares it is high time
for action.
In addition to the Marquis Ito, Field
Marshal Yamagata, senior field marshal
of the Japanese army and former Pre-
mier Count Matzukata, one of the
greatest financiers OF modern Japan,
and twice premier of Japan, Count
Onouye former Japan ambassador to
Korea and at one time finance minis
ter of Japan and the MARQUIS Oyama,
field marshal who distinguished himself
in the war between Japan and China,
conference yesterday between the elder
statesmen of Japan and Premier Kat
sura, the foreign minister, and the war
minister lasting three hours.
NEIO11A11OlN0s
London, Dec.17.-The Associated Press
is informed that an intimation has
been received here on official quarters
from Japan that the Russian draft of
the proposed agreement is not accept
able in its present form and that fur
Their negotiations on important ques-
lions of principle would be necessary
before a final settlement can be reach
ed. Both the Japanese and British Of
ficials in London, however, maintain
the views they expressed in these dis
patches December IA, that distinct
step towards peace has been made and
they remain optimistic in regard to an
ultimate specific settlement.
NOT SO OPTIMISTIC.
st. Petersburg, Dec. l7.-The reticence
of the foreign Office here has increased
since the dispatch of the reply of Russia
to Japan and the officials decline to con-
firm or deny reports OF the character OF
the reply printed abroad. The feehng
in Diplomatic circles is not quite so optf-
rnistic as it has beenfi but possibly this
is only a reflex of the opinion of the
general press as the diplomats them
selves admit they are very much in the
dark 1t is believed the unfavorable i'm
preston apparently created on the JAP
anese government by the reply is due
to Russia's unwillingness to place the
settlement of the Korean and Man
churian questions on the same footing.
Russia desires to cover only the former
with the treaty, leaving the latter on
sort of understanding the exact charac-
ter of which is not determined upon.
Further negotiations will be necessary
If Japan insists, with the alternative of
their entire suspension. If the negotia-
tons are broken off it will not neces-
sariIy mean eventualities. On this
point a prominent diplomat said:
TT seems to be forgotten that the
present negotiations were not under
taken to settle a pressing. vital issue,
the failure of which would precipitate
war, but for the purpose of assuring
peace in the future by clearing up mis-
understandings regarding possible con-
hicting interests. Now. If the attempt
fails it will naturally leave a strained
situation, but war would only follow an
actual encroachment by one power on
one OF the supposed rights of the
rfher'