Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-30
Russian and German News
paper War Sentiment.
ANXIETY INCREASES
SITUATION DECLARED DESPER-
ATE, BUT NOT HOPELESS.
Opinion Prevails That Matters Are
Moving Toward Settlement-Jap-
anese Occupation of Corea.

ST. PETERSBURG, December 3O.-The
foreign dispatches received here yesterday
afternoon are reflected today in more pes
simistic editorials. The Novoe Vremya be-
gins it's leader with:
There is no war today. Tomorrow there
may be war
The paper rather Realistically directs at
tention to the fact that wars marked the
opening of the seventeenth, eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries.
The Novoe Vremya, nevertheless, still
processes faith In a peaceful settlement,
saying:
1--WE believe Japan will not place Russia
ir position where to yield would appear
to be a remuneration of the defense of her
vital interests in the far east. Russia does
not desire war; but nobody in Russia will
permit the Japanese or other friends to
execute diplomatic dance upon Russia $
peaceful disposition. In firm consciousness
of her power Russia will await events"
Germany Believes There Will Be No
War.
BERLIN December 3O.-The foreign Of
fee continues to assure inquirers that the
German government does not believe war
will issue from the Japanese-Russian con-
uoversy. This is also the view of the
press whether derived from official sources
or as independent opinion.
It does not appear that Sir Frank c.
1ascelles the British ambassador here, as
previously cabed said that war is not
unlikely unless Russia yields. The Japan
ese legation believes and hopes Russia will
grant Japan's just requests.
Count Won Osten-Sa cken. the Russian am
bassador. has been accepting invitations in
unusual numbers. appearing at breakfasts,
receptions, dinners and balls, serene and
confident. always taking it as an impoSsi-
bility that the situation in the far east is
even grave.
Others of the diplomatic corps seem to
be without news, and express general ideas,
the easy and safe one being that hos
tiIities are quite unlikely" and that each
side is testing its adversary to the breaking
point
Anxious for News to End Suspense.
Everywhere there is anxiety for authori-
tative news that shall bring the period of
suspense to end.
The mobiza ton of the Japanese navy is
at least partially attributable, according to
q Vladivostock dispatch to the Cologne
Gazette. to open acts of hostility on the
part of Coreans toward the Japanese, prob
ably necessltating active measures of de-
fense of Japanese interests in southern
Corea.
The Cologne Gazette considers that this
dispatch is an admission that Japan has a
good claim to defend her interests in
southern Corea by force of arms. and con-
troverts the rumors 10 the effect that
Russia would regard the landing of any
considerable Japanese force in southern
Corea casus belli. The paper con-
cludes: THE attitude of Russia this
question may therefore be regarded a
further concession on her part
The foreign Office says the German repre-
ha, info Il
in the sense which the Lokal Anzeiger says
they have, and further that the Russian
government has not received an ultimat tum
for that would be in effect the meaning of
such declaration.
The Japanese legation says 1t has not re-
ceived any intelligence from Toxic confirm
ing the statement that Japan's patience is
exhausted.
Japan Must Strike
BERLIN, December 30.-The Lokal An
Eeiger without reserve says:
THE Japanese government has informed
the representatives of the powers at Toxic
that the situa ton AT this moment Is un-
bearehle. and that Japan must strike if Rus
sia does not accept the propositions Japan
has submitted, Japan can no longer
wait for a inal decision
BERLIN, December 3O-News has been
received here confirming previous reports
that japan is mobilizlng, probably with the
object of occupying Co=ea The coniirma- =
ton has reached the German government
officially and 1t is interpreted here, as in
Paris to mean, not that Japan intends to
send an ultimatum to Russia but that
Japan may occupy Corea without Russia
considering it a casus belli
The situation is regarded here tonight as
toward war.
Chinese Treaty Awaits Seal
PEKiNG, December 3O-Tne Chinese gov
ernmcnt has promised United States Min.
lister Conger to soon forward the Chinese
copy of the treaty to Washington for the
exchange of ratiflcstions 1t is necessary
first to obtain the emperor's seal tfter
the treaty is ratified the opening OF Muk-
den and Antung to the commerce of the
world can be pressed
Situation Desperate, Not Hopeless
PARIS, December 30-Tt is learned In
diplomatic circles that the Japanese gov
ernment has informed the foreign diploma Is
that the situation with respect to Russia
is desperate, but not hopeless 1t is be-
ielved this information was communicated e6
20 the French government for presentation
al st. Petersburg.
Japan Gets Warships.
LONDON. December 3O.-Japan this even.
tine warships Moreno and Rivadavia. build.
ing at Genoa, Italy, for which Russia also
was negotiating.
No Late Developments.
LONDON, December 30.--It was said at
the foreign Office this afternoon that up
to this time the officials had received no
iutimation of the nature of the Russian
reply to Japan. but they were still hope
ful of a peaceful solution.
0
500 employees LAID OFF.