Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-26
JAPAN WANTS SHIPS
Negotiating for Purchase Of
New Armament.
AWAIT RUSSIAN REPLY
CzAR MUST MODIFY DEMAND TO
AVERT WAR.
italian Government Sends Cruiser to
Nagasaki-Sending of japanese
Troops to Corea Right.

LONDON December 26.-Japan is nego-
tiating for the purchase of two Chilean
warships the armored cruiser Esmeralda
and another, probably the battle ship Capt.
tan Prat. which are fer sale. 1t is now
only matter of price. Negotiations with
other South American governments for the
purchase of warships are also in progress.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minister to
Great Britain, said to representative of
the Associated Press today relative to
these negotiations:
I'VE want more ships. OF course, this is
only precautionary measure. and it may
be lot of expense all for nothing.
'I have no indication of the nature of the
Russian reply. Personally, 1 scarcely ex-
pect 1t will be delivered for some little
time.
There is no truth whatsoever In the re-
port that Japan's last note stipulated a
time-limit"
Asked anent the dispatch from Berlin of
December a. saying the British govern
ment had represented to the czar that
Great Britain deemed Japans demands
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 we'll aware
that japan will be obliged to go to war
taken up in her last note"
At the foreign office here nothing is
yet known of the probable nature of the
Russian reply.
Russia Will Not Regard It Unfriendly
PARIS, December 26-It was learned in
authoritative quarters today that Japan is
about to send a large military force to
Corea, for the purpose of restoring and
maintaining order at the disturbed ports.
The departure of this force is imminent
1t will probably consist of division of
15. 600 men.
Japan has been assured that Russia will
not consider the sending of troops to Corea
to be an unfriendly act or a casus belli.
1t is anticipated that the departure of the
troops Will revive the war rumors. which,
however. 1t is pointed out in the authorita-
tive quarters. will be unjustifed, In view Of
Russia's acQuiescence.
Recognized by Russia.
During the recent exchanges OF communi-
mer fully recognized the need of the pres
ence of a strong military authority in Co.
rea, and conceded that Japan was in the
best position to promptly send troops to the
disturbed points
The sending of the troops, nevertheless
is construed as having important bear
Ing on the present negotiations, as it will
uc the ITSt CONSPICUOUS eVlQence OIL Japan S
actual exercise of paramount authority
over Corea.
1t is further said In the same quarters
that the preparations for this expedition
were the cause of the recent great activity
at the japanese arSenals and dock yards
which, 1t is asserted. has been enormously
ascrfbed to preparations against Russia.
Surprised Over Belligerency.
Information has also been received here
that Foreign Minister Lamsdorf has per-
sonally received Japans reply, and that in
view of its terms, he is said to have ex-
pressed surprise at the reports of Japan's
belligerent attitude.
This. 1t Is added. is regarded as clearly
showing the amicable spirit in which the
negotiations are proceeding.
italian Cruiser to Nagasaki.
ROME. December 26.-Owing to the COM
plications in the far east, the Italian
armored cruiser Vettor Pisani will sail
shortly for Nagasaki, Japan
Prince Ouroussoff, the new Russian am
bassador to Italy. has arrived here The
press welcomes him to Rome and expresses
the hope that he will succeed in re-estab
fishing the intimate relations between Rus
sia and Italy which were disturbed by the
abandonment of the proposed visit of the
car to Rome through the advice of the
former ambassador of Russia, NJ de Ne
0doff.