The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-27
NEGOTIATIONS BEGUN FOR MORE SOUTH AMERICAN WARsHPs

SPECIAL BY CABLE TO THE NEW YORK
HERALD AND THE ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC.
Honolulu, Dec. 2s.-(Copyright, $780,
Rear Admiral Evans says that the situa-
ton in the far East is too grave for the
Asiatic fleet to remain longer In Honolulu
and has decided not to postpone sailing,
although he was authorized by the Navy
Department to use his discretion.
Rear Admiral Evans. who has long ex-
pected that Russia and Japan would soon
go to war, has cabled the Navy Depart
ment that the Asiatic fleet will leave
Honolulu for Guam on Tuesday. The
cruiser squadron of his fleet will touch
at Midway Island.
The battleship squadron will follow
the great circular route Before
the Asiatic fleet started for Hawaii.
early in December. 1t had spent several
months in japanese waters.
Rear Admiral Evans. when he first
took command Of the Asiatic fleet. was
| confident great naval war would occur
in these waters within short time. I'm
less the conflict comes soon Rear Admiral
home in the spring for service as chair
man Of the Lighthouse Board.
GUNBoAT TO CHEMULPo.
Washington. Dec. 26.-Rear Admiral
Stirling, temporarily in command of the
Asiatic station. cables the Navy Depart
ment announcing the departure of the
gunboat Vicksburg to-day from Shanghai
for Chemulpo. Korea, where she has been
ordered at the instance of Mr.. Allen, the
American Minister at Seoul.
The local riots at Chemulpo recently en-
dangered American life and property, and
the dispatch OF a warship was thought
necessary.
As the marine guard Of the vicksburg
does not exceed half dozen men, Rear
Admiral Stirling has been instructed to
send company Of marines from the Phil
ippines to Chemulpo on board the trans
port Zafiro.
The marines will go aboard the vicks-
burg at Chemulpo. and It Is stated that
they will not be landed unless American
interests are further threatened.
MAY GO TO SEOUL.
Upon the arrival OF the marines at Che
mulpo the commander of the Vicksburg
will report to Minister Allen at Seoul, and
if the legation is in danger the company
will go overland to the Korean capital to
protect the Minister and his household.
A short time ago Minister Allen cabled
the State Department requesting that a
warship be sent to Korean waters, as riots
in Seoul were in progress and that the
legation might be endangered If the dis
turbances continued.
JAPAN TO ENTER KOREA.
Paris, Dec 26.-It was learned in au-
thoritative quarters to-day that Japan is
about to send large military force to
Korea for the purpose of restoring and
maintaining order at the disturbed ports.
The departure Of this force is imminent.
It will probably consist of division Of
Is 900 men.
Japan has been assured that Russia will
not consider the sending Of troops to Ko-
rea to be an unfriendly act or a casus
beln.
1t is anticipated that the departure of
the troops will revive the war rumor,
which, however, 1t is pointed out in the
authoritative quarter. will be unjustifed.
in view Of Russia's acquiescence.
RUSSIA is WILLING.
In the recent exchanges of communica-
tons between Russia and Japan the for
ner fully recognized the need of the pres
ence of strong military authority in Ko-
rea, and conceded that Japan was in the
the disturbed points.
The sending of the troops, nevertheless,
is construed as having an important bear
ing on the present negotiations. as 1t will
be the first conspicuous evidence of ia
pans actual exercise of paramount au-
ihority over Korea.
1t is further said in the same quarters
that the preparations for this expedition
were the immediate cause of the recent
great activity at the Japanese arsenals
and dock yards.
Information has also been received here
that Foreign Minister Lamsdorr has per-
sonally received Japan's reply and that.
in, view of its terms, he is said to have
expressed surprise at the reports OF
Japan's belligerent attitude.
WANTS wARSHIPS.
London. Dec 26.-Japan Is negotiating
for the purchase of two Chilean warships.
the armored cruiser Esneralda and an
other. probably the battleship Captain
Pratt. which are for sale. 1t Is now only
a matter Of price.
Negotiations with other South Ameri-
can Governments for the purchase Of war
ships are also in progress.
Baron Hayashi the japanese Minister
to Great Britain, said to a representative
of the Associated Press to-day, relative
to these negotiations:
I'VE want more ships. OF course, this
Is only a precautionary measure, and 1t
may be lot Of expense all for nothing.
EXPECTS DELAY.
ST have no indication of the nature of
the Russian reply. Personally, scarcely
expect it 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 Gov
eminent had represented to the Car that
Great Britain deemed Japan's demands
lust 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:
1.-THE British Government is wen aware
that Japan will be obliged to go to war
unless Russia mobiles the position she
has taken up In her last note"
AT the Foreign Office here nothing is yet
known of the probable nature Of the Rus
sian reply.
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