Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-17
CONSIDERED SERIOUS
Situation at Toxic Assumes
Grave Import.
FAVOR A STRONG FRONT
CONFERENCE OF EMINENT MEN
OF JAPAN.
Only Material Concessions From Russia
Will Avert War-No Settlement
for Some Weeks.

TOXIC, December 17.-Thc conference OF
the elder statesmen Of Japan, including the
Marquis Ito and the cabinet ministers. yes
terday resulted, according to semi-of-
fetal statement. in q deternainat ton to pre-
sent a strong front to Russia, in view Of
the latter's unsatisfactory reply to the jap
anese proposals.
LONDON, December 1.-THE Associated
Press Is informed that an mtimation has
been received here in officiaI quarters fros
Japan that the Russian draet OF the pro-
posed agreement is not acceptable in its
present form, and that further negotia-
tons on important questions Of principle
will be necessary before a final settlement
can be reached. Both the Japanese and
British officials in London. however. main
tain the views they expressed in these dis
patches December H. that distinct step
toward peace has been made, and they re-
main optimistic in regard to an ultimate
pacific settlement
Another report says it Is understood that
although the Russian reply was considered
highly unsatisfactory the conference de-
clded to make another and probably last
attempt to arrive at friendly settlement.
The situation is considered grave. Even
the most sober section of the Japanese
press declares it is high time for action.
shal Yamagata, senior field narahal of the
Japanese army and former prenzter; Count
Matsukata, one OF the greatest .hnanciers
modern Japan has produced, and twice
premier of Japan; Count sInauye, former
japanese ambassador to C0rea; sad at one
time finance minister oks Japan, and the
Marquis Oyama. the field nnarshaf who dis
-tinguished himself in the war between
Japan and China, were anaoYtg those who
took part in the conferenue yesBrday be-
tween the elder statesmen OF .mpan and
Premier Katsura, the foreign minister, the
war minister and the mariase minister, last
ing three hours.
Z ~ g Diplomats in ths Dark
ST. PETERsBURd- Deeenbes lT.-The
reticence of the foreign once here has in
creased since the dispatchsof tho reply Of
Russia to Japan, and tire ofIaciass decline
to confirm or deny reports of ssae character
Of the reply printed. .abfoan y
The feeling IN 1inlsmaac M csgeass today is
not quite SO optimistic as 1t has beeff5 but
possibly this is Only reflex Of the opinion
of the foreign press, as the diplomats them
selves admit they are very much in the
dark. SSS M
1t is believed the unfaNorahle impression
apparently created on the Japanese gov,
ernment by the reply is due to Russia's un-
willingness to place the settlement of the
Corean and Manchurian questions on the
same footing. t.S
Russia's Motive
Russia desires to cover only the former
with the treaty. leaving the latter on sort
OF understanding, the exact character of
which is not determined upon Further ne
gotiations will be necessary ii Japan in
sists. with the alternative of their entire
suspension. If the negotiations are broken
off 1t will not necessarily mean eventualf-
ties. On this point prominent diplomat
said: ~
Negotiations for Peace, Not War.
'It seems to be forgotten that the pres
ent negotiations We're not undertaken to
settle pressing. vital issue. the failure OF
which would precipitate war. but for the
purpose of assuring peace in the future by
clearing up misunderstanding regarding
possible conflicting interests. Now, If the
attempt falls 1t will naturzHy leave
strained situation but war would only fOl-
low an actual encroachment by enc power
on one Of the supposed rightg OF the other"
By an official Of the State Department It
was said today that although the official
advices from the far east were exceedingly
meager, enough was known 1f the negotia-
tions at Toxic between RuSsia and Japan
to make the prediction that war can be
averted only by Russia Offering material
concessions to Japan in Corea-in fact,
practically recognizing Japanss proteetorate
said that the officials here DO not expect a
complete settlement OF the question for
several weeks. ,ss..a
Few cablegrams have been received from
Mr.. Griscom, the American minister at
Toxic, bearing on the negotiations. Mrs.
Griscom. 1t is learned has left Toxic for
this country, having been called home by
the illness of her mother