The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-30
WAR CLOUDS IN The ORIENT.
Japan's Reply Rejects Important
Russian Demands.
The Situation Grows More Criti-
cal Daily But it is Believed to
be Still Susceptible of Pacific
Solution.

Toxic, Dec. 22.-It is asserted in
official circles here that the japanese
reply to Russia rejects the Fundamental
points at issue, which are understood
to include mutual guarantees for the
preservation of the Chinese and Corean
sovereignty while securing their in
dividual interests. The situation is
graver than since the commencement
of the negotiations, but is still suscep-
tible to pacific solution, if Russia
will quickly reconsider her reply.
The fact that Foreign Minister
Komura called on Baron de Rosen, the
Russian minister, yesterday instead of
Baron de Rosen calling on Komur is
explained by the fact that the baron is
suffering from an ear election. But
the explanation has obvious diplomatic
significance and is interpreted that
Japan is determined not to afford
Russia possible ground for claiming
Japanese impetuousity as All excuse.
Kor1ura's communication is not be-
lieved to necessarily be tantamount to
an ultimatum, as rumored. War pre-
parations continue apace. The trans
ports and the warships can sail at five
minutes notice. The japanese govern
ment proposes Immediately to under
take the completion of the Seoul
Fusan railroad, under the direct super
vision Of Japan. Popular sentiment
and the press are eagerly urging the
government to set limit to the rus
sian tactics Of aggression and insolent
negligence. ("
ENGLAND AND FRANCE INTER
FERE.
Paris, Dec. 22.-Confrmation was
obtained from the official sources to-
day of the reports that Foreign Secre-
tary Landsdowne and Foreign Minister
Delcasse have within the last few days
made strong represer cations at Toxic
with the view to averGing crisis be-
tween Russia and Japan. There is
reason to believe that these representa-
tions coming at the critical moment
when Jaran's reply was being handed
to the Russian minister, Baron de
Rosen, exercised a powerful restrain
ing influence This is especially true
of Lord Landsdowne, owing to Great
Britain being the ally of Japan. The
terms of the japanese answer are not
yet known here, but owing to the
action taken by Great Britain and
France the officials here are confident
that her answer permits Of continu-
ance of the diplomatic negotiations
towards securing common grounds for
an agreement.
MUST DENY SENSATIONAL
STORIES.
Paris. Dec. 22.-Press dispatches
from Toxic affirm that the japanese
| ministers abroad have been instructed
to deny the sensational reports regard
ing the relations between Japan and
Russia and to say that while Japan re-
Piled yesterday her response was not
in the nature of an ultimatum, that it
demands, simply, changes in some
points, and, finally, that Russia is
ready to continue the exchange Of
diplomatic views. It is added that
the japanese now give evidence of g
pacific tendency. This information
accords with the view prevailing in
diplomatic circles here.
The Temps today published the fol-
lowing on authority:
"The fears Of Russo-Japanese con-
hict at present are without foundation.
It is even said that an agreement is
about to he reached on the main points
at issue, and it is only a question of
form, or more correctly of pride, which
is causing the two powers to hesitate.
But it is desired and hoped that a
compromise satisfactory to both par
ties will be arranged