Gilpin observer., 1904-02-11
WARTS In SIGHT now
RUcsIA AND JAPAN BREAK OFF
DIPLOMATIC Ne -JTlATIO.5.
Firing May Commence at Any -Four.
Mikado's Government Houi4
Wait for Russia's Long Lsss,~A
Note-Czar Recalls Legation.

l
81. Petersburg, feb. S.-Al.4ough
the fear was general here that t..e
presentation OF the Russian noe TO
+, Japan might be followed by &C.
on the part Of the japanese govern
mcnt which would plunge the Two
! countries into war, the s,artllng AZ
/ lion of. Japan in severing diplomlsit
relations with Russia before the act
ual delivery of the Russian note Ca
like bolt from a clear sky. 1t was
believed that the receipt Of the
might have unmasked an ultim
i but that Japan should sever diplo
matte relations, a step little short
| declaration Of war, was almost
blow in the face under the presea
circumstances. and it is resented her
accordingly. The authorities >.sl!
/ this action places Japan disti@ y
! the wrong before the world. and. more
! over, after such a "piece of ir7pu
dence," as it is denominated here
makes easy an appeal to the patrl
otism Of the Russian people.
The news that at any moment ia
pan had drawn the cword and the
clash mad occurred would not be sur
| prising.
Events Move Rapidly
The events leading up to Japan's
abrupt sction have marched with
great rapidity. The Russian note was
already in the hands of Baron de
Rosen, Russian minister at Toxic, for
delivery to Baron Komura. the Jape
nese foreign minister, when NJ. KuriIo,
the Japanese minister here. presented
| himself at the 4oreiSn Office and in
formed Foreign Minister Lamsdorff
that his government. in view of the
delays in connection with the Russian
answer and the futility hitherto of the
| negotiations, considered it useless to
| continue diplomatic relations and
would take such steps as it deemed
proper for the protection of Japans
interests. In obedience to instruc-
tions therefore he asked for his pass
ports.
Exactly what else passed at this il
te:view is not known, except that
Count Lamsdorff expressed surprise
and regret at this hasty resolve of
tue LllhdlO . W. EAAA llD
! received his passports and after con-
suiting with Sir c. S. Scott. the Brit
ish ambassador here, he returned to
his legation. where the preparations
for his departure had already com
menced.
Russian Minister Directed TO Leave.
Upon the disclosure of Japar's po-
sition, the Russian authorities met the
situation with great promptness. In
structions recalling Baron de Rosen
were forthwith telegraphed, and he
was directed to leave Toxic immedi
ateiy Count Lamsdorm Official cir
cuiar to the Russian representatives
abroad. instructing them to inform
the governments of the countries to
which they were accredited of Japans
action, was then prepared. This cir
cular was printed in the Official Mes
senger. and is as follows:
Acting under instructions from his
government. the Japanese minister at
the imperial court has presented a
note which informs the imperial -ov-
ernmcnt of the decision of Japan to
break off further negotiations and re-
call her minister and the entire staff
at the japanese legation. In conse-
Quence of this. his majesty has been
pleased to order that the Russian min
lister at Toxic, with the whole staff
Sf the imperial mission. shall leave
the capital of Japan without delay
Such an attitude On the part of the
TOXIC goversGent, which has not
even awaited the answer of the i'm
perial government. which was sent off
during the last few days. throws the
whole responsibility for the conse-
quences which may arise from a rup-
ture of diplomatic negotiations be-
tween the two empires. on Japan"
Strict Censorship Ordered.
With war imminent orders have
been given for rigid censorship
over all information relating to naval
and military movements.
When the representative of the AS
sociated Press called at the Japanese
legation he found scene of great con-
fusion. During the night. as ii by
magic. all the Japanese art treasures
had disappeared and the spacious
salons We're bare. NJ. Kurino was ex-
tremely reticent and declined to offer
an explanation of the course of ia
pan, saying the authorities at Toxic
would doubtless give the world their
side OF the story. He vontured, how
ever. to point out that the irritation
created by the delay in the Russian
response postponed from day to day.
together with the forecasts of what II
contained might have convinced his
government that II was futile to fur
ther continue by diplomacy. Four
cars are ready at the Warsaw station
for the minister and the legation
staff. M. Kurino will leave at the
earliest possible moment, but he prob