Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-01-28
'GH JAP OFFICER AT SEOUL

London, Jan. 24-The delay in the
Russian reply to the latest note from
Japan is causing the customary crop
Of sensational statements pointing to
THE imminense of war in the Far
Cast. The Daily Graphic this morning
says it understands that there is no
the unyielding attitude Of Japan on
the Manchurian question and the fact
that in her last note to Russia Japan
struck out the whole article in the
draft OF the treaty relating to the de-
mand of Russia for a neutral zone.
The correspondent of hte Morning
Post at Che Foo has sent in an alarm
ing report that 10000 Japanese troops
have landed at Ma Sam Pho, in
Southern Korea, and the Port Arthur
correspondent of the Paris edition Of
the New York Herald also refers in a
dispatch tot fact that the news Of
the occupation of Ma S-.n Pho is be-
ing received calmly.
These reports are not confl med
from any other source, and they are
discredited by Baron Hayashi, the
Japanese minister to Great Britain.
Reports have been sent In from Che
Foo that quantities of dynamite have
been found under the bridges of the
Manchurian line above Port Arthur
The supposed intention was to blow
up the bridges as soon as hostilities
began.
Renewal of Public Nervousness.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 24-The car
has not yet called the council to con.
slider the Japanese reply, but, it is
said at the foreign Office, the summons
may be issued any day. The delay.
coupled with dispatches from Toxic
saying that Japan is armed and grim.
ly waiting, has caused a slight re-
newal of public nervousness, which
was reflected by the weakness on the
bourse yesterday. This alarm is
seemingly not shared in the higher
government circles, where it is in.
sisted that the cars pacific declara-
tons were not idle words, The worst
that is now anticipated is a break
down Of the negotiations in the event
Of Russia's response beeing accepta-
BILE to Japan.
The papers publish prominently the
Associated Press statement that the
United States Asiatic squadron will
remain in Philippine waters.
The Gazette, in pointing out the
NV ho
statement that Admiral Evans desti-
nation was Yong Am Pho, Korea, In
stead of Olongapo, Subig bay, near
Manila, welcomes the correction as
evidence that the United States will
not NEEDLE in the quarrel.
Korea the battle-ground.
Washington, Jan. 24.-The situation
in Korea is raising apprehension OF
renewed trouble in the Far East. 1t
was the understanding of the military
authorities that in the evert of war
between Japan and Russia, Korea
would be made the battle-ground at
least at the beginning. Minister Allen
has cabled from Seoul to the state de
partrnent as follows:
!"Continued disturbances in Seoul
Foreigners have been attacked il
many instances
In view of Korea being unable tc
furnish protection to Japanese sub,
jects, the authorities at Toxic have
sdispatched a military officer of the
highest rank to Seoul, where he will
be in a position to direct any military
operations that Japanese troops may
undertake, The Korean government
has $500 men under arms, but they
shayeenot been trained in a modern
school Of war. and rather resemble
constahulary than soldiers. It is an
ticipated here that Japan, in, Korea
will repeat the performance Of Russia
in Manchuria and make the disturb
ances, on the japanese railroad the
ground of military occupation of the
line in great force, corresponding to
the Russian occupation Of the Man
churian railway.