The San Francisco call., 1904-02-06

Monday. While the contents are care
fully guarded, they are known to be
conciliatory and TO contain important
concessions, although maintaining
Russia's former position on some OF the
main points covering ManchUria and
KOreG-
A Splomat in close touch with the
Russian side Of the negotiations said
that Korea had again become the most
difficult matter for adjustment. Rus
sia. he said. could not agree to Jap
anese fo-tifcatfons in Southern Korea.
If the japanese Government is sin
cerely desirous of avoiding war" ne
added. 1t will find in the reply when it
arrives a basis for an agreement: but
If the authorities have made up their
minds 10 remain unyielding, the ne
gotiations must end in conflict. In any
event, ! do not see how Japan can
break of the negotiations without re-
plying 10 the Russian note and setting
forth her minimum demands"
Advices from Tladivostok say that
more than a thousand japanese girls
embarked there for Japan yesterday
and that three other steamers are on
the point OF sailing for Japan with
japanese families, including many who
left the NikolskOye and Ushuri regions
on Wednesday last.
a Russian correspondent at Port Ar
thur telegraphs as follows:
There is no truth in the report that
freig't traffic has been stopped on the
ManchUrian railway. All the ships of
the Russian Pacific squadron which
hrnr- hold IN
se-vice- The regiments Of the Third
East Siberian Rife Brigade. which re-
Gently left Port Arthur. are taking
temporary stations along the Chinese
road. The Port Arthur garrison has
been strengthened by the arrival there
Of the Seventh Brigade OF conscripts
who have recently been going through
a short course Of training. Stores OF
provisions and coal are being accum-
nuiated and all the necessary military
works are being actively pushed for
ward. Both the navy and the army are
in good condition and everything is
ready for emergency, but all are pa
tiently awaiting the outcome Of the
negotiations.
The Russian population IS TRANQUIL
Very few Russians are leaving here
but many japanese merchants are sell
ing out and going home. Those re-
naming here feel entire confidence in
the authorities.
The announcement from vladivo-
stok that preparations have been
made for the mobilization Of the Man
churien Reserves was premature
At all the embassies the attaches
were busy to-day getting of cipher dis
patches 70 their governments.
The people. for the first time. seemed
noticeably moved at the prospect ot
war. gathering in groups To discuss
the situation. Increased activity was
apparent at the various ministries. but
the high officials remained calm. in
sisting that A peaceful settlement was
still possible They said the military
and naval preparations had been
forced upon Russia by the omen and
hurried demonstrations BY Japan. and
added that misinterpretations were be-
ing constantly placed on Russia's
movements in the Far East, which rep
resented Russia as already engaged in
aggressive tactics. AS an illu-tration
they cited dispatch published in Lon
don reporting the alleged mysterious
departure Of the Russian feet from
Port Arthur. The chief OF the naval
staff said the warships had merely left
the harbor for a cruise around the end
Of Talienwan Peninsula TO try their en-
gines. so as 10 be in readiness to meet
japanese warshiDs in case Of an at
tack.
A dispatch from Vladivostok con-
firms the reports that large numbers
OF Japanese families have left the
NikoIskoye and Ushuri regions. It
gives a gloomy picture of the slump in
trade, shows that clothing and money
are scarce, and adds that constant
street rows are occurring. Even the