The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-01-21
GEAR HOPES TO
maintain Peace
His Recent Assurance Is Regarded
as a Hostage by the Foreign
r- Diplomats.
ACTS OF RUSSIAN EMPEROR WILL
place OkUS OF RUPTURE ON JAPAN
AiikadO Ready for War and Calmly
Awaiting Beginning of HOstilities
Worlds Sympathy Expected In
Case of a COnhict-NO Fear Felt of
an Invasion.

St. Petersburg, Jan. 10. - The cars
assurance, given at the winter palace
January IA, on the occasion of the New
Years reception, that he desired and in
tended to DO all in his power to maintain
peace in the far east, is regarded by the
foreign diplomats as hostage given to
the world for the preservation OF peace,
while the guarantee that Russia will rec
ognize the open ports and other conces-
sions in Manchuria will, it is thought,
place the onus of a rupture on Japan.
Most of the newspapers here join in the
peaceful chorus, one paper remarklng.
however, that it was strange for Rus
slams to first hear of the cars words by
way of America.
The Novoe Vremya, referring to the
reports of good Offices from the United
us such action necessary when the whole
world has been informed of what his
majesty has gTsciously been pleased to
say to the diplomats at the winter pal
ace? How is it possible to render fur
Their service to the cause of peace after
the car has announced that he will direct
all his influence to maintain it? A more
precious guarantee that Russia will not
draw the sword it is impossible to con-
ceive"
The Novce Vremya concludes as fol-
lows: Japan is In an unfortunate po-
sition and will require great tact to
avoid the dangers arising from the good
offices of officious friends"
AS a sidelight on the situation the
Moscow Gazette announces that its ed
itors and other employees are donating
their salaries to the purchase of swift
privateer, and adding that the sum of
900 has already been raised for this
purpose.
Japan Ready for War.
: Toxic, Jan. 19.-Japau does not ar
ticipate Russias rejoinder for at least
one week. In the meantime the nation
is prepared and grimly reconciled to
war. Political and other distinctions
have disappeared and the country is
periodically united. The government
is receiving many offers of contribu-
tions, in the event of war, amounting
to many millions of yen. The Japanese
people would welcome an honorable
peace, but are resolved to fight before re-
ceding from their position in Oriental
affairs. They fear the aggression of
Russia and believe if it is not stopped
now it will never be stopped. They are
confident that their demands are fair
and moderate and their diplomacy,
which has been patient, has gone to
reasonable limit. They expect the
worlds sympathy in the struggle and
have splendid confidence in their army
and navy. In the event of reverses or
a national disaster it is thought that
England and the United States would
intervene to preserve balance of power
in eastern Asia. There is no fear of
an invasion of Japan, a country which
is probably the most strongly defended
one in the world.
Japan Will Not Wait Long.
Paris, Jan. 19.-Private dispatches
from St. Petersburg indicate that the
Japanese note has not helped to fortify
optimistic anticipatiors. AS long as
there was room for further negotiations,
RUSSIAN diplomacy neipeu RUSSIA 10 gain
time. But Japan, having given final an
swer to the latest Russian note, will not,
it is expected, wait Indefinitely for de-
cision on Russia's part.
There is said to be good deal of ir-
ritation in st. Petersburg over the fail
ure of Russian diplomacy. 1t is recog-
nized that the conclusion of the Chinese
American treaty has materially affected
Russia's prestige. 1t is reported that
Russia stands in greater fear at the pres
ent moment of the United States than
of Great Britain. Another source of cha
grin is the Indifferent attitude of France.