Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-06
FLIGHT OF JAPANESE.
Said to Have Been Advised by Home
Government

ST. PETERSBURG, February GA dis
patch received here today from V1adi-
vostok says the hasty flight of the Japa-
nese residents there is attributed to secret
orders from the Japanese government
Neither persuasion nor promises Of pro-
lection by the authorities had any effect
The Japanese commercial agent aided in
the exodus. During the course Of the
flight yesterday the storekeepers sacrificed
stocks valued at several hundred thousand
roubles for five to ten kopecks on the rou-
BILE. The neighboring towns are without
hairdressers, laundresses and maid sery-
ants, and some Of the factories are closed.
1t is added that there is general irrita-
ton at Vladivostok owing to entire lack
of news, even In official quarters.
The air is filled with grave fears that 1t
will mean the parting Of the ways for Rus
sia and Japan The strain Is intensifying.
The feeling that Japan will stand firmly
on her former demands against whatever
concessions Russia can offer consistent with
the maintenance Of her pride is becoming
a conviction here. An official of the for
eign office said:
Russia's Position Defined.
pretty well. There is no reason why the
situation should be considered changed
either for the better or worse. So far as
the actual state of the negotiations is con-
cerned, matters should be improved by the
Russian answer, which was framed in the
most conciliatory spirit. Nevertheless, there
in serious doubt to the course the jap
anese government will pursue. Russia has
done her utmost, but the other side must
yield If a common ground Is to be found.
The Japanese people and press have been
kept in a continual state of excitement by
false reports invented, we believe, to- Gre
ate distrust of our purposes and pacific in
tentionS. How far the japanese authorities
can Withstand the popular tide Is ques-
ton"
In sharp contrast with this calm and even
hopeful view voiced by the Russian official
is the gloom which prevails at the Japanese
legation and British embassy, where no ef-
forts are made to disguise the feeling of
profound disquietude over the outlook.
The belief is almost openly expressed
there that If Japan considers the reply I'M
satisfactory it will be the end of diplomatic
negotiations.
Conference Between Diplomats.
Minister Kurino and Sir Charles Scott
the British ambassador to Russia. have
been in close conference. evidently deter
mining on the action to be taken In case
OF a rupture of the negotiations, which, 1t
is believed, will be Immediately followed by
the breaking OH OF O1pioHdtlc felauonS. In
this event NJ. Kurino will ask for his pass
ports and will leave st. Petersburg at once
The minister has already anticipated such
a contingency and is making arrangements
to vacate the legation building. Under the
terms of the lease this may be given up. 1t
is even reported today on apparently good
authority that NJ. Kurino has ordered a
special car to be in readiness at the War
saw station to take him to Germany. t.,.s,.5
The current affairs of the Japanese lega-
ton will be turned over to the British en-
bassy. If the worst happens
The absence of M. Kurino from the the
atricals given at the winter palace last
night, which were attended by all the other
ministers and by the ambassadors. was
generally remarked. 1t was the first court
function he had missed this season.
The bourse, whose weakness has been
more pronounced since the reply of Russia
was dispatched to Viceroy Alexieff Thurs
day, as announced by the Associated Press
is demoralized today, although imperial
tours were unchanged. -.s.t35