The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-15
CARS DESIRE FOR PEACE.
TO DO ALL IN HIS POWER TO
 MAINTAIN IT.


 Japan's Last Note Does Not Contain UItfmatum-Pessimi at British Foreign Office.
 St. Petersburg, Jan 14.-'I desire and intend to do all in my power to main- tain peace in the Far East"
 These were the words which the czar spoke to the members of the diplomatic corps at the New Years reception held in the Winter Palace at noon to-day.
 The czar made a leaisurely round of the great white hall with it's beautiful colonnades in which the representa- tives of the various countries had as- sembled. His majesty chatted freely with everybody.
 London, Jan. Administer Hayashi received this morning the text of the Japanese reply to Russia's latest note. It does not contain an ultimatum, but reiterates Japan's original demands, with what Minister Hayashi terms "a modification upon a minor point" The questions of Chinese sovereignty in Manchuria, and Japan's sphere of in- fiuence in Korea, are reinsisted upon.
 Minister Hayashi said to represen- tative of the Associated Press: So far as I can see, the relations of the two powers regarding the dispute are prac- tically unchanged. I have no indica- ton of the reception this note is likely to meet at the hands of the Russian government, but I expect the negotia- tions will continue for several weeks.
 The British foreign office officials said tonight, after reading the Japan csc reply to the Russian note, that it only takes the crisis a step further in a less hopeful direction. The advices fear that Russia would not accept Japan's reiterated demands.
 In regard to the reports from Paris of the possible intervention of Great Brit ain and France, the foreign office says no such steps are on foot, so far as Great Britain is concerned. No request has been received from either Russia or Japan for such action, and the foreign office says it fears the time has passed for any intervention to be asked for, or for unasked-for intervention to be effi- cacious.
 A private dispatch from Tolxio receiv- ed at one of the embassies here from a source considered reliable, says that in spite of all reports to the contrary, the Japanese troops will not be thoroughly prepared to start for Corea on the scale desired, in the event of such a step be- ing considered necessary, before the first week in February This is consid- cred significant in conjunction with Minister Hayashi's estimate that the negotiations are likely to extend for three weeks longer. and as supplying an additional reason for Japans an- swering in pacific terms, but on the basis on which Russia had previously expressed disagreement.
 Several of the diplomats here do not share the British foreign offices com plete pessimisn, believing that Russia will give in at the last moment.
 Russia's latest note, it is learned here, is not in the form of an ultimatun, and it is described as moderate in terms, but resolute in tone. It is said to be large ly devoted to discussion of affairs con- nected with Corea, Japan having been strongly advised not to fight over Manchuria alone. Foreign Minister Ko- mura visited successively the Marquis Ito, chief of the privy council; Premier Katsura, and inc emperor. He subse- quentIy called upon Baron de Rosen, the Russian minister, and it is generally believed here, handed him in person the Japanese note.
 Berlin, Jan. 1.-Japan's main points in her late note are understood officially here to be that Japan consents to elirn- inate Manchuria from the controversy, owing to the signature of the commer- cial treaty between China and Japan and Russia's assurances that China s commercial conventions will be re- spected. Japan, therefore. restricting her claims to Corea, asks for definite, written guarantee that Russia will ab- stain from interference in the politics of that country, thus leaving Corea ex- clusively to Japanese influence. Japan, rejecting the proposed neutral zone, as delimited by Russia, proposes a neutral zone, if Russia still thinks one desira- ble. which shall consist of equal terri tories of Corea and Manchuria, includ- ing the Yalu river, with all Russia S notifications thereon.
 Finally Japan fixes no limit of time but earnestly expresses the hope that Russia will nto lelay a definitive and favorable reply to Japan's reasonable requests. Japan alludes to her privi- lege of discontinuing the negotiations should it appear that Russia is unwil- ling to accept these minimum propos- als.
 It is not believed here that Russia will consider the proposed neutral zone as suggested by Japan. No authoritative opinion is obtainable as to Russia $ probable reply and it is said that the situation is likely to be. prolonged for a good many days and possibly fol weeks.
 St. Petersburg, Jan. H.-The Russian press, generally speaking, is preserving silence regarding the Chino-Americar treaty and efforts to elicit an officia view have proved unsuccessful.
 The Novoe Vremya, referring to tn, Far Eastern situation, declares Russia will not accept Japan's challenge till al peaceable -,pedients are exhausted sdding,
 If war comes Europe should under stand that it will mark the beginning of great struggle between Christianit!