The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-16
PASSAGE OF DARDANRLLES
ASKED BY RUSSIA FOR BLACK
 SEA FLEET.

Eastern squahbie-Mtkado's answer
 Handed to czar's Government.
 Berlin, Jan. 15.-That Russia has ap- piled to Turkey for permission to send her Black sea fleet through the Darda- nelles is confirmed authoritatively here, and it is also asserted that Russia will renew the application and press for Turkish consent. Germany's attitude is one of unconcern.
 The British government is believed believed here to have identified itself more fully week by week with the Jap anese position, until now Great Britain is almost as deeply committed as Japan. The position in which Great Britain now stands has impressed and is impressing the Russian statesmen. The readiness with which the United States associated herself with Japan in pressing for the signature of the conl- mercial treaties with China is another fact contributory to the feeling in St. Petersburg that this is not the moment to fight. The decision for war or peace now rests with the cZar's advisors and symptoms are visible here that the de- cision will be peace, by largely admit ting Japans demands. The views of the British editors, partially derived from the foreign office in London. are looked upon here not only as significant, but as .,s,, 6fr>ln asaf if1 game against Russia, and in that sense are somewhat discounted. The skill Japan has shown throughout the nego- tiations excites admiration at the Ger man foreign office.
 St. Petersburg, Jan. 15.-Japan's re- ply, which was delivered to-day to Rus sia by the Japanese minister, M. Ku- rino, is now under consideration here.
 The Russian foreign office says the present stage of the negotiations is an advance on previous stages. in certain aspects. The two governments had ap- preached an understanding on some points, but not on others.
 Hopefulness reigned to-day in many quarters where pessimism had hitherto prevailed.
 Conservative opinion holds that, while the prospect of. peace is better than ever, the end cannot be predicted with certainty, particularly the manner in which a settlement can be secured.
 London, Jan. 16.--The Daily Mails Seoul correspondent cables an inter- view with M. Pavloff, the Russian min lster to Corea. who said:
 Russia will refuse to agree to the opening Of Wiju and viii protect Corean sovereignty at all costs. Russia would regard the landing of Japanese troops in Corea as an unfriendly act and would defend the independence of Corea against Pagan invaders
 Tn the same interview Minister Paw Ioff declared:
 "The Russian fleet will not fight. Fabian tactics will be employed and Japan will defeat herself after a short period of being on a war footing"
 Pekin, Jan. 15.-It is reported from consular sources at New -Chwang that Russian troops are concentrating at the towns of Liao-Yang and -Cheng and other places, where they will be In a position to reoccupy the territory between the I4iao river and the Great wall and seize the New-Chwang- Shan Hai-Kwan section of the Chinese rail- road.
 London, Jan. 16-The account of the imperial New Years reception at the winter palace in St. Petersburg Thurs day and of the pacific utterances of the czar to the Japanese minister and other diplomats is given prominence by the whole British press as the most impor- tant and gratifying news of the day. It Is recognized that the trend of events may prove too strong for the emperor, but his assurances are accepted as evil dence that the situation has not grown worse.
 The interest of the United States in the crisis continues to be the subject of 8 great deal of discussion, and it is con- sidered impossible that Russia will. att tempt to thwart the treaty rights of the United States.
 The Standard says: Although the most formal engagements may be vio- lated with impunity in dealing with the Manchu emperor, the president of the United States cannot be treated cava- lierly. It would be far too hazardous a game and too likely to end in humiliat- Ing complications"
 The Standard thinks, as the status of foreigners in Manchuria is one of the operative factors in the dispute between Japan and Russia, that this issue will practically disappear with the assertion by the United States of her rights at Mukden and Antung.
 The Daily News, in an editorial on Inc same subject, says that Russia must ''grin and bear it."
 Tokio dispatches printed this morning show no change in the situation. It is announced that Generals Nozu, Kurolii and Oku and Admiral Count Inouye have been appointed additional mem- bers of the war council of which Mar shal Yamagata is president, and that Rn order has been given for another le,OO0-ton battleship to be built in Eng land.
 The Standards Tokio correspondent describes a banquet given by leading Japanese financiers and merchants to the British and American naval at taches and the press correspondents. MT. Honoda. president of the Nobles bank, presided, and in welcoming the guests dwelt npon the close friendship nf thA t1,rna co,,ptriae IA ea;d fhn