New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
REPLY MUST BE EXPLICIT.
Japan Tired of Trifing- Watching
UnshiDS at BiSerta.

Paris Jan 40 news has been received ar
,be Japanese Legation here regarding the Rus
sian reply bur ii is asserted that unless the
reply is a positive and favorable declaration
IF Russia's attitude. Japan, without further
negotiations. VIII employ force to obtain salts
faction for her demands.
The movements Of the Russian naval division
a. Bsarta. Tunis. are being closely followed
nv The representatives q the powers. One Of
the leading diplomats said the departure of the
division for China might prove decisive f.
inducing Japan TO take speedy action" an.
compared Japau's position with that Of rra
TrarsraaI on the eve OF The outbreak II the
South African Way. when the dispatch = larS-
British achievements induced Prasider,
KRUGER 10 open ho~tiTirieS. J. is pointed ou;
that Il this additional division succeeds in
passing Suez, Russia's naval strength in Chi
nese waters win thereafter exceed Jauar's.
their present strength being about equal
4 dispatch from Biserta to-day said THAI the
Russian naval division there comprised the az
rnored cruiser DrlirrI Donskoi. launched in loS3;
the armored cruiser Osayaa, launched in l>9S.
the protected cruiser Aurora. launched in 1901;
p ciz7atch boat for Viceroy AlexieT and eleven
torpedo boat destroyers OF the latest model hav-
Ing speed Of t.venty-six knots. The personnel
Of the division consisted Of $500 officers and
men, under Admiral Wirenius.
Tie orders TO the admiral were 70 conduct the
division 20 the Far East and then TO proceed by
the Traus- Siberian Railroad 10 s.. Petersburg
where he was 20 assume the duties OF Under
Chief Of the Naval staff \ number Of the ships
# this division were still at Biserta when The
dispatch was sent and others were near that
port. awaiting the movement of the division as
& whole. The Aurora started yesterday for the
Pirsus. 10 salute Queen Olga on her return 70
Greece from ST. Petersburg Viceroy Alexieff's
dispatch boat had already started for China
The Draitri Donskoi and the Cslayoa were at
first intended 10 accompany the Aurora. bur
Admiral WIIenius received orders for them 10
await further instructions It IS thought that he
viii sail for Suez ~ the end Of the week
No ob5ectlon viii be raised by Japan, il is said.
20 the dispatch Of the Blserta division to China
the naval authorities at Toxic having considered
that the ships form part OF the Russian force
IN he Far East and having made preparations
accordingly.
The japanese Legation understands that the
two warships purchased by Japan from Ar
geutina viii sail for the Far East in the lat
ter part Of January.
Min Yeung Tchan. the Corean 'Iinlster, de-
MED this afternoon the published accounts Of
disturbances and revolt in Corea- He SAID:
7 can assure you that order viii not be dis
.
Japarese VIII never have occasion TO intervene
there Why does Europe desire the japanese to
invade Corea7 II they are so firmly convinced
that peace viii be MAINTAINED, you VIII admit
tfaI The armed intervention OF japan would be
absurd and UnjustiEab!e. We have had the
best political and commercial relations with
Japan until to-day. Never has Japan menaced
our independence, but, on the other hand, she
was the first 70 recognize it.
Admitting that there may be war between
Russia and Japan, We shall observe strict neu-
trality. IN sU-g. a case how can we be affected
There IS no reason why our territory should be
the battle ground or why il should be used
base Of operations for either party. They have
their own territory.
Russia has never given Us any reason TO sus-
rect that she is hostile TO All news TO the
contrary is not true. The japanese government
does not wish Tor war. The single Ulenaclng
fact Of the situation is that public opinion IS
badly Informed and very ambitious. Should the
integrity of Cores be Violated then. under the
pending treaties We can appeal TO other pow
ers. including the United States. I DO not be-
ueve that VIII happen.