The San Francisco call., 1904-02-09
SERIOUSNESS
OF SITUATION
Is REALIZED
Soldiery on the Move in
Streets of St. Pc
terSburg.
Manifesto of Emperor
May Not Be Issued
Immediately.

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb. S.-The
Russian Foreign Office is preparing a
statement Of the negotiations between
Russia and Japan. Il may be in the
form OF a circular note TO the Russian
representatives abroad, but il is more
likely 10 be published in the Official
Messenger as an official communication.
The situation diplomatically is deli
gate and anomalous. Just what Japa-
nese action Russia would consider
cause for war under the circumstances
is not clearly defined, but II is pointed
out that when Japan abruptly severed
diplomatic relations notification was
given concerning the RussO-Japanese
treaties Of 1896 and 1898 covering Ko-
rea. These treaties provide for the inde-
pendence Of Korea. and in view of the
commercial interests Of Japan in the
hermit kingdom Russia .therein recog-
nized JaDan's right 10 send troops TO
Korea for the preservation Of order.
There is, however an important res
erVstiOn. In case Japan considers il
necessary TO avail herself OF this clause
Russia must receive an advance no
u6catiOn- The treaties are specific on
this point. Technically the landing OF
japanese army in Southern Korea
without the nOtidcation-Which Japan
could not give, now that diplomatic re-
latiOns have ceased-would be a breach
uf the spirit Of the convention. The
Russian authorities declare their posi-
lion diplomatically as very strong. II
De- possible. however. that Russia, in
stead of insisting on the inviolability
Of these treaties at this juncture. viii
take her stand on the contentious set
Up In the negotiations and await a
japanese invasion Of Northern Korea,
Tor the neutrality Of which Russia in
sisted. as an overt act equivalent to
war.
HOPE OF PEACE ENDS.
The situation is such that the author
iJes are prepared at any moment to
hear that Japan has made an aggres-
sive move. which would make a sem
bIsnce Of peace any longer impossible.
and the Gar is making dispositions ac-
c0rdinely. Although in diplomatic cir
cles There stiu is some vague talk to
rhe eFc.t that hostilities may be avert
ID. tins nope IS regarded as so slender
as hardly 10 be worth considering. Ne
diation is believed 10 be impossible un-
less the two adversaries. ask for it.
Neither France nor Great Britain are
IN position 10 offer their good Offices
on account Of their alliances. and the
6istrust here Of the United States would
make IL difficult for America 10 do so.
in short. war is regarded here as prac-
ticauy inevitable.
The people OF the Russian capital
have been thoroughly aroused by the
japanese action and war is the only
subject discussed. The greatest activ-
ity prevails in governmental circles.
Heavy snow is falling and the streets
are flled with marching soldiers in
campaign uniforms.
In the first hours Of excitement after
the receipt Of the news OF the japanese
action. the imperial train was ordered
10 be in readiness TO start for Moscow,
but since then calm cOunsels prevailed
and the order was cOuntermanded.
MANIFESTO Is DELAYED.
The cars departure is a matter OF
uncertainty. il is question. indeed.
whether he VIII 90 10 Moscow at all.
Certainly no manifesto viii be issued
until war is actually on
Mr.. Kurino, the retiring japanese
Minister here. says he viii leave St.
Petersburg Wednesday morning. He
adds that ali OF the affairs Of the lega-
fion will be closed and that no current
business viii be left behind The
United States embassy win probably
look after questions involving the pro-
lection u japanese subjects. Embassa-
dor Mccormick, under instructions TO-
CAV. asked Foreign Minister LamsdOrh
II Russia objected. A couple OF police
men guard the entrance Of the Jap
anese legation. but there has been no
attempt OF any public demonstration.
on the Bourse stocks were stilI fall
ing. Imperial IS dropped another full
point. There was panic on the
Bourse during the last hour. Lottery
bonds fell p rubles and bank shares
fell 90 points.