The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-08
Russia and Japan Will Fight It
Out Sooner or Later.
That Is the Opinion of Observ'
ers at All Points.
BREAKING POINT NEAR.
Negotiations May End With
Reading of Russia's Reply.
All Nations Hurrying Troops
Into Corean Territory.

London, Jan. S.-The text of the Rus
sian reply to Japan's last note has
been received at the Japanese legation
here. 1t will be presented to the for
eign office later in the day by Minister
Hayas. At the legation, the opinion
is held that the reply is utterly opposed
to the main Japanese contentious and
1t is thought that negotiations will be
broken off.
Minister Hayas said to a representa-
tive of the Associated Press: After
reading the reply, all I can say is that
a peaceful settlement is growing less
and less. Conditions are very grave"
Japan has decided not to buy the
Chilean warships for which negotfa
tions have been started. At the legation
it is said that the ships bought recent
ly from Argentina are expected to sail
today for the far east by way of the
Suez canal
MIKADO INSPECTS HIS TROOPS.
Toxic Jan. 8.-The emperor inspected
and reviewed the imperial guards con-
stituting the first division of the army,
together with some independent cav
airy regiments and brigades of artil-
lery, numbering in all some 5000 men
on the Aoyama field today. 1t is under
4
the third contingent in the event of
war being declared. The occasion was
regarded as a leave taking between
the emperor and his soldier the scene
| being most impressive. Enormous
crowds lined the route from the palace
and surrounded the grounds. The en-
peror rode to the Aoyama field in best
coach but was on horseback when in
Specting and reviewing the troops. His
staff included all the the foreign at
taches.
TREAT JAPAN LIKE A CHILD.
New York, Jan. S.-Nearly all persons
here take the view that conduct toward
Japan is that of a naughty child, ca bleS
the St. Petersburg correspondent of the
Herald. She is constantly being todd in
the press not to be so foolish, not to
! waste money in the impossible task
of fighting Russia and so on. In a long
article upon the alleged folly of Jap
ans pretensions the Gazette says:
what can she do to hurt Russia?
She must take one of her strong fort
resses, but she would require ten times
more military force than she could
ever bring to bear to accomplish such
feat.
I'VE think, however, England and
America will intervene to prevent Japan
from taking any such mad step as that
of making war upon US"
ACTIVE ORDERS ISSUED.
Hong Kong, Jan. 8.-A detachment of
two hundred and fifty men of the Sher-
wood foresters (Nottinghamshire and
Derbyshire regiments) forming part of
the garrison of Hong Kong, has sud
denly been warned to be in readiness
for active service. The destination of
the troops has not been divulged. The
authorities refuse all information on
the subject but it is understood the
troops are going to Pel1in or Seoul.
STILL ROOM FOR TALK
London. Jan. 8.-A special dispatch
from Toxic under today's date after
rna ir7er aY-rixya Of tho ian ra-
ply adds: Diplomacy has not said its
last word and there are still hopes that
hostilities may be averted. From the
Russian legation it is announced that
the negotiations continue.
THINK IT A BLUFF
New York, Jan. S.-The army is ex-
cited, says a Herald dispatch from Port
Arthur However, the higher officers
are remarkably calm, believing that the
Japanese are only demonstrating.
NO CHANCE FOR PEACE.
Pekin, Jan. 8.-General Yuan Shi Kai,
the commander in chief of the Chinese
visor Charles Denby, jr., to Pexin to
investigate the reports as to the prob
ability of war. Mr.. Denby has reported
that according to the best opinion OBJ
tainable, based on diplomatic informa-
tion war cannot be averted.
RUSSIAN WARSHIPS SAIL.
Port Arthur, Jan. z, via Chefoo, Jan.
S.-Several warships left at midnight
to reinforce cruisers sent out for the
purpose of intercepting a Japanese
squadron of four ironclads, whicn, it is
said, now approaching Korea to stop
six Japanese coal laden ships from
Japan destined for Port Arthur and to
cancel their charter to a Russian firm.
Lake Baikal is frozen.
There is a normal movement of trops
in both directions on the railway.
The Port Arthur defenses are COM
pleted and the authorities are conf
dent.
ALI, LANDING TROOPS IN COREA.
London, Jan. 8.-The Daily Nails
Toxic correspondent learns Russia has
made new demands which it will be i'm
possible for Japan to entertain The
correspondent says all the powers are
landing troops in Corea, and that the
British bluejackets landed at Chemulpo
are expected to go to Seoul immedi-
ately.
Constant kilograms are passing be-
tween M Pauloff. the Russian minister
to Corea, Baron De Rosen, the Russian
minister to Japan, and viceroy Alexief.
REMOVES ALL HOPE
London, Jan. 8.-The Daily Nails
Yokohama correspondent says that
Russia's reply to Japan practically re-
moves all hope of peaceful settle
men.-
London, Jan s.-The British home
fleet left Portland today for the Span
ish coast after coaling to the full ca
pacity The fleet will thus be in readi-
ness to replace the channel squadron
in the event of the latter heing re-
quired to fill up vacancies in the Med
iterranean squadron should vessels be
ordered then into the far east.
u. S. NAVY WILL STAY OUT.
Washington, Jan. S-The far eastern
situation was discussed at the cabinet
meeting today, special consideration be-
ing given the movement of the Asiatic
squadron. which it is desired shall be
SO shaped as to emphasize the absolute
neutrality of this country in the event
of hostilitles between Russia and
Japan. After the meeting it was an.