Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-01
LOOKS MUCHL|KE WAR
Minister Hayashi Gets Infor-
nation From Paris.
NOT YET CONFIRMED
RUSSIAN WAR MOVEMENTS KEPT
SECRET AT MOSCOW.
Russian Reply Has Been Transmitted
Said to Be Not Provocative
Situation Grows Serious.

LONDON, January L-Baron Hayashl,
the Japanese minister here, has been IN
formed from Paris that Russia has decided
not to grant the Japanese proposals.
This Is the first intimation any one here
admits having received anent the Russian
reply.
The baron said to a representative of the
Associated Press:
IF my information from Paris Is borne
out by the wording of the Russian reply,
and if the Japanese government adheres to
its present determination there seems to
be small possibility of averting war
MY information from Paris" said the
minister of Japan, lis not official but IN
connection with information impaired TO
me by the British government it Is probably
only too correct.
IF Chancellor Won Buelows statement
that Russia's reply will be framed IN
manner intended to satisfy Japan turns out
correct it will be better news than nave
dared to hope for.
1t was learned that Japan has secured
large additional amount of coal In the name
of one of the largest English shipping firms
sending vessels TO the far east.
The st. James Gazette says 1t understands
that the Japanese government has taken
over two vessels of the Nippon line for use
as hospital ships.
Revive Old Feudal Battle Songs.
stated that Sir Claude Macdonald, the Brit
ish minister to Japan. urged the purchase
by England of the Chilean battle ships, the
Constitution and Libertad.
significant and curious feature or the
new years festivities now at their height
is the revival of the old feudal battle songs
by the people here.
Russia's Reply Not Provocative.
BERLIN January 1.-The German gov
eminent has been informed that Russia's
reply to Japan is not provocative, and that
1t is sincerely intended to satisfy Japan Inc
aroused state of Japanese public opinion Is
fully recognized here, but Chancellor Won
Buelow and the foreign office do not believe
that war Is within the probabilities, and TINS
view, the Associated Press learns, has been
communicated to the representatives of the
powers in Berlin.
Russias reply, it is unofficially announced.
was sent to Japan yesterday
Only Military Circles Interested.
ST. PETERSBURG. January 1.-Advices
received here from Moscow. the center of
Russian business life, confirm previous re-
ports to the effect that outside of military
circles people there are not interested In
the difference with Japan. Commercially
Moscow has much at stake in the far east,
but there is neither excitement nor enthu-
significant by those who remember the pas
sionate fervor of all classes in the empire
from the car to the peasant, before the
Russo-Turkish war. well-informed resi-
dent of Moscow has written to the Asso-
ciated Press as follows:
1T is not an exaggeration to say that war
will be unpopular with the Russians"
Government Feeling It's Way.
In some circles at st. Petersburg the edi-
torial in the Novoe Vremya. December 80,
saying: I'VE believe Japan will not place
Russia in position where to yield would
appear to be a remuneration of the defense
of her vital interests in the far east Is re-
garded as an indication that the govern
ment Is feeling its way toward a compro-
mise 1t is pointed out that Russia viii
discuss the matter on the basis Of the vital
interests of both countries. only demanding
that Japan shall not put Russia in a posi-
ton where a concession would seem to be
an abandonment of her vital interests; that
she ceases to consider the matter from the
viewpoint of the respective strength of the
two countries, and that therefore a peace
full solution is still possible.
No Confirmation in London.
LONDON. January 1.-The British foreign
office IS unable to confirm or deny Baron
Hayashis information. The officials how
ever, say they are not surprised at the
tenor of his adyices
The foreign office seems inclined to think
that Russia will. If possible, avoid making
a reply of any kind to the last Japanese
note.
Foreign Secretary Lansdowne has in
formed one of the foreign ambassadors
that he has practically given up all hopes
of peace.
At the embassy here the statement made
by Baron Hayashi. the Japanese minister
today that he had been informed from
Paris that Russia had decided not to grant
the Japanese proposals is regarded as be-
Ing most grave especially In view OF the
ministers statement that his information
came from Paris. and the fact that he per-
mitted such information to become known
at this critical stage.
Russian War Movements Kept Secret.
MOSCOW. January 1.-The governments
order to publish nothing In regard to the
movements of the troops Is periodically
observed by every Moscow paper. One edi-
tor said to the Associated Press correspond
snt:
II know exactly which division is going
TO the FAR east, and know the names of
officers who have been requested not to
stir out OF Moscow in view of the possible
receipt of sudden marching orders"
Another editor, impatient for war and
confident of victory, said:
The Russian army will prove as disas-
uous 20 the Japanese as did Mont Pelee
to Martinique"
ence of the Muscovites. he replied:
That Is due to loyalty Wait till the
emperor issues manifesto declaring war!
Then Russian sentiment will burst forth,
But a manifesto is improbable in the i'm
mediate future. even IL the japanese oc-
cupy Corea.'
Both editors expressed concern at the
possibility of American Intervention One
of them remarked:
1.-THE attitude of the United States has
become eQuivocal We do not like the
dispatch of American warships Still the
Russians cannot believe that their old
friends will give active assistance to ia
pan"
Russian Destroyer En- Route East.
GIBRALTAR. January 1.-Two Russian
torpedo boat destroyers have arrived here
on their way to the far east
Russian Troops Pass Suez Canal.
PORT SAID, January IA Russian