The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-27
TIME is up.
Japan Drops Hint to the Rus
sian Minister
That a Response to Her Note Is
About Due.
EVASIONS AND DELAYS.
Have Almost Passed the Limit
of Endurance.
Decisive Action Is Expected
Within Few Days.


ceived here from st. Petersburg show
that Foreign Minister Lamsdorf before
giving Russia's answer, has called in
the Japanese minister. NJ. Kurino. The
two ministers are now comforting with
the view Of shaping the response SO as
to avoid conflict. This IS considered
to be an explanation of the dispatch
from Toxic saying Japan has requested
Russia to hasten her reply. AS Count
Lamsdorff and AZ. Kurino are having
conferences prior to the submission of
the reply it is regarded as evidence of
Japan's insistence of an early answer
and OF Russia's desire to avoid a re-
sponse which might precipitate hostilf-
ties. Count Lamsdorff's course in con-
ferr1ng with Mr.. Kurino before answer.
ing is cited as showing Russia's willing
ness to go to the last limit In order to
avoid war. But, it is added, If the ef-
forts of Russia fail she will be prepared
to strike very hard blows from the out
set.
All information reaching the highest
quarters here tends to show that the
crisis continues acute. It appears to be
the accepted conviction in government
circles that the final determination be-
tween peace and war cannot be long
deferred. The officials continue to hope
for peace, but they make a reservation
/ that the discouraging aspect which the
4 situation assumed during the last few
days has not ameliorated.
A categorical denial is given so far as
France is concerned to the -Pekin re-
ports that the French minister is taking
part in negotiations with the view Of
mediation Of France, Great Britain and
the United States.
FINANCIAL PROGRAMME COM
PLETED.
Toxic, Jan. 27.-It is understood that
the cabinet, assisted by the elder sta tes-
men, has completed a financial pro-
gramme, which it is anticipated viii be
published shortly. 1t is saidzto include
the issuance of exchequer bonds to the
4 amount of 100 million yen Increasing
/ taxes to the extent of so million yen.
4 FURTHER DELAY OPPOSED
\ Toxic, Jan. 27--The Japanese govern
ment has systematically intinated to
/ Baron De Rosen, the Russian minister,
that an early response is desired to
I Japan's recent note to Russia. 1t is
i calculated here that the Japanese note
| reached the Russian cabinet on the
afternoon of January 16, and it is felt
| that sufficient time has elapsed for IT'S
consideration and the preparation of a
response The Japanese government is
conscious of the possible necessity of the
military and naval situation and is un-
willing to permit evaSionS and delays
which are designed to gain time The
future course of the Japanese govern
length of time that Japan is prepared
to await the pleasure of Russia is un-
| known. 1t seems probable that it has
been determined to act decisively within
a few days The popular temper has
| long opposed further delay. While many
objected to Japan's taking the initiative
| a majority would now welcome the is
| suance of a brief ultimatum and a
| declaration of war if that should prove
4 ineffective.
Some outside opinion here fnclines to
the belief that the activity of Japan will
be limited to the seizure of Korea which
| enterprise it is thought Russia would
not oppose. The japanese government
proceeds with absolute secrecy and the
people of japan are even not informed
of the exact nature of the demands
made on Russia
ARMED JAPANESE ON THE MOVE.
| Seoul, Jan. 27-One hundred armed
japanese have been sent to Pyenzyang
to insure the safety of the people, it
having been reported that the houses
of wealthy natives there were being
looted by Korean soldiers and police
disguised as robbers.
The report that Americans are acti,.@
in collusion with the members. of the
Russian legation at Seoul is entirely
without foundation.
The emperor has invited to the palace
five French and Belgian civilians to.act
as body guard, as he apparently fears
Japanese intrusion. The japanese have
asked pointedly which side the emperor
IaVOrS, as Jney WISH TO know II he is
still favorable to the Russian cause.
A MODUS VIVENDI.
London, Jan. 27.-The Daily Express
publishes a ruInor that Viceroy Alexien
is on his way to st. Petersburg.
The correspondent of the Daily
Graphic at Sebastopool claims indispd-
table authority to assert that Russia
three weeks ago, asked permission for
warshfps to pass the Dardanelles which
permission Turkey declined to grant.
Special dispatches from Toxic publish
ed this morning concur in the state
ment that tension continues but they
only report ministerial conferences
a Toxic and Pekin, however. agree that
as a result of China's effort to secure
mediation France has agreed to use her
good offices, in conjunction with Great
Britain and the United States to ar
! range a modus vivendi between Rus
sia and Japan. Further, the French
: | minister at Pekin has intimated to
! | Prince Ching his belief that if suen
mediation were successful the three
powers in question could assist China
in coming to an equitable agreement
with Russia regarding Manchuria- Both
the British and American ministers at
Pekin are agreed. however, according to
the dispatch from Pekin that such
mediation is impossible as neither of
the powers concerned have invited
a mediation publicly, and they have noti-
fed Prince Ching in accordance with
/ respondent of the Times in Pekin.
Prince Ching admits that the sugges-
ton to invite the mediation of the pow
ers came from the Russian minister.
RUSSIANS TO GUARD PALACE.
Toxic, Jan. 27--The Jill Shinpo says
that Russia and Korea have agreed that
( 2 600 Russian soldiers be employed to
! c11ard the palace at Seoul and that