The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-30
Japan's Altitude is Stirring Up Sentiment of lnpatiGnce
 and Hated
REPORT SAYS RUSSIAN
 VESSEL IS FIRED UPON
viceroy AIexleff, Commander in the East, Is Said to be Better, But Is Still Confined to His
 Room.

St. Petersburg, January 29.-An admiral who is influential in the councils of the empire today said to the representative of the Associated Press.
 "The enormous loss which the commerce of Japan is sustaining as a result of the mobilization of steamships for transport service probably accounts for the impa- tience the Japanese are displaying over the delay in the Russian reply, but this reply will go to Tokio next week. It will be conclliatory, and I do not foresee other than a peaceful settlement, although 1t Is difficult to feel certain in this respect be- cause of the cratic course of the Japan ese government during the latter stages of the negotiations.
 "Japan has increased her demands while the negotiations were still in progress by insisting upon treaty recognition of Chi nese sovereignty in Manchuria, therefore, why comply with a demand that is tanta- mount to humiliating reteration of former voluntary declaration?
 Irritation in St. Petersburg.
 .sThe attitude of Japan is causing irri- tation in St. Petersburg and feeling Of imnatience is growing throughout Russia. It Is hard to account for Japans persistent aggressiveness, but this must be attribut- ed to the incendiary influence of the Jap anese nresc which is acting under a for eign inspiration.
 'shou's Japan proceed to hostilities. her first objective move would probably be the cutting of the Siberian railroad, for which purpose she would land troops in Korean territory. She. however, could not land more than 16O,0OO men. and Rus sia has an equal number of men in Man. churia to meet this attack, which 1 think would be quickly repulsed. do not be- lieye in a naval war, the Russian war ships would make it impossible for the Japanese to endanger Port Arthur. But let me repeat, war is improbable.'
 Vessel is Fired Upon.
 London, January 30.--The Che Foo cor respondent of the Daily Mail says a for eiener who has arrived there says the Russian steamer Argun, on which he was a passenger from Nagasaki to Port Dalny, was fired on by a Japanese warship out side of Chemulpo harbor. Three shots were fired across the Argun's bows, but no further attempt 2 stop ncr was made. Viceroy Alexieff better, the corres- pondent says, but he is still confined te his room.
 Suggestion for Difficulties.
 London, January 29.-The Statist today in a long article on the Russo-Japanese situation makes a suggestion for the solu- tion of the difficulties which seem to meet the claims and contentious of both Rus sla and Japan. After commenting on the advantages of the Chino-American treaty, which it says, if carried out. would as- sure an open door in Manchuria for the world. the Statist concludes:
 When Russia was at the gates of Constantinople and practically had dc- tated peace to Turkey. Great Britain in- terfered and the result was the Berlin congress- There Is another good reason why the world should not wait for the conclusion of war to summon a similar encounter Would it not be more states manlike and certainly more humane, to summon such council now, in order to prevent war?
 Powers Would Guarantee Safety.
 sWould it not be possible for the Rus sian government to sell it's railways in Chinese territory to an international sym dicate, all the powers guaranteeing the safety and the interests of this syndicate? In that way, IL seems 10 us, the real rights of Russian interests in Manchufa would be safeguarded while the appre- hensions entertained by Japan that Rus sian extension threatens her very exist ence, would be permanently removed
 Reply is Satisfactory.
 Washington, January 29-The Associ- ated Press has the authority of the Brit ish ambassador at St. Petersburg for the announcement that the Russian reply which, it is said will be delivered tomor- row. is satisfactory.
 Although no further details are obtain able, 1t is assumed that if the informa- ton of the ambassador is correct, in that Russia has made certain concessions, and in that Great Britain will prevail upon Japan to accept them as such, the state ment of the British ambassador will have great effect. The statement originally went to London, where MT Griscom heard of 1t and cabled the news to the state department, the cablegram arriving over night.
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