Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-09
Russia and japan.

London, Jan. 9.-The brightest aspect
ofthe far Eastern situation this morning
is the assurance that war between Rus
STA and Japan, should there be such
clash, will be confined to these two coun-
tries with the possible siding of China
with Japan.
The Japanese legation in London has
received no further news today. The
officials discredit the report sent by the
Kobe correspondent OF the Daily Express
10 the effect that battle has occurred
between japanese and Russian fleets In
the Straits OF Korea.
London, Jan 9.-Late this afternoon
Lord Knollys, King Edwards private
secretary, made hurried visit to Pre-
mier Balfour's Office in Downing street.
It is reported that he conveyed to the
Premier suggestion from the King look
ing to efforts for mediation in the far
East.
London, Jan. 9.--According to a
telegraphic dispatch from Hong Kong,
a report has reached there from trust
worthy source that the Chinese grand
council have taken a stand tor Japan
and against Russia. The council, the
report has it, have decided to submit
several propositions to the Dowager
Empress, which include the following !:
That China act on the offensive should
Russian fail to withdraw from Man
churia; that China make an alliance
for offensive and defensive warfare with
Japan against Russia, and that govern
ment official be dispatched to Toxic to
arrange such an alliance; that IA, 900
recruits be enrolled under the authority
of Yuan Shi Kai, for the protection Of
Pekin; that. in event the Chinese
Japanese combination prove insufficient
against Russia, England be invited to
Join hands against the Cars forces.
Genoa, Jan. 9.-The two japanese
warships Kasaaa and Niasin, which were
recently bought from the argentine gov
eminent, steamed away east from Genoa
this morning. AS the vessels were I'M
der urgent orders, they did not stop to
take on the quantity ofammunition ready
for them, but left large stores of cartridges
and baggage unloaded in their tenders.
1t is stated they are going direct to Port
Said. From what was heard on board,
there is strong reason to suppose that
the vessels will merely steam along the
coast of Italy, callinga at Spezzia, Naples,
and other points, and there pick up arm
aments from various agents of the Arm
strong Company. They will then await
events in the Mediterranean. The Off
GERS and crews of the warships are all
intensely excited and keen for fighting.
London, Jan. 9.-The Rome CORE
spondent of the Central News wires
that the two Japanes cruisers which
sailed from Genoa this morning have sig
nailed off the island of Sardinia, in the
Mediterranean, that they were being
followed by two Russian warships.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 9.-It is ex-
pected here that if hostiities between
Russia and Japan should occur, there
would be no formal declaration of war.
Port Arthur, Jan. 9.-The newspaper
Novi Krai asserts that Japan has already
sent a large armed force of soldiers
to Korea, disguised as immigrants, to be
ready for any unexpected developments.
Paris, Jan. 9.-The foreign office to-
day received confirmation of the report
sent in these dispatches yesterday to
the effect that Russia in her reply to
Japan made some notable concessions.
Negotiations for friendly settlement of
the difficulties between the two countries
are progressing with increased prospects
of success.
Vienna, Jan. 9.--Word was received
here today that the Russian volunteer
feet steamers Smolensk, St. Petersburg,
Tambow, Sebastapol, and Vladimir had
been ordered to leave Odessa instantly
for the for East.