Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-02-12
ROTH COUNTRIES HAVE WITH
DRAWN THEIR MINISTER'S.
Forces Are Soon to Collide---Korea Will Be
Seized First---Al European Capitals
Concerned in Outcome.

+ pidity. The Russian note was already
IN the hands OF Baron de Rosen, Rus
sian minister at Toxic, for delivery to
Baron komura, the Japanese foreign
minister when, at o'clock yesterday,
M. kurino, the japanese minister
here, presented himself at the foreign
office and informed Foreign Minister
Lamsdorff that his government, in
, view OF the delays in connection with
the Russian answer and the futility
hitherto of the negotiations considered
1t useless to continue diplomatic re.
lations, and would take such steps as
1t deemed proper for the protection OF
Japan's interests. In obedience to in
structions, therefore, he asked for his
passports. Exactly what else passed
at this interview is not known. ex.
cept that Count Lamsdorff expressed
surprise and regret at this hasty re-
solve of the mikado's government. M.
kurino received his passports, and,
after consulting with Sir c. s. Scott,
the British ambassador here, he re-.
turned to his legation, where the pre-.
parations for mis- departure had al.
ready begun. Another version OF the
situation at the time that M. Kurino
notified Count Lamsdorff of the course
his government mad elected to pur.
sue is that the Russian reply was not
in the possession of Baron de Rosen,
but in the telegraph office here, await.
ing transmission, and that it was with.
drawn before being dispatched.
Russia Shows Haste Also.
Upon the disclosure of Japan's pc.
sition, the Russian authorities mel
the situation with great promptness.
Instructions recalling Baron de Rosen
were forthwith telegraphed, and he
was directed to leave Toxic immedi.
ately. Count Lamsdorff's official cir.
cular to the Russian representatives
abroad, instructing them to inform
the governments of the countries to
which they were accredited with Jap.
ans action was then prepared. This
circular was printed In the Official
Messenger at o'clock this morning.
With war imminent. orders have
been given for rigid censorship over
all information relating to naval and
military movements. Preparations
were also made for the cars journey
to the ancient capital, Moscow, where
he goes, in accordance with the tradi
tional custom of his forefathers, to in.
woke the divine guidance While the
imperial train is passing, Moscow
troops will lire every foot of the way.
London. Feb. 9.-The Japanese gov
eminent has issued a statement ex-
plainng its attitude which might be
easily classed as declaration of war.
1t reviews the Japanese demands for
guarantee Of Korea's independence, the
delays in replying BY Russia and her
continued military and naval activity.
1t says the latter caused doubt as to
any hope of peaceful solution of the
difficulty and has rendered necessary
by Japan this act of self defense. She
has therefor ordered Kurino to leave
St. Petersburg ard reserve tho right to
defend her menaced interse 8.
Paris, Feb. 8.-The Japanese have
cut the cable between Japan and Korea,
according to advices received this even
ing by the French foreign office. The
supposed object is to prevent news of
the operations of the Japanse reaching
the Russians.
Paris, Feb. ,9.-It is announced that
the United States embassy will protect
Japanese interests in St. Petersburg
London, Feb. 9.-The British foreign
office is receiving constant stream of
cabegrams. The British navy is pre-.
pairing for mobilization on moments
notice