Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-08
NO HOPE OF PEACE.
RUSSIA HAS MO EXPECTATION OF
AVOIDING WAR.
Japanese Minister Recalled From st.
Petersburg-Full Reply From Cars
Government Not Awaited.

Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador,
yesterday promptly on the receipt of loni.
cablegram from Count Lamsdorff, the Rus
sian minister for foreign affairs, drove to
the residence of Mr.. Loomis, the acting sec
rotary of state, shortly before noon and in
formed him of the dispatch received from
the head of the Russian foreign office.
In substance Count Lamsdorffs dispatch
was to this effect: Before Baron Rosen
could transmit the pacific reply of his gov
eminent to Japan's last note to the Japa-
nese foreign Office the Russian government
received from the japanese minister for for
eign affairs Friday last a brief note an
nouncing the breaking Of of the far eastern
negotiations. the interruption of diplomatic
relations and the recall Of Mr.. Kurino, the
Japanese minister at st. Petersburg, with
the request that he be furnished his pass
ports forthwith.
In communicating these facts to the act
ing secretary of state Count Cassini add
ed that his government deplored this unto
ward turn in negotiations, which his mai
esty the emperor had sincerely hoped might
conclude with peaceful settlement. The
amba ssador called attention to the fact
that in her last note Russia had made gen.
erous concessions to Japan in Korea, and
had furnished the basis for continuation
of the negotiations to the advantage of
Japan. 1t was added that the Russian gov
eminent regarded the action of Japan as
precpitate and remarkable. OF the final
result the ambassador could express only
his opinion that the worst seemed probable.
1t was stated that Mr. Kurino had received
his passports and would leave the Russian
capital today. Baron Rosen may have
already left Tokyo.
Later in the day cablegrams from Mr..
Mccormick, the American ambassador at
st. Petersburg, and Mr.. Griscom, the
American minister at Tokyo, were received
by the State Department confirming the
| news of the severance of diplomatic rela-
tfons These cablegrams and the COM
munication of the Russian ambassador
were promptly transmitted to the Presi-
dept.
On high authority the statement is made
that the Japanese government has not yet
received the Russian reply. Doubt is ex-
pressed here whether it ever will be de-
livered.
Minister Takahira's Statement.
Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese minister,
stated that he was not inclined to attach
great Importance to the charge said to
have been made that the japanese govern
ment had been guilty of bad faith in in
structing it's minister to withdraw from ST.
Petersburg before Russia's reply to Japan's
last note had been received. His govern
ment doubtless, would soon issue state
ment explaining its motives regarding this
as well as the other more important points
OF the controversy. Being without official
informa ton, he could only express his per-
sonal opinion on the subject He said that
when Japan's last note was sent on jan
uary IL the Russian government was eSpe-
clally requested to send answer as quick
ly as possible, since, notwithstanding ia
pans earnest efforts to reach equitable
settlement there already had been delay
of several months, thus creating a situation
which was becoming uncomfortable
Some time having passed without reply,
the Japanese minister at st. Petersburg
10 81 an
minister for foreign affairs in order to dis
cover whether some means could be found
to hasten the reply.
This he did several times, and on the last
occasion, only few days ago. Count Lams-
dorff informed him that he could not give
any definite Information even to the
probable time when the reply could be sent.
as the matter rested exclusively with the
emperor.
Meantime, Russian military and naval
preparations were proceeding with renewed
vigor. Considerable bodies of troops were
being dispatched to the Korean frontier,
and the fleet at Port Arthur sent out to
an unknown destination, while other Rus
sian naval forces were being FASTENED to
the scene of action. The garrison COM
mander at Vladivostock, acting on orders,
informed the japanese commercial agent
that the Japanese residents of that place
must be prepared to leave at a moments
notice, or must be ready to move to a town
in the interior some distance from Vladiyo-
stock and to remain there within certain
prescribed limits Actions like this on Rus
sia's part, while the reply to Japan's mod
crate and concilIatory representations was
still unaccountably delayed, said Mr.. Taxa
hira, did not seem to indicate sincere desire
to maintain peace. but pointed to the con-
clusiOn that Japan by waiting until Rus
STA favored her with a reply might place
herself In Instantaneous and even dan
gerous position. Under tkese circumstances
the Japanese government probably decided
that ii wise to terminate negotiations
wi effort q
part, had proved entirely futile.
Deemed Significant.
An official of the Japanese legation called
attention to the fact, which he thought
significant, that the notice terminating ne
gotiations was sent to st. Petersburg by
the Japanese government the 9Th in
slant. while Admiral Alexieff telegraphed
the reply to the note of January 13 to the
Russian minister at Tokyo on the 9th in |
slant He said this step must have been |
taken after Admiral Alexieff was aware of
the notice received by his government the |
day before from Japan terminating diplo- |
matte relations.
Baron Sternburg, the German ambassa- |
dor, had long conference with Count |
CaSsini at the Russian embassy yesterday |
afternoon. 1t is certain that so long as |
no other nations than Russia and Japan |
are involved Germany will observe neutral |
ity.
The Russian and Japanese representa- tives |
here will observe outward courtesies when |
they meet, but, will not exchange calls A |
misunderstanding between Count Cassini |
and Mr.. Takahira occurred at the diplo- |
matte dinner at the White House, Janu- |
airy IA last, when the former, thinking the |
latter had declined to speak to him, insist |
ed that dean of the diplomatic corps re- |
lations must be courteous. The Japanese |
minister insisted he had saluted the am
bassador and since then they and their |
subordinates continue to observe social
courtesies.
1t is stated that the United States will |
observe strict neutrality in the troubles |
between Japan and Russia.
Reply to Russian Statement.