The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-02
FIRST WAR MOVE.
Japan Will Send Fleet to Cap
ture Masampho.
Next Monday Is Date Set for
Ships to Sail.
CZAR CALLS COUNCIL.
After Receiving 1000 Word
Telegram from East.
In London HOstIIities Are Re-
garded as Very Near.

Toxic, Jan. 2.-The report is current
that the Japanese squadron of six
armored cruisers. under Admiral KAN
imura. now at Saseho. will seize the
port of Masampho, Korea, and that its
departure has been fixed for January
4. In well informed circles, however, it
is doubted that Japan would seizs
Masamphc or any Korean port except
to forestall Russia in the event of the
latter's showing evidence of an inLen-
lion to take such step, or in the event
of the negotiations between the two
countries finally ending in failure
Great activity prevails. and the forcs
OF Workmen has been increased at the
| Osaka arsenal. The holidays of the ar
| senal operatives have been curtailed in
order to hurry up the work in hand
CZAR CALLS COUNCIL
New York, Jan. "A dispatch from
| Berlin to the american dated Saturday
savsi
| Last night a thousand-word telegram
from Admiral Alexieff. viceroy of the
far east, reached the czar at Peterhof.
| The czar Immediately summoned his
ministers in council. The czar presided
/ at the council, which sat until the early
hours of the morning.
| SPECIAL FLAG FOR ALEXIEFF
| st. Petersburg, Jan. IAN imperial
| decree just issued grants Viceroy Alex
ien q special flag consisting of the blue
With black eagle in the center The
TicerUy is also accorded a salute of u
guns
WAR DRAWS NEAR.
London, Jan. 2.-No word has yet been
received here tending to show when
the Russian reply TO Japan may be
expected. Foreign Secretary Lans-
downe has informed Baron Hayashi,
the Japanese minister, that he fears
that the war party in Russia is in the
ascendant and that he has faint hopes
of Japan receiving a fa.vora Bile reply.
Baron Hayasni says he has received
no news of the intended dispatch of a
japanese squadron to Masampho. The
last news he heard was that a Russian
cruiser was there. The minister point
ed out that the dispatch of a squadron
to Masampho would not necessarily be
a warlike action, though it could
line of other precautions which Japan
has openly taken.
The weekly papers here share in the
general feeling of alarm current in
Great Britain. The Spectator says war
draw ever nearer and adds:
IF we are dragged into this war, as
we may be, the country will not be di-
. vided in sympathy, dislike of Russia
being as strong among the masses OF
, our population as it was in 1856.
The paper surmises that Russia may
q keep her ships in her harbors, as she did
during the Crimean war, thereby fore
ing land actions or an attempt byJapan
to seize Port Arthur and Vladivostock-
The Saturday Review adopts a some
what similar tone, saying that the like
lihood of Chinese Intervention menaceS
the commercial interest of all Europe
and of the United States
Information has been received in a
London diplomatic quarter unfriendly
to Russia that NJ. Bezobragoff, who was
recently raised by the czar to secre-
taryship of state, is the power behind
the scenes of the Russo-Japan negotia-
tions. NJ. Bezobragoff, according to this
source of information, who is now the
prime faVorite of the car and the lead
er of the war party, is president of the
Yalu River Timber company, is largely
interested in commercial enterprises in
Korea. and is the bosom friend of Vice
roy Alexieff. Though the news is evil
IDENTIFY partial, it receives some credit,
and adds to the alarmist feeling.
RUSSIA BUYS HAY IN NEVADA
Carson, New, Jan. "A large
amount OF hay is being purchased in
Nevada for immediate shipment to San
Francisco. 1t is stated that the hay is
being purchased for the Russian gov
| ernmert.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 2.-It appears to
be true that Russia has decided not to
l accept Japan's precise proposals. but
the foreign office today informed the
Associated HreSS Illdt Il OhSASH minister
Iamsdorf and the Japanese minister,
M. Kurino, are still comforting with the
view of arriving at an adnicable settle
nent Unofficially, this situation is re-
garded as being most serious.
STILL HOPE FOR PEACE.
Washington Jan. 2-Acting Secretary
Loomis mas received in an unofficial
way communications from the repre-
sentatives of the United States in vari-
Gus foreign capitals bearing on the
! T2111c To ms situation.
deemed proper to publish these mes
sages. but the statement is made that
they are generally indicative of a be-
lief that some arrangement will be
, reached between Russia and Japan
which will avert war. It is expressly
stated that these advices are not posi-
! tive statements of fact but represent the
, , trend of sentiment in the official circles
of European capitals
CALI. FOR ENGINEERS