The Irish standard., 1904-01-16
POLICY OF THE CAR.
Russian Government Declares 1t Will
Respect Treaty Rights in
Manchuriu.

N4uhcuur1us
Berlin, Jan. 12.-The Russian govern
ment has informed the powers that it
will respect fully the rights any nation
has in Manchuria under treaty with
China. This declaration is made with
out reservation. Russia gives formal
expression to this policy now in conse-
quence of the controversy with Japan,
one of whose persistent contentious has
been for definition of Russia's policy
in Manchuria and an acknowledgment
Of Japan's trade privileges.
Russia's reply has been, in substance,
as follows:
eve cannot discuss Manchuria with
you any more than we could Australia
or the Philippines. Manchuria belongs
neither to us nor to you. 1t does not lie
within the jurisdiction of either of us
to dispose of the future of Manchuria."
Russia, however, is willing to observe
the treaty rights Of all the powers in
Manchuria and now engages to do so.
Russia, it is ADDED, thus removes from
the negotiations One of the points upon
which Japan counted for the moral sup
port of other powers and wherein she
specially had the sympathy of the Unit
ed States and Great Britain.
The terms of Russia's last note to
Japan are not known officially here but
it is understood to have produced a
quieting effect on the japanese states
men. Japan's reply, it is asserted, will
be in a similar tone. Japan has in
formed Germany that no troops have
been landed in Corea and that Japan has
no intention at present of so doing. The
statement published in London on high
authority that Germany and the triple
alliance will remain neutral in the event
of war between Russia and Japan is con-
firmed here.
Paris, Jan. ia special dispatch to
the Patrie, from Hardin, a town on the
Manchurian railroad, describes the Rus
sian war preparations. The Russian
officers declare war is inevitable, but add
that they are ready. Port Arthur, it is
further asserted, will be occupied by
100000 men and in ten days reinforce
ments Of 100000 men can reach Man.
churia.
Toxic, Jan. 13.-The final conference
before the throne to decide upon the
response to Russia began at two o'clock
Tuesday afternoon. 1t was attended by
all the members of the cabinet, five of
the elder statesmen, Admirals Ito and
Ijuin and Gen. Kodama.
The formal conference before the
throne was of long duration and it's
result is unknown. 1t is said, however,
that the response which was drafted
Monday was approved and that it will
soon be delivered to Baron De Rosen,
This answer of Japan is regarded as
the final step in the negotiations Pub
lie interest in the outcome is at fever
heat and developments are anxiously
awaited.
Berlin, Jan. 13.-The German foreign
office holds to the opinion that war in
the far east is still highly improbable.
Beyond this the official statements do
not go. Unofficial opinion, however,
especially that of the newspapers, re-
CARDS the statements telegraphed from
the far east of extreme tension as part of
a great diplomatic game designed to
make Russia believe that more conces-
sions must be made or Japan will at
tack. The German foreign Office is we'll
informed, especially from the Russian
side, and it may be inferred that the posi-
tive official optimism here is derived
from knowledge that Russia will not per-
nit war to break out.