The Red Cloud chief., 1904-01-08
SITUATION SERIOUS
Russia and Japan Continuing
Negotiations to Avert War
THE JAPS WILLING TO FIGHT
EpeIand, France and other Interested
nations Doing Everything Possible
Go Prevent war aud Its Horrors

Don't look for a declaration OF
war" says the London Daily Telc-
graphs Toxic correspondent. and
adds.
The japanese are quite determined
and several days ago took steps TO Sc
cure certain of their Korean interests.
Russia will not be allowed to occupy
Korean ports and certainly neither
Mokpho nor Masampho, both Of these
ports being protected against seizure.
Japan means business without walt
ing for the convenience OF Others.
1T is thought. despite her buster,
that Russia will take no immediate &C
ton to prevent Japan doing what che
thinks proper to safeguard her inter
ests in Korea"
The Associated press at Washington
learns from an of,cinl source that
Japan. In her last note 10 the Russian
government. announced that the mini
mum proposition which she can accept
from Russia are rights in Korea equal
10 those claimed by Russia in Man
churia. In return, IL IL said. Japan
agrees 10 recognize the supremacy OF
Russia In Nanchuria- To this propo-
sition. tho Associated press IL Informed,
the Russian government would not
give its approval, feeling that Japan
should content herself with modiilca-
tons In the form OF concessions In
Korea for her commerce. The Russian
government has not abandoned hope Of
4 diplomatic settlement OF the ques-
ton in view OF the powerful pressure
which Great Britain and France are
bringing TO bear upon Japan to consent
to q continuance of the negotiations.
but II 10 emphatically stated that Rus
sia will never admit the parallel be-
tween her position In Manchuria and
that Of Japan in Korea.
Count Cassini. tho Russian ambassa-
dor. thinks the far eastern situation
gloomy, but not without some hope OF
salvation"
At the Japanese legation II was in
timated that IL the Russian reply does
not give definite assurance that In gen
eral tho concessions asked for by
Japan in Korea will be granted. the
Toxic government will be impelled 10
abandon diplomacy for force. Dis
patches received by Mr.. Takahira, the
Japanese minister. from TOXIC tell OF
the critical state OF public feeling there
It is stated that If Russia fails to give
a definite reply Japan will interpret
a dilatory note AZ indicating Russia's
wish to defer hostilities until the
spring. when her forces on land and
sea can be used to better advantage.
IL Japan IL convinced OF RusSia's in
tention mot In accapt her ~prOuosalR thu
Toxic government. II Is declared. will
not hesitate to take the initiative ant
assume the responsibility for making
a The Japanese minister does no
believe that after the manner in which
he claims his people have actet
throughout the negotiations they vii
forfeit any sympathy which they ma
have In this country by striking first
Acting Secretary LOOMS has re
ceived In an unofficial way communica
tons from representatives Of thu
United States in various foreign CAPT
tails bearing on the Rrsso-Japanes,
situation. II Is not deemed propeI
to publish these messages, but tn
statement is made that they are gen
orally indicative Of a belief that som
arrangement will be reached between
Russia md Japan which will aver
war. IT Ia expressly stated that thes'
advices are not positive statements o
fact, but represent the trend Of sent
ment In the 0ficial circles Of European
capitals.