The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-19
EFFORTS FOR PEACE.
The Powers Will Try to Find Means
to Prevent Actual War.

Paris. January 1.-THE intention
on the part Of certain European
powers to find means to prevent the
Russo-Japanese controversy drifting
into actual war, as intimated in these
dispatches yesterday, has begun to
assume definite proportions though
until today these e were confined
to an exchange of views between the
cabinet as to what course was de-
sirable, and it can be asserted posi-
lively that no tender Of meditation
or good offices has yet been made to
Japan or Russia, since it is the &C
cepted view hat a grave moment
which would warrant representations
from the outside has not been reach
ed. On the contrary the official view
here continues to expect a peaceful
solution. without outside pressure.
In the meantime the cabinets of
London and Paris have arrived at a
quite clear understanding as to what
will be done if the eventuality Of war
becomes imminent The form of the
in diplomatic usages as a tender of
goo offices. 1t consists mainly in
giving friendly advices for the main
tenance OF peace. Throughout the
exchanges there has been a strong
sentiment that h united influence
of Europe and the United States
should give at least moral support to
the efforts to avert a conflict. The
official opinion today continues to be
that the parties themselves will sue
coed in averting a conflict.
Intervention Would Do No Good.
London, January 1.-THE British
foreign office officials said tonight.
after reading the japanese reply to
h Ior% ~~n ~ O~1s
takes the crisis a step further in a
less hopeful direction. The advices
received by the foreign office made
them fear that Russia would not ac-
cept Japan's reiterated demand. In
regard to the news from Paris of the
possible Intervention Of Great Britain
and France. the foreign office says no
such steps are on foot. so far as
Great Britain is concerned. No re-
quest has bee received from either
Russia or Japan for such action and
the office says it fears the time has
passed for any Intervention to be
asked for or unasked for interven-
ton to be eficacious.
Relations of the Two Powers Prac-
tically Unchanged.
London. January Minister
Hayashi received today the tex Of
the japanese reply to Russfa'E last
note. 1t does lot contain an ulti-
matum. but reiterates Japan's original
demands, with what Baron Hayashi
terms =" a modification upon a minor
point"
The questions of Chinese sovereign
ty in Hanchuria and Japan's sphere
of influence in Korea are re-insisted.
Minister Hayashi said to a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press:
$50 far as / can see the relations Of
the two powers regarding the dis
pute practically are unchanged. I
have no indication of the reception
his note is likely to meet at the
hands OF the Russian government, but
I expect the negotiations will continue
for several weeks.
Negotiations Will be Continued.
St. Petersburg, January 14.-Mr.
Kurino, the Japanese minister. in
formed the Associated Press CORE
spondent hat the Japanese reply had
been handed to Baron de Rosen, the
Russian minister at Toxic and that
he (Mr- Kurino) would present Count
Lamsdorff. the Russian foreign min
lister. with a duplicate copy. The min
lister said he was not authorized to
state the terms of the reply. but