The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-13
GERMANY WILL NOT INTERFERE.
Japan and Russia Must Go 1t
Alone if They Insist on Fight
ing.
eermany's, Neutral Position lnsures the
Non-interference of Other, European
Powers in Case of War---Prepa-
rations for Hostilities are
Still Actively Progress
, ina.


Still Actively Progress
ing.
London, Jan. 1O.-It is learned on
the highest authority that it has been
decided, in the event of war between
Russia and Japan, that Germany will
maintain strict neutrality, and that
other members of the Dreibund will
observe similar attitude.
The Importance of this decision,
which will be announced almost I'M
mediately in some official manner in
Berlin, cannot be easily over-estimated.
In measure it will insure that hosti-
lities will be confined to the two pow
ers concerned, and it will be certain
to give a great stimulus to the efforts
France and Great Britain are making
in st. Petersburg and Toxic respective
ly in favor of peace.
RUSSIA BULLDOZES CHINA.
London. Jan. 1.-THE Tien Tsin
correspondent Of the Daily Mail says
that the Russian Government has sent
to the Chinese Government threat
that Russia would Immediately occupy
Pekin should China join forces with
Japan. As result the grand council
has advised the throne to adopt pol
icy Of neutrality.
JAPAN PONDERS HER ANSWER.
London, Jan. 10.-At the japanese
legation tonight it was said that the
far Eastern situation remained un-
changed. No news has been received
by the legation, and it was believed
that some days might elapse before
any developments occurred, as Japan
was still considering her reply. No
news had been received at the legation
concerning the reported dispatch of
troops to Corea.
CHINESE BADLY FRIGHTENED.
Pekin, Jan. 1o.-Predictions in the
native press that war is inevitable
and imminent, and that China will
certainly be involved, are causing
great uneasiness. Many Chinese fear
a repetition of the scenes of pillage
aid murder which pade the year 1900
M. ',rable.
? ..mbers of the employees on the
"a. road between New Chwang and
Span Hal Kwan have deserted their
posts, thinking that the country ira
versed by the railroad will surely be
the scene of the fighting.
Reports from Manchuria are to the
effect that there is great military ac-
tivity there. The railroads are bring
ing troops from Russia, and the wom-
en- and children at Port Arthur and
New Chwang are preparing to leave.
The Russian general at New >Chwang
has been called to Port Arthur for
service.
Every steamer for Japan is carrying
the japanese from North China who
belong to the reserve.
THE NEWS RECEIVED IN LON
DON.
London, Jan. 1.-THE reassuring
news that the Russian war ships
which recently left Vladivostock have
returned there is confirmed in Via
livestock dispatch received at St.
Petersburg.
The dispatch asserts, however, that
only the armored cruiser Gromovol
went to sea for couple of days prac-
tice, the other ships of the fleets hav-
ing remained at Vladivostock through
out.
Spec;al dispatches from Toxic,
printed in this mt rning's newspapers
are very warlike, but add little or
nothing to the knowledge of the situa-
tion.
They reiterate that Japan has no
idea of sending an ultimatum to Rus
sia.
Anxiety is apparently felt in Toxic
for the safety of the cruisers Niasin
and Kasaga, which left Genoa on Sat
urday and in connection with the de-
parture of which the Genoa CORES
pondent Of the Daily Mail this morn
ing gives curious story to the effect
that an iron bar was found inside the
ammunition hold of the Niasin, placed
in such position that it short-cir-
cuited the electrical apparatus, with,
it is suggested, the object Of destroy
ing the vessel, although there is no
evidence to show that its being there
was not accidental. No serious dam
age was done.
Seoul dispatches report the arrival
OF add1t1Onal Russian Guu 1tdlldH Ina
rines there.
The Daily Nails Toxic correspond
ent asserts that the negotiations be-
tween Russia and Japan have passed
beyond diplomacy, and states that
some Corean officials have appealed to
the American legation at Seoul for
protection. but that Minister Allen up
braided them for thinking of their
personal safety at such jCncture.
RUSSIAN VIEW OF OUR CLAIMS.
St. Petersburg, Jan. l0.-Referring
to the interest of the United States in
the situation the Novoe Vremya says !:
Undoubtedly the United States.
above all other Powers, can confident
ly expect that its trade will not suffer
by Russian possession of Manchuria,
and it would be tactless OH Americas
part to demand now what she could
gain peacefullywhen everything quiets
SOypn -