The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-01-20
JAPAN MOVES IN FAR EAST
Increasing Evidence in Toxic Of In
portant Development.
RUSSIA GATHERS HER FLEET

Orders For Cruisers to Receive Their Ar
n,a,nents and Proceed East Car
Sends Instructions Regarding Reply
to viceroy AIexief-SaId to Contain
Terms Satisfactory to Japan.
London. England. A special dispatch
from Toxic says there is increasing ev-
idence there of the imminence Of some
important development in the Far East.
The first authentic news of tile Gate
of the Russian reply to Japan reached
Baron Hayashi. the Japanese Minister
to Great Britain. through the Asso.
ciated Press dispatch on the subject
from st. Petersburg. The Minister
said the reception of Russia's PROPOSE
tions would entirely depend on how
nearly they assimilated with the jap
anese terms. from which it would be
extremely hard for Japan to recede.
He added that orders have been sent
70 Genoa to hoist the japanese ensign
over the new war ships Kasaga and
Niasin, recently purchased by Japan
from Argentina
Mr.. Balfour. the Prime Minister,
passed a few hours in London on his
way to Chatsworth to attend the meet
! ing Of the National Defense Commit
tee. which, however, is said not to be
connected with the Far Eastern situa-
ton.
| Bizerta. Tunis.-The Russian cruiser
Aurora has gone to Piraeus to salute
| Queen Olga on her return to Greece
from st. Petersburg.
1t is thought Admiral Wirenius and
his entire Russian naval division will
sail for Suez. The division comprises
the armored cruisers Demitri Donskoi
and Oslayba, the protected cruiser Au.
rora, dispatch boat destined for Vice.
I roy Alexieff and eleven torpedo boat
destroyers of the latest model. having
q speed of twenty-six knots. The per.
sonnel of the division consisted Of $500
| officers and men. The orders to Ad-
miral Wirenius were to conduct the di'
vision to the Far East and then to pro-
ceed by the trans-Siberian Railroad to
ST. Petersburg to assume the duties Of
under chief Of the naval staff.
Moscow. Russia.-The Russian cruiser
| Saratoff has been ordered to Sebasto-
pol to receive her armament and pro-
ceed with all haste to Port Arthur.
The cruiser Oral has been ordered to
remain at Odessa until she receives her
armament.
ST. Petersburg. MASSACHUSETTS, re-
ply to Japan is now in the hands OF
the Viceroy, Admiral Ale1ieff, for him
to deliver when he considers the fitting
moment has arrived.
Russia has not at all given up the
idea of a peaceful issue. all depending
upon whether Japan is in earnest in
her declarations to the government re-
garding her desire for peace, which is
beginning here to be much doubted
In view of her extensive war prepara-
tions. These are daily being an
nounced.
AS to whether Russia's reply will be
acceptable to Japan no one can tell. 1t
has been calmly and carefully consid-
cred, and from Russia's point Of view
frames terms which Japan can accept
with honor, and she must take the
very gravest responsibility by reflls-
ing them. The next word lies with
Japan, and accordingly the question
of peace or war rests in her hands.
Toxic, Japan.-War preparations con-
tinue but the government seems deter
mined to, avoid the opening of a con-
fiict, and for this purpose the note
sent to the powers was intended to
show that the responsibility rested
! on Russia.
The government is proceeding very
cautiously, and unless Russia gives
undue provocation it is possible that
peace may continue for some time.
The preparations made by the govern
ment are, however. sufficient to con-
vince the populace of a determination
to fight if necessary. The popular
clamor has somewhat subsided, al
though many support the proposition
to seize and declare protectorate over
Korea.