The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-08

] When the representative of the Asso-
clated Press called at the japanese Lega-
| ton this morning he found a scene OF
| great confusion. During the night. as if by
| magic all the japanese art treasures
| bronzes and ivories had disappeared. and
| the spacious salons were bare. Servants
and attaches. who had been working all
| night, were still busily packing papers and
archives.
NJ Kurino entered the salem with his
bood-shot eyes gave evidence that he had
heen stranger to sleep. but he displayed
the impassive characteristics of his race
and was without trace of excitement.
There was an air of firm resolution about
him. however. which was the only notice
able change in his demeanor.
HI RINO SHOWED No
PERSONAL ANIMOSITY.
Throughout the strain which has jus,
passed. the attitude of the Japan nese Min.
lister has been strictly correct He has
been on good terms personally with Count
l.amsdorf and the other Russian officials
To-day. as Is customary with him. he was
extremely reticent. and declined to offer
an explanation of the course Of japan say
ing the authorities at Toxic would doubt
less give the world their side of the story
He ventured. however. to point out that
the Irritation created by the delay in the
Russian response. postponed from day to
day, together with the forecasts Of what
II contained. might have convinced his
Government that it was futile to proceed
further with diplomacy.
AS NJ. kurino looked out of a window at
the legation. which faces the Neva. not
far from the winter palace. he saw a
battalion of the Russian imperial guard,
clad to the heels in big cvercoats. and
their guns slung over their backs. He
showed no emotion at this sight He said,
rather sadly. that the rupture of diplo-
matte relations did not necessarily mean
war.
AMERICAN AMBASSADORS
AMONG FIRST CALLERS.
United States Ambassador Mccormick
was one of NJ Kurino's first callers this
morning. and later in the day the other
diplomats. among whom the Minister is
popular. came to express to him their re-
grets at the turn affairs had taken. In
the afternoon NJ. Kurino and his wife
made number of hurried farewell calls
including one at the American Embassy.
-Four cars are ready at the Warsaw sta
ton for the Minister and the legation
staff. NJ. Kurino will leave at the eari-
est possible moment, but he probably will
not be able to get away before Wednes-
day
The current business of the Japanese
Legation will. 1t is believed. be turned
over to the British Embassy, although 1t
was once thought possible. in view of the
fact that Great Britain was Japan's ally
ana might be drawn into the controversy,
tnat Ambassador Mccormick might take
charge. Mr.. Mccormick, however, has no
instructions on this point. 1t is possible
that the Gear may personally undertake
the protection OF the japanese in Russia.
as Nicolas did in the case OF the English
during the Criinean War
MANY WILD RUMORS
DENIED.
Amid the crop of stories aflost here to-
day. there were some of the widest char
acter. as. for example, that a naval hat
lie had already been fought and a Japa-
nese fleet sunk. Another story, which is
fepeated. circumstantially, is that. while
the Japanese Government did not wait for
the official presentation of the Russian re-
sponse, the contents of it were made pri.
vately to NJ kurino. who teIegraphed II to
his Government. This, the Associated
Press has been authoritatively Informed.
Is not true.
When Count Lamsdorf Informed NJ. Ku-
rino on Thursday night that the response
had gone to Viceroy Alexieff. he did not
give MN copy Of 1t. but 1t is understood
that he made known in a general way
the Russian position.
MEMS INDUsTRIOUSLY
SPREAD THROUGH EMPIRE.
The news of the breaking off of dip
lomatic relations between Russia and
Japan was spread far and wide throuehout
the capital by extra bulletins Of the
Novoe Vremya and other papers. Much
txcitement was created. and this resulted
In patriotic demonstrations.
At the performance of Telinka's heroic
opera, Life for the Gar" at the Marie
Theater. the enormous building was
packed from floor to ceiling and many
military officers were present When the
peasant Sousain. who. in the play. comes
to save the Cars life. sang the national
r
MES" the emotional Russian character
was stilied by the solemnity OF the occa-
sion, but when the curtain was rung down
he audience burst into vociferous ap-
plause
The Bourse Gazette halls the breaking
If relations because it terminates the
present suspense and it declares that the
,ntire nation will respond to the i'm
)erial call.
1t is the general opinion of military
men here that Japan will Immediately
and troops in Korea. whence will come
he first news of fighting unless there
should be an accidental encounter at sea.
The Associated Press is informed at a
asc hour tonight that the order for the
imperial train to take the Gar to Moscow
iad been countermanded. and that the
late of his Majestys departure is uncer-
ain.
NEWS CAUSES SHOCK
AND SURPRISE IN PARIS.
Paris. Feb. THE Foreign Office has
been informed of the departure of Baron |
lie Rosen. the Russian Minister, from
TOXIC. and 1t has been advised of an an
that the Russian Government
considered 1t possible that action looking
toward mediation might be taken. No ex-
changes with Great Britain. however. have |
yet taken place. Something in this dlrec- |
ion may be done tomorrow.
The japanese Government communicated
statement to NJ. Motono, announcing the |
severance of diplomatic relations with |
Russia. and giving details of the reasons !
herefor. NJ. Motono took this statement |
o the Foreign Office. where he person |
lily communicated it to Foreign Minister |
0eIcasse.
Subsequently the japanese Minister gave