Mexico Missouri message., 1904-01-21
CLAIMS RUSSIA WILL
KEEP VIII CLOSED
Interesting Statements Credited to
Russian Minister at Seoul.


London: The Daily Mail correspond
,ent ut Seoul quotes NJ Pavlof, the
Russian minister. as making the fol,
lowing statements:
Russia will refuse, in the interests
of peace. to consent to the opening
OF the Korean port of VIII, and will
protect Korean sovereignty at all
costs
That Il Is impossible to allow Japan
to secure a preponderating influence in
Korea and that the Japanese are
superhcialiy civilized mediaevals, ven
.eered with modernity.
II they get Korea they will commit
excuses which will be charged to
Russia. They have robbed the Korean
poor
It Is impossible for civilized Russia
TO see them dominate the peninsula.
IL is not light matter TO nave free
nation obliterated.
The Russian fleet will not fight.
Fabian tactics will be employed, and
Japan win defeat herself shortly aft
Ger she is on war footing.
hussld udh no nSHu W hhnlt hhhooo
she is forced to. She can choose her
own field II Japan lands troops In
Korea, Russia will regard 1t as an I'M
friendly act, and will defend KOrea's
Independence against the Pagan In
vaders.
Russia Asks Turkey to Let Fleet Pass.
Berlin: 1t is officially confirmed
that Russia has asked Turkey for per.
mission 20 send her Black sea feet
through tho Dardanelles, and will Wig
orously press for assent to the propo-
sition. There is no doubt but what the
far East is the ultimate destination OF
the feet
! Germany's attitude as at the time
the four unarmored Russian torpedo
boat destroyers passed through the
straits, September, 1902. is that she
has no concern in the matter.
The British government is believed
here to have identified itself more
fully, week by week, with the Japanese
position, until now Great Britain ii
almost as deeply committed as Japan
The position in which Great Britain
now stands, according to the view TAX
en- of the situation here, brought abou
by public opinion and by the feeling
that Russia would yield II only a firm
attitude were shown, has impressed
and is impressing the Russian states
men. The readiness with which thu
United States associated herself will
Japan in pressing for the signature
of the commercial treaties with Chint
= is another fact contributory 20 tn
feeling in st. Petersburg that this /
not the moment to fight.
The decision for war or peace noI
rests with the cars advisers, an
symptoms are visible here that tn
decision will be peace by largely ad
hitting Japan's demands. The views O
the British editors, partially derive
from the foreign office in London, ar
looked on here not only as significant
but as also being part of great dill
lomatic game against Russia, and i
that sense are somewhat discounted
The skill Japan has shown through
out the negotiations excites admire
ton at the German foreign office.
The foreign office attaches weigh
to the utterances of the car at tn
New Years reception in the winte
palace at st. Petersburg Thursda!
because they were no doubt made
Encouragement and with the know
edge and advices Of his ministers. HI
majesty's statements can hardly b
taken in any special sense. but onl
as sincere intentions solemnly d.
clared.