The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-02-09
is SERIOUS.
Incidents That Indicate the Presence
of IA Crisis.

Toxic. February 4.-Premier Kat
mura and his associates in the cabinet
gave a dinner to the eighteen repre-
sentative peers and communicated TO
them the nature and progress OF the
diplomatic negotiations with Russia
The Marquis Ito had a private au-
dience with the Emperor, at which
the situation was discussed. These
and other incidents clearly 1ndicSIe
the seriousness Of the situation.
It s generally believed that Russia
&c masSIng troops north OF the Salu
river, so as to be prepared to resist
a possible invasion by the japanese.
The cabinet, elder statesmen and
commanders of the arnir and navy
are in almost constant conference or
communication. There is. however.
no indication Of the course they IN
tend to pursue. The belief ia pre-
valent that Russia is seeking TO pro-
woke Japan to take the initiative
The first outbreak of the ret1BeRce
of te Garan-Se government was the
publication tIday Of four of the dis
patches from Manchuria and Siberia
whi h are significant, w As they
do the trend of events.
The Japanese commercial agent at
V~ladivostock was notified Wednesday
by the CT mander Of the Russian
2SVTlSOn IaluI ne might DIT dly Iiies
in accordance with orders from St
Petersburg. have to proclaim a state
of SIEGE. Consequently he desired the
| agent to make preparations for the
| eventual departure of Japanese resi-
dents. Should any wish to rema N
they will be ordered to repair 10 Hab-
arovsk-
japanese official reports confirm
marked military activity in Man
| ah,~io unr1cao houa haan nrpnQrQ6
! at Lia Yang. Haicheng. Kaichow and
| other places for the accommodation
of Russian soldiers. Carts also have
been reQuisitioned to transport am
munition and stores.
Troops are steadily moving in the
direction Of the Yalu and the Chinese
residents of Yingchou r preparing
for flight
Russian Troops May Land at Chelpo.
London, February IA dispatch
to the Central Jews agency from
Seoul, Korea, says that abou 5000
Russian troops have sailed from Port
Arthur and will endeavor to land at
Chelpo. the port Of SeouI tomorrow.
Russian War Vessels Sail from Suez.
Suez, Egypt, February 1.-The Rus
sian battleship Oslabya, the transport
Sarafoff and three torpedo boats de-
SlioySlS diiC ooo
east.
A Feeling of Panic i'm Korea
St. Petersburg. February 4-Ad-
vices received here from Korea says
that the feeling of the panic is gem
eral there and that depression pre-
walls at all the seaports, where mas
sacres of foreigners eventually are
pretended. The Europeans are pre-
pairing to send their families to
Shanghai. Every steamer from Japan
Sit is added, nve to Korea many
japanese officers and soldiers in dis
guise, and their presence in such
numbers is regarded by the Russians
as being a secret occupation Of
Korea
This Government is Neutral.
Washington, February 4.-Regard-
ing the movements of the American
Asfatic feet which Is now in Philip
pine waters, ii cam be stated that nc
decision has been reached except the
i~rrevocabIe one that the fleet shall
make no move which can possibly
be construed as a departure from the
Washington governments policy OF
complete neutrality in the far east"
Russian Fleet Has Left Port Arthur
Toxic. February 4.-The govern
men has been informed that the Rus
sian fleet has left Port Arthur. It.
destination Is not known
Reported Departure Not Confirmed
st. Petersburg, February 4.-Noth.
ing is known here officially regarding
the reported departure OF the Russian
fleet from Port Arthur. The repor'
is attributed 10 the fact that possibl.
a few Of the ships have gone on q
snort cruise,
Report Partly Confirmed.
Washington. February 4.-Mf. TAX
uhfra. the Japanese minister here ha,
been Informed by his government o.
the departure OF the Russian fee
from Port Arthur.
Maneouvering Against japanese Ships
Port Arthur, February 4-The Rus