The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-19
LITTLE CHANGE
la the Situation-It is Certain That
Russia Cannot Accede to all OF the
PROPOSITIONS Submitted i'm the Last
RepIy-The Way is Open for Fur
ther NegotiatiOn-The Status of
the Situation Remains About as IL
Was a Week Ago.

ready practically certain that Russia
will not accept Japan's last propost-
tions as an entirety. Russia is ready
20 agree to certain points, but on others
the foreign office believes. Russia can
ion that the way is open for continuing
the negotiations and there is no indi-
cation that Russia will seek to delay
her answer. which probably will be
ready in a few days.
The Car continues TO talk peace, and
the dowager cZarina. in conversation
remarked:
War is a horroble thing. There will
not be war;"
In the meanwhile Viceroy Alextef
and Baron de ROsen, as well as The
foreign office, are studying the Japa-
neSe document Army and navy CT
cles continue pessimistic.
The best feature Of the situation is
the fact that the Japanese reply b in
no sense the character of an ultimatum.
1t is couched in pacific terms. does not
Tx i time limit and the Acceptance by
Russia of certain of the propositions
therein mark an advance toward d set
tlement- Many rumOrs are af1oat, in
Guiding a report that an actual naval
fight has occurred at Vladivostock.
London. January 16.-In peculiarly
frank language. Baron Hayashi after
consultation with the foreign office to-
day. summed up the situation for The
Associated Press as follows:
II only hope the Car will give US
peace: but my hopes are not strong.
If We go to war il will be for issues
whereon both America and England
have insisted diplomatically. We have
received no pledges from any country
that in the event of defeat il will step
in and save us from being absorbed by
Russia. We cannot count even in ex-
trem!ieS on the armed support of any
nation in the world. 1t would be a
struggle To the death. Perhaps we ale
not strong enough to fight Russ a
There are two opinions about that.
Baron HayaShi intimated that o
thought Japan was bound to be beaten
. IN the end.
If We were beaten" the minister re-
sumed. Russia would take Korea and
Manchuria by right of conquest, and
possibly Japan. No power on earth
could then dislodge her from central
China and all the far east l am sure
II IS better to go to war when you
know you are right, even If defeat is
possible, than to see your indepen-
dence submerged under a continual ag-
gression that is bound to absorb you
eventually NOlHlLS SSLII AsSEI WdE
between Russia and Japan in future
years. even if peace is procured now,
50 long as Russia pursueS her present
far eastern policy.
The American action in enforc. ng
the opening OF the iManchurian ports
was q splendid example OF honest diplo-
macy. 1t was straightforward step
which contrasts favorably with Rus
sian methods. No other nation, except
r.
atty bought the two Chilian warshipS,
has taken any practical step to live up
to Its diplomatic demands upon Russia,
anent the Far east. We believe we are
now fighting a diplomatic battle in be-
half OF America and Great Britain. but
il only war can settle il we know we
shall receive assistance from neitler.
We are prepared to fight out our own
battles and take the consequences.
Port Said. January 16.-The Russian
battleship Oslabya has left this port
for Suez. The remainder OF the Rus
sian squadron is awaiting orders.
London. January 16-In the opinion
of the British government, the ed OF
this week does not mark any change
in the far eastern crisis. watch more
than ever keeps diplomatic circles in
London in a state of anxiety.
Inc latest, ana II II naO DSSn true,
the most serious statement, namely
that Russia intended to risk sending
her Back Sea fleet through the DarGen
eIles, received today a positive denial
from the foreign office. Baron Hay
ashi, the japanese minister, vsitad
Downing street and was told that after
making inquiries. the British authori-
ties were convinced that the report was
unfounded.
Regarding the main issue, Baron
Hayashi and the foreign office had nc
informa ton. Neither at the japanese
legation nor at the foreign office is ii
expected that any trustworthy indica-
ton OF the Russian action would be OBJ
tained for several days.
Paris, January 16.-Oficial sentiment
concerning the Russo-Japanese situa
tion is rather less buoyant today. Al
trough no information is given as t.
the grounds for the present feeling i
probably is due to the receipt OF full e
information regarding the nature O
Japan's latest demands.
One Of the foremost members OF tn
diplomatic corps. who has been in com
munfcation with French G0vernme"
concerning the situation said t6da,