Bisbee daily review., 1904-01-17
LAST STEP TAKEN BY
 LAPS THEIR REPLY, DRAFTED eY STATESMEN. APPROVED BY
 THE MIkADo.
CHAR BIDS PEACE ADIEU
Reply Sent to Russia Is in Reality an uit'matur-is Reaarded as the Final Step to Be Taken In the Ne Jotiations-PubIic Interest Is at ,-ever Heat.


 the Mikaio himself the final confer ence 10 jeciGe on the answer to Rus sia drawn up at yesterdays meeting | of the cabinet and veteran statesmen. was held today. Previous to the con ference Admiral Yamamoto. in behalf or Premier Katsura, who is indispos- ed. had private audience with the emperor. MT. Komura, the foreign minister, and Marquis Ito. also con ierred privately. At the general con ference all the members of the cabi- net were present. along with Mar quis Ito, Marquis Yamagata. Count Matsukata and Marquis Saionji. Reply Like Uitimatum. while ike result of the conference is not positively known. it is stated that the response drafted yesterday was approved and ordered delivered to Baron le Rosen. the Russian minis. ter The answer, which is believed to partake of the nature of an ulti. matum, is regarded as the final step in the negotiations. Public interest Is at fever heat. --i developments are anxiously awaitet fyu
 China May Be Drawn into War.
 According to the high authorities. Japan really desires China, for the present. 70 maintain strict neutrality in the event of war The attitude of the government on that point might experience a sudden change. however should the army and navy prove un. equal to the task of defeating Russia If the tide of war should begin to flow against Japan. threatening disaster to the empire. it is probable that heroic efforts would be made to draw China into the struggle s-i
 All Are Merry at Port Author. Fort Arthur. Jan i2-In spite. 0. the shadow of war which hangs over his garrison "a shadow never black Ter than ct .he present moment--Poi; Arthur eats, drinks and makes ;r,e,.y with a gayety unsurpassed in ,ahy eta CT city "a the far east. Life here $ a continual round of festivities. .rs The yiceroy, the generals. the admirals the military club. the naval club and the higher civil officials vie with each other in the splendor of their enter. tainments. The number of beauti. fui wcmen-wives, daughters and sis ters Of the naval and military lead eTs-who attend these functions awaken memories of St. Petersburg and Paris.
 Admiral AIexieff's niece is the lead, CT of fashion. She is a very hand. some young woman, for whom hun dreds of young officers here would die if necessary.
 If the war clouds roll away Port Arthur promises to become the Par is of the far east A prince of the blood will probably establish his headquarters here as soon as Admiral Alexieff retires and keep a court of regal splender.
 laps Around Port Arthur.
 It is reported that owing to threat ening news received from Korea the commander of the Seventh Russian brigade has gone to the Yalu river to select concentration of troops.
 Owing to apprehension of a daring dash on the part of the Japanese on Port Arthur the authorities here have taken extraordinary precautions in and about the town and along thel town and along the whole, line of the 1 Manchurian railroad. Rumors were | circulated some time ago that the Japanese intended to take advantage Of the festivities incident to the Rus sian Christmas and surprise the war ships here. Consequently a vigilant watch is being kept night and day. The whole Russian fleet is now ip |