The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-08

It is said such action would be difficult in view of the recent declaration of Japan that she would not accept intervention of any kind, as the question was one to be regulated between herself and Rus sia.
 Nevertheless, 1t is expected that France will approach Great Britain with the view of that power making representa- tions to Japan, while she, at the same time will make representations to Rus sia in order to prevent an outbreak of hostilities. It Is admitted, however, that a long step has already been taken to- ward war by Japans having broken off relations. In the opinion of officials and diplomatists here, there is still slight chance of averting hostilities. and this chance will be seized.
 Center of Much Excitement.
 The Japanese legation here has been the center of much excitement since this morning M. Motono and the legation officials talked freely They did not ap- pear to be depressed but rather confident and even hopeful that a decision had finally been taken. It was thought at first that M. Kurino might come to Paris, but it is the present intention that he go to Berlin and there await the final de- termination as to whether he is to re-
 
 M. Botono gave the Associated Press Japan's official statement as the best ex- planation of tho situation, but in addition made the following declarations:
 The government statement clearly shows that returns are at an end Wheth- CT or not this means war, I am unable to say, but it is obvious that the step already taken is of the gravest nature and one which may be followed by war When that result may come no one can say at this time, but the reasons for the action of my government are distinctly understood.
 Received No Note.
 Tt Is not true that Baron Komuro, the Japanese minister, received yesterday any note from Baron DeRosen and therefore, the action of Japan in breaking off rela- uons was not a result of the Russian reply. No response has been remitted by Russia to our government. The reports stating Russia sent her reply are decept- i've as l have not received it, and It is because we have not received this reply that we are determined to act with vigor.
 This is the situation. Russia alone is responsible. She received our last note on January 15. Twenty-Five days passed. Several times M. Kurino requested re- ply and it was promised, but never came At the beginning of last week M. Kurino declared positively that we must have a reply but still there was nothing.
 "At the same time Russia continued to make military preparations and to concen- state troops in the vicinity of the YaIu river. Can you not conceive the iDquiet- ude and the irritation at Tokio? After three weeks of patience we thought that was sufficient and our dignity would not permit us to wait indefinitely"
 Did Not Reach TokIo.
 A Russian diplomatic authority here says that the Russian reply to St. Petersburg Thursday, did not reach Tokio yesterday. The Japanese wished for rupture and the order given M. Kur- ino to break off diplomatic relations, coin cided with the departure of the Russian note, departure which had been pre- dicted and announced.
 Is not that significant" the authority in question asked.
 Yesterday at o'clock M. Kurino made known to Count Lamsdorff the instruc- tions he had received, but it is evident that these instructions reached him on the 9th. At the same time that M Ku- rino notified Count Lamsdorff, Baron Kormuro announced the news to Baron DeRosen and requested him to depart
 'It Is not because the Russian note did not arrive that relations have been broken off. If in reality the relations were terminated because Japan did not receive our note, then the only deduction which can be made on this point is that Japan, knowing in what spirit of concili- ation our response was, preferred to am nounce the termination of negotiations When Japan waited three weeks she could have well waited "A hours longer, only this was unwise for Japan. Of course she wanted a rupture at any price,"
 Have Concentrated Fleet.
 Continuing. he said the Japanese had concentrated their fleet: that they had broken of diplomatic relations. and their intention was evident. The Associated Press was the first to give the news of Japan's act to the Korean minister here. It was evident that the minister had Iit- tie doubt that war would follow.
 q expect" he said. that my govern ment will advise me of the policy it pro- poses to tursue. You know and the world knows tha+ it intends to observe policy of sti let neutrality, and it will do every thing in it's power to enforce such neu- trality. We had hoped that war would be avoi led, fer we have appreciated what bostilit.es would p,ean to our country. have received no official confirmation of the arrival of Russian troops in northern Mauchu.ia, and think so far my govern ment Ii IS dcnc nothing"
 "But in case Japanese troops land In