The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-01-26
n ARIs. 5a1. 25.-Considerable tension

-hAAAs-s Vt-ais iftis74tAr-f azure LEttSiyi
is observable in governmental
quarters concerning the Russo
japanese S.; ation. This is due princip-
ally 90 the fact that efforts toward a
pacific adjustment have not made the
progress which the officials hoped and
expected. TIE general view Of those
highest in authority IS summed Up in
the statement that negotiations have
now reacbel q point where practically
no progress Is occurring in any diTec-
tiQa. Whether this means that Rus
sia's latest answer does not make con-
cessians Hhirh are likely TO bring
about a settlement, il is impossible 10
say, as the delicate siege os the ne
gotiations prompts the officials TO with
hold precise details. The only state
ment = THAI the negotiations are viz
tuaiiy at q standstil 1t appears that
one Of the most difficult features Is
the mutual oiStrust and hatred Ehich
has grown u. between the parties. It
Is said that every statement of the
present exchanges develops japan s
suspicion o. Russia's good faith ard
Russia : aRtipathy to Japan. owing
to this bitterness. diplomatic EFFORTS
to secure middle ground are proving
unusually difficult. 1t is understood
that Russia Is nov seeking 20 secure
the naturalization Of the strait Of
Korea. Tine Russian view, as made
known here, is that J8panS foTtifica
ton OF Masampho ana Fusan consti-
tutes n menace to the worlds COM
merce. since it gives Japan control
over the narrow strait It is pointed
out IN supUOrt OF this view that Japan
already has "a strongly fortified island
4 rH-H- = IN -
and that this is distant fifty miles
from MasansDho and Fusan. 50 that
the Notifications of the latter points
VIII constitute another Gibraltar. The
strait OF Eo-ea is claimed TO be vital
outlet for the commerce Of northwest
China and it is therefore asserted that
it would be i'm the interest Of Europe
and America to secure The neutrallza-
ton Of the strait
Neutrality of Korea.
4 report that the French consul at
Chez Fec. China, has transmitted 10
the representatives, of the powers Ko-
rea's declaration Of her intention 10
remain neutral is not confirmed at the
foreign office, which Is not aware Of
any action cf this character being
taken or contemplated. The attitude
Of Korea in the event Of war between
Russia and Japan has been the sub
ject Of much comment among the dip
lomats here, as it is believed Korea's
giving aid to Japan might constitute
two powers attacking Russia. thus
bringing IN France under the terms Of
the Franco Russian agreement. One
of the ambassadors, therefore. asked
Foreign Minister Delcasse what the re-
suit would Dc if Korea Joined Japan.
aud the answer Is in substance that
Korea is not considered to be that
kind Of a sovereign, independent power
whose assistance to japan against
Russia would bring about the contin-
geucy contemplated by the Franco
Russian agreement Although the an
sveT was confined 10 Korea. II is I'M
derstood that q similar view prevails
Thereby confirming previous reports
ON the same s1bjecD that Chinas join
ing Japan would not constitute two
powers attacking Russia.
A dispatch from Seoul Jan % au-
that the Korean government
had made a formal declaration of neu-
trality in the event Of war between
Russia and Japan. and last night il
was announced from Seoul that d ca
blegram had beer received there from
hr Korean minister at St Petersburg
saying that Russia disapproycd Of Ko-
cea s declaration Of neutrality