Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-02-11
JAPAN BREAKS
WITH RUSSIA
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ARE
SEVERED AND MINISTERS
QUIT POSTS.
LAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD WAR
RUSSIA PARALYZED AT WHAT 1T
TERMS A PIECE OF IN.
SCIENCE.
JAPANESE WILL SIZE KOREA
FIGHTING MAY COMMENCE WITH.
OUT FORMAL DECLARATION
OF WAR.
JAPANESE WILL SIZE KOREA

st. Petersburg, Feb. 9-Coun Lams-
dorf, the Russian foreign minister,
has officially informed the RUSSIAN rep
resentatives abroad that Japan has de-
cided to break off negotiations with
Russia and to withdraw the minister
and the whole Japanese legation stan
from st. Petersburg. The Russian for
eign minister thereupon ordered the
Russian minister, Baron de Rosen, and
his staff to leave Toxic.
Only a Step Toward War.
Toxic, Feb. 8. - The severance of
diplomatic relation between Russia
and Japan appears to be only a step
toward war, although when the minis.
tiers of Russia and Japan withdraw
from their respective posts quick and
decisive action is expected. When
Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura on
Saturday notified Baron de Rosen, the
Russian minister, of Japan's deter
mination to V diplomatic relations.
he is reported to have declared to him
that japan is tired of Russia's delays,
evasions and in%sincerity. and has de-
cided to take independent action for
the conservation Of Japan's Oriental
interests.
The indications are that there will
be no formal declaration OF
On Monday Japan will u~nquestiou-
ably seize Korea. and although Rus
STA has previously intimated that 1t
would not interfere in view of that
country's present attitude, develop
ments are eagerly awaited.
Like Bolt From a Clear Sky.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 8. - Although
the fear was general here that the
presentation of the Russian note To
Japan might be followed by an act on
the part of the Japanese government
which would plunge the two countries
into war. the startling action of japan
In severing diplomatic relations with
Russia before the actual delivery OF
the Russian note. came like a bolt
from a clear sky. 1t was believed that
the receipt of the note might have I'M
masked an ultimatum, but that Japan
should sever diplomatic relations, a
step little short of a declaration of
war. was almost like a blow in the
face under the present circumstances,
and it is resented here accordingly.
The authorities believe this action
places Japan distinctly in the wrong
light before the world. and. moreover,
after such a
apiece Of impudence"
as 1t Is denominated here makes easy
an appeal to the patriotism of the Rus
sian people.
The news at any moment that Jap
an had drawn the sword and that the
first clash had occurred would not be
surprising. The events leading to
Japan's abrupt action have marched
with great rapidity. The Russian note
was already in the hands of Baron de
Rosen. the Russian minister at Toxic,
for delivery to Baron Komura, the
Japanese foreign minister, when at 4
o'clock Saturday afternoon, M. Kuri-
no, the Japanese minister here, pre-
sented himself to the foreign officA
and informed Foreign Minister Lams-
dorff that his government, in view OF
the delays in connection with the
Russian answer and the futility hith-
erto of the negotiations. considered
1t useless to continue diplomatic rela-
tons, and would take such steps as
1t deemed proper for the protection Of
Japan's interests.
Asked for His Passports.
In obedience to Instructions, there
fore, he asked for ms Passports.
Exactly what passed at this inter-
view Is not known. except that Count
Lamsdorff expressed surprise and re-
greet at this hasty resolve Of the MI
kado's government. M. Kurino re-
ceivsd his passports, and after con-
sulting with Sir 8. C. Scott. the Brit
ish ambassador here, he returned to
his legation where the preparations
for his departure had already COM
menced.
Russia Acts Promptly.
Upon the disclosure of Japan's po-
sition the Russian authorities met the
situation with promptness. Instruc-
tions recalling Baron de Rosen were
forthwith telegraphed and he was d.
rected to leave Toxic Immediately.
Count Lamsdorf's Official circular to
the Russian representatives abroad.