New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-08
WASHINGTON INFORMED.
Count Cassini Transmits Ne1cs Of
Rupture-NeutrGLty.

Washington Feb In administrative and
diplomatic circles here war is momentariy
peoted. 1t is stated that the United States will
observe strict neutrality in the troubles between
Japan and Russia.
Count Cassini. the Russian Ambassador. on
receiving a Ions cable message from Count
LamsdorT the Russian Minister for Foreign
Affairs. drove to the home OF Mr.. LOOMS. the
acting Secretary of State. shortly before noon
to-day and told him what the dispatch received
from the head of the Russian Foreign Office
was In substance. it said:
Before Baron de Rosen could transmit the pa
cific reply Of his government to Japan's last note
to the japanese Foreign Office. the Russian
government received from the japanese Min
ister for Foreign Affairs Friday brief note
announcing the breaking of Of the Far Eastern
negotiations. the interruption OF diplomatic rea-
tons and the recall of Mr.. kurinO. the japanese
Minister at St Petersburg. with the request
that he be furnished his passports forthwith
Count Cassini added that his government de-
plored this untoward turn TO negotiations which.
he said, the Emperor had sincerely hoped might
end with peaceful settlement. The ambassa-
dor called attention to the fact that in her last
note, Russia had made generous concessions to
Japan in Corea. and had furnished the basis
for continuation Of the negotia tons to the ad-
vantage Of Japan He added that the Russian
government regarded the action OF Japan as
precipitate and remarkable. OF the final
suit. the ambassador expressed his opinion that
the worst seemed probable.
Later in the day cable messages from Mr.. Mo
Cormicl. the American Ambassador at St
Petersburg. and Mr.. Griscom. the American
Minister at Toxic. were received by the State
Department confirming the news of the sever
ance Of diplomatic relations. These messages
and the communication Of the Russian Am
bassador were transmitted to the President
T-L-n
Mr.. Takahire, the japanese Minister. said to
day that he was not inclined 10 attach great
Importance to the charge said to have been
made that the Japanese government had been
guilty OF bad faith in instructing It's minister
to withdraw from ST. Petersburg before Russia's
reply to Japans last note had been received.
He said that Japan had made a request for an
early reply to her note OF January 3. and that
efforts OF the japanese Minister at st. Peters
burg 70 hasten the sending had been unsuccess-
ful. On his last visit. said Mr.. Takahira, only
few days ago. Count Lamsdorfr had said that
he could not give any definite information even
as TO the probable time when the reply could
be sent, 3 the question rested exclusively with
the Emperor. Meantins. declared Mr.. Taxa
hira. Russian military and naval preparations
were proceeding with renewed visor. and bodies
OF troops were being dispatched to the Corean
frontier. and the feet at Port Arthur was sent
out 10 an unknown destination. while other
naval forces were being FASTENED TO the scene OF
action.
The garrison commander at vladivostok. he
said. acting on orders. informed the japanese
commercial agent that the japanese residents
OF that place must be prepared to leave there
at n moments notice. or must be ready 20
move to town in the interior some distance
from Vladivostok. and remain there within GER
tain prescribed limits Actions like this on the
part OF Russia, while the reply 10 Japan's mod
crate and concillatory representations was stu
unaccountably delayed. said Mr.. Takahira. did
not seem 10 Indicate a sincere desire to main
tain peace. but pointed TO the conclusion that
Japan. BY waiting until Russia favored her
with a reply, might place herself IN a disad-
vantageous and even dangerous position
An official OF the japanese Legation pointed
out that the notice terminating negotiations was
sent 10 ST. Petersburg by the japanese govern
rnent on February >, while Admiral Alexiefc
sent BY telegraph the reply 20 the note Of jan
uary l3 70 the Russian Minister at Toxic on
February 6. He said this step must have been
taken after Admiral AexieH was aware Of the
notice received BY his government the day be-
fore from Japan terminating diplomatic rela-
lions.
Baron sternburs. the German Ambassador.
had long conference with Count Csssini at
the Russian Embassy this afternoon II Is GER
tain that so long as no nations other than Rus
STA and Japan are involved Germany will OBJ
serve neutrality.
The Russian Ambassador and the Japanese
Minister here each expects 10 have long con-
ference with Secretary Hay tomorrow. The
Russian and Japanese representatives here VIII
observe outward courtesies when they meet. but
will not exchange calls A misunderstanding be-
tween Count Cassini and Mr.. Takahira occurred
at the diplomats dinner at the White House on
January Ii last, when the former. thinking the
latter had declined to speak TO him, insisted
that as dean OF the diplomatic corps. rela-
lions must be courteous. The Japanese Minis
ter insisted he had saluted the ambassador.