The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-07
SCENE OF ANXIETY HAS
NOW SHIFTED TO RUSSIA
Attitude of Japan 10 the Last Reply keeny Awaited and is
Universally Felt That the Questions at Issue Must
Go TO Arbitrament of Sterner Methods.

st. Petersburg, February 6.-The scene
of the Russo-Japanese negotiations has
shifted and now Russia waits for Ja-
pan to see how her latest word is to be
received
As each communication has passed be-
tween the capitals of the contesting
powers. the situation has become more
tense, until it is now feared diplomacy
! Is making It's last exchange, and that
the questions at issue may go to the arbi-
trament of sterner methods.
Russia tonight Is keenly awake to the
possibilities of the situation, and is
ca serly waiting the first intlmation which
may give a clue to temper of Japan
Those acquainted with these facts are in
telligent Russians on the banks OF the
Neva, and to large extent in the larger
cities.
The multitude in the interior, who in the
end must do the fighting If there is to
be war on large scale. have not yet
awakened to the pending danger.
~<-s~><-s-<<~<e->-o->
most of which came from France. Russia
has practically used the funds In building
the trans-Siberian railroad, the new fleet,
and Internal improvement of waterways.
The trans-Siberian line alone has proved
terrible drain, the deficit last year reach
ing $40, 000, 600 Therefore, in a conflict,
Russia must have more sinews of war,
and 1t is the conclusion of the financier
from the foregoing facts, that she is not
likely to place a further loan in Paris,
which heretofore has been her chief re-
lance.
On the other hand, the diplomatist COM
pared this with the announcement today
from Toxic that Japan has succeeded in
securing voluntary subscriptions of ST.
100000 towards her war fund
That would run war for about one
day." said the diplomatist. with Rus
STA unable to get more money here, and
Japan unable to get it at home, 1t is be-
lieved that If a break down in the negotia-
tions occurs, each side will take a long
breath before hghting.'
One of the officers of a. trust company
of New York, who was recently here.
reached the same conclusion-that Rus
sia would be able to make loan--after
he had personally discussed the subject
with a number of leading authorities on
anance.
& novel view is taken in a certain i'm
portant diplomatic quarter that the most
effective means of preserving peace, is
for both Russia and Japan to claim a
, great dimplomatic victory, thus satisfy
| ing home sentiment and subduing the
war spirit.
This view finds rather serious accept
ance at the foreign office where the Of
ficials say that If the negotiations hap
PLY result in peace, both sides will claim
a great diplomatic triumph as a means
of satisfying local sentiment. This is
given by the officials as one of the main
reasons why accounts vary concerning the
terms of the various notes, as 1t Is said
that each side has adopted a construction
calculated to satisfy its own people.
One of the most prominent of Russian
officials here said this evening that defin-
ite knowledge concerning the contents of
the Russian reply would be. communicated
to the world certainly by Monday This
official said: