The Washington times., 1904-02-07
JAPAN BREAKS
OFF RELATIONS
Minister Kurino to Turn Legation
Over to British Ambassador.
Russian Foreign Office Expects Baron Won
Rosen to Leave Tokyo Ready
for Action.

ST PETERSBURG, Feb. lit can be
stated that diplomatic relations between
Russia and Japan have practically been
broken of.
An attempt was made to interview
japanese Minister Kurino at the Jap
anese legation early this morning. but
although plainly agitated. the Japanese
diplomat declined TO confirm the report
that he was about 20 turn the affairs
OF the legation over 10 the British am
bassador. Sir c.. S. Scott.
From a semi-oficial source, however
the report was confirmed and it was
stated that the Russian foreign office
was momentariiy awaiting word from
Baron Won Rosen. the Russian minister
TO Japan that he was about to leave
Tokyo.
In the Balance.
LONDON, Feb. The great issue Of
peace or war is still trembling in the
balance and the entire civilized world
is anxiously watching Tokyo. to which
place the negotiations between Japan
and Russia have now been transferred.
An ominous silence prevails there. and
even the most optimistic Of British dip
lomats admit that the future looks very
dark.
Russia has said her last word. Her
mind is made Up. her troops are ready.
and the guns on her big warsaips are
shotted- II Japan wants 70 throw down
the gauntlet she viii find the Great
White Car ready to pick It up. despite
the fact that ne was the prime mover
for The Hague Peace Tribunal. He be-
lieves now that he has done all that he
consistently can 10 prevent war and
that national honor viii not permit any
other. concessions than are contained in
the latest note to Japan.
no Such Conclusion
As Japan has already declared. that
nothing but an absolute treaty defining
Russias intentions regarding Man
churia and the return TO China OF her
sovereignty over that province viii sat
isfy her. and as it is admitted that the
latest Russian reply does not contain
such a concession. it would seem as
though there was no way remaining to
prevent war.
HostiIIties have not begun yet. despite
the rumors current in both Europe and
America Yesterday. But that IS all that
anyone san say for the moment, and
there is no telling when the electric
cable spark will bring the word thai the
first clash has taken place
Russia on Defensive.
Russia. it Is admitted. will act on
the defensive at the start. and Will
compel the Mikado 10 strike the first
blow. 1t viii be returned with inter
est. however. as the Russian forces
are in magnificent shape for the con-
a!et
Whether It VIII be clash along the
Yalu River. or whether it viii be
combat between the giant floating forts
CT the contending powers is the question
that is agitating European military ex-
perts. Japan is said to have already in
vadcd southern Korea, while Russian
force is rumored TO be inside the north
ern borders of the peninsular kingdom.
but neither report can be confirmed.
Censorship n Japan.
The censorship in Japan viii prevent
any news coming from there, and it is
known that the few correspondents in
Fort Arthur are virtually prisoners and
can send only what pleases Admiral
Alexien and his subordinate command
ers. This being so. rumors that will try
The souls OF all Interested are now OBJ
tanning vide circulation. and 1t will be