Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-05
TOday's Telegraphie News
The Canning Conflict.


lie opinion this morning is decidedly
toward war. Conversation in all classes
confirms the impression that an ineradi-
cable conviction is fixed in the minds OF
all that the time has come for Japan to
grapple with Russia, inasmuch as such a
struggle is inevitable. Delay would only
bring an advantage to Russia. Every
where it is realized that every days wait
means but that much weakening Of ia
pans chances of ultimate success.
London, Feb. 5.-Diplomatic circles
are waiting, with illy-suppressed anxiety,
tor some official word from Toxic as to
how the Russian reply, sent yesterday,
will be received. Little hope is express
ed that the reply will prove favorable,
and in all quarters, it is admitted that
but little chance exists of peaceful out
come, or even longer continuation Of
the negotiations between st. Petersburg,
and Toxic. Everywhere it is feared that
the last word has been spoken, and that
a declaration of war, either formal or
by the commission of some overt act, is
but the question of few days, perhaps
only hours. Baron Hayashi, the japanese
minister at London, says he has received
no intimation that the situation has
changed.
A dispatch to Reuters Telegram Co
from Port Arthur says that the Russian
feet which sailed from that port on We'd
nesday has returned. The vessels, how
ever, have not re-entered the harbor.
This is taken to be significant, as indica-
ting that the Russian officials mean to
keep the ships in full preparation to sail
again at a moments notice.
St. Petersburg, Feb. 5.-1he NovOe
Vremya today prints dispatch from its
Vladivostock correspondent stating that
yesterday, by order of the japanese con-
sui, over 900 japanese girls embarked
by that seaport for Japan. Three
steamers are also sailing with japanese
families, including many who left Nikols-
koe and Ussuri regions on January g.
Berlin, Feb. 5.-The st. Petersburg
correspondent of the Cologne Gazette,
says Russia is disposed to recognize the
treaties concluded by other States with
China up to the time of the occupation
of Manchuria, in 1900, but is only dis
posed to recognize those since arranged
on condition that existing treaties be-
tween Russia and China and Russian in
terests in Manchuria are not preudiced
thereby. There are no facts, the cores
pondent adds, pointing to the imminence
of war. The situat IN is grave, but not
absolutely hopeless.
London, Feb 5.-An advance in
LlOyd's premium on war risks for a fort
night to 40 guneas per cent has added
to the expectation that war is likely to
be begun at any moment. This was re-
ffected in weakness in consols, and gilt
edged securities.
st. Petersburg, Feb. "a dispatch
from Port Arthur states this morning
that war preparations are being rushed
there
Port Arthur, Feb. 5.--It is rumored
here that japanese fleet of sixty ships
is cruising off Wei. Hai-Weh.
London, Feb. .5.-Bennet Burleigh,
Toxic correspondent of the Daily Tele-
graph wires that war in now inevitable.
The Tientsin correspondent of the Star
wires as follows; GA private telegram
received from Nagasaki, Japan, says that
war has been declared, There is no
official confirmation of this at Tientsin"
Washington, d. c., Feb. 5.--All
manner of rumors about the eastern
situation are current in diplomatic circles,
and at the State Department it is be-
lieved that one or two days will deter
mine for peace or war. The advices
received there within the past Is hours
indicate the latter, but the officials cling
to the hope that at. the last moment
something will intervene to prevent
conflict. Two things have been recog-
nized as facts by the State Department
from the beginning of the whole First,
that the japanese were the aggressors in
that they would precipitate war rather
than recede from their position in regard
to Korea second, that Russia, whether
from financial reasons, difficulty in
increasing her loan and the like, or be-
cause of some remaining regard for
world opinion, would avoid war and
seek to obtain her ends through the
devious paths of diplomacy and delay.