Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-08
JAPAN'S DEFIANCE.
Tokyo, Tired of Russian Delay,
 Breaks Off Negotiations.
AMBASSADORS TO LEAVE CAPITALS
CIar Goes to Moscow to Submit His Cause to God at the Altar of Tro- itxko Monastery--war Cam
 not Now Be Ayerked,

Cause to God at the Altar of Tro- A itxko Monastery-War Cam not Now Be Averted.
 ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 8. - It is officially announced that Count Lams- dorff, the Russian foreign minister, has informed Russian representatives abroad that Japan has decided to break off negotiations with Russia and to withdraw, her minister and the en- tire legation staff from St. Petersburg and that upon the receipt of a note to 1 this effect from the Japanese minister Russia had ordered her minister, Bar on de Rosen, and the legation staff to leave Tokyo. ,.>. 1 Today Japan will unquestionabiy 1 seize Korea, and, although Russia has previously intimated that it would not interfere, in view. of that country,s present attitude, developments are eagerly awaited here.
 l The czar is about to leave here for 1 Moscow as he goes to the ancient l capital to submit his cause and fate to the Almighty before the altar of the i Troitzko monastery, as his fathers had done in the past, before drawing the ] sword. .t
 Although the fear was general here l that the presentation of the Russian note to Japan might be followed by an ! act on the part of the Japanese gov l ernment which would plunge the two countries into war, the startling action of Japan in severing diplomatic rela- l tions with Russia before the actual de- 1 livery of the Russian note came like bolt from clear sky.
 + 1t was believed that the receipt of the note might have nnmasked an ul- 1 timatum, but that Japan should sever 7! diplomatic relations, a step little short of declaration of war, was almost 1 like a blow ill the face under the pres ent circumstances, and it is resented accordingly The authorities believe this action places Japan distinctly in the wrong before the world and more over. after such q, piece of impu- dence. as it is denominated here. to make easy an appeal to the patriotism of the Russian people.
 The news that at any moment Japan had drawn the sword and that the first clash had occurred would not be sur prising The events leading to Japan's abrupt action have marched with great rapidity. The Russian note was al ready ill the hands of Baron de Rosen, 1 Russian minister at Tokyo, for delivery l to Baron homura, the Japanese foreign minister, when NJ. Kurino, the Japa- nese minister here, presented himself at the foreign office and informed For eign Minister Lamsdorn that his gov ernInent in view of the delays in con- nection with the Russian answer and 1 the futility hitherto of the negotiations. considered it useless to continue dip lomatic relations and would take such steps as it deemed proper for the pro- tection of Japan's interests In obe- dience to instructions, therefore, he asked for his passports.
 Exactly what else passed at this in- terview is not known except that Count Lamsdorff expressed surprise and regret at this hasty resolve of the lnikado's government. NJ. Kurino re- ceived his passports, and after consult- ing with Sir c. S. Scott the British amba ssador here, he returned to his legation, where the preparations for his departure had already commenced.
 Another version of the situation at the time M. Kurino notified Count Lansdorff of the course his govern ment had elected to pursue is that the Russian reply was not in the posses sion of Baron de Rosen, but in the tele- graph office here awaiting transmission an6 that 1t was withdrawn before be- ing dispatched. Upon the disclosure of Japan's position the Russian authori- ties met the situa tion with great promptness Instructions recalling Bar on de Rosen were forthwith telegraph. ed, and he was directed to leave Tokyo immediately Count Lamsdorn's off. cial circular to the Russian representa- tiyes abroad, instructing them to in. form the governments of the countries to which they are accredited of Japan's action, was then prepared
 Nvith war imminent, orders have been given for a rigid censorship over all in formation relating to naval and nlili' tary movements.
 The Japanese legation is a scene of great confusion. AS if by magic all
 the Japanese art treasures, bronzes and worries had disappeared, and the spa
 cious saloons were bare. Servants and
 attaches, who had been working al
 night, were still busily packing papers
 and archives M. Kurino entered tho
 saloon with his habitual' quick ana
 nervous step. His bloodshot eyes gave
 evidence that he had been stranger
 to sleep, but he displayed the impassiv
 ity of bis race and was without trace of excitement There was an air o1
 firm resolution about him. however
 which was the only noticeable change
 in his demeanor.
 United States Ambassador McCor mick was one of M. Kurino's first call 7 CTS, and later in the day many othel ' diplomats. among whom the minister i' r popular, came to express to him thei regrets at the turn affairs had taken In the afternoon NJ. Kurino and hi wife made a number of hurried fare , we'll calls, including one at the Ameri r can embassy.
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