The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-02-06
WAR SEEMS A CERTAINTY
JAPAN WILL ACCEPT NO MODI-
 FICATION OF DEMANDS.

ereignfy of China Over Manehuria-
 French Cabinet Meets-RcvieSvo of situ-
 alton Presented.
 Paris, Feb. 5.-Foreign Minister Del casse presented review of the Far Eastern situation at meeting of the cabinet this morning; but, the foreign office says he was unable to acquaint his colleagues with the full contents of the Russian reply, because it had not been received here. Until war actually begins the French authorities say they will take the view that a peaceful set tlement is possible. but they admit the chance is slim, despite the concessions which Russia is expected to have made.
 At the Russian embassy it was said that on Sunday or later there will be news, but there was nothing to justify the pessimistic reports which have been current for the last few days.
 An interview published here with Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minister to Great Britain, has attracted marked attention in the highest government quarters, particularly his. declarations that unless Russia signs treaty car rying out Japan's demands war will re- suit and also his statement that Japan will object to any intervention from Great Britain tending towards induc- ing the acceptance of Russia's reply
 One of the officials in touch with For eign Minister Delcasse said that if this interview was genuine, as it seemed to be, 1t was of the highest moment. as being an indication of the warlike atti- tude of the Japanese government.
 Baron Hayashi, besides reiterating his former published statements that Japan will insist on a signed treaty recognizing China's rights in Manchu- ria, is quoted as adding:
 If Russia refuses this treaty We will f1ght''
 Is your government unalterably de- termined on this course?'' the minister was asked.
 Absolutely" he is said to have re- piled. We will not take promises Too many promises have been broken, and now we insist upon a signed treaty.
 The interviewer then asked: Sup. pose Russias answer is conciliatory and reasonable, but refuses to go to the extent of signing the treaty you desire, will your government then have re- course to ar1ns?"
 That is precisely what mean" re- piled. the minister. If the government of His Majesty King Edward VII. asks Japan not to make war; continued the interviewer. and requests her to ac- cept Russias reply, what will Japan do?''
 "We shall greatly object to such in- tervention, even coming from the king. We desire to be left alone in our duel with Russia. We do not want support or assistance We desire to settle our own account with Russid.'
 In terminating the interview Baron Hayashi was asked
 Then you say that if Russia refuses to sign treaty recognizing China's rights in Manchuria it means warp
 That will be war" replied the min ister.
 Baron Hayashi added to the forego- ing that he believed it to be the view of his government, and that authority had been given him to announce it. The French officials expressed great surprise at the unqualified statements concerning war, and of Japan's inten- tion not to accede to British request against war.
 The Japanese legation here has ro information concerning the interview, and declined to comment on t, owing to the delicacy of the situation.
 M. Motono. the Japanese minister here in the course of an interview has spoken as follows:
 Contrary to the truth, there has been attributed to Japan an unbending atti- tude. while as amatter of fact, Japan has not ceased to be pacific and concil- iatory. 1 know we are accused of cher- ishing warlike designs and wishing for war at all costs, and there has been talk of an ultimatum and 3 threatening note. All this is untrue. When it be- comes possible to establish the responsi- bilities in these matters by the publi- cation of the documents showing the various phases of these complicated ne- gotiations, it will be seen on which side were prudence and moderation. I can assure you that Japan has made great concessions. Each stage of the conflict has been marked by reiterated proofs of our good will and all now depends on Russia's reply to the last Japanese note"
 M Mo.ono said further that he was no. aware of the contents of Russia $ answer, but that Japan awaited it with confidence.
 London, Feb. 6.-The Tokio corre- spondent of the Times says the situa- tion is regarded as hopeless. It is gen. eraIly believed, he continues, that the councils of the elder statesmen held February and decided upon the final measures to be taken in the event of an unfavorable reply from Russia.
 The voluntary subscriptions to the war fund exceed 100000 yen ($1,000 000) the correspondent says and little credence is attached to the persistent rumors that Russian troops are about to proceed to Corea at the request of the Corean government.
 London, Feb. 5.--A dispatch to the Central News agency from Tokio says that the newspapers there publish tele- grams saying that 10000 Russian troops have been concentrated in the Yalu val- ley. with the probable intention of seiz- ing northern Corea.
 It sadded that hope Of maintaining peace has been abandoned
 Both the Russian ambassador and the