Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-01-01
JAPS OUT BID THE RUSSIANS
BOUGHT TWO ARGENTINE WAR
SHIPS At GENOA.
.Iapanese Government Demands a Re-
pIv From Russia in Months Time
Russians Will Not Leave Manchu-
ria-Russian Minister Says That
Evacuation Is Now an lmpossibility.

london. Dec. 30.-According to the
naily Chronicle, the Japanese gov
ernment outbid the Russian govern
ment and actually purchased the Ar
gentine warships Moreno and Rlva-
diyia, both of which are now nearing
completion at Genoa. Other papers
nrint a report that the Japanese min
isterial council has decided to trans
fer $4,000, 900 from the educational
fund for emergency purposes.
The Daily Telegraph Toxic cor
RESPONDENT says That after the meetlng
of the ministerial councli the emperor
entertained the councillors at lunch
eon.. The cabinet then held sitting
which was prolonged until late at
night. The correspondent says that
the finance minister on Saturday en-
1ertained the leading bankers at din
ner for the purpose Of discussing with
them the best means of meeting the
emergency. Continuing, the cores
pondent says:
"The Japanese officials already have
taken over control of the SeoulFusan
railway. The president of the rail-
way has been dismissed and been re-
placed by turnecci, chief of the Jap
anese railway board"
The Daily Nails Pekln correspon-
dent sends an unconfirmed report that
in the event of war China will join
forces with Japan and that Japan will
send an army corps to Pekin.
Demand Early Reply.
London, Dec. 30.-Rumor continues
busy with the Russo-Japanese crisis.
The latest report credits Japan with
insisting mat Russia shall reply to its
last note before January 10 on the
ground of the rapid approach of Rus
sian naval reinforcements to the
scene of action. Inquiry in the best
informed Japanese quarters, however,
fails to find support for this state
ment.
Baron Hayashi. the Japanese min
lister, paid long visit to the foreign
office today. When seen afterward he
said he had no further information.
Won't Evacuate Manchuria.
Pekin, Dec. 3O.-Lien Fang. first
secretary Of the board Of foreign af-
fairs, has visited Russian Minister
Lessar and requested information con-
corning the intentions of the Russian
government regarding the evacuation
of Manchuria.
Minister Lessar in reply said that
nothing could be done at present with
a view to evacuating for two reasons.
In the first place, the minister pointed
out, the cold weather made 1t impos-
sible to remove the troops from their
present positions, beside which there
were no barrack accommodations to
be had elsewhere; and in the second
place, he said, it would endanger Rus
sian interests to undertake evacua.
ton during the progress of the nego-
tiations between Russia and Japan,
for the reason that the japanese
might seize the opportunity to invade
Manchuria.
The Chinese government Is so
alarmed at the prospects Of becoming
involved in the seemingly prospective
war that It would prefer that Russia
would remain In control of Manchu-
ria. AS an alternative the foreign Of
fee has indicated to the ministers
that a settlement satisfactory to Chi
ma would be that Russia and Japan
should retain their respective treaty
rights in Korea and Manchuria If they
agree not to attempt to obtain further
advantages in either country.