Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-08
RUSSIAN SIDE.
Foreign Office Preparing State
ment of Case.

st. Petersburg. Feb. S.-The Russian
foreign Office Is preparing statement
OF the negotiations between Russia ana
Japan. II may be in the form OF a cir
ctflar note to the Russian representa-
tiyes abroad but II Is more likely 10 be
published In the Ofliclal Messenger as
an official communication.
The situation automatically Is delicate
and anomalous. Just what Japa1ese
action Russia would consider a cause
for war under the circumstances Is not
clearly defined but II is pointed on; that
when Japan abruptly severed diplomat
ic negotiations notification was given
concerning the Russo-Japanese treaty
of 1896 and 1898, covering Corea. These
treaties provide for the independence
OF Corea and In view OF the commercial
interests Of japanese In the Hermit
kingdom. Russia therein recognized ia
pans right to send troops TO Corea for
the preservation OF order. There IT,
however an important reservation. In
case Japan considers Ii necessary 10
avail herself OF this cause. Russia must
receive an advance notification. The
treaties are specific on this point.
Technically. the landing Of japanese
army In southern Corea without the
notification which Japan could not give,
now that diplomatic relations have
ceased would be breach OF the shirt
OF the convention. The Russian authorl-
ties declare their position automatically
M very strong, IL Is possible, how
ever, that Russia Instead OF insisting
on the invIolahllity OF these treaties at
this juncture, win take her stand on
the contentious set up In the negotla.
tlons and await q Japanese invasion
OF northern Corea, for the neutrality OF
which Russia insisted. as ali overt act
equivalent 10 war The situation Ii
such that the authorities are prepared
ut any moment TO hear that Japan has
made an aggressive move which would
make a semblance OF peace any longer
impossible, and the car IL making dis
positions accordingly. Although In
diplomatic circles there still Is some
vague talk 10 the effect that hostlitles
may be ayerted. this hope is regarded
as so slender as hardly to be worth
considering Mediation IL believed to
be impossible unless the two adver-
saries ask for II. Neither France nor
Great Britain Is In position to offer
their good offices, on account Of their
alliances and the dlstrust here OF the
United States would make It difficult
for America TO do so. In short, war
Ia regarded here az practically lnevita-
BILE.
The people Of the Russian capital
have been thoroughly aroused by the
japanese action and war Is the only
subject discussed. The greatest ac-
tivity prevails IN government circles
Heavy snow In falling and the streets
are filed with marching soldiers IN
campaign uniforms.
In the first hours Of excitement. after
the receipt OF the news Of the Japan
csc action the Imperial train was or
dered TO be IN readiness 10 start for
Moscow, but since then calm counsels
prevailed and the order was counter
handed
The cars departure IL matter Of
uncertainty. II Is question, indeed
whether he VIII so to Moscow az all
Certainly no manifesto VIII be ISSUED
until war Is actually on
Mr. Kurlno, the retiring japanese
minister here. says he VIII leave ~
Petersburg Wednesday morning. Ht
adds that all Of the affars Of the le'
CATION will be closed and that no cur
rent business win be left behind,
The United States embassy vii
probably look after questions Involving
the protection of Japanese subjects
Ambassador Mccormick, under In
structlons today, asked Foreign Minis
ter Lamsdorff n Russia objected.
A couple Of policemen guard the en-
trance OF the Japanese legation bu
there has been no attempt OF any pub
lie demonstration.
ON the bourse stocks We're still fall
Ing. Imperial n dropped another ful
point. There was a panic on tn
bourse during the last hour. Letter.
bonds fell % roubles and bank share
fell 30 DOlnts