Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-27
Important Conference in St.
Petersburg
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TAKEN AS FAVORABLE OUTLOOK
FOB PEACE.
French Government Denies Reported
Negotiations With Other Powers
for Mediation.

PARIS. January 27.-OfAcial advices re-
ceived here from st. Petersburg show that
Foreign Minister Lamsdorf, before giving
Russia's answer, has called In the Japan
csc minister. M. Kurino. The two ministers
are now comforting, with the view OF so
shaping the response as to avoid conflict
This is considered to be an explanation of
the dispatch from Toxic saying Japan has
requested Russia to hasten her reply.
AS Count Lamsdorf and M. Kurino are
having conferences prior to the submission
of the reply it is regarded as evidence Of
Japan's fnsistence Of an early answer and
Of Russia's desire to avoid q response
which might precipitate hostilities. Count
Lamsdcrf's course in comforting with M.
Kurino before answering is cited as show
Ing RuSS1a'S willingness to go to the last
limit in order to avoid war. But. 1t Is
added If the efforts of Russia fail she will
be prepared to strike very hard blows from
the outset.
All information reaching the highest
quarters here tends to show that the crisis
continues acute. It appears to be the ac-
cepted conviction in governmental circles
that the final determination between peace
and war cannot be long deferred The off,
Gals continue TO hope for peace, but they
make the reservation that the discouraging
aspect VIII. n the situation assumed during
the last lew days has not ameliorated.
Mediation Story Denied.
A categorical denial is given. so far as
France is concerned, to the Peking report
that the French minister is taking part in
negotiations with the view of the media
ton Of France, Great Britain and the
United States. Foreign Minister Delcasse
has not given any instructions to the min
lister at Picking permitting exchanges Of
that character, and the minister has not
reported such movement.
That portion Of the report representing
France as being behind Russia in urging
recitation and the United States and Great
Britain as opposed to mediation Is con-
strIed here as an effort to create the Inn
pl ession that Great Britain and the United
Sts ties are acting together and apart from
France, whereas the officials maintain that
there has not been the slightest divergence
or formation Of any political groups be-
tween the powers Of Europe and America
concerning the means of avoiding a con-
Dict
No Block In Negotiations.
LONDON. January 27.-Baron Hayashl
the Japanese minister to Great Britain.
said to a representative of the Associated
Press this evening:
There Is no block in the negotiations. at
least so far as Japan is concerned. Much
that has been published regarding the
contents of the Japanese note is quite
imaginary. and there Is also in the note a
great deal of which the public knows moth
ing
TOXIC. January 27.-It Is understood that
the cabinet, assisted by the elder states
men, has completed financial program
which. 1t Is anticipated, will be published
shortly 1t Is said to include the issuance
Of exchequer bonds to the amount Of 1OO,-
100000 yen. increasing taxes to the extent
of $4,000. 600 yen.
Peddlers Levy BlackmaiI.
SEOUL, January 27-The peddlers. with
the permission Of the government, are
levying blackmail on all wealthy houses in
Seoul except those Of the high officials, on
the pretext Of guarding the houses If a