The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-04
Japanese Minister at st. Peters
burg Holds Conference
With the Russian Minister OF
Foreign Affairs.
TENSION is RELAXED.
There Will Be No Cessation in
Preparations for War
But the Outlook Is Regarded as
Being More Peaceful.

st. Petersburg, Jan. 4.-The Japanese
minister here. NJ. Kirano, has author
lied the Associated Press to say that
he had a cordial conference with For
eign Minister Lamsdorf. on Friday last
and that he is convinced by the lat
ter's sincere conciliatory attitude that
the Russian government is disposed to
seek peaceful settlement.
TENSION RELAXES.
Cologne, Germany, Jan. 4.-The ten
sion between Russia and Japan has ap-
preciably decreased and the situation is
regarded in authoritative quarters as
quite reassuring. according to a dis
patch to the Cologne Gazette from ST.
Petersburg.
although the preparations and
strategetic deployment of both armies
will not be Immediately interrupted"
adds the correspondent, pending the
negotiations taking a turn afording
the best prospects of Russia coming to
q complete understanding with Japan
The dispatch also says that the Rus
sian reply is expected shortly and that
Viceroy AIexief will start in February
for St. Petersburg.
RUSSIA'S REPLY NEARLY READY.
St Petersburg, Jan. 4.-The Associated
Press has the authority OF the foreign
Office for the statement that the Rus
sian reply will be transmitted to Japan
in a day or two. The reply will not
be merely yes" or no" but will be
made up of reasoned propositions. The
general basis of this communication Is
already complete, but the details are
being elaborated.
JAPAN HESITATES.
Toxic. Jan. 4.-War preparations con-
tinue but the governments seems deter
mined to avoid the initiation of any
conflict and for this purpose the note
sent the powers was intended to show
that the responsibility rested upon Rus
sia, should the negotiations now pro-
ceeding fail.
The government is proceeding very
cautiously and unless Russia gives un-
due provocation, it is possible that peace
may continue for some time. The
preparations made by the government
populace Of a determination upon it's
part to fight if necessary. The popular
clamor has somewhat subsided, al
though many support the proposition to
seize and declare a protectorate ovei
Korea.
1t is safe to anticipate that the gov
ernment will continue negotiations until
a peaceful settlement is hopeless. In
the meantime it will watch the acts of
fussia in Korea
There is much irritation at the pres
al course of Russia in Seoul and Pekin
The imperial princes serving in the
navy nave returned 10 their stations at
Sasebo.
RUSSIAN WARSHIPS FOR THE
EAST
Moscow, Jan. 4.-The Russian volun-
teer fleet cruiser Saratoff has been or
dered to Sebastopol to receive her arna-
ment and thence proceed with all haste
to Port Arthur. The Russian auxiliary
cruiser Orel has been ordered to Odessa
until she receives her armament
RUSSIA INSTRUCTS ALEXIEF'F.
st. Petersburg, Jan. Am official
note published today announces that
instructions have been sent to Viceroy
AIexieff as to the reply to be given to
the last Japanese note.
JAPANESE OFFICERS CALLED
HOME.
Berlin, Jan. 4.-Severa1 japanese Off
GERS who have been attending the cav
airy school at Hanover have received
cable messages from their government
instructing them to return to Japan
Immediately.