The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-01-14
POWERS NOTIFIED
Of CARS POLICY
Russia Declares She Will Respect
Treaty Rights of Other Nations
in Manchuria.
PRESENT CONTROVERSY With
JAPAN Cause OF STATEMENT
Paris Dispatch from Far East Says
Preparations for War Are Going On
-Demand That COrea Recognize
japanese PrOtectorate Over Her
Is Reiterated.

-Demand That COrea Recognize
Japanese PrOtectOrate Over Her
Is Reiterated.
Berlin, Jan. 12-The Russian govern
ment has informed the powers that it
will respect fully the rights any nation
has in Manchuria under treaty with
China. This declaration is made with
out reservation. Russia gives formal
expression to this policy now in conse-
quence of the controversy with Japan,
one of whose persistent contentious has
been for a definition of Russia's policy
in Manchuria and an acknowledgment
pf Japan's trade privileges.
Substance of Reply.
Russia's reply has been, in substance,
as follows:
I'VE cannot discuss Manchuria with
you any more than we could Australia
or the Philippines. Manchuria belongs
neither to us nor to you. 1t does not lie
within the jurisdiction of either of us
to dispose of the future of Manchuria."
Russia, however, is willing to observe
the treaty rights of all the powers in
Manchuria and now engages to do so.
Russia, it is ADDED, thus removes from
the negotiations One of the points upon
which Japan counted for the moral sup
port of other powers and wherein she
specially had the sympathy of the Unit
ed States and Great Britain.
The terms of Russia's last note to
Japan are not known officially here, but
it is understood to have produced a
quieting effect on the japanese states
men. Japan's reply, it is asserted, will
be in similar tone. Japan has in
formed Germany that no troops have
been landedin Corea and that Japan has
no intention at present of so doing. The
statement published in London on high
| authority that Germany and the triple
alliance will remain neutral in the event
of war between Russia and Japan is con-
| firmed here.
Russia Makes War Preparations.
Paris, Jan. IA special dispatch to
the Patrie, from Hardin, a town on the
Manchurian railroad, describes the Rus
sian war preparations. The Russian
officers declare war is inevitable, but add
that they are ready. Port Arthur, it is
further asserted, will be occupied by
100 900 men and in ten days reinforce
ments of LOG, 1000 men can reach Man.
| churia.
Reiterates Demands.
Seoul, Corea, Jan. 12.-The Japanese
| ;eko hoc
hitherto without result, on the emperor
| of Corea that he recognize japanese
protectorate of Corea, the Corean gov
eminent holding itself to the Russo
japanese agreement concerning Corea.
Statesmen Confer.
Toxic, Jan. 12.-The cabinet and elder
statesmen met for joint conference at
| the official residence of Premier Katsura
Monday afternoon. The premier, who is
| i'll, was not present. They discussed the
| political and strategical situation, and
will report to the throne Wednesday.
China's decision to observe strict neu-
trality in the event of war between Rus
STA and Japan was taken partly on the
advice of Japan. The latter pointed out
that the war could thus be localized, the
disturbance of trade minimized and that
the danger of internal disorders in Chi
ma, as we'll as needless complications of
| China's finances, would be avoided.
Japan Alarmed.
London, Jan. 1.-THE Japanese gov
| eminent is alarmed at the report that
| the Russian Black sea fleet intends to
pass through the Dardanelles. At the
request of the Toxic authorities Baron
Hayashi, the Japanese minister to Great
Britain, has made inquiries on the sub
| ject here, but the British foreign Office
| has not heard that Russia has asked
| Turkeys permission, and is not inclined
| to think Russia will raise such a ques-
| ton in Europe at the present time, not
| only in view of the far eastern crisis
| but because of the unsettled state of the
| Balkans.
Merchant Vessels RequfsftiOned.
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE state de-
| partment has been informed that Japan
| has reQuisitioned so merchant vessels
| for transports. Advices received here
show that the Russians are increasing
their guard at Seoul daily and that the
French have made arrangements to es-
| tablish a guard there.
Brought Back to St. Louis.
st. Louis, Jan. 12.-Charles Kratz, for
mer member of the city council, indicted
on a charge of bribery, who jumped a
bond of $40, 900 in March, 1902, and went
to Mexico, returned to ST. Louis Mon