Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-01-07
FAR EASTERN CRISIS
Japan Awaiting Russia's Answer
to Its Last Note.
RUSSIANS THINK WAR IMMINENT.
Tho Novoe vremys Draws Attention to the
Fact That Wars Marked tho Opening Of
the Seventeenth. Eighteenth and
Nineteenth Centuries.

Washington, Dec. 31.-With wal
staring his country In the face, Mr..
Kogoro Takahira, the japanese minis
ter, was as calm as any official in
Washington last night as he sat at his
desk at q late hour preparing dis
patches for transmission to Toxic and
talked with representative Of the
Associated press Of the far eastern
crisis. Mr.. Takahira has the reputa-
ton of being one Of the most cautious
members Of the diplomatic corps. Hav-
ing called at the state department and
informed the officials of the gravity
with which the Toxic government
views the situation, Mr.. Takahira said
last night he with the other officials
Of the Japanese foreign service were
awaiting the answer Of Russia to
Japan's last note before making sec
ond communication to the powers.
In conversation with the Associated
press representative Mr.. Takahira
said:
II wish the American people to know
that their many expressions Of SYM
patty for my country in the present
crisis have been promptly communi-
Gated to Toxic. and l can give the
strongest assurances that the Japanese
government and the Japanese people
appreciate this renewed EVIL
dence Of the friendship Of the United
States. In time like this 1t would be
inexpedient to discuss negotiations of
such worldwide importance as now
progressing at Toxic. You ask me II !
think war inevitable. I can only say
Japan is waiting the arrival Of the
Russian reply to her last note. Japan
will walt as long as circumstances
seem to Justify, but no longer. We
have been prompt in all our PROPOSE
ions, our counter propositions and, in
'act, In all the steps Of our negotia-
ions with Russia. In our last note we
nave stated the minimum proposition !,
which we can submit to Russia. That
country has the deciding vote whether
here is to be war or peace in tho far
,ast. We have done all that we
,ould."
Mr.. Takahira expressed the hope
hat war may yet be averted, but he
egards the outlook as gloomy.
1t can be further stated that Japan,
While not placing time limit on Rus
las reply, urged in her last note that
he st. Petersburg government send
definite answer at the earliest posi-
lie. An indefinite answer will be re-
arded as wholly unsatisfactory.
Russian Press Thinks War Imminent.
St. Petersburg, Dec. 31.-The foreign
ispatches received here are reflected
l more pessimistic editorials. The
Tovoe Vremya begins its leader with: ,
There is no war to-day, tomorrow
iere may be war;" The paper rather
directs attention to the
lct that wars marked the opening Of :.
le seventeenth, eighteenth and nine
enth centuries. The Novoe Vremya !,
svertheless still processes faith in a :
,aceful settlement, saying: 1--WE be-
ave Japan will place Russia In po- :,
ton where to yield would be re- =
inciation Of the defence Of her vital :,
terests In the far east. Russia does :
It desire war; but nobody In Russia
III permit the Japanese or other ,
lends to execute a diplomatic dance
'on Russia's peaceful disposition. n
firm consciousness Of her power Ii
issia will await events" Il
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