The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-21

| efgD Office Informed That Russia ts
 Willing to Concede Practically All
 Japan,s Domauds-France Declines to
 Aid Russia tn Event of War.
 St. Petersburg. Jan. 2O.-The first ex- change of views between the foreign office. viceroy Alexieff and Baron de I Rosen. the Russian minister to Japan, on the Japanese reply has not resulted in a definite decision. Consequently Russia's answer probably will be delay ed little longer than anticipated.
 London, Jan. 21.-Cabling from Tokio, the correspondent of the Standard says the privv council has approved an ur- gent ordinance empowering the com manders of admiralty stations to pre- vent foreign warships by force if neces- sary, from entering certain ports in times of emergency.
 The Tokio correspondent of the Daily Telegraph declares the privy council, at the meeting to-day, discussed pro- posal to issue an order in the event of war declaring state of siege in certain places outside of Japan and blockade.
 To-morrow's issue of the Jiji Shimpo, the Telegraph's correspondent contin- lues, will contain a story of the negotia- tions according to which the first Rus- lso-Japanese divergence was hinted at in a meeting of the council held June 2S, 1903. This story relates the succeeding negotiations until October 30, when Japan wired her proposals to St. Peters, burg. For forty days therceforward Russia hurried on war preparations, Japan meanwhile remaining quiescent and awaiting an answer.
 Jspan's note proposed that either power be entitled to send police or troops for the protection of the rail- ways in either Corea or Manchuria in case of emergency, but they must be withdrawn directly order was restored. The Russian reply dated December II was oyerbearing and uncompromising: it excluded Manchuria and proposed that all territory north of the 39th de- gree of latitude should be neutral. Japan thereupon commenced her prep arations and or December 22 she pre- scented note to Russia which. with nOtllG 1IyiliOIIty GlduSGSs IiltiUG tllG lUl- lowing demands:
 Both powers shall endeavor to maintain the territorial Integrity of Corea and Manchuria; both shall rec Eognize the special claims of either Corea or China, provided the open-door policy be respected"
 Japan also refused the neutral pro- posal, and counter proposed neutral zone of twenty-five kilometres on both sides of the Corean border Russia, in her note of January 6, insisted in her neutral zone, but vaguely hinted her intention to respect Japans rights in Manchuria. To this note Japan replied on January 13, reaffirming her de- mands.
 The Telegraph's correspondent con- cludes his dispatch with these words: Therefore, unless Russia yields, a dip- lomatic rupture is certain. Russias answer is expected tomorrow
 Lord Lansdowne's reception at the foreign office to-day was attended by almost all the ambassadors and minis ters in London. At the end of the re- ception the Associated Press was in formed that the situation looked per- haps, slightly more hopeful; but as the Russian reply apparently is not yet drafted no definite statemena could safely be made.
 The foreign office has reason to be- lieve, however, that Russia is willing to concede practically all of Japan's de- mands, but she cannot see her way to make a treaty with Japan recognizing, in black and white, China's sovereignty over Manchuria. Russia has approach ed Great Britain to urge Japan to fore- go this stipulation and to accept in lieu thereof the assurances to the same end already given to the other powers. It is pointed out at the foreign office that Great Britain, being such an interested , party is in a difficult position and can scarcely recommend such a course to her ally. For the moment the situation rests there.
 Whether or not Japan will insist to the end on a treaty recognizing Chinese sovereignty over Manchuria the foreign office does not yet know. It thinks the Japanese themselves will not decide 7 until after the delivery of the Russian reply, which is scarcely expected until } next week. Great Britain has not yet l taken steps to appoint consuls at Muk- , den and Antung.
 Berlin, Jan. 20.-The German govern ment has become privy to the fact that , France declines to give Russia any as- !. surances of armed help, should war be the outcome of the Far Eastern differ , ences, even should Great Britain aid Japan. It is understood here that Rus sia asked France to define her position in the contingency of Great Britain ac- lively participating in Japanese at tack on Russia, and that the French government replied that France must . remain neutral, as the Russian French alliance was quite separate from such a question as that now pending This decision of France, it is believed here, : deeply affects not only the situation be- twen Russia and Japan, but the Franco Russian alliance.
 VARSHIPS' RAGE TO EAR EAST. lJananeso Crutscr Kasaua Iends fhr