The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-15
CLASH IN RED SEA
War Ships Of Russia and Japan
May Start Fight.
Japan Expects to Make First
Declaration Of War.
Baron Hayashi Discusses the
Eastern Situation.
HIS COUNTRY'S VIEWS
Are Identical With Those Held
by United States.
For These Principles He Says
She will Fight.

Washington. Jan 15.-State depart
ment advices today from Japan indi-
cate an extraordinary activity in the
preparation for war. These add to the
pessimistic feeling already existing
here respecting the probability of an
amicable adjustment of the Russo
japanese trouble. Meanwhile the Japa-
nese government is reported to be
striving desperately to find some pos
sible means of settlement. but the
state department learns that while
protesting a desire for peace, the Rus
sian position, at least in principle, re-
mains unchanged and there is no sign
OF disposition to yield to the Jana
nase proposal Still the official opin-
ion here is that if left to diplomacy
the present situation may continue for
several DAYS or even weeks. The two
chances of an earlier breach are said
to be found in the possibility of the
immediate occupation of Korean ports
by Japanese forces and the presence in
the Red sea simultaneously of Russian
and Japanese warships
Respecting the possibilities of a naval
clash in that section it is pointed out
that only in case of formal existence
OF war could be applied to the Suez
canal the rules Of neutrality which re-
quire period of "a hours to elapse be
tween the departure from the termini
OF the canal of warships of belligerent
powers, so in advance of declaration of
war there is nothing to prevent naval
battle within sight of the canal en-
trance in the Red sea
BARON HAYASHI EXPECTS WAR
London. Jan. 15-The japanese min
law Oh l,r,.I
indication this morning of the probable
attitude of Russia, but he said to a
representative of the Associated Press:
1t Is practically certain that any
from Russia"
The minister is not very hopeful of
the result Of the latest Japanese note
He specifically denies that Japan's re-
ply suggests the naturalization of
portion of Manchuria as well as of
portion of Korea. or that mention was
anade of the right to break off negotia-
5tions.
Our conditions" said the minister.
are practically summed up in the
concluding portion of the state depart
ment's announcement regarding the
Chinese-American treaty. For these
principles, to which Secretary Hay says
the United States is irrevocabIy com
mitted we are willing to go to war un-
less Russia will consent to give us a
definite pledge that she, too, adheres
TO the open door and Chinese sovereign
ty in Manchuria''
A WAY OUT FOR RUSSIA.
Berlin, Jan. 15.-The Japanese minis
ter and all the staff of the legation at
tended the Russian ambassadors New
Years reception yesterday. Count Os-
ten-Sacken, the Russian ambassador,
and the Japanese minister conversed
animatedly for quarter of an hour to
the entertainment Of the observing dip
1Olnats.
Japan's reply. as outlined in these
dispatches yesterday, is considered as
offering Russia way out of the diff
Guilty without loss of prestige
TRANSFER OF NEGOTIATIONS.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 15.-The diplo-
mats here regard favorably the sugges-
ton to transfer the Russo-Japanese
negotiations to st. Petersburg. They
do not think it is intended to delay
matters, as interpreted abroad, but be-
Heve 1t would remove the negotiations
from the hands of the war party, rep
resented by Admiral Alexieff, the Rus
sian viceroy. in the far east, and en-
able the czar and Foreign Minister
LamsdOrf to more closely control
them.
Continuing its anti-war campaign.
the Russ today predicts that even
granting that Russia is victorious there
will be subsequent interference on the
part of other powers and a new edi-
tion of the Berlin congress"
WI TING FANG IN WAR OFFICE.
Pekln, Jan. 15.-The expectation of
war is greatly increased in diplomatic
circles here The German minister now
regards war as a probability. although
not despairing of a settlement at the
eleventh hour. Heretofore he had re-
sardeu war as only possibility
One legation has received a dispatch
from Toxic saying that Foreign Min
lister homura on January II represent
ca 10 the diplomats he expected peace
to be maintained.
The appointment of WI Ting Fang
TO De Junior vice president of the for
elSn Office was the result of an a11di-
ehce 10 which the dowager empress
summoned Wu Ting Fang They dis
cusseo llso foreign affairs and particularly
the prospects of war The dowager
asked Tor WI Ting Fang's views on
emma best policy The aDpointnoent
VIII please most of the legations as II
enaDles them to deal with a diDlomat
framed IN foreign methods. Speaking.
English, and able to erasn the nI,as7 60
tlons presented to him WI Ting Fang
VINO mas held an exceedingly gloomy
view OF the government weakness since
ms return TO Pekln, now has a position
II WHlcn ne can exert influence for 20
FORM, although rank and age penaral1,,
ernment councils SS'
6rigaQier aIg;1 General H. T. Allen, U. S.
A, chlet of the Philippine constahri
has arrived from Manila He fo,-1,,i, .,,,'r :
was military attache at St. Petersbnres sI,rI p
h ana VIII Join the Russian army as an AZ,
observer IN the event of war
FORElGNERS IN DANCED
London. Jan. 15.-The Seoul corra-
spondent of the Daily Mail saws that
the native press is advocating +he
slaughter Of all foreigners. '--e
y. :. minister Allen has ordered all
american women and children to re- rel.
man indoors, and he predicts +bat
rlotlng by the military is Imminent
". Collin De E1la r,or- r,....--,