The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-05

NEW YORK, Feb 5.-The CONNER
cial Cable Company has just received
the following significant message from
the San Francisco Office Of the CONNER
cial Pacific Cable Company:
The following has been received from
our manager in China: From today
kilograms to Japan and Korea can only
be accepted at the sender's risk
Lloyds Premium Advances.
LONDON. Feb. IAN advance in
Lloyds premium on war risks for n
fortnight to 40 guineas per cent has
added TO the expectation that war is
likely to be begun at any moment This
was reflected in weakness in consols
and gilt-edged securities. japanese is
sues were u lower Americans were
heavy. while other departments were
irregular or neglected.
Diplomatic circles are waiting. with
ili-suppressed anxiety for some offieial
word from Tokyo as to how the Rus
sian reply. sent yesterday, will be re-
ceived. Little hope is expressed that
the reply will prove favorable. and In
all quarters it is admitted that but lit
tie chance exists of a peaceful outcome.
or even a longer continuation OF the
negotiations between st. Petersburg end
Tokyo.
Everywhere it is feared that the last
word has been spoken. and that a dec
iaration of war, either formal or by the
commission Of some overt act. is but
the question OF a few days. perhaps
only hours.
Gloomy in Tokyo.
The Tokyo correspondent OF the Cen
traI News says it is impossible 70 con-
ceive of a more critical situation than
that which exists in the Japanese cap
ital. The outlook IS most gloomy as the
hope OF peace has been entirely aban-
doned The correspondent adds that
the japanese papers state that 2o.0JO
Russian troops are already concentrated
In the Yalu Valley with the intention
of seizing northern Korea at the first
sign Of hostilities. This latter report,
he says. is not confirmed. but is believed
TO be true.
A dispatch TO Reuters Telegram Com
pany. from Port Arthur. says that the
Sussian fleet. which sailed from that
port on Wednesday has returned. The
vessels. however. have not re-entered
the harbor. This is taken TO be signih-
cant as indicating that the Russian Of
hcials mean to keep the ships in fun
preparation TO sail again at moments
notice
Barren Hayashi. the japanese minis
ter. was closeted with Lord Lansdowne.
minister of foreign affairs, for half an
hour this morning. The Russian am
bassador later called at the colonial
office. and telegraphed from there.
Activity at Port Arthur.
ST. PETERSBURG. Feb. 5.-A dis
patcn from Port Arthur says that war
preparations are being rushed there.
/ The ships of the Pacific squadron
which have been held in reserve for
some days past. have been put into COM
mission. The regiments of the Third
! East Siberia Rife Brigade have begun
to leave Port Arthur and take up their
positions, for the time being. along
| the CHINESE railway.
! Coal and provisions are being pro-
cured and all preparations pushed for
ward The army and fleet are In ex-
cellent condition and ready for any
| emergency. The statements emanating
from Vladivostok regarding the impend-
ing mobilization IN Far Eastern terri
| tories are characterized here as prema-
| ture
1t is rumored here that a Japanese
fleet OF sixty ships is cruising OF Wei
Hai-Wei. The transport Angara. with
2OOO tons of coal aboard has been held
in readiness for several weeks, anchored
outside the harbor. Yesterday 1.SOO re-
cruits from Odessa arrived here aboard
the transport Kazan. bringing UP the
fun strength OF the regiments of the
Third Brigade.
Japan's Time Come.
TOKYO. Feb. 5.-The tendency OF pub
lie opinion this morning is decidedly to-
ward war. An ineradicable conviction is
fixed in the minds Of all that the time
has come for Japan TO grapple with
| Russia. inasmuch as such a struggle is
inevitable. Delay would only bring an
advantage to Russia. Everywhere IL is
realized that every DAYS wait means
but that much weakening of Japan's
chances of ultimate success.
1t is learned that this conviction has
been in the official minds for some