The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-08
RUSSIA WAS SURPRISED.
Didn't Expect Japan to Act So
Suddenly.

ST. Petersburg. Feb. 8.-A1though the
fear was general here that the presen-
tation of the Russian note to Japan
might be followed by an act on the
part of the japanese government which
would plunge the two countries into
war, the startling action of japan in
severing diplomatic relations with Rus
STA before the actual delivery of the
Russian note came like a bolt from
clear sky. 1t was believed that the
receipt of the note might have I'M
masked an ultimatum but that Japan
should sever diplomatic relations.
step little short of a declaration of war,
was almost like a blow in the face I'M
der the present circumstances, and 1t IS
resented here accordingly. The au-
thorities believe this action places
Japan distinctly in the wrong before
the world. and. moreover. after such
a piece of tmpudence" as it is denom-
mated here. makes easy an appeal to
the patriotism of the Russian people.
The events leading to Japans abrupt
action have marched with great rapid
tty. The Russian note was already in
the hands of Baron De Rosen, Russian
minister at Toxic, for delivery to Baron
Komura, the Japanese foreign minister,
when at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, NJ
Kurino, the Japanese minister here,
presented himself al the foreign office
and informed Foreign Minister LamS-
dorf that his government, in view of
the delays in connection with the Rus
sian answer and the futility hitherto of
the negotiations, considered it useless
to continue diplomatic relations, and
would take such steps as it deemed
proper for the protection of Japan's in
terests. In obedience to instructions,
therefore, he asked for his passport.
Exactly what else passed at this in
| terview is not known, except that Count
LanlsdOrf expressed surprise and regret
at this hasty resolve Of the mikado's
government. NJ. Kurino received his
passports, and after consulting with
/ ri n
here, he returned to his legation, where
the preparations for his departure had
already commenced.
Another version of the situation at
the time M. Kurino notified Count
Lamsdorff of the course his government
had elected to pursue is that the Rus
sian reply was not in the possession of
Baron De Rosen, but in the telegraph
| office here awaiting transmission, and
that 1t was Withdrawn before being dis
patched.
Upon the disclosure of Japan's posi-
! ton, the Russian authorities met the
situation with great promptness. In
StructIons recalling Baron De RoSen
we're forthwith telegraphed, and he was
| directed to leave Toxic Immediately.
| Count Lamsdorff's official circular to the
! Russian representatives abroad in
structing them to inform the govern
ments of the countries to which they
were accredited of Japan's action, was
| then prepared. This circular was
printed in the Official Messenger at 5
/ o'clock this morning.
With war imminent orders have been
given for rigid censorship over all in
| formation relating to naval and military
movements. Preparations were also
made for the cars journey to the an
| clent capital, Moscow where he goes in
accordance with the traditional custom
of his fOrefatherS to invoke divine guild
ance. While the imperial train is pass
/ ing to Moscow, troops will line every
foot of the way
When the representative of the Asso-
ciated Press called at the japanese lega-
| ton this morning he found a scene OF
! great confusion. During the night as
| if by magic. all the japanese art treas
ures, bronzes and worries had disappear
ed and the spacious salons were bare.
Servants and attaches, who had been
working all night, were still busiIy
packing papers and archives. NJ Kurinc
entered the salon with his habitual
| quick and nervous step. His blood
shot eyes gave evidence that he had
| been stranger to sleep, but he dis
played the impressive characteristics OF
his race, and was without trace of ex-
| element. There was an air of firm
resolution about him, however, which
was the only noticeable change in his
deneanor.
Throughout the strain which has lust
passed, the attitude of the japanese
| minister has been strictly correct. He
| has been on good terms personally with
Count Lamsdorf and the other Rus
sian officials Today. as is customary
with him, he was extremely reticent
and declined to offer an explanation OF
the course of Japan saying the authori-
ties at Toxic would doubtless give the
world their side of the story. He ven
tured. however, to point out that the
irritation created by the delay in the
Russian response postponed from ia y
to day, together with the forecasts OF
what it contained, might have convinc-
ed his government that it was futile