The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-05
RUSSIA'S
REPLY IS
PEACEFUL
Reply TO Japan Renders Peace
full Issue Possible However
War Preparations Continue.

st. Petersburg. Jan. Sin reply to
Japan Russia made great concessions.
and hopes her proposals win prove ac-
ceptable to Japan.
Cologne. Germany. Jan. 5-According
to advices received by the Cologne Ga
zetto from st. Petersburg. the terms OF
the Russian reply to Japan were decided
upon at council on Sunday. presided
over by the czar and attended by the
Grand Dukes vladimir and Alexsis. the
foreign, war and marine ministers and
M. Wltte. president Of the council OF
ministers.
This correspondent, like others. under
stands that the reply renders n peaceful
issue possible.
REPLY NOT YET RECEIVED.
Toxic. Jan. 5.-.The Russian reply to
Japan has not yet been received.
II is reported from vladivostock that
the Russian squadron there is preparing
for action.
According 10 another report. a Russian
cruiser has left Port Arthur with small
military force on board It's destination
is unknown. but is probably Chemulpo.
Corea.
An extra edition of the Official Gazette
has been issued, containing army and
navy orders. prohibiting the publication
OF any reports of the movements OF
troops or war vessels from this time on.
Otherwise the japanese authorities are
not interfering with press messages.
WHAT PARIS HEARS.
Paris. Jan. 5.-A dispatch to the
Havas agency from Toxic today says
q - e.. Al. A..
OF two divisions of Japanese troops are
continuing actively. 1t is believed they
will be dispatched to ports In South
Korea TO restore order"
An official dispatch sent from Toxic
late, yesterday evening says the minister
for foreign affairs had not received the
Russian reply up TO that time Only un-
official information has been received here
from ST. Petersburg that the reply has
been forwarded. but this is considered
correct
Owing TO the absence OF details re-
garding the reply the officials here are
careful not to expire IS an opinion as to
the outcome but the general tone of
the comment in official circles Is slightly
less hopeful The most significant fea-
ture OF the dispatch from Toxic Is the
statement that Japan is Fastening final
preparations for far more extensive
contemplated The government has now
decided to send an army OF SO. 900 men,
organized as two divisions. to Corea.
This is more than double the strength
OF the expedition first contemplated and
requires a large fleet of transports and
extensive arrangements. which are pro-
ceedlng rapidly towards completion.
The destination OF this army is expect
ed TO be Southern Corea, particularly
o,aA .ffi t,I.
here at first understood that Russia
would not object to the dispatch OF the
expedition. But the magnitude OF the
plans begin to raise some doubt as to
whether Russia will acquiesce. Although
no positive advices have been given OF
the preparations for the dispatch OF this
large army the reports excite some ap-
prehension, as II is said. IL may develop
into the first outward act OF the impend-
ing conflict.
PORTS WILL OPEN.
London, Jan. 5-The Corean charge
daffaires says he has good reason to be-
leve that the negotiations between
Korea, the United States. Great Britain.
Japan and Russia regarding Wiju and
Yongampho will result In the opening
OF those ports at an early date. Russia.
he added, is opposing the opening and
a few Russian troops have occupied
Yongampho: but, the negotiations would
terminate In a decision favorable to the
views OF Corea and the powers desiring
the opening Of the ports.
Corea, he further declared, would never
agree TO Russia's proposal TO establish
neutral zone in northern Corea. run
ming south from the Manchurian frontier.
as far east as Yuensan and west TO Ping
yang. as II would prejudice the sover-
eignty OF Corea, which Is guaranteed by
the Anglo-Japanse treaty.
Telegraphic advices received from Seoul
by tho charge d'affaires as late as two
days ago did not mention the possibility
OF Japan landing troops at Mesampho.
Should, however, such action be taken.
Corea would not offer armed opposition.
as war with Japan would be thus brought