The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-02-08

Russian trading steamers have been seized.
TOXIC, Feb SIT is expected here that
the first battle between Russia and Japan
will occur off Port Arthur, where the har-
Dor is inadequately protected by the entire
Russian feet.
The Japanese feet is now believed to
be proceeding there from Nagasak. The
Japanese plan to use torpedoes great
deal.
PARIS, Feb. S-France has agreed with
the other powers to land troops in China
Immediately upon the outbreak of hos
tilities, in order to assure the neutrality
of the middle empire A council of min.
listers held secret session this morning
Minister Delcasse announced that he
would decline to answer inquiries regard
ing the Orient beyond that France would
remain neutral.
LONDON, Feb. S.r-The Pail Mall Ga
zette asserts that France and England
have agreed as to their Far Eastern poll
cy Neither will intervene until decisive
engagement occurs, when they will offer
to mediate.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. SThe
state department is advised that Minister
Kurino has left St Petersburg. Baron
De Rosen may leave Toxic tomorrow.
LONDON, Feb. S.-Mnister Hayashi
this morning says that a state of war
exists. 1t is possible there will be no
further declaration. The British foreign
office is constantly in receipt of cable.
grams. The British navy is preparing for
mobilization on moments notice,
LONDON, Feb. 8.--The cabinet met at
noon to consider the Far Eastern situa-
ton The Agency National publishes a
dispatch from Toxic that declaration of
war is momentarily expected. A meeting
of the council of elders, under the chair
manship of the mikado. is in progress.
LONDON, Feb. S.-The Paris corre-
spondent of the Exchange Telegraph COM
pany is informed in official quarters that
France is determined to make an immedi-
ate and supreme effort to mediate between
Russia and Japan 1t is stated that other
powers have assured France Of moral sup
port.
VLADIVOSTOCK. Feb. S.-An lee
breaker has kept this port open, despite
frost. until now. 1t is possible for the
Russian squadron to take refuge here at
any time.
LONDON, Feb 8.-Secretary Douglass
in the house Of commons today announced
that official information had been received
that all diplomatic relations between Rus
sa and Janan have been broken off.
VANCOUVER. b. c.. Feb 8.The Jap
anese consul here has received applications
from $50 British Columbians to fight for
the mikado in the impending war. They
are officers and men at Esquimalt, b. G.,
the British North Pacific station, including
retired navy aud army officers local mill
tia volunteers and private citizens. Ap-
plications are coming in at the rate Of
10 day.
"The North American" is the English
title of a japanese paper that is issued
six DAYS per week in Seattle and crcu-
lates extensively in Tacoma. The Satur-
day issue of the paper arrived here this
morning
1t was patriotic native Of Japan who
talked to a Times reporter today, and in
his eyes shone the fire of enthusiasm. He
had picked up copy OF the paper and
as he eagerly glanced over its contents he
kept up a running fire of comment some
thing like this:
vancouver will send 800 men back to
fight Russia. Everett, Seattle and other
cities, including Portland and Astoria, will
also send men.
mo, | am not going myself, but the man
who is working with me will go back
and many others will go from Tacoma and
this vicinity. Wen whip the Russians
whip 'em bad"
And the black eyes sparlSed more brill
iantly than ever.
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb s.-The Jap
anese minister, NJ Kurino will probably
leave here Immediately. He is packing
up his effects.
In this city the news that Japan mas
several diplomatic relations is taken to
mean that war will follow The govern
ment will act on that supposition.
BERLIN, Feb 8.--The German govern
ment expects to remain neutral during
the war between Russia and Japan. The
official sympathies OF the country will,
however. be on the side of Russia. Aus
tria and Italy are expected to remnin
quiescent.
PARIS, Feb SIT is understood that
the French government is anxious to keep
out of the Oriental trouble. France viii
not interfere unless obliged to do 80 under
the Russian-French treaty. This treaty
provides that France shall assist Russia
in case the latter is first attacked and by
| two powers.
The japanese minister, in an interview
today, said that Japan will reject all at
temps at mediation by France.
On the Bourse occurred the most serious
slump in Is years. There was general
panic in all stocks, but Russian securities
suffered most.
LONDON, Feb. 8.-The British govern
| ment will be loath TO take up arms in the