The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
Sign is Interpreted as Slightly Improving the Situation Be-
 tween Russia and Japan
SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES
 MAY YET BE RECONCILED
Illness of the czarina is Considered as Having Some Bearing on the Time Answer Will be
 Approved.

Paris. January 31.-Another delay has occurred in framing and forwarding the Russian answer to the latest Japanese note, and this will result in further avoid ing the culmination of the crisis until tho middle or the latter part of the week.
 The official advices received here from St. Petersburg today although somewhat negative. gave definite details of the stat us of the note. and the plans it was to fol- low
 Count Lamsdorff, the Russian foreign minister, had expected that the exchange of views would have permitted the final drafting Of the answer so that 1t could have been presented to the czar yesterday for his approval. but the expectation was not realized, and as a matter of fact the answer has not yet been finally drafted.
 Trying to Prevent Rupture.
 It was therefore determined to defer its submission to the czar until next Tuesday or Wednesday. Efforts are still being made to so shape this answer as to pre- vent rupture.
 This new delay is interpreted as slightly improving the situation, as 1t indicates that Russia is making extreme efforts to bring the answer within limits acceptable to Japan.
 Owing to the fact that the Russian an- swer Is not completed, 1t is pointed out that the reports concerning it's general terms must bs taken with allowance, as the delay indicates that some of the points which presented the most serious dif- faculties, may yet be reconcled.
 Authorities Are Kept Advised.
 Throughout the past week the authorl- ties here have been kept fully advised of the general tendency of Russia, but they have not known whether or not these tendencies would be incorporated in the answer by which Russia would irrevo- cably abide.
 It Is understood that the empress of Russia has an affection of the ear which may necessitate an operation. This fact is considered as having some bearing upon the time when the answer will be submitted to the czar for approval. Tn any event. officials here are confident that definite results will be known next Thurs day.
 toward reconciliation was being made the tone of official sentiment on the matter was somewhat improved today.
 LOGS NOT hnoW tontentS.
 London, February 1.-Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minister to Great Britain. informed the Associated Press last night that his government did not know what Russia's answer would be. and that it was therefore impossible to say whether war was probable or not.
 The fact that the Russian reply had not yet been dispatched showed, according to Baron Haysshi. that Russia's decision had not yet been taken, as it was hardly prob able If a decision had been reached, that the note should be delayed.
 A semi-official denial has been issued at St. Petersburg to the reports that the czar presided at council at which the Russian reply was decided upon, and 1t Is explained that no conference, except one at which Grand Duke Alexis presided. has been held in connection with Russo Japanese affairs.
 The correspondent of the Daily Mail at Che Foo cables he has learned that the Japanese naval reserves were moblized last week and that the first army re- serve was probably mobllzed with great secrecy, and troops arriving at their destinations disguised as cooies. Over sixteen transports have been requisition- ed, the correspondent continues, and twenty-eight transports and thirty eight warships are lying at Saseho, twenty seven miles north by west of Nagasak
 Forty Transports Ready.
 Forty transports filled with the Kuman- alo division are lying in Takeshiki har- bor in Tsu Tshima ready for invasion of Korea.
 "The Russian and Japanese authori- ties" the same correspondent continues, profess ignorance of the Argun incident but I learn that the Japanese cruiser Chyoda signalled the Argun to stop, and as no notice of this was taken. fired across the bows of the Argun, where- upon the Russian steamer, which was beyond neutral waters, stopped and the Chyoda sent search party on board"
 (On January 30 the Daily Mail published a dispatch from its Che Foo correspond ent saying a foreigner had reported that the Russian steamer Argun, upon which he was a passenger from Nagasaki to Port Dalny had been fired at by a Jap- anese cruiser outside of Chemulpo har- bor).
 The correspondent of the Morning Post at Chee Foo cables that a British vessel and some others engaged in regular ser vice to Port Arthur had been stopped when about to enter that port. Competent judges, the Post correspondent goes on, predict the total failure of the Russian commission in the event of prolonged hos tilities.
 Under date of January 26 a correspondent of the Daily Express at Kobe sends via Shanghai statement that the Japanese fleet sailed from Saseho on Saturday. Jan uary 23 for Masampho. Korea, and says that his despatch was refused transmits sion over the customary route by the cen sor.
 
 President Diaz Gives Dinner.