Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-02
JAPANESE UNDER HIGH TENSION
Russia's Dilatory Action Tries the
Patience Of the People.

TOKYO, February 2.-The Russian note
is still undelivered, and the government
and people of Japan do not possess any
definite information concerning the time
of its arrival or it's contents. Russia's de-
lay, coupled with the announcement of
continued movement of reinforcements
into Manchuria, increases the strain of
the tension, while 1t diminishes the al
ready slight prospects for peace. The gov
ernment has been urged to dispatch per-
emptory note to st. Petersburg, threaten
ing to declare war If refused immediate
satisfaction in the way of reply to its
previous note, but still the government is
patiently waiting, although it is manifest
If the delay is much more prolonged it will
act energetically.
Events will move rapidly when the note
is finally received If it is materially un-
satisfactory, and the prospect for addi-
tional negotiation is slight, although prob
ably Japan will dispatch an ultimatum be-
fore striking The Japanese show re-
markable outward calm, and no scenes
similar to those in America and England
before recent wars We're witnessed. There
are occasional demonstrations and out
groupings of popular feeling, but the cas-
ual visitor to the larger cities can see but
little out of the ordinary in the disposi-
tion and behavior of the people. There Is,
however, an undercurrent of desperate de-
termination running the nations length
and breadth. The people have counted the
cost and made final preparations, so that
If forced to fight they are capable of wag-
ing and sustaining war in manner that
will surprise the world.
Baron Hayashi Denies Rumor.
LONDON, February 2.-Referring to a
published statement that Great Britain and
France were bringing pressure to bear ON
Japan in order to induce her to accept the
terms of the new Russian note, the Japan
- Alnx
that the British government was not ex-
ercising any pressure on Japan, and he
thought it extremely unlikely that France
would attempt any such STEP,
A Hopeful Feeling Among Diplomats.
If the Russian reply indicates willing
ness on the part of the st. Petersburg gov
ernment TO conform to the general lines of
Japan's last proposition, 1t Is learned on
ADEQUATE authority that a continuation OF
the negotiations in the earnest effort TO
reach q final settlement by diplomacy may
be expected. The qualifying statement is
added however. that Japan's last note was
at the time declared to set forth the mini
mum of her demands. and it is difficult for
those conversant with the japanese posi-
ton TO believe that any important depart
ure from the general lines of that note
would be acceptable at Tokyo.
AS a result of careful inquiry at the en-
basses and legations here whose govern
ments are interested in the far eastern sit
uation directly or indirectly. there was
found this morning distinctly hopeful
view prevailing. based, 1t is understood, on
dispatches received for the last few days
which appear to warrant the importance at
tached by Mr.. Griscom. the American min
lister at Tokyo, to the report which he
cabled to the State Department January
80 that information had reached the British
legation there from st. Petersburg that the
Russian reply was being framed and world
pra cticalIy concede Japan's demands. Mr..
Griscom was unable himself to confirm the
report but he informed the State Depart
ment whence it had come TO him.