The San Francisco call., 1904-02-08
Continued From Page 8. Column


ised, but it never-came. At the begin
ming of last week NJ. Kurino declared
positively that he must have a reply.
but still there was nothing.
AT the same time Russia continued
to make military preparations and to
concentrate troops in the vicinity of
the YaIu River. Can you not conceive
the inquietude and the irritation at
Toxic? After three weeks of patience
We thought that was sufficient and our
dignity would not permit US 70 wait
indefinitely"
JAPAN ANXIOUS FOR CLASH.
A Russian diplomatic authority here
says that while the Russian reply was
sent from st. Petersburg Thursday, it
had not reached Toxic yet. Japan
wished for a rupture, and the order
given NJ. Kurino to break off diplomatic
relations conceded with the departure
Of the Russian note, a departure which
had been predicted and announced.
Is that not Significant" the author
ity in question asked.
Yesterday at 6 o'clock NJ. Kurino
made known to Count Lamsdorff the
instructions that reached him on the
9th. At the same time that NJ. Kurino
notified Count Lamsdorff. Baron Ko-
mura announced the news to Baron de
Rosen and requested him to depart. It
is not because the Russian note did not
arrive yesterday that relations were
broken off. il in reality the relations
We're terminated because Japan did not
receive our note. then the only deduc-
ton which can be made on this point
is that Japan. knowing in what state Of
cancellation our reply was prepared, de-
cided to avoid further negotiations
When Japan had waited two weeks,
she could have waited twenty-four
hours longer"
Continuing, this authority said the
japanese had concentrated their fleet
and transports, that they had broken
off diplomatic relations and that their
intention was evident Whatever their
intention might be. Russia would await
the course of events without inquietude.
KOREA AND ITS STATUS.
The Associated Press was the first to
give tho news Of Japan's action to the
Korean Minister here. 1t was evident
that the Minister had little doubt that
war would follow. He said:
My Government will advise me of
the policy it proposes to pursue. You
know. and the world knows, that Korea
means to observe a policy of stTct
neutrality, and ii will do all in its power
TO enforce such neutrality. We have
hoped that war would be avoided, for
we have appreciated what hostilities
would mean to our country"
But in case japanese troops land in
Korea will your Government appeal TO
the powers?" the Minister was asked.
To this the Korean representative re-
piled: My advices do not show what
action viii be taken. except that Korea
viii remain neutral
The attitude of France in the pres
ence of this grave Russo-Japanese
emergency is a subject of the deepest
concern among officials. Naturally no
declaration laying down the govern
mental policy is forthcoming, although
il is expected that NJ. Delcasse will
during the week make a statement in
the Chamber of Deputies clearly out
lining the French position.
In the meantime the general line of
French policy as gathered from the
most authoritative sources is as fol-
lows:
France undoubtedly will maintain
strict neutrality, and she Will endeavor
in every way to keep free from all pos
sible entanglements which might draw
her into hostilities. This is primarily
due to the belief of French officials that
France has no deep interest involved
in the region in dispute. Her direct in
terests are too far from the scene of ac-
ton to make war a matter of special
concern 10 France.
Officials have carefully considered
just how far France is likely to be-
come involved under the terms Of the
Franco Russian alliance, which, they
say, contains two distinct safeguards
limiting French participation. The
first Of these is that Russia must be
attacked and the second that this at
tack must be by two powers. The re-
quirement that Russia be attacked has
been one of the chief causes of Rus
sia's temporizing, as she has not
wished to sacrifice the chances Of
French support. Officials here, how
ever, have believed and hoped that
Russia would strike the first decisive
blow, as such action would in meas
ure relieve France from participating
ina profitless war.