Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-06
WAR PREPARATIONS

A semi.official dispatch toa st. Peters
burg news agency from Vladivostock
and private information from Mukden
state that, owing to disturbances between
the Koreans and the japanese in Korea,
the Russian Second Rifle Regiment, at
its full strength, has been dispatched to
Korea in order to protect Russian inter-
ests there. The Russian squadron at
Vladivostock is also preparing for ac-
ton.
The Navy Department at Washington
in receip. of two cablegrams from the
commanding officer of the United states
ship Vicksburg, at Chemulpo, dated the
4th and 9th inst, respectively, as fol
lows "After consultation with Ameri-
can Minister, we are of the same opinion
aspect of affairs very grave at Seoul.
There is much fear of riot by Korean
soldiers. | have completed arrangements
to send the company of marines over
land by railroad at the critical moment;
also about 35 men and field gun from
this vessel at Cheahulpo if deemed nee
cessary."
The second message is as follows ::
Two officers and 35 men have left for
Seoul. The remainder of guard Is pre-
pared il any demand. There Is little
change in the situation"
A Russian cruiser has left Port Arthur
with a small military force on board
Its destination is unknown, but Is prop
ably Chemulpo.
The widely separated vessels OF the
German Far Eastern squadron have been
ordered by Rear Admiral Won Prittwitz
to concentrate at Tsin Chou, Province OF
Shantung. This movement is considered
at Berlin as probably relating to the
possibilities of war between Russia and
Japan.
The preparations for the embarkation
Of two divisions of japanese troops are
continuing actively. 1t Is believed they
will be dispatched to ports iu South ko-
rea to restore order. The japanese gov
ernment has now decided to send an
army of 80, 600 men, organized as two
divisions, to Korea. This is more than
double the strength of the expedition first
contemplated, and requires a large fleet
of transports and extensive arrangements
which are proceeding rapidly toward
completion. The destination OF this
army is expected to be southern Korea,
particularly Fusan and Masampho.
Rumors are in circulation at NJ frseilles
that a French naval division, com =
posed of the armored cruisers Kleber,
Desaix and Admiral Aube and the tur-
ret ship Suffern, sis about to receive or
ders to sail for the Far East.
The question of neutral zone IN
Korea has been a stumbling block in the
negotiations between Japan and Russia.
The answer of Russia was decided
upon at a conference of government
officials and the Gar Sunday. IT
was stated yesterday that Russia, in
her answer to Japan, had made great
concessions and hoped that her proposals
would be acceptable.
The Foreign Office says that instruc-
tions had been sent to Viceroy Alexiefi,
on which the reply was based. The lat
ter was drawn upin the most Cancellation
spirit. Some of the japanese proposals
were accepted, while others were made
the subject of extended observations
and were met by contemporaries.
Long and careful consideration was
given to the situation in the Far East
Yesterday by the President and his
Cabinet. This government has been
keeping in close touch with the progress
of events in the Orient through diplo-
matte channels, but the information re-
ceived is carefully guarded. AT the con-
clusion ofthe Cabinet meeting the mem
bers were unusually reticent. Scarcely
an intimation Of the subject of their dis
cussion could be obtained. 1t is felt by
officials of the administration that ii
would be improper publicly to discuss a
subject so delicate as that wrich is pend
ing between Japan and Russia in which,
too, the United States is not one
Of the principal parties. The govern
ment's relations to the controversy are
purely commercial. If war between
Japan and Russia should result, while j
is not expected that, even in remote
way, the United States would be drawn
into it, efforts certainly would be made
by this government 10 protect Its com
merce in the Far East.