Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-13
Japan's Promise Regarding
Opening Hostilities.
ASSURANCE TO GRISCOM
FACTS DISCLOSED BY THE Of
FICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Solicitation of Subscriptions From
japanese in American Navy
Detention of the Lena.

Official correspondence made public at
the State Department today discioses the
| fact that the Japanese government. IN an
nouncing to the American minister at Tok-
| 20 on February of last year. the break
| ing of diplomatic relations with Russia, as
sured him that host:lities would not begin
| until after a declaration had been made.
| The correspondence comprises much of
the diplomatic exchanges between Washing
ton and Tokyo as the department thinks ii
expedient to publish, and among the first is
the following official paraphrase of
cablegram from Minister Griscom. dated
American legation, Tokyo, February 6,
1904:
MIR. Griscom reports that the minister
for foreign affairs stated that a declara-
ton of will not be made until after
the withdrawal of their legation, which
will probably take two three days. and
host litics Will not begin until after the
declaration of war. In an interview the
minister for foreign affairs went over the
whole course of the negotiations, directed
special attention to the extreme patience
and moderation of the attitude of Japan,
and stated that after having asked the
Russ an government five times to expedite
a reply, and waited three weeks without
result. no alternative remained but to act"
On the following day the correspondence
shows that Minister Grscom reported that
the departure of the Russian minister would
take place on February l.. On February
IL, subsequent to the receipt of the news of
the torpedo attack upon the Russian fleet
at Port Arthur OF February .. Minister
Gr,scom sent a brief telegram to the de-
partment, of which this is the official
paraphrase:
Mr.. Griscom reports that the declara-
tion of war was issued on the 10th in
stant."
No other correspondence shedding light
on this incident is contained in the notes
published.
Note to japanese in the Navy.
OF interest Is a note of Secretary Hay,
dated May ) last, to the Japanese minister
at Washington, calling his attention 10 the
circulation in the American navy of a note
from the consul general of Japan at New
York, addressed to THE japanese serving
in the United States navy" soliciting sub
scriptions to Japanese bonds, contributions
to the relief fund for Japanese soldiers and
sailors, and in aid of the Red Cross Society
of Japan. While admitting the right of
Japanese in this country to subscribe
contribute to the objects mentioned. the
Secretary says in his note to Mr.. Takaflra:
yet it is undesirable that such contribu-
tions Should be sought through the naval
official channels of this government" and
he therefore brings the matter to your
attention with the request that you will in
form the consular officers of Japan in the
United States of the attitude of this gov
ernment in the matter The Japanese min
lister gave the necessary instructions to the
japanese consul general at New York.
Detention of the Lena.
The correspondence includes a copy of 4
note from the Japanese minister at Wash
ington calling the attention of this govern
ment to the presence of the Russian ship
Lena at San Francisco and saying that the
imperial government expects that appro-
pirate measures regarding the matter will
be taken by the United States government
without delay"
Several days later another note reached
the State Department from the Japanese
minister expressing the desire of his gov
ernment that the officers and crew of the
Lena be detained in the territory of the
United States until the end of hostilties
The acting secretary of state, Mr.. Adee,
promptly replied, acknowledging the note,
and adding: In reply l have the honor to
state that the President exercising his pre-
rogative in carrying out the neutrality pro-
claimed by him, had already, before the
receipt of your communication, taken the
appropriate steps to detain the officers and
crew OF the Lena in this country until peace
shall have been concluded, unless in the
meantime the belligerents shall have con-
CURED in proposing to him other arrange
ments in this regard