Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-04-14
Assured Him HOstiIities Would
Not Begin Until Attera D.clar'
alton of War Was Made
VERY PECULIAR PROCEEDING.
Hay Called Attention Of Japan's Minis
ter to Improperly of Soliciting Sub
scrptiOus 10 American Navy,

Washington, April l3-Ohcial cores
pondence made public at the state de-
yartmont today dscloses the fact that
the japanese government in announc-
ing to the American minister mt Toxic
ON Feb. 6 of last year the breaking OF
diplomatic relations with Russia, as
sured him that hostilities would not be-
gin mtl after a declaration had been
made. The correspondence comprises
so much Of the diplomatic exchanges
between Washington and Toxic Us the
department thinks Il eNpedlent to pub-
llsh, and among the hrst Is the follow
ing official parlphrase Of CablcgYam
from Minister Griscom, dated Ameil-
can legation, Toxic, Feb. 6, 1904
MT. GrlsCom reports that the minis
ter Of foreign affairs stated that a dec
laration of war will not be made until
after the withdrawal of their legation
which will probably take two or three
days, and hostilltias win not begin up-
ill after the declaration Of war In an
Interview the minister for foreign af-
fairs went over the whole course of the
negotiations directed special attention
10 the extreme patience and moderation
OF the attitude Of Japan, and stated
that after having asked the Russian
government i've times 20 expedite a re-
ply. and having waited three weeks
without result no alternative remained
but TO act
on the following day the correspon-
denca showed that Minister Grlscom
reported that the departure Of the Rus
sian minister would take place on Feb.
a. atih n
celpt OF the news Of the torpedo attack
unou the Russian fleet at Port Arthur
of Feb. 3, Minister Griscom sent brief
telegram TO the department Of which
this is the official paraphrase;
Mr. Griscom reports that the dec
laration of war was issued on the 10th
inst"
No other correspondence shedding
light on this incident Is contained in
the notes published.
OF interest Is note of Secy. Hay
dated May 8 last, to the japanese min
lister at Washington, calling his atten-
ton to the circulation In the American
navy OF note from the consulate gem
eral Of Japan at New York addressed
to THE japanese serving in the United
States navy" soliciting subsCrip-
lions to Japanese bonds, contributions
and sailors, and in ala OF the Red Cross
society Of Japan, While admitting the
right Of Japanese In this country to
subscribe or contribute to the objects
mentioned the secretary says I'm his
note TO Mr.. Tlkahira:
Yet It Is undesirable that such COM
tributions should be sought through the
naval official channels of this govern
ment,' and he therefore brings the
matter to your attention with the re-
quest that you win inform the consular
officers Of Japan IN the United Sttaes
Of the attitude Of this government in
the matter"
The Japanese minister gave the nee
essary instructions TO the japanese
consul general in New York
The correspondence includes copy
OF a note from the japanese minister
at Washington calling the attention of
this government to the presence Of the
Russian ship Lena at San Francisco,
and saying imperial government ex-
poets that appropriate measures re-
garding the matter win 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 ms government that the officers and
crew OF the Lena be detained in the
territory of the United states until the
end of hostilities.
The acting secretary Of state, Mr..
Adee promptly replied, acknowledging
the note, and adding:
IN reply | have the honor to state
| that the president, exercising his pre-
negative in carrying out the neutrality
proclaimed by him. had already, before
| the receipt Of your communication,
taken the appropriate steps to detan
| the officers and crew OF the Lena i'm
| this country until peace shall have been
concluded, unless In the meantime the
helligerents shall have concurred in
| proposing TO him other arrangements
| IN this regard.'