Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1904 — WAR CLOUD IS DARK. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR CLOUD IS DARK.

RUBSIA-JAPAN HOSTILITIES MAY iOON BEGIN. J ..... ’ Battleahips Maas Around Coraa—The Czar’s Fleet at Port Arthur Stripe for Battle—Naval Actlou First, Then Land—China to Be Neutral. A special cable from Tokio asserts that the conflict between Russia and Japan Is not far off. Everything points To, the close approach of war. Action, firation sen and then on land, Is to be expected. American and British naval men speak as fairly confident of the chances of Japan's ships agaiust Russia. The Jap* anese army, if lauded in strength and handled discreetly, will do admirably. Japan on Saturday addressed a note to Rnssia through Minister De Rosen. It is said Japan,requires an answer within a given number of days. The note appears to be an ultimatum. The government is determined to secure «n early response and close the discussion if it Bhould prove to be fruitless. It is understood that Japan adheres closely to her original contentious and it is believed that if Russia fails fairly to meet the demands war will ensue. The attitude of the British and Americans greatly encourages the Japanese war spirit, which is stronger than ever. The suggestion contained in a dispatch from Berlin Of the possible partition of Corea between Japan and Russia meets with no acceptance. The Japanese officials regard it ns further evidence of German support of Russia. Russian Ships Strip for Action.

A dispatch to the London Daily Mail from Tokio confirms the information that it U untrue that Japan i 8 considering a reply to the Russian note. The negotiations have pgpaed beyond Japan’s diplomacy. It remains only for Russia to climb down.

The correspondent quotes a Chefoo report that the Russian warships at Port Arthur are hastily landing their superfluous furniture and fittings and are vir-

tually stripping for action. He also says regarding the conference between former Governor Taft, who is returning from the Philippines, and Marquis Ito, that the American legation at Tokio declares that the United States, in case of war, will preserve neutrality, while befriending Japan as far as is possible consistently with such an attitude. A Pekin dispatch to the Mail savs that Russia has threatened China with the immediate occupation of Pekin should China join Japan. Prince Ching and the grand council have advised the throne to preserve strict neutrality. The dispatch adds that Russia is enrolling large numbers of natives, in eastern Mongolia. The London Times considers that the most important news from the far East is the information that China has ratified

the treaties of commerce with the United States and Japan. It saye that both these treaties, which apply the principle of the open door in Manchuria, will now serve to test in the eyes of the world the ■incerity with which Russia declared her acceptance of that doctrine. Russia gives formal expressioS to her policy now in consequence of the controversy with Jspan, one of whose persistent contentions has been for a definition of Russia’s policy in "Manchuria and an acknowledgment of Japan’s trade privileges. Russia's reply has been in substance at follows: “We cannot discuss Manchuria with you any more than we could Ans&alia or the Philippines. Manchuria belongs neither to us nor to you. It doss not lie within the jurisdiction of either of ns to dispose of the future of Manchuria.”

BATTLE GROUND IN IMPENDING RUSSO-JAPANESE CONFLICT—DISPOSITION OF FORCES.

SCENE IN COREAN CAPITAL WHEN KING LEAVES HIS PALACE.