Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1899 — RUSSIA AND JAPAN FRIENDLY. [ARTICLE]

RUSSIA AND JAPAN FRIENDLY.

Minister Paoloff Declares the Rumors of a Conflict Are Ridiculous. The London story of preparation for war between Russia and Japan over Corea is pronounced by both the Russian and Japanese legations in Washington as ridiculous. Alexander Paoloff, the Russian minister to Corea, is at present the guest of Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador. Mr. Paoloff said that he left Corea only four months ago, going to St. Petersburg, so that his information was direct and official. “I assure you there is no basis whatever for the reports of conflict between Russia and Japan over Corea,” he said. “On the contrary, the two countries have entered into two formal compacts by which it is agreed that the independence of Corea shall be maintained. These compacts were concluded at St. Petersburg and Tokio, and they are so explicit that the reports of conflict as to sovereignty over Corean territory show an entire ignorance of the written agreement under which Russia and Japan are acting toward .Corea.”