RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11750, 26 November 1903, Page 5

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

STATEMENT BY VISCOUNT HAYASHL

United Press Association—By Elccttic Telegiapji—Copyrijfiit. LONDON, November 24. inferring to the disquieting report* upon the progress of negotiations between Rossi* and Japan, Viscount Hayashi denies that the relations are more etr.ilned. Japan is, he says, awaiting Russia's reply.

Viscount Hayashi, the Japanese Minister, informed Press representatives in London last month that he bad received reassuring newe from Japan in reference to the situation in the Far Eaet. The telegram indicated that there wae no neeVi whatever for alarm, cmd hie Excellency added that this wm the first communication he hod received from headquarter* during the poet three weeks, and it wa3 probably only now sent him because tJie alarmist rumour* in circulation in Europe had at length reached Japan. Dismissing the situation with the representative of the •'Oentrai News," hie Excellency said that in the absence of information he could not say anything definite, but he did not believe there was any seri©Uβ or immediate cause for fllarm. The question whether Japan would be the firet to declare war wa* entirely a matter of expediency and convenience, and wae a question of higher politics. "I expect)" said his Excellency, "th*b the British Government will render Japan ai much aeeistauce as it can, iuid alto that the British public will in any emergency give Japan ita sympathy end support." The Minister, speaking on the subject of the fall in Japanese bonds, raid: "If my friends asked uiy advice, I should advise them to buy.with a view to gaining something; Japan will never fail to pay capital and interest. Japan* foreign debt is comparatively small-—only about fifty million* sterling. All holdew of Japanee* bonds may make their minds easy. If any serious step wae in contemplation by my Government, I should have heard immediately."

As to the evacuation question, his Excellency eaid Russia, according to her treaty with the Chinese Government, had a right to maintain troops in Manchuria for the purpose of guarding the railway there, but as he did not know officially the exact number of troops gathered there he was not in a position to say whether 'there were more troops in Manchuria than were really required to guard the line*; but in any case, he added, even after the evacuation Kunsia would be able to retain her railway guards the country. All the Powers were interested in Manchuria. The interests of all were identical, and there could be no qumion of joint action between the United States and Japan in the matter, because the interests of other Powers were also concerned.