NO HOPE OF EARLY PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 22 February 1905, Page 5

NO HOPE OF EARLY PEACE.

(Received 8.51 a.m.)

LONDON. February 21

The Japanese press id imrmimously of opinion that there is no present hope of concluding peace. KUROPATKIN'S GENERALS. CZAE, REPROVES GRIPES3BKG. UNEVITCH LIKELY TO EEXUEM ST. PETERSBURG, February 21. The Czar has severely admonished General Gripenberg for returning from the front without leave, and in defiance uf Uie express order of General Kuropatkin that he must remain. He has comniajided the general to remain at St. Petersburg until a decision has been come to in his case. It is expected that the general will be ordered to return to the front. General Kuropatkin. in his report on the battle of the Hun River, says he was not able to reinforce General Gripenberg nfter he had exceeded his instructions, aa the Japanese were hoping for an opportunity to break through the centre. It is reported that General Linovitch, commander of the Russian second army, is likely to return to Russia, as he does not agree with General Kuropatkin's strategy. THE BALTIC FLEET. -Still No Movement. LONDON, February 21. The Baltic fleet, with its colliers, numjg altogether seventy vessels, is at r.ossi Be Island, on the north-western coast of Madagascar. Admiral Roshdestvensky is making huge purchases of stores for the fleet, including champagnes and other delicacies. A Russian destroyer ancl six colliera arc off Diego Saurez, on the north-east-ern coast of Madagascar.