THE FAR EAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1079, 22 December 1903, Page 2

THE FAR EAST.

.GENERAL OPINION THAT WAR IS INEVITABLE. RUSSIA AND JAPAN EACH DESIRE TO BORROW. A SECRET mission to AUSTRALIA.

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. BERLIN, Dec. 20. 7 lie St. Petertburg correspondent of the Kolnische Zeitung says that Japan s irreducible minimum was a demand lor the recognition of her protectorate over Korea, and the right to exercise an influence on the policy of Korea. Japan would then recognise commercial treaties between Russia and Korea and Russia s concessions on the Yalu river, .while Russia would receive all Tile trade rights which Japan and Korea might agree to grant other States. Russia, replying to these demands. Was prepared, despite the disapprobation of Admiral AlexTei\ to recognise a protectorate o£ Japan over Korea, but claimed the right to establish fortified bases at Mosampho and Mokpho, .with unrestricted freedom of trade. llic Czar is opposed to war, while Count LamtdorJl is hopeful that an understanding will be arrivtd at. ; .General BesobrasotT, however, favors an appeal to arms.

LONDON, Dec. 20. .viscount Hayashi, Japanese Minister in London, lias received hundreds of offers from all parts of Britain from retired army and navy officers, men, and surgeons, volunteering to serve; Japan in the event of war. NEW YORK, Dec. 20. A.' Japanese representative Recently conferred with New ,York bankers, with regard to tho issue of a loan, but without result. The representatives did not hide the possibility of a loan being required for war purposes. Russia also made unsuccessful negotiations for a loan in the Unitcdi ►States.

American bankers consider that domestic financial needs render fresh foreign loans impracticable. Lloyd’s has raised insurance rales on cargo by. Japanese vessels to 7s fid per ermt.

TOKIO, Dec. 20

Owing to Die illness of Baron von (Rosen, Russian Minister at Tokio,. the . Japanese answer has been delay ef i, but is expected to be served in adr t y or two.

BRISBANE, Dec. 21, Denbigh, a Russian merchant from CV ladivostock, has arrived, lie thinks that war between Japan aud Russia Is inevitable. Russia has spent too much money in Manchuria to give it up. He docs not think the Japanese fleet could destroy, llic Russian fleet. An attache of the Japanese War iOffico has also arrived on a secret mission, and interviews the Commonwealth Government.

REMARKABLE PREPARATIONS

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association —Copyright. Received 10.20 p.m.* Dec. 21.. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 21. Admiral Wircnsus, with the firstclass h.aetleship Oslyabya, the second Ciass cruisers Aurora and Doitcridoj'nakov, and five destroyers, at Bizerta, will shortly be reinforced by, six destroyers, proceeding to the Far Las t.

Four first-class battleships' are nearing completion in the Baltic. LONDON, Dec.. 21. The Japanese Legation officials at Pekin recognise that a grave crisis is approaching.

The Japanese military attache at 'Pekin, and also the colonel of tho Japanese army instructing the Yuanshikai troops, have started homc,wards.

Sir JS. Sa'tow is enquiring into the origin of a circumstantial report in the Chinese native newspapers that Great Britain, in the event,of Russia retaining Manchuria, proposes to establish a protectorate over Yangtze and' appoint a Viceroy to maintain her prestige, equalling that of Russia. The report excited a feeling of hostility towards Britain. An unfriendly source is suspected. Japanese officers are instructing tno rlnperial troops at Paotingfu,

JAPAN’S REPLY TO RUSSIA. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Re deived 10.42 p.m. Dec. 21 London, Dec. 21. Tbe Tii ires’ Tokio correspondent says it is undersl ood that Japan asks Russia to reconsidei : a reply which contains no tangible cone ession, and excludes Japan from Manchuri &, and which proposes an equal position c £ the two Powers in Corea. Berlin, Deo. 21. Serious doubt is cast on the authenticity of tho KOl tlnische Zeitung’s story.