THE FAR EAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1081, 24 December 1903, Page 2

THE FAR EAST.

FURTHER PREPARATIONS

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 22. The Times says there is some demand for speculative insurances against the risk of a declaration oi war within a month. Forty guineas per cent, was paid this morning. Underwriters pay as on a total, loss if a vvar broke out within a month. Thirty guineas was accepted during the afternoon. Mr Bennett Burleigh, the Daily Telegraph war correspondent, slates that Japan lias notified that her fleet requires all the dry docks in Japan. A number of her vessels have already been decked for cleans ing bottoms. The Russian squadron at Cheniulplio has returned to Port Arthur, except one cruiser. SYDNEY, Dec. 23.

The Government have received from the commercial agent in Japan enquiries for 250 tons oi lead at £lO 13s per ton.

VESSELS IN READINESS.,

JAPAN ASSERTING ILER POSITION. \

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. Received 10.51 p.m., Dec. 23. LONDON, Dec. 23. Tlic Daily Mail states that Japan ■lias taken over from Butterfield and ■Swires twenty-five steamers. Japanese warships are reported to he concentrating off Port Arthur.It is understood that Japan is asserting her position in Korea, and taking over the construction oi the Scoul-Fusan railway. Count Ilayashi, in the course of an intrrview, said that peace or war .was entirely dependent on the nature of Russia’s reply. ''. The Times’ Paris correspondent says that Russia is disposed J(,o reconsider her Note. The Times’ Berlin correspondent stales that Russia is really feeling her way in order to discover how much she may demand from Japan with any prospect of success. Advices from St. Petersburg are hopeful ior a pacific issue. It is stated at Odessa that the condition of the arsenals and stored at Port Arthur, Dalny, and Vladivostock would suffice to conduct war for a year. The cruiser King Alfred is conveying to China a new crew lor the battleship .Glory,- the flagship on the station.

THE LATEST NEWS,

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. Received 11.50 p.m., Dec. 23. LONDON, Dec., 23.The Chronicle says that German military opinion is that in the event of war, unless the Allies assist Japan, she will be defeated; inasmuch as ultimately it must become a land war to be decisive. Much anxiety is felt at Pekin. Chinese officials discussing with the Legations China’s best means of preserving neutrality. Count H'ayashi is uniformly an optimist, and his pessimism is now, significant. The Standard states that the 'Japanese Minister ah Rome declares the situation is not desperate. Japan has sent counter proposals to Russia with the hope of averting a rupture. Othct advices received state that Britain and P’rance used their good offices at Tokio and St. Petersburg on behalf of peace. According to tho Standard, a sberet edict has been issued ordering Yuanehihkai to take possession of Chingwangtoo. The port was opened voluntarily by China, and does not belong to the Engineering and Mining Company. Customs officers havo been ordered to take over Chingwangtoo. This is no empty bluff. The order is undoubtedly inspired by Russia. Chinese are prepared to countenance any illegality. Russia is already in possession of a survey port, and has taken a census of the neighboring villages.

NEW YORK, Dec. 23. The New York Sun states that

Russia since August has steadily increased the exigency of her demands —trying to force Japan to go to war. Now she reuses to discuss with America the integrity oi China .or the equality oi commercial opportunity, and urges a sub-division of Jyorea spheres of influence. x ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 23. A Russian syndicate, with a capital of four millions, has been formed to acquire Chalcis Peninsula, Izvor, or Milio and other mines, with a view of strengthening Russia’s hold on Mount Athos. Received 12.56 a.m., Dec. 24. Pekin, Dec. 23.

China has seized as Government property the Kaipmg mines, on the ground that the company claimed the right to sell Chingwangtoo, a winter post between Tientsin and Pekin, to Russia. The company claimed *to sell Chingwangtoo to others, not to Russia.