THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1450, 10 May 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

GENERAL’ NEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 8. A report from Labuan, dated to-day, states that the steamer Chiengmai saw on Friday, 70 miles north-east of Labuan, a large unknown fleet, consisting of two divisions. It was stationary, and apparently coaling, [Lauan is an island off the northern coast of British North Borneo.] StJ Petersburg offieiolß are exultant at the Japanese irritation at Admiral Roshdestvensky’s stay in Indo-China. Tho Eussians bope that Japan will furnish Russia a pretext for dragging France into the imbroglio, involving great Britain. The Tokio newsoapor Asahi Sbimbun is publishing warlike articles. It declares that all reports as to Admiral RoshdeatveDsky’s movements emanate from merchantmen and French organs, in communication with and acting in Russia’s interests. It adds that France practically leaves the coast free to the Russians, and it will be unavoidable if Japan is compelled to bombard French territory. The Times’ Tokio correspondent states that the United Chambers of Commerce ia Japan are concerting in measures to close all commercial transactions with Frenchmen.

Marshal Oyama reports that the Japanese from Tunghuahsien ' are advancing north, dispersing Cossacks on the way. They occupied Tiaoyutai, 28 miles north of Tunghuahsien. The Japanese from Kakmen are advancing north-east, dispersing the enemy. They bays occupied Erhshaotun, Tashaotnn and Papaotun.

The Japanese are largely utilising the Sinminting railway.

RUSSIANS QUIT TERRITORIAL WATERS. . By Telegraph— Presß Association —Copyright Received 11.82 p.m., May 9.

London, May 9. The Times’ Paris correspondent reports that owing to the urgent representations made by France Admiral Roshdestveusky quitted territorial waters three days ago. Fresh instructions sent request the Russians not to return or use the waters as a base. Adequate police measures are also in cousra of exeoution to prevent belligerent ships entering or using French IndoChinese territorial waters for any purposes whatever. It is emphatically denied that the French authorities were passive onlookers of the Russians coaling and provisioning. Admiral Roshdestvensby was repeatedly requested to leave Kamrank and his subsequent mooring places, but did not heed Admiral Jonquereres until the latter’s representations were backed by a small naval force. The knowledge of tbeso facts doubtless prevented the Japanese going beyond diplomacy.

FRANCE AND RUSSIA.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.36 a.m., May 10. London, May 9. Reuter’s agency at Amoy reports that on Monday merchantmen sighted Japanese vbbsbE between here and. Hongkong. Japanese craft constantly enter Amoy at nights for the purpose, doubtless, of communicating with Formosa. Russian newspapers declare that the French regulations of neutrality are broken only if the Japanese were denied the same privileges accorded to the Russians. It is semi-officially reported in Paris that after sending civil and military agents with very precise instructions to enforce neutrality, Franoe unremittingly superintended their execution. The Westminster Gazette indicates the lease of Kamranh Bay to private individuals. Diebogatoff’s hospital ship Kostroma has arrived at Saigon. His squadron is 120 miles south. Sixteen cargo boats are at Cape St. James. Received 12.30 a.m., May 9,

It is rumored in Russian oiroles in Paris that tho Japanese flagship Mikasa was exploded or wrecked daring a fog in the Straits of Corea a few days ago. The_ Times says that the French statement ia of a satisfactory tenor a 3 far as it £O6B, but denies that Hong Kong charges ack precision. \ The Times, in its insurance notes, declares that, however critical the situation, the underwriters refuse to believe that France and Great Britain will not snoeeed

in moving on Admiral Rosbdestvensky. The allaying of Japanese irritation is aocepted as an axiom here that the two great nations will not permit themselves to be dragged into the war against their will.

The stock exchanges and bourses, owing io the crisis, are depressed. Received 1.2 a.m., May 9,

A Saigon report, dated Monday, states that Admiral Jonquerere’s scouts located Admiral Roshdestvensky’s float, which, leaving Honkoho, sailed' towards another bay south. Admiral Rbshdestvensky promised to woigh'anchor immediately. Received 12.47 a.m., May 10.

The Times says that an act of war on the part of the French against the Buesians might in the circumstances, considering I the indifferent relations between France and Germany, have proved disastrous in the former. If the - Frehoh pushed to undue lengths the indulgence for violent infringement of French neutrality in IndoChina, it was owing to the knowledge that little was required to make Germany take advantage ot their dilemma. War between France and Bussia, even were France victorious, would imply the loss of 440 millions sterling of French investments in Bussia. Had Japan been convinced that I France, with malice pretense, was assist ing the Baltic fleet to defeat her, she would have been less patient. French authorities fully realise the danger of further countenancing Boshdestvensky’s outrageous abuse of the Franco-Busaian alliance. They have now stopped all telegraphic oom munioation between Boshdestvensky and the mainland.

American newspapers blame the great laxity of the French colonial naval officials. The French Government were guilty of contributory negligence or worse.