The Far East.

Manawatu Herald, 7 January 1904, Page 2

The Far East.

RUSSIA INTENDS TO RETAIN MANCHURIA. CHINA WILL PROBABLY ASSIST JAPAN. The Daily Mail’s Shanghai correspondent states the Chinese Office has definite information fflV St. Petersburg that Russia in terras to retain Manchuria.

Prince Ching and his ministers) after four hours’ conference, presented a report to the DowagerEmpress, copies of which were, also, sent to the provincial authorities. Three Chinese cruisers at Woosung have been ordered to coal. It is believed they will join the Japanese in the event of war.

The Standard’s Tientsin correspondent the- Throne has secretely orderea the Chinese to assist the Japanese in the event of hostilities. It is proposed to send forty thousand Chinese, under Japanese officers, to liiao-tung. The Standard’s Tokio correspondent says Japan, at the end of December, warned the Powers that the continued occupation of Manchuria might compel Japan to taka decisive steps. The cruiser Sirius has been ordered to Chemulpho. Mr Bennett Burleigh, the Telegraph’s co-respondent, writing from Tokio on Sunday night, asserts that Russia has sent a non-committal reply, making for delay. Mr Burleigh implies that Japan will occupy and fortify strategic Korean positions, leaving the next move to Russia. Meanwhile Mokpo and Mesampbo will be protected against seizure. It is not expected Russia will immediately interfere with Japan doing what she considers proper to safeguard her interests in Korea. CANADIANS OFFER TO ASSIST JAPAN. RUSSIA MUST PDAY A LONE HAND. Pour hundred Canadians who served in South Africa have volunteered to assist Japan. The Spectator declares that if Japan is victorious she is likely to desire predominance, and probably the mastership of the Southern Archipelago, interfering with Australia’s heritage in the Pacific. American newspapers strongly sympathise with Japan, and declare that throughout the world Russia’s proceedings are mistrusted by officials and people. The New York Sun, in reply to Russia’s enquiry regarding the United States, stated America would be neutral if her commercial privileges in Manchuria are not curtailed.