The Far East.

Manawatu Herald, 9 January 1904, Page 2

The Far East.

THE WAR CLOUD.

EXTRAORDINARY DEMAND

FOR SHIPS.

British naval reservists and ten officers have left London for Genoa to take the Japanese cruisers, recently purchased from Italy, to Yokohama, under the command of Admiral Mathon.

Public opinion in France is against French intervention in the event of China joining Japan. The St. James Gazette urges that the policing of Chinese ports, in the i event of war, should be entrusted to the United States and Britain.

There is an extraordinary demand at Cardiff for tonnage for the Far East, and the British Admiralty has paid 20a per ton for three colliers, of 5000 tons each, for Hong Kong, to take prompt shipments. . RUSSIA’S PREPAREDNESS. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the New York Herald says that twenty million roubles (about 166,661 18s 4d) have been monthly, for a long time on fortifications, strategic railways, and army and navy defence in the Far East. When Russia seized Port Arthur the Treasury possessed nine hundred and eighty million roubles (about £155,166,666 13s 4d) available in the event of war with japan. RAISING AN UNJUSTIFIABLE SCARE. WILL JAPAN’S SUCCESS AF-' FECT AUSTRALIA. Mr Grouch, a Federal member, in a speech at Queenscliff, declared that; if Japan is victorious she would imperial a " white Australia,” and might pave the way to an Oriental dominance of the southern seas. He said that during a recent visit of tha Japanese warships, their officers became acquainted with the weakness of Australian defence, and one of the visitors told an officer something with regard to a fort which is regarded as a strict official secret. Sir Malco'm McEachem, the Japanese Consul, discredits Mr Crouch’s statements and says a Russian triumph was more likely to injure British prestige in India and throughout the East. Therefore, Russia was more likely to be a menace to Australia. He was not aware of any secrets about our forts. If any Japanese officer did learn of one, he was extremely unlikely to reveal the fact. NEW ZEALAND’S POSITION. It is stated -in a reliable quarter - that inquiries have been made in New Zealand as to what are the available foodstuffs that Japan could draw upon in this colony in the event of great emergencies. The matter has been kept dark, as the agents are unwilling that publicity should be given to the fact at the present juncture. It is known, however, that big orders are ready to be placed for supplies of tinned meats should the “ little brown man ” and the Muscovite come to blows. Many private offers have been made by letter to the Japanese Consular representative in Australia from colonials, placing their services at the disposal of Japan in various capacities in the events of war with Russia. Several contingenters who saw active service in South Africa have volunteered for duty, but it is extremely likely that all such offers will, for very special reasons, be declined. It is reported in official circles that a representative of the Japanese Government will shortly be in New Zealand on business connected with the pm chase of horses suitable for remounts. An intimation to this effect was given early in December last. The Japanese Government is said to be desirous of obb lining 2000 remounts, and is prepared to gin a satisfactory price for their purchase.