The Far East.

Manawatu Herald, 12 January 1904, Page 2

The Far East.

ON THE BRINK OE WAR. SLENDER HOPES OF PEACE. Japan is dissatisfied with Russia’s terms, but is reviewing her efforts to secure a modification thereof. Mr Bennet Burleigh says it would be imprudent to assume that the delay implies peace, and that Russia’s reply fails altogether to meet Japan's views in regard to Manchuria which is the core of the situation. China, he declares, will certainly help Japan. The Standard’s Tokio correspondent reports that the uneasiness of the public is increasing hourly. The Standard urges friendly mediation as an alternative to a struggle which will exhaust even the victors,

The Times says the tenor of the reply has reduced to almost vanishing quantity the slender hopes of peace.

A report is current at Kieff that the commanders of the southern and south-western provinces have each been instructed to hold battalionaof infantry in readiness to entrain for the Far East. Official circles in Paris have been informed that protracted correspondence took place between St. Petersburg and Prince A lexieff. If the latter's views had prevailed Japan’s demands would have been rejected. Rumours that they had been rejected caused dangerous tension, only to be dispelled by the receipt of the actual reply, which was of a conciliatory character. The Japanese Minister in London, however, in the course of an interview, said the period of suspense was over so far as Japan was concerned. It was now Russia’s turn to wait. The

situation was Undoubtedly grave, thoug he would not say entirely hopeless.

The Times’ Paris correspondents says Russia’s reply restores the concessions made by M. Von Rosen f the Russian representative, recognising Japan as the preponderating power in Korea, and also proposing the neutralisation of the Korean coast, but refusing to place the Japanese on the same footing as Europeans in Manchufia. The Kagasayo and Mighsa, flying the Japanese naval flag, left Genoa for Suez at 4.30 on Saturday raorning.

Major Nathan, a high railway transport officer during the Boer war, having inspected the Siberian railway is convinced that it would break down within a week under a war strain.

JAPAN OUTBIDDING RUSSIA.

The newspaper Philadelphia Record states that Japan has secured the option of purchasing the 22-knot Turkish cruiser 'Medjidie which is being built at Cramp/ shipyard. Japan offered two and a half million dollars, outbidding Russia. More optimistic telegrams fronr Tokio lead the French Government into the belief that Russia recognises the preponderating influence of Japan in Korea, and that the last Note affords a hope that a conflict will be averted and enable negotiations to continue.

The Japanese Government organ at Tokio reiterates that it is not intended to take offensive measures in Korea while negotiations are pco-

ceeding. The Kagasayo and Mighsa have passed Sardinia, two Russian warships following them. Prince Chang informed the Japanese Minister at Pekin that China will remain neutral in the event of war.

RUSSIANISING MANCHURIA.

The Foreign Consuls in Man-' churia have protested against'the Russian Administrator re-naming the streets in Russian,

Japan has invited in Manila, tenders for enormous quantities of subsistence stores.

At King Edward’s instance Britain and France are striving their utmost to secure peace. Both are in perfect accord. There has been shipped from diff, in a week, 46,000 tons of coar for Japan, 80,000 for Hong Kong, and 40,000 for Port Arthur. The Paris newspaper Pettrie announces that Japan has purchased the Argentine armoured cruisers Garibaldi, Pueyrdom, San Martin, and General Belgrano, which are a similar type to those previously purchased.

Reuter’s Agency reports that diplomatic information at Pekin points to the fact that the Russian reply is, of a conciliatory tone but is unsatisfactory in substance. Japan, desiring a delay to complete her preparations, will continue the negotiations.

The message adds that the prospects of war before spring are very strong, Mr Bennett Burleigh, war correspondent for the London Telegraph, states that there are a hundred thousand Russians in Manchuria.