The Far East.

Manawatu Herald, 19 January 1904, Page 2

The Far East.

RUSSIA TRIES TO PLACATE AMERICA. TURKEY WARNED BY BRITAIN. The Czar has assured the American Ambassador at St. Petersburg that Russia will not interpose or raise any objection to the OhinaAmerican commercial treaty or offer any hinderance to American rights or interests.

Japan has ordered from Norfolk, Virginia, 40,000 tons of coal.

War risks at Lloyd's are now sixty

guineas. It is persistently reported that Lord Lansdowne, Foreign Minister, has warned the Porte against any further violation of treaties in' allowing Russian warships to pass the Dardanelles.

It is expected that Russia will renew her application to Turkey, promising compensation, and the Sultan, relying on Germany’s friendly consent, is tempted to yield. The Times’ Tokio correspondent says that despite the resumption of negotiations a peaceful issue is not expected. MERCANTILE SERVICE SUSPENDED.

The Times’ Tokio correspondent states that the leading newspapers are unanimous that war is inevitable. They emphasise the marked strength of Japan’s finances compared with 1894, and exhort the nation to sacrifice everthing for the country’s cause. All the Japanese mercantile services, including that to Australia, are being suspended, thereby freeing twentyfive large steamers. JAPAN STRENGTHENING HER NAVY. Japan has ordered a second battleship of 16,000 tons from English builders. An order for a third is expected. a The Kasuga and the NissS coaled at Suez and sailed again, ” , Count Hayashi declared that Berlin advices that Japan proposed to neutralise certain portions of Korea and Manchuria were baseless. The Daily Telegraph assert that Japan"is making inquiries in London with a view to ordering four hundred thousand tons of steam coal,

1 1 liitfriiMlirt ’ ; RUSSIAN TROOPS CENTRING. The British Consul at Niuchwang reports that Russian troops are concentrating in a manner threatening the re-occupation of the NieuohwangShaubaikwa railway. Japan has abolished the post of generalissimo, and appointed Generals Nozzu, Kuroki, Okuma, and Admiral laoye as military council, with Marshall Jamagata as president. The senior statesmen and naval and military chiefs are also members of the council.

M. Pavloff told a Daily Mail correspondent for publication that Russia would refuse to consent to the opening of Wigu as a treaty port. Russia would also protest against Korean sovereignty and against landing of pagan troops. Ho insultingly described the Japanese as superficially civilised people of the middle ages with a modern veneer.