The Far East.

Manawatu Herald, 28 January 1904, Page 2

The Far East.

RUSSIA’S SELF OPINION,

Most of the Russian fleet is stationed outside Port Arthur harbour ready for action. The Tokio correspondent of the Daily Mail says Japanese reports allege that the Czar reminded the Japanese Minister at St. Petersburg, at the time of the New Year reception, that Russia is a strong Power t OUTRAGES ON JAPANESE. ‘ Letters have reached Tokio from Vladivostok, stating that Russian marines landed there on the 9th inst., and wrecked twenty-four Japanese houses, ravished women and wounded old women and children. The rioting lasted twenty - four hours. It is added that the marines were accompanied by officers, and that the civil authorities did not attempt to restrain them.

The Japanese press urges the withdrawal of all Japanese from Siberia, JAPANESE MOVEMENTS IN KOREA.

Though it is reported that the Japanese have occupied Mesampho, /the south-eastern port of Korea, whieh Russia was endeavouring to lease), the report is not confirmed. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the New York Herald states that it is offically posted at St. Petersburg that Japan has landed troops and guns at Chemulphc (south-wes-tern Korea).

The Japanese Minister suggest* that boil l Powers are land troops to preserve \ Defective sanitation and bafi food£j are causing great mortality among troops in the Far East. M. Bezabrazoff has been sent to Port Arthur to assist in the negotiations, This is regarded as a pacific sign. The Tokio correspondent of The Times says the rumours of Russia’s pacific intentions are not credited at Tokio. Japan is absolutely determined to fight for a thoroughly satisfactory settlement. TAKING UP POSITIONS. Provisions at Port Arthur are not allowed to be sold without official permiasion The food supply there will suffice for five months. Fifty thousand tons of coal have been stacked during the past few weeks. Ma, with twenty Chinese regiments, ixa» occupied strategetic positions alongside the border. The new Korean Ministry is favourable to Japan. RUSSIAN RESERVES TO BE IN READINESS. The Russian First Reserves have been warned to hold themselves in readiness for service. A Japanese ordinance promulgated, empowers the Government to control all private railways for military purposes. The Military Council met on Monday at the Imperial The Daily Mail’s St. Petersburg i correspondent sayS Japan insists that Russia’s assurances nl!*st be embodied in a treaty. German diplomatists assert that while Russia’s reply embodies important concessions regarding Chinese sovereignty, it does not concede Japan’s irreducible minimum. The impression prevails that the chief difficulty results from Japan’s insistauce upon the integrity of China, including Manchuria. Russia claims to deal only with China regarding Manchuria.