The Far East.

Manawatu Herald, 9 February 1904, Page 2

The Far East.

It is officially announced at Ws, Petersburg that officers of all the regiments of Guards have been per* jrnttod to volunteer for service in the Far East.

The Times’ St, Petersburg correspondent says it is almost impossible to believe that war can- be averted. Russia can make no concession, and the Czar’s hesitation has been overcome.

The New York Herald states that Russia is sending troops to Seoul on the unconfirmed allegation that Japan has already three thousand there In disguise, and, also, alleges Korea invited them.

Four companies of Russians have left Port Ar'hur and Yongampho foe points along the Yalu. < The Morning Post says the delay in the reply is attributed to a desire to £.ive Prince Alexieff time to prepare for the pflssible consequences of its delivery to Japan. Earl Percy, Under-Secretary to the Foreign Office, states that frequent representations have been made to Russia in regard to the delay in evacuating Manchuria. He stated further that communications had passed between Britain and Russia prior to the expedition into Thibet.

RUSSIA CHECK-MATED. The warship Osliabya and the transport Saratoff, with three destroyers, have left Suez for the Far East. The Russian fleet has returned, and ia now lying outside Port Arthur, It is believed it was intended to throw troops into Chemulpho, but a large Japanese fleet was sighted off Wai-hai-wei.

The reserves of the Russian Pacific squadron have been commissioned. Russia has engaged eighteed additional foreign steamers to convey coal and munitions from Odessa to the Far East. DISPUTED POINTS STILL UN-

SETTLED. It is stated that Russia’s reply to Japan’s demand for the observance of treaty obligations in Manchuria and Korea was telegraphed to Admiral Alexieff, the Russian Viceroy in the Par East, and M. Rosen, the Russian Minister at Tokfrj, handed it to the Japanese Government on Saturday. It is authoritatively stated at St. Petersburg that though the irrsduoihla minimum of Japan is not granted, the reply sent by Russia ia cousSsßN» in conciliatory terms, and that its tenor gives ground for the hope that it will meet with a reception permitting mutual accord being finally reached. NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF. Reuter’s Agency officially announces that the Russo-Japanese negotiations have been broken off.

A HOPELESS SITUATION. The correspondent of The Times at Tokio says that the situation is regarded as hopeltss.