A GRAVE SITUATION.

Manawatu Herald, 25 August 1904, Page 2

A GRAVE SITUATION.

The gravity of the ukaae ordering the mobilisation of reservists in sixty distridtS rtnd all reserve officers in the Empire has profoundly impressed the Russians. Thk Standard* commenting on affairs at Shanghai, conipkiflS at the apparent masterly inactivity of Admiral Noel’s squadron. 'fWd American Warships are at Chefoo, but no British. The Rechitelni is at Dalny. The Japanese Justify her capture on the ground that she was fully armed and manned, and began hostilities. They declare there is no analogy between her case and that of the Confederate Steamed Florida* seized by the United States SVar steamed Massachusetts at Bahia in 1864. Brazil’s neutrality on that occasion was perfect and unconditional. Experience had shown, as in the Mandjur and Askold cases, that China does nut take adequate steps to enforce her neutrality. Russia, in establishing wireless stations at (hefoo and forking it till now, defied China’s neutrality, and in Seeking in Chefoo an asylum, which Port Arthur ceased to afford, broke the agreement to restrict warfare to Manchuria and Rorea. The new incident had terminated the neutrality of Chefoo, and reserved the question of Chinese neutrality applying to those places not occupied by the belligerents. According to French advices China replied to Russia that the officials concerned in the incident had been punished, and that there would be no repitition. According to the Japanese, China merely notifies Russia that she must keep her engagements for the future.

Mr Rea, the owner, declares that the steamer Allanton ivas chartered prior to the war, and landed coal in Japan after the outbreak of war. He now has ample evidence for the appeal, showing that when the vessel was seized she was carrying coal from Muroran, Yezo, to Singapore. The prize Court, in condemning the vessel, alleging that she was bound for a Japanese or Korean port, decided that the vessel was carrying contraband on the outward voyage, and was liable to condemnation if she was afterwards seized. According to such a decision, which is totally opposed to international law and at variance with the Russian regulations,, hundreds of British vessels are liable to confiscation.

Four thousand Japanese troops have landed at Dalny,,

The officers of the Russian volunteer cruiser Ural state that eleven other vessels have been entrusted with a similar mission to the Ural in seizing contraband. The Japanese have captured the northernmost fort of *the western line under the defence, but the Russian Are prevents its occupation. It is reported at Chefoo that the Russians recaptured some positions. It is also stated that eight destroyers escaped from Port Arthur. Seven Japanese destroyers are searching for them.

The Daily Telegraph states the Japauese attache took the papers of Hoffmann, the German attache. The Rossia’s machinery has been almst entirely disabled. TheTaotpi of Shanghai has extended the Askold and Grosoyoi’s time till noon on the 23rd. The Askold cannot cross the bar this week owing to the low tides. Admiral Sterling, who is in command of the American fleet, is determined that the Japanese must not interfere with the Askold and Grosovoi, and has offered them an escort to outside the three miles.

Captain Macauley, the United States attache at Port Arthur, has arrived at Tientsin. He is proceeding to Vladivostook. The Handria left Antwerp for Liban full of heavy guns and ammunition destined for the Far East.