THE WAR CLOUD.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2071, 27 January 1898, Page 2

THE WAR CLOUD.

HEAVY DEMAND- FOR NEWCASTLE COAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MILDURA. AND-TORCH THE. NAVY LIST Sydney, January Thb presence of so many war and other ships in Chinese waters, and the shutting down of the Japanese minesagainst all foreign vessels, has caused a heavy demand for coal, and an increase in the price of local coal. Several vessels lying at Newcastle have received orders to load for the East. Brisbane, Jan, 25-. The Government have ordered 8000 Martini Enfields with which to re-arm the defence force. Chhistoettiigh, Tuesday. It i® understood that the warship® Mild ura and Torch, now in. Lyttelton harbour, have received instructions to have their bunkers well supplied with coal, and generally to be ready to- proceed to sea at a moment's notice, in view of the threatened trouble on the China station.

Wellington, Tuesday. The Agent-General has intimated to the librarian of the General Assembly Library that there is to be no issue of the Navy List for December or January. It is thought that the authorities at Home are withholding this information, so that it shall not be available to the Powers who- have during the last few months shown a disposition to be at enmity with Great Britain. . ;