Russia and Japan.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 251, 21 November 1903, Page 4

Russia and Japan.

JAPANESE MINISTER ON TIIE FAR EAST SITUATION. Baron Hayashi, the Japanese Minister m London, has expressed his views to a press representative on recent affairs in the Far East. His Excellency threw discredit on the statement that Korea was in danger of losing its independence to •Japan as a sort of counterblast to Russia's aggressive action in Manchuria. " The independence of any country," said the Baron. " cannot be taken away at a moment's notH«e. nor can any separate kingdom }>e immediately annihilated at the will of any Power." As to the appointment of a Viceroy for the Russian For East, the Minister did not consider that the appointment of high authorities in neighbouring countries would in any way affect the interests of othei i>. Japan had already a considerable trade with Manchuria, and there were many Japanese located there. The opening up of Siberia and Manchuria would lead to the great development of commerce with those countries, and Japan would reap the benefit of that as well as Russia. The occupation of Manchuria by Russia had not injured Japanese trade ; on the contrary, it had rather improved it. I disclaim," the Minister emphatically declared, :i. and not only I but

my Government disclaim all the panic stories of war. All fears of conflict are groundless. If in our .intercourse %vith other nations we have some difference of opinion that does not mean that enmity will come between us. Certain reports would make us believe that Russia is trying to act very' badly, but that is not actually the case. She is really trying to be conciliatory, and Japan is trying to be concilatory to her.' War would be to the advantage, of neither, and so far it has been pretty much a game of bluff." Alluding to Turkey's difficulties in Macedonia, Baron Hayashi said if real trouble takes place in the Balkans it would draw Russia's attention more to that quarter than to the Far East. " But, in anVfCase," asserted His Excellency, " Japan would not take advantage of Russia's present difficulties with Turkey to press for Russia's "withdrawal from Manchuria." " Japan has no warships building in England," said His Exce:lency in conclusion, " nor has she made any increase in her army in view of possible events. In this connection I would like to say that no foreigners are admitted for active service in the Japanese army, and if, .as has been stated, a number of English officers have gone to Japan to join the army in the expectation of war, they will be disappointed. I have not heard of any further European alliances with Japan. Japan has only an alliance with England. The Japanese Government are quite satisfied with that, and with the people it is extremely popular."