THE EASTERN QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 263, 22 December 1903, Page 3

THE EASTERN QUESTION

BERLIN, Dec. 20. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Kotaische 23etUmg says that Japan's irreducible minimum was a demand for recognition of her protection over Korea, and a rfcgiht to evercise her influence onjbhe po^cy

of Corea. J-apan would then recognise commercial treaties with Russia ami Corea and Russian concessions on the Y alu, while Russia would receive all the trade rights which Japan and Corea might agree to grant to other States. Russia, replying to these demands, was prepared despite the disapprobation of the Viceroy, A<fmiral Prince AlexiefT, to recognise <a protectorate by Japan over Corea, but claimed the rtigfit to establish fortified bases at Hasampho and Makapo, with unrestricted freedom of trade. LONDON, Dec.. 20. Viscount Hayashi, Japanese Minister in London, has received hundreds of oilers from all parts of

Britain from retired army and navy officers and men. Surgeons are also volunteering to serve Japan m the event of war. NEW YORK, Dec. 20.

Japanese representatives recently conferred with New York bankers ■with regard to the issue of a loan, but without result. Russia was also unsuccessful in negotiations for a loan in the United States.

Uoyds has raised insurance rates on cargo by Japanese vessels to Ts 6d per cfent. Owing to the illness of the Russian Minister at Tokio, the Japanese answer has been delayed. It is axpected it will be (served in a day or two. BRISBANE, Dec. 21. Mr Denbigh, a Russian merchant from Vladivostock, has arrived. He thinks that war between Japan and Russia is inevitable. Russia has spent too much money in Manchuria to give it up. He does not think the Japanese fleet could destroy the Russian fleet. An attache of the Japanese War Office has also arrived on a secret mission. He interviews the Commonwealth Government.

RUSSIAN REINFORCEMENTS

Received 21, 10.20 p.m. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec 21.

Admiral Wirensua, with the firstclass battleship Oslyabya, secondclass cruisers Aurora a»d Dorteridoinakov and five destroyers at Bizerta will shortly be reinforced by six destroyers, and will then proceed to the Far East. Four first-class battleships are rearing completion on the Baltic. A CRISIS APPROACHING. LONDON, Dac. 21. The Japanese Legation officials at 'Pekin recognise that a grave crisis is approaching. The Japanese military attache at Pekin, and also a colonel of the Japanese army, who was instructing Yuanshikai's troops, have started homewards.

A SUGGESTIVE RUMOUR. M. Satow is inquiring Into the origin of a circumstahtittl report in Chinese native newspapers that Britain, in the event of Russia retaining Manchuria, proposes to establish a protectorate in the Yangtze and appoint a Viceroy to maintain prestige equalling that of Russia. The report has excited a feeling of hostility towards Britain. An unfriendly source is suspected. Japanese officers are instructing Imperial troops at Paotingfu and Chengyi. Received 21, 11.53 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 21. The Times' ToVIo correspondent Bays it is understood that Japan asks Russia to re-consider her reply, which contains no tangible concession and excludes Japan from Manchuria. Japan proposes to equal the position of the two Powers in Corea.