THE WAR CLOUD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1904, Page 3

THE WAR CLOUD.

• .» CHINESE SYMPATHY WITH JAI'AN. A NEAT SCHEME FROM RUSSIA. PRESENT POSITION UNTENABLE There are indications of a strong current of irritation in St. IVtei-s----burg under cover of an outward allot' calmness. Russia is convinced that unless eiicouraged by Britain and America the Japanese will never dare to declare ,<\vnr. The unllinC'hiirg attit.ulle of the Ja<j>s is attributed to Um ttuppoit of the Powers named. Russia is pushing forward her field and medical preparation*. Russia's Manchuria forces are I.eJ ing 'continually reinforced. The Grand Duke Alexander Michaelovitch, a 'hiu'li naval authority, has hastened from the Crimea to St. lVtprsb'ur-g. It is understood ho is averse to war until Russia's all-round aaval equipment in the Far East has been passed by him as ready for all emergencies. SYDNEY, Dec. HI. Leading Chinese in Sydney, Melliourne -and Brisbane ai-e taking steps to urge on tjie Chinese Foreign Minister the necessity of China and Japan acting together in the evont of 'war with Russia. ADELAIDE, Dec. 31. Underwriters have adopted a further war rate of a half per cent, on produce .shipped in Russian sailingvessels. LONDON. Dec. 31. U'rince Al-exieff, ufjtcr showing l Hu-Yu-Feu. Director of China's northern railways, lifty-two war-sh-ijjis of classes at Ilort Arthur, proposed that China should build a l-Uiihcay from Shin-min-tim to Mukden, bringing Mukden within 24 hours of Pekin. I'rince Alexieff offered to provide the necessary money. Hu-yu-Feu declared he must consult Pek-in. Prince Alexieff pressed Hu-yu-feu to urge the Court to send the Imperial I'rince to Port Arthur to arrange matters away from Japanese intrigue. BERLIN, .Dec. 2i. The newspaper Lokalanzeiger announces that Japan has informed the Powers that the present situation cannot be maintained. Japan must fight if Russia does not inimedintely accept her demands. It is reported in semi-official circles in Berlin that the Government is aware that Japan is hnoMlissng with the object of enforcing diplomatic demands. It is thought Russia Will not rotord the 'lnuKfing of troops in South Korea. JAPANESE MODILISATION. RUSSIAN CRUISERS RECALLED. LONDON, Dec. 31. The Times confirms Japan's purchase of two Japanese cruisers for a million and a-half. The contract provides that they must be ready for sea in January. The Russian Cruisers Koyan and Ekaterinoslofl have been recalled, Russia fearing the possibility of a capture. Japan'.s mobilisation is interpreted on the Continent as a prelude to the issqie of an ultmrjttum if Russia rejects her minimum denui'iiSs. JAPAN MEANS BUSINESS. ENTRAININC. TROOPS, Received 2, 0.20 a.m. TOKIO, January 1. The Kinshu railway in Jauuti hasbeen ordered to-morrow to transport S,OOO troops to Nagasaki to fcmbark for Korea. Japan is equipping three fast mercantile steamers as armed cruisers. LONDON, January 1. The Chinese Imperial Kailwav will w-Xljd\(v their lUling- stock from the north in the event of trouble, and ask Britain, to take over the line. STRAINING EVERY NERVE. ReofvoJ 2. O.flS'a'™. LONDON, Jan. 1. M. I'avloff is straining every nerve to iijciuce Corea to leave Musampho and Chin-hae as Russian naval stations. ;