THE WAR CLOUD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 4, 6 January 1904, Page 3

THE WAR CLOUD.

SYMPATHY WITII THE ,fc\PANESK. PROBABILITIES IN THE PACIFIC RUSSTA AND MANCHURIA. NEW YORK, Jan. 4. American newspa[>ers strong v sympathise with Japan. They declare that throughout the world Russia's proceedings have been mistrusted by officials ami peoples. The Now York Sun, in replying to Russia's iijqjuiry rogacding the United States, states Mat America will be neutral if her commerci-al privi- ; legv« in Manchuria are not! curtailed. 1 LONDON, -lan. 4. Four hundred Gankanliams who 9(Tv<»d in South' Africa hlave, vol- i unteered to assist .1 apan. The Spectator declares that if Japan is victorious she will likely desire uredoininanci? in, ami pratetbly the lii&stershrp of, the Southern Archipelago, interfering with Australia "s 'herifage rn the Pacific. The Daily Mail's Shanghai correspondent states that the Chinese Foreign Office has definite information from St. IVterMbMrg that Russia intends to retain Manchuria. Prince Ching and his Ministers, after four hours' conference. preseri—' ted a report on the situation to the Powagvr, copies of which were also sent to provincial authorities. Three Chinese cruisers at Wosung have been ondercd to coal. It is believed tlwy will join the Japanese in the event of war.

The Standard's Tientsin correspondent states that the Throne has secretly ordeivd the Chinese to assist the Jajianese in event of hostilities. It is proposed to send forty thousand PliineNe soldiers under Japansse ofticers to I.iaotujig. Tho Standard's Tokio correspondent says that Japan at the end of December warned the Powers that the continued occupation of Manchuria might compel Japan to take decisive steps. 'll.io British cruiser Siiius has been ordeiwl to L'liemuli.i'u. Mr liennett Burlaigh, the Daily Telegraph correspondent,, from Tokio on Sunday night, asserts that Ruseia has sent a non-committal reply, making for delay. Mr Burleigh implies that Japan will occupy and fortify strategic Korean positions, leaving the next move to Russia.; Meanwhile Mokpo and Mesampho will be protected against seizure. It is not expected that Russia will immediately interfere with Japan doing what she considers proper to BafcgiiaJvl her interests in Korea. BOTH SIDES OBDURATE. Received 5, 10.32"p.in. LONDON, January 5. 'Hie Standard says the feeling at Tokio is that the War party tlomiiates the Russian (lovermnent. There has been a great fall in Japumese stocks at Tokio, several brokers being ruined. The Times says the prospects of peace are not yet desperate, though there is no real sign of improvement: Admiral AlexiefP's journey to St. Petersburg has been postponad until February. There is a slight decrease in the tension of the situation. It is semi-oflicially stated at St. Petersburg that the Russian reply to Japan's Note will be neither "Yes" nor "No" ; but will contain a reasoned proposal to the Japanese to declare Russian the recently proposed neutral zone on the Korean frontier, as far as Gensan and Pyongyang. Uris is wholly unacceptable to Japan. Mr Balfour has conferred with Loi'ds Lansdowne atud Selborne, and others of the Defence Committee. The Lata«t< MORE OPTIMISTIC XIEW3, Received 6, 1 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 5. The Czar is stated to be conferring with Count Muravieff, which is interpreted in Vienna as a pacific sign. M. Delcasse, French Foreign Min. istwr, who is at present in the Riviera, is optimistic regarding the aitusrtifc>* in the Bast. Kus'iian cruisers at Vladivostock are proceeding to Port Arthur. Hon. \V. H. Taft, Ameiican Governor of t!u* Philippines, has been welcomed and entartained at Tokio. Cossacks art occupying Hsimintun and the railway on the Newchwang line. Received 0, 1.20 a.m. ROME. January 5. Three Italian cruisers have been ordered to the Far East.