The Daily News. MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1904. THE EASTERN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 8, 11 January 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1904. THE EASTERN CRISIS.

For days past it has seemed almost impossible that the tension la. t ween. Russia and Japan could stand the strain and the public inquiry 'has become not "will theio be war ?" but " has w-ar commenced V" Tho cable news to lmnd this morning indicates l-hat Hie crisis which has beenj growing in acuteness has now almost loached a climax ; and that climax no ono will l'or a moment dou*bt means war. Tho Ministers at St. havo havo displuyed an aggravating procrastination in replying to the Note sent by Japan, making certain demands regarding l Korea and Manchuria ; while the Mikado's advisers aro certainly to -be commended for the patience they have shown in a trying situation. It is nve days since the Hussion reply was supposed to- Irave #)mi remved in Japan, linally dealing with ihe matters in dispute, and still we have no 'definite news regarding it. There aie hints tovclay the reply d(K|i not accord with Japan's views, and one correspondent, referring to the delay in the negotiations, deprecates any reliance upou this as an augury that peace may yet be assured. The uneasiness of the populace in 1 Tokio is increasing, which allows that there must 'be grave rumours current a« to the critical nature of the situation. Even the stolid London Times 0-dmits tho slendernoss of the peace prospects. r li.ve news from Kietl, that Uiwrty iniantry battalions aro to be ready for transport to the ►i'jast at a moment's notice, is ominous, and accords with thw view that llussia, while unwilling to striko the first blow in a conflict, will not her hold on unhappy Manchuria, Bussiti, it is reported, is willing to agree to restore the former concession made by tho Russian Envoy in Japan by recognising Japan as the dominating pow«r iu Korea. She refuses, however, any concessions in Manchuria, and it is not to be expected that the Japanese Government will consent to bo calmly placed aside in this manner. The Kussian foreign policy shows an insatiable groed of territory, and she is not ««tkslied, ap-, parently, with the occupation and ultimate possession of Manchuria ; fjjut would eventually over run Korea as woll. For wo read that whilo agreeing to certain "concessions" as to influence in 'the Korean Empire, it is proposed that the coasts should bo proclaimed neutral territory. All the while that llussia is diplomatically dallying with the <|ue.stioji feverish eneityy ■ is he-iy shown in getting lighting forces m order on laml and sea, s-o that the pretensions to a desiro for peace are but poorly supported—except it ho a "peaco at any price" on the part of Japan. This, it will reatdi'ly be agree*.!, ;is scarcely probable.

ON THE FOURTH PAGE. Tho Far East. Methodist Church. Booni'iiig Canada. Wasted Energy. Cricket.