THE TROUBLED EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 26, 1 February 1904, Page 3

THE TROUBLED EAST.

THE OUTLOOK BECOMING lIXSETTLEU. LONDON, Jan. 29. Japanese merchant houses have been instructed not to negotiate commercial bills at present. A "ussian military party has crossed the. Russian frontier near Valu. The Russians are extending the telegraph lines from the mouth of the Valu River to Port Arthur. The concentration of Cossacks on the Korean frontiers continues. Keports from two sources allege that Russia has refused to guarantee China's sovereignty. Russian and Japanese stocks have fallen in London. > THE SHADOW LOOMING LARGER. EFFECTS ON STOCK MARKETS. ACTIVITY IN BRITISH DOCKYARDS. Received 31, 9.58 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 30. French Rentes have declined materially in Paris, and Russian stocks have suffeixxi heavy low), while others are effected. A rumour has been circulated that Russia prohibits tile export of cereals. TiH decline in Russian stocks in St. Petersburg has reacted on Berlin. A Renter despatch says that unusual activity to being displayed at Simon's Town, where warships are taking in large supplies of coal and ammunition. (Simon's Town, on Simon's Bay, west side of Cape of Good Hope, has Government dockyards ami arsenals.) RUSSIA'S REPLY TO BE SENT "NEXT WEEK.'' A DIFFICULT DRAFT. JAPANESE WARSHIP STOPS A RUSSIAN MERCHANTMAN. LONDON. Jan. 30. Count Lamsdorff has intimated that a reply will be transmitted to Japan next week. Great care is l>eintg bestowed in drafting the reply, and Prince Alejciefl's views are also awaited before the drafts are finally submitted to the Czar. The Times' Paris correspondent says that an interview with prominent Russians-, published in Paris, and utterances in other directions show that Japan's decisive attitude renders it extremely difficult to frame a reply which shall be neither provoca*i\ie of war nor involve a complete surrender. The Daily Mail's C-hefoo correspondent states that a Japanese warship in the vicinity of Chemulpho fired three times across the bows of the Russian steamer Argun, bound from Nagasaki to Dalny. In response to the frantic appeals of his passengers the captain of the Argun decided to stop, but no further challenge was made. LAND COMMAND. Received 1, 0.34 a.m. LONDON, Jan-. 31. In the event of war General Kuropatkin commands the Russian land force 3.