IMPENDING WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 33, 9 February 1904, Page 3

IMPENDING WAR.

EARLY DECISIVE ACTION PROBABLE. JAPANESE EXODUS FROMVLADIVOSTOK. RUSSIA STILL OPTIMISTIC. LONDON, Feb. 7. Russian representatives abroad, were ofuciajly advised on the Oth that in consequence of tho receipt of a Japanese Note breaking off negotiations the Czar had ordered the Ambassadorial staff to leave Tokio. Japan's action, without awaiting Russia's answer, throws the responsibilities of a rupture upon Japan. The Japanese voluntary subscription war funds exceed two million yen (a little over £200,000). Russian officers report that there are two submarines at Port Arthur. Sir Holiday Macartney, English Secretary lip the Chinese Legation in London, interviewed, said he bad given up all hope of peace. Russia's policy in covering up bellicose deeds with pacific words left Japan no alternative except fighting.' The Japanese Minister at Rome is similarly 'pessimistic. He declares that the Russian reply is identical with the earlier one, Russia declining to acknowledge Japan's rigjht in Manchuria. Two thou-, sand Japanese residents left Vladivostok on Friday. Every steamer is packed with passengers. Few at Tokio and St. Petersburg sire aware of t*» rupture. The Rus-; sian press torday is optimistic u4th regard to peace. The P. and 0. steamer I'atawau has sailed for Ohfna carrying a large quantity of ammunition for the British fleet. Japan has despatched troops to Seoul. SYDNEY, Feb. 8. The Japanese Consul in Sydney received a cable from Karon Komura, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, at an early hour this morning, Announcing that the Japanese Government had decided to terminate pending negotiations and take such independent action as may be necessary to defend the menaced position und protect ' its rights and interest. The Japanese Minister at St Petersburg has been ordered to withdraw from St. Petersburg. VAMbUS "OPINIONS ON THE SITUATION. RUSSIAN POPULACE ASTONISHED. (Received Feb. 8, 10.29 p.m.) LONDON, Teb. 8. German military critics consider that Jajiao has a marked advantage at first, if she knows how to use it, although she has already allowed the most favourable moment for striking to pass. Russia would be able to face the situation confidently in three months. The Italian press blames the Powees for not making Russia respect the integrity of Chine. The Russian upper and middle classes profess to be amazed at the rupture, in view of the substantial concessions granted m Korea. They attribute Japan's exasperation to the repeated delays in replying to : her Note. , Le Temps says' that Japan's ab- 1 ruptness was unnecessary. Les De- ' bats says peace is still possible if ; Russia does not make the Japanese < occupation of Korea a casus belli. 1