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

The Latest.

DIPLOMATIC DALLIANCE. JAPANESE MINISTERS»SHOW A BOLDER FRONT. (Received Feb. & 11.42 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 8. jCount Kurino, Japanese Minister at St. Petersbjurg, informally on Thursday last, and again formally on Friday asked for his passports. Six times, since January 13, be had asked (or a prompt reply, and Cosnt Lamsdorff had invarianly replied that "it will be ready to-morrow." The last request was made on Thursday, when Count Lamsdotff was unable to say when it would be ready; as the document was before the Czar. Count Kurino's demand for passports compelled the immediate cabling of a reply to- Prince Alexieff, with a view to its presentation ; but apparently it was not presented when Baron J. Komura, Japanese Foreign Minister, an Saturday informed . Baron von Rosen, Russian Jiinister, that further negotiations were plainly futile, and that Japan was compelled to adopt an independent line of action. Baron Rosen, in a farewell interview with the Mikado on Wednesday, expressed his regret at the situation. He leaves Tokio on Thursday. Count Kurino leaves St. Petersburg for Berlin to-day. The Japanese warships Nisshin and Kasujgja, recently purchased at Genoa,, left Singapore on the Oth. It is reported that the inner harbour at PoM Arthur is blocked with ice. A RUSSIAN DISCLAIMER. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 8. The N*voe Vremja says the negotiations were a farco, as Japan jwas only waiting for her cruisers to arrive at Singapore to throw off the mask. No honourable foreigner could accuse Russia of being the agr POSSIBLE RUSSO-BRITISH COMPLICATIONS. THE THIBETAN ADVANCE. ! THE MUSCOVITE'S DARK HINTS. (Received Feb. 8, 11.55 p.m. ) LONDON, Feb. 8. A "White Book" just issuied shows that Count Lamsdorff early in 1903 asked for an explanation of the presence of the British expedition in Thibet, and implied that Russia might take measures to protect her interests. Lord Lansdowne, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, retorted that the language used was unusual, and almost minatory in tone. The complaints were a gratuitous insult, since Britain was acting l within her rights in a region close to her Indian frontier, while Thibet was a thousand miles from Russian territory. Russia then, moderated her attitude ; but brought pressure to bear on China regarding Thibet. Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, urges the necessity of securing Thibet's recognition of England's legitimate influence by allowing u permanent British representative to be stationed at Lhassa, the capital. Loid Lansdowne considers it sufficient to occupy the Ohumbi Valley and to send a mission as far as Cyangtoa to secure reparation for former outrages. General ManKkmald cabled on the 28th that he expected the mission to be attacked, and he was ready to support Colonel Younghusband with a thousand men wd three gunSj

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JAPANESE FLEET'S POSITION.

BRITISH SYMPATHY FOR " THE BROWN MAN." (Itoceivod Eel). 9, 1.8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 8. Most of the .1 apunesc fleet are near to the Shang-tung Peninsula,in close proximity to Wei-hai-wai. The British press is strongly sympathetic toward Japan, awl expresses confidence that oflicial correspondence will show that she is not responsible for the war, despite Count Lamsdorfti's disingenuous pretence. THE TIMES ON THE SITUATION.

GERMAN BLAME FOR BRITAIN. AN EXPECTED SEA BATTLE. (Received Feb. 9, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 8. Ihe Times sajs it it clear that Russia is not negotiating in an honest spirit, and that it will soon be shown that Japan's demands are so moderate as to astonish the world. She only a6ked Russia to recognise the bilaterial agreement with regard to the integrity and independence of Korea. It was untrue that Japan asked to be allowed to fortify Mahanpo, or to obtain any strategic advantages on the Korean coast. German newspapers accuse Great Britain of inciting Japan, because the opportunity was favourable to injure Russia. It is reported at Shanghai Miat a detachment of the Sherwood Foresters proceeds to Chinigi-waiig>-tno to safeguard the Tien-tsm-Niu-chwang railway. The British warships Ocean (12,950 tons, 16 gune) and Vengeance (a sister ship) provisioned at Hongkong for a month and have sailed northwaid. Mercantile navigation is suspendod between Chemulpho and Tuscan, owing to an expected battle. A telegram from Port Arthur states that the Japanese force is concentrated at Takushima, ready to be transposed to Korea. THE TERMS OF RUSSIA'S REPLY. "ALL CONCESSIONS REFUSED. A RUSSIUN GUNBOAT'S PLIGHT. {Received Feb. 9, 1.15 am) LONDON, Feb. S Japan was aware of the tenour of Russia's reply several days ago The memorial diplbih n t»,u.j states that the reply, while reoogniainei Japans privileged situation in Korea, refused to concede her light I of military occupation unless the strength of the occupying force was limited by arrangement with Russia, which also refused to allow the lortification of any of the Korean ports. Respecting Manchuria Russia recognised that Japan possessed the same rights as other Powers, without admitting that they can be subject to special agreement. The Russian gunboat Manjur is docking at Ngwsaki (in Japan), so it is unlikely she will be able t 0 leave. The volunteer fleet of transports voyaging to the Far East has been recalled.