WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 34, 10 February 1904, Page 3

WAR IN THE FAR EAST.

RUSSO-JAPANESE RUPTURE. ACTIVE HOSTILITIES REPORTED TO HAVE COMMENCED. United Tress Association— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

NEW AMBASSADORIAL ARRANGEMENTS. BRITISH NAVAL ACTIVITY. I JAPANESE OFFICERS IN CHINESE ARMY. LONDON, Feb. 8. Baron von Rosen leaves Yokohama on Friday next. Russian interests at Tolcio will be watched by Austria, while Britain will act for Japan at St. Petersburg. In response to inquiries by the Admiralty it was to-day stated that the lueiufbers of the London Metropolitan Fire Brigade belong to the Fleet Reserve. Officers of the retired and reserve lists attached to the Plymouth division are being held in rea'ciiness to join ships for home service. In the event of mobilisation of the fleets on. a war footing these reserve officers wi.l replace officers drafted into sea-going snips. The western division of the Channel fleet awaits Admiralty orders . at Portland.

Koiea, including the concession to Russia on the Yulu River, und would grant- to Russia in the future all trat.k' rights with Japan, or the Korean (!o,veinment in agreement with the Jaisuniese Government, would grant to other foreign States. Japan thus demanded for hursolf full political and conmiereial freedom in Korea, wihile Russia was to be treated u« a foreign country.

Russia, it) said to have claimed' for herself the establishment of fortified military bases at Masampho and Jlokpo, as well us unrestricted, freedom of trade in Korea. Russia was prepared to recognise the Japanese prolectorale over Korea, and also to caivcMle to Jiapan a picdomiiratiug inflwncu over Korean iJolitics, but .Juiian positively refused to agree lo tiw ostuibliahmenl of one 01 several fortilied military bases, and iniado utuvccejitable countcr-pro-jvosals to the Russian demand for unrestricted freedom of trade. In her reply to the Japanese proposals, however, Russia in.;istoJ on full and unrestricted freedom for trade in Kolea, ami at least on the granting of Stasumpho for the cs-taiblisiviment of a military base, as a necessary protection oi the line of communication iKtween Vlajdivostock and Tort Arthur. In the meantime, Admiral Alexielt is said to have expressed himself strongly against the recog- ! bi'tion of a Japanese protectorate over Koit-a, On the other hand, it is reported that the Grand Duk« Alexander Mi--chackjviteh is emphatically opposed to war in view of the unpreparodness of the Russian Navy. The Czar is also opposed to war, provided the matter can be/settled with honour, and in a maininer compatible with Russia's prestige, Count Lainsdorft' also hopes for an understanding, while 41. Bezabroteoff, Secretary of State, is for an appeal to arms. FORCES OF JAPAN AND .RUSSIA.

China has 130,000 troops, with modern arms and munitions, in Chili. These include 30,000 under General Ma, The whole force includes 130 Jaj.taneoe oflicerp.

Imperial consols have experienced a faN oi J per cent., Japanese stocks 4i per cent., and Russian 2 per cent. LAST HOURS OF PEACE. RUSSIA BLAMED FOR THE CRISIS. JAPANESE SEIZURES OF RUSSIAN SHIPS. (Received Feb. 9, 10.32 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 9. Viscount Hnyashi (Japanese Minister in London, states that Russia's reply was never delivered. The Austrian Legation at I'ekin reports that the Japanese GuaiUs regiments and two army divisions embarked on the 7th v uboaird forty, steamers ia,t Moji, near Shinvonoseki, a Japanese seaport. A Russian lvus lc ' i ' t Po'"t Arthur. Mr . Bennett Burleigh, Daily Telegraph correspondent, accuses Rus. siu of deliberately pivcipitnti'ng a crisis by., sanding! transports/; escorted by a full fleet of warships, to land a full division of troops at the Yalu. Japan thereupon seized several merchant steamers, proltyajuly at Musampho, though the name of the place is censored. Japan also seized a ship chartered by the Russian Government to convey coal > j and stores to Port Arthur. Two | | other vessels captured outside wore j taken to Susebo. The Japanese are .displaying great activity. CLOSING DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES. JAPAN RELINQUISHES FUTILE NEGOTIATIONS. (Received Feb. 10, 0.47 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 9. Count Kurino, Japanese Foreign Minister, on the sth, notified! Count Lamsdorff that Japan regarded the independence and territorial integrity of Korea as absolutely essential to Japanese security and the adequate safeguarding of her prepomfcration of interests in Korea. Russia's 'inadinissable amendments amounted to a rejection of the Japanese demands, which were moderate and unselfish. That, coupkd with Russia's refusal to enter imo aln engagement with respect to China's territorial integrity in Manchuria, rendered it necessary for Japan to consider measures of defence. In view~ of the unexpected delay in replying >and Russian naval and military activity.—which it was dillicult to reconcile with pacific uihis, since Japan's moderation and forbearance had not been accorded due consideration—the Mikado's Ministry had no alternative but to terminate futile negotiations and relations which had ceased to be of value. Japan reserved the right to take independent action to consolidate and defend menaced positions and protect her established rights and legitimate ftiteiests. The Latest. FIGHTING REPORTED TO HAVE COMMENCED. THE ADVANCE ON POUT ARTHUR. (Received Feb. 10, 0.47 a.m.) LONDON, Fefo. 9. The Daily Mail's Chefoo correspondent states that the mobilisation of the Japanese army and navy is now completes. Sixty transports have sailed to land troops at southern and westem Korean, ports, and as far north us Chemulpo, with a view to the occupation of Seoul. The main body of the fleet has sailed in the direction of Port Arthur. Firing was heard off Koje Island, near Musampjiio, on Saturday. JAPANESE TORPEDO BOATS AT WORK. (Received Feb. 10, 1.8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 9. Reuter announces that Japanese torpedo Ixnits »ro attacking the i Russian fleet of warships at Port Arthur. What Japan Wants. HISTORY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. COLOGNE, Dec. 19. The Kolnische '/.eitimg publishes the following telegram from St. Petersburg of to-day's date : I With regard to the recent negotiations between Russia and Japan it is reported in usually well-informed : Russian circles that Japan demanded the recognition by Russia of a ■ Japanese protectorate over Korea, in such a way that Russia should unreservedly regard Korea as belonging solely to the Japanese sphere of influence, and should concede to Japan the exercise of a decisive influence o'ver the policy of , Korea. Against this Japan Mould ■ recognise treaties of commerce at present existing between Russia, and

The relative position ol Russia anil .Japan has changed considerably since war Aral appeared possible, as two powerful anil modern Russian ships, the Czarevitch and Bayan, liave reached the Far East in the past fortnight. The forces of the two Powers are to-iday, giving enly die important shijis :~ Russia (AUmiral Starck) : 7 Modem battleships 2 Modern armoured cruiserß 9 Protected cruisers 85 Torpedo craft Japan (Aid'miral Togo) : 0 Battleships, not so modern as the Russian 6 Modern armoured cruisers 1(> Protected cruisers 7-0 Torpedo craft The Jup'ajiese fleet will receive no reiM'oi'oMiients in the immediate future, wtavas recent telegrams anmnmcoJ that one battleship, two cruisers, unci six torpedo vessels were oil their way to join the Russian forces. Moreover, one additional Russian battleship and one cruiser with six more torpedo 'boats sailed from the Baltic recently. I The jitu-al force of the two sides t will be tilie determining factor in any > conflict, and it is superfluous to disjcuss the military strength till a naval battle has been fought. Japan has the advantage of numerous dockyaitis, which never freeze, with an ample nu'inber of docks, and every facility for executing repairs Russia is as yet badly oil in this direction ; she has insuillcient dock accommodation at Port Arthur and Vladivostok, and both these harbours freeze in a severe winter.

On tlit; whole, Japan is slightly superior in naval force, but nor preponderance is now small, ami it will cert unly be lost very soon, as further Russian reinforcements will «r----ri\e.

TRANSPORT RUMOURS DENIED. The Japanese legation in London is still without news from Tokio said the Daily Chronicle recently' Kussia's reply, it is understood, has not not been received .|,y Japan. When tins (toes arrive, should it not prove satisfiaulory, war is look.*l upon as inevitable. It is understood that niv time limit has been nxed for the receipt of the Russian communication, but should Japan consider that it is being unduly delayed, it is her intention! to press for a«i immediate answer. What Japan fears is not that the Russian, reply will ice belated, but that, in accordance with true Muscovite (diplomacy, it wiii ibe evasive, and theiefore of an unsatisfactory nature. In the evont of such a contingency, it is regarded as practically certain that Japan will, without further hesitation, cast the methods of 'diplomacy lo the winds, and Wave recourse to the arbitrament of the sword. The report emanating from the r'ur Kuri, that Japan had chartered a numiber of British u r.d other vessels as transports is unfounded. The manager of Messrs Butlerlield ar.d Swire, the Ih'ni mentionoi in connection with the transaction, j,old a Daily Chronicle representative that the statement was a fabrication. In the steamers of the Nippon Yusen Iviwsjua tire .Jiaputose Government has n.vaili.U:e a,l| Wie transport it is likely to need in ti'.ve event of war. The vessels of flio company now ply to Australia, America andEngdand. lino fleet consists of eighty vessels. Of these fully one fourth (ire of 0500 tons. As a representative of the company pointed, out, Japan has first call upon this line fleet. " But in. olio ievent of a sudden emergency would you be able speedily to concentrate a sufficient number of vessels, at a given Japaneso port ?" was asked.

" Yes, I tin quite certain we could. Japan will not need to look elsewhere for transports while our ' resources are unexhausted. HOW RUSSIA SHOULD DEAL WITH CHINESE. Commenting on the situation in the Fur East the Novoo Yremya says that China, in spile of the iinpoveitished- static of her finances and her- inadequate military system, mi'wht I>e a source of great embarrassment to Russia by adopting! a hostile attitude towurds the latter ii» Manchuria m the event of war breaking out between Japan and Russia. Therefore, the journal a..-ls. if the. Chinese troops endeavoured to take the offensive, in the territories of the Cclosti.nl Empire, at present occupied by t,t' Russian troops, the latter would immediately have to strike a decisive Hlow against them. This, the journal says, would be tl/e best argument to be employed when dealing with the numerous undisciplined bands which, under the imposing, name of Ueneral Ma's division, are engaged in robbing their fellowcountrymen in the province of I'cchili, and arc gradually advancing to the borders of Manchuria.

RUSSIAN CIRCUMSI'ECT.N'ESS. The last two Volunteer l-'Ltt cruisers which left Odessa for the Far Last carried between them fifty-two naval guns of vni'ious calibres and eighteen !|iiick-firing ordnance for the Russian l'acilic Si|iuadron. Although such warlike consignments are entered on the ships' manifests as d-lffeivnl kinds of general cargo, tile Turkish authorities are perfectly well aware of the nature of the innUMiiiil ptissing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, but they have now, by the force of hahit, come .to wink complacently at such breaches of the 'treaty obligations imposed upon them. When specially picked troops are omtaarked from the: Black Sea for the Far East, they are invariably described on the ship's papers; and Mil of health as "yoim'S rewuitjj.'i