RUSSIA AMD JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 74, 31 March 1904, Page 2

RUSSIA AMD JAPAN.

KollElUN STATUS AT NIUCUUANU. LONMJii, March Vi. The Dail,\. Telegraph, commenting on u statement iluit Kussiun soldiers ut Niu-chwang Imuled tWe British uiul American flags from pritule buildings, says that Klricily speaking, under international luw, redress should be sought through China ; but the Marquess of Laniidowne (lirili.sh Secretary ol Stale for l''oreign Affairs) und Colonel liny (United Spates Secrelury of Slute), are unlikely to do 80, A HUKtfQ-Cm.VIiSE CHISIS, LONDON, March 29, The Moscow correspondent of the Telegraph, apropos another subject, says the Russians take it for granted that 11. de Lessar (Hussian Minister to China) will coinpul Chill* to show her hand and that war between China und Kussla will guoa be inevitable. OPPOSITE STATEJIENTS, A NOVEL PKOPOSAL KOH ALLIANCE. LONDON, March 29. Audits ol' British and American linns ill St. I'elersburg report that many threats huvc been made that unless the hostile tone In the British and American press is modilied, commercial orders for wool, cotton and metal goods will be diverted to Persia und (jcrmany, The St. Petersburg newspaper Novosli, acknowledging that the iJrilish is absolutely the correct uttlUKlo over the war advocates an Anglo-l''runco-Hussiau alliance, ensuring universal peace, It eongldvra outstanding difficulties could b» easily arranged,

THE FIGHT AT CHONB-JU,

A RUSSIAN account. (ltecelved MarUh 3Q, 11.47 CA) LONDON, Marfh 80, General Kuropaibln's inesiag« »■ garding tho Chong-Ju light state* that six companies o! Russians war# approaching Chang-ju when the Japanese, from behind the walls, opened lire upon tho scouts, whereupon two Russian squadrons, dismounting, occupied heights at a distanco of 600 yards. A company ol Japanese Infantry and a squadron of cavalry lay, in ambush in (3hong-ju. Three companies reinforced the Hussions, but notwithstanding a crossfire ami the Russians'. commanding position.the Japanese gallantly held on, and only rfter a fierce half hour's lighting took refuge In tha houses. They hoisted tlie lied Cross flags ut two points. Two squadrons ol Japanese eutered the at lull gallop along tho Jvivsan Koud, but a third retired In the face of repeated volleys. The reinforcements saved those in Chongju from being crushed. The Japanese losses were 'houvy. The Cossacks continued their lire tor an hour, an* then withdrew in perfect order.

Three ltuHsiun officers were severely wounded and throe men killed and twelve wounded.

SUPPLIES AT I'OIJT ARTHUR. LONDON, March 30, Tho Times Wei-hai-wei correspondent reports that it is estimated there is food in l'ort Arthur to sulllcc for months. Tho garrison does not oxceed ten thousand, exclusive of the navy, VAIUOUS ITEMS, LONDON, March 29. Three British battleships and six cruisers have sailed from Hon*, kong northwards. The Times' Tokio correspondent reports that Japan has made preparations for a two years' struggle. A Japanese a< tempt to float high explosives into l'ort Arthur upon innocent looking bits of wreckage were frustrated. The Stnndurd states that at Genmil Kuropatkin's request fou* more army corps from Warsaw, Ailna and Kieflf, are going to the front, A Tokio correspondent states that two hundred transports are .'onveying coal and troops to a sc*:ret base 120 miles from Port Arthur, A junk which arrived at Wat-imi-wei states that J1 llusslan seaworthy ships were manoeuvring y«»» terduy In the vicinity of the .uicsu fleet. The Daily Mall states that tbfc ■Japanese arc taking sounding# loi Ching-wung-too harbour, and t&»1L Chinese officials have been ofdur* ;d to place the Shan-hal-kvra* taU» way at Jajtan's disposal.

THE EMPEHOH OF KOHEA*. The Emperor of Korea, whoai- 1114; 'ins been attempted, as recently reported in our cable inessagoa, Is '• ] years old, and was culled to tho throne at the age of l.'i. Two years later ho wus muiried to tlie Princess Uin, a lady of birth, of the same ige as her husband. The son of this Jiuon is tho Crown Prince. His Macsty is somewhat short of stature, is compared with the average height if tlie Korean. He is only sft 4in. His face is pleasunt; impussivo in repose, brightening with an engttg■ng smile when ill conversation, ilis voice is soil ami pleasing to the *ar ; lie talks widh easy assurance,, .-;ome vivacity and nervous energy.. The Emperor is ignorant of Western* languages, but he is an earnest, student of those educational worker '.vhieh have been translated for thoiiirposes of the schools ho has established in his capital. In this way lie has become singularly well informed upon many subjects. 110 .speaks and writes Chinese with flu.•ncy, and he is a most profound stulent of the history of his own people. Tho method awl system of his rule is based on the thesis of his own personal supervision of all public business. If there be some little JilTerence between the I'lopiu of his intentions awl tlie actual achievenent of iris goeernmenl. it is impossible to deny his assiduity and perseverance. lie is u kind, amiable sad merciful potentate, desirous of lie advancement of his country. Ha works ut night, continuing the sessions ami conferences with his Ministers until after dawn. Nominally, live Emperor of Korea enjoys the nrerogntive and independence ol an autocrat; in reality, lie is in the humls of that party whoso intrigues for (lie time being may hava ,'iven I hem the upper hand. ' He is ihe slave of Iris women. When he 'ireaks away from their gentle thrulin the endeavour to free himself iroin their political associations, i liis exceedingly able and unscrupulous Minister, Yi Yong-ik, the chief •if the Household liuivuu, rules him with a rod of iron. It matters not in what direction the will of His Majesty should lie, it is certain to be thwarted with the connivance of palace concubines, or by the direct \ bribery of Ministers. If the kin K -V dare.i. Yi Yong-ilc would he degraded at once. No previous Minister* lias pro mi 'himself so successful however, in supplying the Court •■villi money; und, us the Emperor dreads ; an empty treasury, he maintains him m his confidence. He haft made his own position from very insignificant beginnings, and In juslice to him, it may b e said that he serves the interests of His MftJestjr o the best Of his ability. Nevertheless, he is in turn feared and detested. Alternately upon tho crtiet of tho wave or in the backwash at tho tide, Yi Ybng-lk romaJna Hi* most, enduring personality In tfe* Court,