India Threatened

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6201, 23 February 1904, Page 2

India Threatened

Russia Repulsed on the Yalu

London, Fob. 22 Prince Kuropatkin has resigned tho office of Minister of War, and has been gazetted Commander in Ch'?** in Manchuria, Porb Arthur is accumulating provisions, and professes ability to withstand a two years' siege. A Russian battleship, several cruisers, and a dozen destroyers are still at Jibutil, in the Mediterranean. Tokio is much concerned lest they be allowed to coal. There is extraordinary activity at Cherburg arsenal. Torpedoes and submarines are daily exercisiug, and the mines at the entrance to the harbour are being over' hauled. ■ ■ * ■

Sensational rumours afloat, suggesting the embroilment of neutral Powers, com bined with a reaction from previous optimism, have caused a severe panic on the Paris bourse. Rentes fell from 93 to 56. Russiau securities fell less heavily, as tho Russian Government supported them. During a fortnight, securities on the French market depreciated to the extent of forty millions sterling. ! The Kieff military staff declare that the armies in the Caucasus and Turkestan will be immediately mobilised. This is regarded j as a veiled threat against India. Mr Bennett Burleigh, states that the Russians commandeered 1000 cart 3 at, Mukden.

The New York " Herald's " St. Petersburg correspondent says that at an outpost engagement at Yalu, the Russians were repulsed, losing 2500 men. The report is unconfirmed.