RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIV, Issue 2838, 12 January 1904, Page 2

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

The •' Times " states that the demand of the " Novoe Vremya " for the open appropriation o! Manchuria, is vigorously combated in the provinces.

The " Novoati," of Odessa, and other leading organs, demand the retention of Manchuria, OommercUl circles support this.

Russian Government securities and industrial shares have fallen heavily on the Bourses of St Petersburg, Moscow and Odessa, Official statistics show that next year's crops over a considerable area of Russia will be deficient. The ••Times" warns Britain thab in tha event of war, apart altogether from the treaty alliance, oircumstanoes might forbid her standing idly by. The balance of power must not be materially altered to Britain's prejudice. Britain's duty to her trade, to India, and to Australasia forbids it. Russian marines have marched to Seoul. Admiral Bridge, who is at Shanghai, has postponed his intended departure for Hong Kong. The French armoured cruiser Sully has been ordered to the Far East. The winter in Korea and Japan is Bevere, Japanese naval officers have volunteered en masse for service in the torp?do flotilla, The Russian warships in the Mediterranean have been ordered to_,shadow the two Japanese cruisers recently purchased at Genoa.

Owing to Japan's resoluteness, China has declined to send a special envoy to negotiate with Admiral Alexeieff over Manchuria. The " Novy Krai," Admiral Alexoieffs organ at Port Arthur, says that Manchuria henceforth is Russia's, never to be surrendered. The "Daily Telegraph's" Washington correspondent says that advices received by the War Department declare that Japan is about to land 35,000 men in Korea. It is believed that the movement has begun, or is about to begin within twenty four hours. PcSßimiscic diplomatic views are held in P_in and Copenhagen. The "Daily Mail" states that the reply is interpreted at Yokahsma as rendering peace hopeless.

The "New York Herald's " Port Arthur correspondent states that a Russian squadron, under sealed orders, is proceeding to the Korean coast. Messages published in the •' Timss " and " Morning Post " imply that the reply has not yet been formally presented, and tint only sufficient has been allowed to leak out to test opinion. It is stated tbat when the reply tent in December reached Tokio, heralded by optimisic assurances, Count Van Roasn'e previous concessions were uuliified at the eleventh hour; It h now thought in some circles that concessions are possible on the Korean question with a view to strengthen _g Russia's hold on Manchuria. Japan denies an intention to Itnd Iroops in Southern Korea. ! Several warships have left Port Arthur to reinforce the Russian cruisers. The com* bined forces will proceed to meet four Japanese ironclads which are approaching Korea. Reuters Hong Kong agent states that 250 British regulate, with transport, are lipid in readiness to proceed to an unknown deatin* ation—supposed to be either Pekin or Seoul. Russia is trying to secure a genera! per" mit for her warships to pass the Dardan* elles. The Sultan i 3 reluctant unless he is conceded a free hand in Bulgaria.

More optimisic telegrams f-om Tokio ljavo led ihe French Government into the

.lie! that Bu?sia leoqgnisos.ihe preponder tirg itiiiuence of Japan in Korea, ond that he late Note uffords a-hope tbat a conflict i.ill be averted und erables negotiations to onviuuoi The Japanese Government organ at Tokio eiterate3 that it is not intended to take tensive faesUtires in Korea while negotiV ions are proceeding. ~ TWq Kagasayo and Mighsa have passed !_rdi_i-j two _uss.au warships following henii, , i ..••,.-■ > ... Prirffe Ching informed the Japanese Mm' »ter t_ Pekin that China will remain neu' ral ia the event of war. j A stropg t_e now prevails on the London J nd VMa Stock Exchanges owing to more avourable news. Japanese stocks in Lon* lon have risen Ito 2 per cent, and Russian ours 1| per cnb Considerable purchases lave been made on French ace vi t, m i i ■■