A NEW ZEALANDER INTERVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 244, 13 October 1903, Page 5

A NEW ZEALANDER INTERVIEWED.

BRISBANE, October 12

Mr. Downie Stewart, a New Zealand barrister, arrived by the steamer Eastern. He travelled from Moscow to Vladivostok, by the Trans-Siberian railway. On being interviewed he stated that every station and bridge is guarded by Russian soldiers, and at intervals all along the line there are Russian camps. It had been proposed that they should dear out and allow the Chinese to protect their railways, but Russia did not intend to clear out. He thought there was very little likelihood of war with Japan. If it did come to lighting the Japs would be swept out of the country. He noticed at various stations many transport waggons in -which the Russians could transport an enormous army. Speaking of the Siberian railway, he said it was very lightly and badly constructed. So far as Mr. Stewart could make out the Chinese were very pleased Iv'tli the Russian occupation because t% found the Russians kept good order. He believed Vladivostok was practically Impregnable. The Russians were continually building substantial fortifications and business jplacess. Taking the indications all round he believed there Would be no war, but if there was war "le Japanese would be beaten. Russia Would never leave Manchuria.