RUSSIA AND JAPAN

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 303, 21 December 1903, Page 5

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

WILL ITJJE WAR? ENGLISH NAVAL OFFICERS UNDER SECRET ORDERS. Situation More Threatening Thau Ever;. (By C'ahle.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, December 20. The "Daily Express" says the torpedo officers now undergoing instruction ou board the Vernon-at Portsmouth and the Defiance at Devonport, have received secret orders to hold themselves in readiness for mobilisation. All have been appointed to a definite ship. LONDON, December 19. Reuters Tokio correspondent cable-; that the situation is more threatening than ever. Dr. G. E. Morrison, the '"Times' " correspondent at Pekin, states that although it is known that the "Russian reply to the Japanese irreducible minimum is unfavourable, the French Minister, echoing ollieial declarations at Paris, assorts that the negoTiations promise peace. Dr. Morrison says that delay is favourable to Russian intrigues at Pekin. Tho Russians are striving hy fovery means to induce the Chinese to legalise the situation in Manchuria before the conclusion of negotiations with . Japan. The "Standard's" Tokio correspondent asserts that the Russian reply coincided with the arrival of the latest additions to the Russian licet in the Far East, and the completion of the military preparations ou land. The answer, virtually rejects the cardinal principle? of the Japanese claims. For this reason, provided Russia does not consent to reconsider her position, peace is well-nigh Impossible. JAPAN'S IRREDUCIBLE T,ii3MiMxrm. Protectorate and ILiglit o£ Influence in Korea. (Received 8.50 a.m.) BERLIN, December 20. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the "Kolnische Zeitung" says that Japan's irreducible minimum in her note to Russia was the demand for the recognition of her protectorate over Korea, and the right to exercise an in•llueuce on the policy of Korea. The Japanese would U : cn recognise the commercial treaties between Russia and Korea and Russia's concessions on the Yalu, while Russia would receive all trade rights which Japan and Korea might agree to grant to the other States. Russia, in replying to these demands (says the correspondent), was propared, despite the disapprobation of Admiral Alexiefi (Russian Viceroy in the East), to recognise the protectorate of Japan over Korea, but claimed tho right to establish fortified bases nt Mosampho and Mokpho, with unrestricted freedom of trade. The Czar is opposed to war, while Count LamsdoriT", Minister of. Foreign Affairs, is hopeful of an understanding being arrived at. General Besobrasofi", however, favours an appeal to arms. BRITISH VOIitTPTTEEKS FOR JAPAN. (Received 8.51 a.m.) LONDON, December 20. Viscount Hayashi, Japanese Minister at London, has received hundreds of offers from all parts of Britain, from retired army and navy officers and men. and surgeons. Who are volunteering to serve Japan in the event of war. irNSUCCESSFtn, LOAN NEGOTIATIONS.

INSURANCE RATES RATSED. (Received 8.51 a.m.) .NEW YORK, December 20. Japanese representatives recently conferred with New York bankers with regard to tbe issue of a loan, but without; result. The representatives did not hide the possibility of the loan being required for war purposes. Russia has also been unsuccessful In negotiations for a loan in the t.'nited States. _ American bankers consider that domestic financial needs render fresh foreign loans impracticable. Lloyds' have raised the insurance rates on cargo by Japanese vessels to 7/6 per cent. TOKIO, December 20. Owing to the illness of Baron yon Rosen, Russian Minister at Tokio, the Japanese answer to Russia's reply has been delayed. It is expected that it will be served in a day or two. THINKS WAR INEVITABLE. (Received 10.20 a.m.) BRISBANE, this day. Mr. Denbigh, a merchant from Vladivostok, who has arrived here, thinks that war between Japan and Russia is inevitable. He says that Russia has spent too much money en Manchuria to give it up and he does not think that the Japanese fleet could destroy the Russian An attache of the Japanese War Office lias also arrived here. He is on a secret mission, and will interview the Commonwealth Government.