RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

Evening Star, Issue 12094, 15 January 1904, Page 6

RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

Press AtMo-aatioxt- By Telegraph—Copyright

JAPAN'S REPLY.

POLTIE, BUT FTRM. ITOBTHER inSGOTIAMONS.

LONDON, January 14. The Russian Minister at Tokio has i*cerved Japan's reply to the Russian Note. It is expected to lead to further negotiationa

The ' Daily,MaflV Tokio conespoadeat states that Japan has courteously replied to the Russian Note. She adheres to her Corean and Manchurian proposals. The Note has fixed no time of limit for a reply. AN EMPEROR'S ADVICE. DO WHAT YOU LIKE. PROVIDING FOR A' RAINY DAT. LONDON, January 14. The Emperor of Coxea wfll open Wiju to foreign trade if China acquiesces. The Emperor has published an edict blaming the sloth and vacillation of the people for the approaching loss of their country. He advises them to act as they think best, but not to join in any collision between foreign troops. M. Pavloff, the Russian Minister at Seoul, offers the Emperor an asylum, in the Legation.

The Emperor has deposited 3,000,000 yen (about £300,000) in a Shanghai bank, and more elsewhere. NO MONET FOR WAR. LONDON, January 14. Russia's attempt to raise a war loan in Paris failed, owing to a strong feeling on the part, of investors that too/ranch French capital was already invested in Russia. SHADOWING THE-JAPS. LONDON, January 14. The new Japanese cruiser Kasuga has reached Port Said. The Russian cruiser Dimitri Donakoi is passing through the Canal The Russian Aurora, with seven destroyers, is awaiting the arrival of the other Japanese purchase, the Nisshin, at Port Said. It is apparently intended to keep the Japanese cruisers between the two Russian squadrons. PREPARING FOR POSSIBILmES. THE CABLE SERVICE. BRISBANE, January 14. In view of the possibility of war in the Far East, and consequent on a large increase of telegraphic work, the Tones Strait cable (between Thursday Island and the mainland) will be thoroughly overhauled. It is also proposed to establish a Marconi station for signalling. A SIGNIFICANT OPINION. RUSSIA EST MANCHURIA. CHINA AND THE OPEN DOOR MUST STAND. WASHINGTON, January M. (Received January 15; at 8.55 a.m.) Mr John Hay, Chief Secretary of State, in announcing the election and appointment of Consuls by America at Mukden and Antung, declared that the presence of foreign Consuls would greatly tend to the establishment of order in that much-dis-turbed borderland, and would powerfully contribute to ensuring the principles of the "open door" whereto America was' irrevocably committed. It would also aid towards ensuring China's integrity, and the administration and control of her Manchuria province. JAPAN IMPRESSES MERCANTILE LINERS. THE MANCHURIA "GRAB" DESTROYED.

LONDON, January 14. (Received January 15, at 8.56 tuo.)

Japan has impressed the steamers of the Nippon Maru, Hongkong Mam, and American Mara in readiness for war service.

[From the above it would appear that lie Japanese Admiralty has commandeered the steamers of the Australian-Japanese, Hongkong-Japanese, and San FranciscoJapanese fleets, and color is lent to this view by the announcement that the sailing of the latest addition to the Australian Nippon fleet, which was time-tabled to leave Nagasaki in March, has been cancelled by cable this week.] The Nisshin has arrived at Port Said, and the Kasuga is in the Suez CanaL

The China-Japanese commercial treaty has been ratified. The text destroys Russia's scheme for the commercial monopoly of Manchuria. ,

The Governor of the Hunan provinces is raising 20,000 new troops, and the forts along the Yangtse-kiang are to be strengtltened by extra guns ol large calibre.