THE FAR EAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12468, 12 January 1904, Page 5

THE FAR EAST.

RUSSIA'S DUPLICITY. NO ALTERNATIVE BUT WAR. ALEXEIEFF EMPOWERED TO TAKE ACTION. JAPANS GRATITUDE TO ENGLAND, AUSTRALIAN OFFERS APPRECIATED. ATTITUDE OF THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. WILL REMAIN NEUTRAL. BRITAIN AND FRANCE ENDEAVOUR TO SECURE PEACE. Br Telegraph.—Press Association.— (Received Jamtarj 11, 11.IS p.m.) London, January 11. The Tokio newspaper Jiji Shimpo, states that Baron Ochida Yosuya, the Japanese Minister at Pekin, told Prince Chins? that Russia's reply was unsatisfactory and indefinite. In view of Russia's duplicity, he said, Japan had no alternative but war. On the Japanese cruiser, which recently left Genoa, renamed the Nasshin, an attempt was made to explode the magazine by tampering with the electric apparatus. The attempt failed. (lioreived January 11, 10.15 p.m.) London", January 11. The Emperor of China has ratified the treaties with the United States and Japan, opening Mukden, Antung, and Aitungkou to foreign trade. Two thousand Imperial guards at Seoul have deserted. Many of the Corean nobility have fled. Japan recently purchased two thousand Whitehead torpedoes. The Times' Tokio correspondent, in a message on Sunday evening, \ says that the situation is slightly improved, though the indications are not conclusive. The Japanese press admits that Japan owes England profound gratitude for many evidences of sym- i pathy. . Mr. Bennct Burleigh reports from Tokio late on Sunday evening:—! " Everything points to war, though hostilities are possibly delayed for a week." (-Received January 11, 11.31 p.m.) London, January 11.Japan highly appreciates Australia's recent offers of volunteers and nurses, though the military regit" tions preclude their acceptance. . 0 '• A Grand Duke informed the Nt. York Herald's St. Petersburg correspondent that the Tsar, after much hesitation, had decided to leave the issue to Admiral Alexeicff, who is empowered to take hostile action when he sees fit. The Tenth Army Corps, stationed at Kharkoff, has been ordered to the Far East. Two Russian battleships and seven torpedo-destroyers are weatherbound in Suda Bay. The Times says Russia seeks to exclude Japan from any voice in Manchurh. i affairs, and adds that the Corean question was never a source of serious difficulty. The New York correspondent of the Times says Americans are delighted that the Emperor of China has ratified the United States and Japanese treaties, despite Russia's strongest efforts to prevent it. London, January 11.. A telegram from Tokio states that the Russian cruisers which recently left have returned to Vladivostok. The Russian declare that the Gromoboi alone put to sea for practice, and that the rest remained at anchor. Military posts exist every five versts along the Siberian railway. Women and children are preparing to leave Port Arthur and Niuchwang. Japanese reservists in North China are hurrying to Japan. The Chinese railway officials between Niuchwang and Shanhaikwan have deserted their posts, fearing that their districts would be the scene of fighting. Reuter's Agency announces that it has received a trustworthy assurance that the members of the Triple Alliance will remain neutral in the event of war. London, January 10. The foreign consuls in Manchuria have protested against the Russian Administrator renaming the streets in Russian. Japan has invited in Manila tenders for enormous quantities of. food. At King Edward's instance Britain and France are doing their utmost to secure peace. Both Governments are in perfect accord. Cardiff, in a week, .shipped 46,000 tons of coal for Japan, 30,000 tons for Hongkong, and 40,000 tons for Port Arthur. Renter's Agency reports that diplomatic information at" Pekin points to tho fact that the Russian reply adopts a conciliatory tone, but is unsatisfactory in substance. Japan, desiring delay to complete, her preparations, will continue the negotiations. The message adds that the prospects of war before spring are very strong. Mr. Bennet Burleigh, the Daily Telegraph's correspondent, states that there are a hundred thousand Russians in Manchuria. Paris, January 10. The newspaper La Patric announces that Japan has purchased from the Argentine the armoured cruisers Garibaldi, Pueyrrdom, San Matin, and General Belgrano, being of a, similar type to those previously purchased.