THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12860, 8 May 1905, Page 5

THE WAR.

THE NAVAL OPERATIONS. RAID FROM VLADIVOSTOK. TORPEDO-BOATS ON JAPANS COAST. VESSEL SEIZED AND BURNED. By Telegraph.—Press Association Copyright. (Deceived Mny 8, 12.60 a.m.) London, May 7. Four Russian torpedo-boats from Vladivostok visited the coast of the Japanese island of Hokkaido on Friday. They seized a small Japanese vessel and burned it, and then returned to port. FRANCE'S NEUTRALITY. NAVAL ACTION TAKEN. London, May 5. It. is stated in Paris that before the latest protest from Japan against the use of the territorial waters of Indo-Chimt. by the Baltic fleet was received a naval division had been sent from Saigon to Kanh-hoa Bay (otherwise Nha-frang), with instructions to enforce France's neutrality rigorously. JAPANS RESENTMENT. (Received May 7, 4.01 p.m.) London, May 6. The feeling iTfl v Japan regarding the Bailie fleet's continued presence in French territorial waters is rapidly deepening into resentment towards France.

The Japanese newspapers are urging the taking oi immediate action in the matter, and one of them suggests the placing of an embargo upon French merchant vessels until the Baltic fleet has been finally expelled from Indo-China. A ROSHDESTVENSKI REPORT. (Received May 7, -101 p.m.) London. May 6. A telegram from St. Petersburg announced that Admiral Roshdestvenski had informed the Russian Admiralty of the presence of Japanese warships within the territorial waters of Dutch Borneo. The telegram added that if the report were verified Russia would send a protest to the Government of the Netherlands. This telegram was treated with ridicule by the press of Europe, and later a further telegram from St. Petersburg stated that the Russian Admiralty denied having received such information from Admiral Roshdestvenski. THE THIRD SQUADRON: PASSES SINGAPORE. London, May 5. The Third Squadron of the Baltic fleet, under Rear-Admiral Xiebogatoff. passed Singapore at dawn yesterday. JAPAN'S Y.M.C.A, GIFT FROM THE MIKADO. (Received May 7, -1.51 p. m.) London, May (>. The Japanese army's branch of the Young Men's Christian Association lias received a gift of £1000 from the Mikado in recognition of its having opened reading and recreation rooms at all the principal bases of the army in Manchuria. NOTES ON THE WAR.

There is again no news from Manchuria. Admiral Roshdestvenski is -till lying off Nhatrang. to the north of Kamranh Bay. lie is no doubt awaiting the arrival of Rear-Admi-ral Nicbogaloff, who passed Singapore on Friday. When the French squadron sent to Nha-trang gets there. Admiral Roshdestvenski may be willing to leave, for In- can readily form a junction with his third squadron. Japan's anxiety to get the Russians from French waters arises partly, no doubt, from a desire not to involve her ally, Britain, in the war. The latest move of the Russians is to begin raiding the roast of Japan from Vladivostok. Their hone is that they may divert some of the Japanese warships to that quarter. The Japanese, however, are patient in their strategy, and would not be drawn off their main object by a. temporary inconvenience. During the present week some idea of Admiral Roshdestvenski's intentions should bo obtained, if the French can drive him off their coasts.

The British naval manoeuvres have been suddenly postponed. Last week it was stated that the manoeuvres of the Australasian squadron in the China Seas had been, abandoned. The reason for that was obvious. It is not bo easy to find a solution of tho postponing of the manoeuvres in Home waters. It may be. connected with the war and it may have something to do with the Moroccan crisis. Possibly it is the latter. The Kaiser's mailed fist is being shaken at France, and in regard to Morocco Britain is the hitter's ally. The war cloud may burst, over Europe as if, lias burst over Asia, and the British fleets, instead of playing at war, are to he held in readiness for rents.