THE FAR FAST.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1665, 27 January 1904, Page 62

THE FAR FAST.

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

LONDON, January 19. (Russia is placing with Germany extensive orders for wi_ .telegraph apparatus for the Far Bast. Most’ of the Powers* are increasing their Legation guards-at Seoul. Six hundred Japanese soldiers are m barracks, besides which three thousand disguised soldiers are distributed in. the villages adjacent to L’soal. Prominent Koreans are acting un-dei Japanese influence. Fifteen thousand picked troops are on board the Russian volunteer fleet transports, voyaging to the Far East.; There is ,an . impression in. military circles. that probably these fast cruisers will, in the event of hostilities, be used to destroy the Japanese seaborne trade, utilising; some Pacific island off the track of vessels as a base. i LONDON, January 20. M. Plancon, •former Russian - Charge d’Affaires at Pekin, has informed the “Daily Mail” correspondent at Port Aiv thiir that'Washington’s action in making, a treaty-with China under existing cirouinstances without Russia s knowledge or consont was, in h's opinion, unfriendly and [undiplomatic. He raided that Russia would not open Mukden or Antung, and would hot allow foieign Consuls to act - under the present regime. .-rrl.: :.. '• . _ T . Admiral. Aloxieff; the. Russian Viceroy, spoke hopefully of tho establishnieut of a modus* vivendi with Japan. Ho would then, ho said, visit St. Peteisbmrg. , ' . ’ ' The “Standard” says tho unrest m Korea accentuates tlie Japanese feeling of the -, necessity of immediately safeguarding vital interests there; -Dr Morrison, ‘‘The Times” correspondent at Pekin, states that Japan’s Note is stronger than the preceding one. Japan will not yield her moderate standpoint, and not'accept mediation. Lord Lansdowne’s sseighty advice to Prince Ching,Vwho is supporting Japan, is impressing China with the necessity of .declaring and maintaining neutrality. The advice is very opportune,and Prince Ching lias assured America and Britain of China’s strict, neutrality. LONDON, January 21. A report has been published in Berlin that Russia is appealing to the Powers to avert' wav. 'This is interpreted at Tokio to indicate Russia’s unreadiness to make' satisfactory concessions. ' "" ,

M. Mevill, a distinguished French publicist, states that the Franco-Rus-aian; agreement, following the lines of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, provides exclusively that the contracting parties shall consult for the safeguarding ol China’s integrity. Manchuria is omitted, as not forming an integral portion of China, hence France is not concerned in Manchuria or Korea. * . The Standard’s” Tokio correspondent states that the Czar’s words to Count Runno were npt so entirely pacific and satisfactory as has been represented )in Europe. The correspondent of “ The Times ” at Tokio.says the Japanese Privy Council will adopt draft urgency ordinances relating to maritime defences, railway transport of troops, organisation and field postal service. A Reuter .message states that the authorities at- Seoul, in reply to a complaint that Korean soldiers were causing trouble on the Korean border, informed M. Pavloff, the Russian Minister, that Russia was not. entitled to interfere in, Korea’s frontier .affairs. Eight thousand Russian, soldiers have left Port Arthur. It is believed they are proceeding to the Yalu river district, on the north-western border of Korea. An * influential diplomatist at St. Petersburg declares that Russia is sending fresh proposals to Japan, which will prolong negotiations for at least another week. LONDON, January *22. Advices received in ’/Loudon and Berlin from Tokio state that a. peaceful settlement of the matters in dispute between Russia and Japan in the Far. East is approaching. Japanese stocks at Tokio have improved/ Advices from a trustworthy source received in London state that Russia has practically acquiesced in Japan's views regarding Korea’s sovereignty and integrity! Japan insists oh an unequivocaf assurance on tho part of Russia that China’s sovereignty in Manchuria will be i^ecognised. It ig believed Russia, agrees to give an assurance, but Japan demands a written agreement, and possibly a reduction of the Russian fleet in .the Far East. Dr Morrison, Pekin correspondent of “The Times,” states that Russia has 3115 officers and 147,479 men, with 366 guns, eastward of Lake Baikal (Siberia). A message from Jlpgcow.to ‘The Times” says the Grand. Duke Vladimir Aiexandrovitch •. and the Grand Duke Sergius, commanders respectively of tho St. Petersburg and Moscow divisions, are strongly supporting Admiral Alcxieff, the Russian Viceroy in tho Far East,' while the Czar, though anx.ous to avoid war, is now wavering. Tho Labour representatives and sove-

ral other members of the House of Commons, Mr Frederic Harrison (the vellknown writer and president of the English Positivist Committee), Canon Scott Holland (editor of “The Commonwealth”), Mr W. T. Stead (editor of the “Review of Reviews”), Mr Hall-Came, Mr George Meredith and others have telegraphed to the Czar and the Mikado petitioning them to submit their disputes regarding Far Eastern affairs to The Hague Tribunal. ST. PETERSBURG, January 21. The newspapers of St. Petersburg are irrilatjjd at Britain’s influence with Japan. . NEW YORK, January 19. Tho “Sun,” commenting on the worthlessness of Russia’s promises in respect of the i treaty rights of other Powers in Mumohuria while they did not prejudice Russians rights, remarks: “Britain is Japan’s actual aiUy, and tho United States is a possible ally, though she will be neutral while America's rights are respected.” NEW YORK. January 20. The “New York Herald’s” St. Petersburg correspondent *&ays the Czar’s adtvisers were instructed to seek a plan of saving- the amejur propi'e of both nations, but owing to political entanglement many take the view that the game is up, although the military element is hampering diplomatists. PARIS, January 19. Mr Hanotaux, formerly French Minister for Foreign Affairs, in tan .article in the “Journal de Paris,” warn illy advocates peace. The key to Apia’s future, he says, is collaboration, not conflict. A Russo-Japanese war would only load to vain truces and interminable renewals of trouble. j f “Xioi ’temps,” commenting upon the Anglo-;Japanese relations, says although .her at’.iiance with Britain may have encouraged Japan to open rap thorny negotiations, still the alliance has enabled Britain to render lier ally the best services by counselling moderation anjd prudence. “It is worth remembering,” adds the newspaper, “that true friendship tween Powers and individuals is founded, not on assistance in every undertaking, but on the prevention of mistakes by' - partners.” I