THE FAR EAST.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10915, 5 January 1904, Page 3

THE FAR EAST.

London, January 3. Twelve highly - paid Glasgow marine engineers are starting on Tuesday for Yokohama to strengthen the Japanese navy. The Admiralty denies the intention to send the warhips Formidable, Vindictive, and Irresistible and a cruiser from the Mediterranean to China, but Portsmouth has prepared vessels to replace any ships hurriedly despatched from the Mediterranean to the Far East. Russia has requisitioned the railway companies trucks and locomotives to convey heavy reinforcements to Manchuria. Italy is anxious for the early removal of the new Japanese cruisers in order to avoid complications with Russia. The cruisers have been renamed the Moronae and the Rivadavia. The Czar has granted Prince Uexieff a special flag, and also a salute of twelve guns. The Japanese Legation say Japan is able to land an army corpa at Fusan in 48 hours. Received Jan. 4, 10.25 p.m. Berlin, January 4. The " Lokalanzeiger's" St. Petersburg correspondent asserts that nearly the whole of the fifth and tenth army corps have been gradually sent during the past month to the Far East in small detpchments. London, January 4, The Chinese cruisers at Shanghai are preparing for active service and shipping ammunition and stores. AdvieeJl from Tokio states that the newspapers urge immediate declaration of war, which is considered inevitable; but the people are calm, and all the banks are withholding their funds, apparently as a result of official instructions. The Japanese Legation in London has not received any news from Tokio. The Russian cruiser Aurora has left Bizerta, but the rest of the squadron have postponed their departure for the next few days. Admiral Wirenies entertained M. Pichon, the French Resident, and other Frenchmen at Bizerta, aboard the Oslibaya. The Alliance was warmly toasted. Received Jan. 5, 12.49 a.m. Lonbojs, January 4. Thei" Times" Tokio correspondent on Saturday stated that twelve days had elapsed since Russia was asked to r^ecorisider her reply, and yet St. Pe^rsHurg maintained profound silence. 'Japan is plainly resolved not to endure another period of wailing, which might be utilised to strengthen Russian armaments, and failing some conciliatory Russian Sution, whereof there is no sign, Japan will in a few days take active measures to secure her vital interests. After this war would become very difficult to avert. The pessimism in Pekin is based on diplomatic despatches from Tokio, showing that Russia is willing to negotiate-with a view to reconcile conflicting interests in Korea, but declares that Manchuria concerns Russia and China alone. Unless Russia in her reply to the last Japanese note recedes from that position, Japan will probably send an ultimatum. The "Daily Express" Johannesburg correspondent states that the War Office has cabled to the officers of the Regulars in the South African Constabulary to rejoin their regiments immediately. The "Daily Express" also states that the Government iB strengthening the Malta garrison. The Stock Exchange generally is depressed, but Continental bourses are less pessimistic. THE CHINESE ARMY. Pekin, January 4. Yuanshihkai asks to be allowed to relinquish his minor offices, and apply himself exclusively to the reorganisation of the Chinese Army.