THE FAR EAST.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10916, 6 January 1904, Page 3

THE FAR EAST.

CHINA'S ATTITUDE. London, January 4. Four hundred Canadians who served in South Africa have volunteered to assist Japan. The "Spectator" declares that if Japan is victorious she would be likely to desire predominance, and probably mastership in the Southern Archipelago, interfering with Australia's heritage in the Pacific. The "Daily Mail" Shanghai correspondent states that the Chinese Foreign Office has definite information from St. Petersburg that Eussia! intends to retain Manchuria. Prince Ching and Ministers, after four hours conference, presented a report to the Dowager Empress, copies of which were also sent to the provincial authorities. Three Chinese cruisers at Wossang have been ordered to coal, and it is ■ believed that they will join the Japanese in the event of war. The "Standard's" Tientsin correspondent states that the Throne has secretly ordered the Chinese to assist the Japanese in the event of hostilities. It is proposed to send 40,000 Chinese, under Japanese officers, to the Liautung Peninsula. The "Standard's" Tokio corres^ pondent says that Japan at the end of December warned the Powers that the continued Russian occupation of Manchuria might compel Japan to take decisive steps. The British cruiser Sirius has been ordered to Chemulpho. Mr Bennett Burleigh, wiring^from Tokio on Sunday night, asserts that Eussia has sent a non-committal reply making for delay. Mr Burleigh implies that Japan will occupy and fortify strategic Korean positions, leaving next move to Russia. Meanwhile Mekpo and Mesampho will"be protected against seizure. Ie is not expected that Russia will immediately interfere with Japan doing what 3he considers proper to safeguard her interests in Korea. New York, January 4. American newspapers all strongly sympathise with Japan, and declare that throughout the world Russia's proceedings are mistrusted by officials and peoples. The "New York Sun" says that in reply t n - "Russia's inquiry the United States Government has stated that America will be neutral if her commercial privileges in Manchuria be not curtailed. ---■-■ Received Jan. 5, 10.32 p.m. London, Januray 5. The "Standard" says that the feeling at Tokio is that the war party dominates the Russian Government. There has been a great fall in Japanese stocks at Tokio, and several brokers have been 'ruined. The "Times" says that the'prospects of peace are not yet desperate, though there is no real sign of improvement. Prince Alexieff's journey to St. Petersburg has been postponed till February. There is a slight decrease in the tension. It is semi -officially stated at St. Peterburg that the Russian reply is neither yes or no, but that it contains reasoned proposals. | : The Japanese declare that Russia recently proposed a neutral zone on the Korean frontier as far as Gensan Phengyany. This is wholly unacceptable to Japan. Mr Balfour has conferred with Lords Lansdowne and Selbourne and others of the Defence Committee. Received Jan. 6, 1 a.m. London, January 5. The Czar is conferring with Count Muravieff, which is interpreted at Vienna as a pacific sign. M. Delcasse, who iB at present in the Riviera, is optimistic with regard to the situation in the East. Russian cruisers are proceeding from Vladivostock to Port Arthur. W. H. Taft, American Governor of the Philippines, has been welcomed and entertained at Tokio. Cossacks are occupying Hsimintun and the railway on the Niuchwang line.