The newspaper correspondents from the Far East all believe that
the struggle between Russia and Japan is drawing nearer. According to the best accounts, Japan con- sents to a Russian occupation of Manchuria, provided she herself obtains a free hand in Korea. The Russians, on the other hand, concede to Japan a supremacy in South Korea, but will not surrender their chances in the North, where they are cutting forests and prospecting for various metals. This arrangement does not satisfy Tokio, and it was reported at the beginning of the week that the Mikado was already despatching the beginnings of an army of occupation to Korea. The report has since been denied; but it is alleged that the Ministers of War and Marine, together with Marquis Ito, hold long conferences together, and that the Japanese are collecting munitions on a scale which indicates immediate action. We cannot but think that Russia will, for the present at all events, remain content with Manchuria, an enormous region, more than twice the size of France, which still requires organisation, cOlonists, and labourers. Russia is not a Power in a hurry, and she has strong financial reasons for not pre- cipitating a contest with Japan. She must accept, of course, a direct challenge from the islanders ; bnt they are sensible people, and want, before the great struggle comes, to strengthen their direct influence in China.
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