19 DECEMBER 1903, Page 1
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IN the Far East the question of war or peace still appears to hang in the balance, but on the whole it seems likely that there -will be no war. If Japan meant war, we doubt whether ehe would, continue to delay the first blow. -Meantime the official news of the week is that Japan has received Russia's reply to her remonstrances, but that this reply has not been satisfactory in several particulars, and therefore Japan is continuing to negotiate. But though we think Japan does not want war, and will not begin it, there is always the possibility of some chance spark firing the mine.
