NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE entr'acte in the great drama of the Far East still con- tinues. It is confidently affirmed by the Daily Graphic of Friday that the draft of the Russian reply was completed and approved by the Czar on Wednesday, that its effect was communicated to the Japanese Minister in St. Petersburg, transmitted by him to his Government, and in turn con- veyed to the friendly Powers yesterday. The Russian Note, it is further added, refuses in uncompromising terms to permit the reinsertion in the draft treaty of words guaranteeing the integrity and independence of China as well as Korea, upon which Japan insisted in her last Note. This answer would, of coarse, mean war. On the other hand, there is no evidence that the Russian answer to the Japanese despatch has been officially presented at Tokio, and, according to other accounts, the Czar is described as still unable to terminate the fierce dispute between the friends of peace and the party of action. The probability, therefore, is that the answer, when trans- mitted, will be found to contain unsatisfactory concessions, and that the Japanese, who are already manifesting im- patience, and have remonstrated at St. Petersburg against further delays, will take some step, possibly the occupation of Korea in force, which will make war inevitable. At the same time, it is not war yet ; very powerful interests are opposed to any final rupture ; and St. Petersburg, pressed by the Great Powers, may retreat. The uncertainty should not now last long; and meanwhile preparations continue. The Russian Government has called up some of its Reserves, who are being despatched to the Far East ; and the Japanese statesmen, while absolutely prohibiting naval, military, or political intelligende, allow it to be known that they are making great financial preparations, one, in particular, being a large increase • of • internal direct taxation. The world must wait for the lightning-flash, which, if it comes at all, will come suddenly.
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