5 DECEMBER 1903, Page 17

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

ITIHE latest news from the Far East is by no means re-

assuring. It may be that some agreement will be reached before the Japanese Diet meets, and undoubtedly the whole weight of French as well as British diplomacy is being bent in that direction; but it must be confessed that on Friday the omens were not favourable to a settlement The Japanese keenly realise that delay tells against them, and that if there is to be war, it should, in their interests, be now, and not later. If, then, they see, or believe they see, that Russia is only procrastinating, and is not really willing to do a deal, they will no doubt strike at once.