CRISIS IN THE FAR EAST.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1056, 20 February 1911, Page 5

CRISIS IN THE FAR EAST.

RUSSIAN FORCES MARCHING. "TIMES" FEARS A REVOLUTION IN CHINA. Severe criticism. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Copy riclit. London, February 17. "The Times," commenting on the Russian ultimatum to China, says a conspicuous feature in tho affairs of China is the growth of a national spirit, which is in the nature of iv reaction against a corrupt bureaucracy that is impotent to resist foreign encroachments. The step taken by Russia may possibly provoke ail 'explosion ,of public feeling ending in a revolution. , The "Daily Graphic" says that Russian action with regard to Hi is tho result of the Potsdam agreement between Germany and Russia. It is difficult, tho paper adds, to find more cynical disregard for international law and morality. China punctually and scrupulously observed the conditions of tho 1881 treaty. It will bo interesting to see what Mr. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey will say in view of the principles laid down in connection with Bosnia. The "Westminster Gazette" says tho tone of the Russian Note assumes that China is uncivilised. It would be inconceivable that a European Power could itreat Japan similarly. MARCH FOR THE FRONTIER. .. . * ■ ■ ■ '■ ■ LARGE FORCE UNDER WAT. (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) St. Petersburg, February 18. 'The troops at Tashkent, in Russian Turkestan, have started for the Chinese frontier.. The Russian troops at Tashkent, in Russian Turkestan, are under the; comnand of General Koslovski. The comprise tlio first, second, and third brigades of the Turkestan Rifles, numbering about 19,200 men, and the first division of the Turkestan Cossacks, numbering about 6000 men. • •

GERMANY AND KIAU-CHAU,

DEBATE IN THE REICHSTAG, '■ (Rcc.'Februnry 19, 5.5 p.m.) \ .... . Berlin, February 18. The Reichstag is''discussing the KiauChau estimates. . The Socialists urge the retrocession, to China of the: territory. Admiral voji Tirpitz.declared that the surrender of ICiau-Chau would be equivalent to surrendering" I ,Germany's whole political position in China. : No one who comes near to current gossip on foreign relations (said the'"Daily Mail" on-January 3) can havo cscaped tho rumours of a secret plot, in which Germany-and Russia and Japan are the • The scene is laid in China, and the;tocsin is to ring: when the hour has .struck-for the overthrow- of '"the Manchu. dynasty. And when the revolution comes in China .this', we are told, is to.happen. Germany, Russia, and Japan wilt be found to have mado a secret alliance; and-will,divide the Celestial Kingdom among, them'. ' v > ' ; "It-will be remembered," continued our contemporary', "that some time ago. the United_States. Foreign Minister made tho suggestion that the railways in China should' be converted^into international concerns, and that the. Powers generally should become their, responsible managers. This proposal was:coldly received by.-most of the' Powers and was rejected by-Russia' and Japan, whose interests in China would have been most seriously .affected by the-American.scheme. It was already common .knowledge- that Russia and Japan.'were on the point of concluding aniagreement with regard to their interests in China. Mr.. Knox's proposal hastened arid confirmed that agreement. . ■ . ■ ' ■ . "It is at this point that rumour comes in with the assertion that Germany was admitted into this treaty, or rather into a secret treaty having., for its object the partition of Qhina among these three Powers.; - "Germany, • always anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the United States, will not hesitate to repudiate the.parentage of this rumour. Yet it undoubtedly owes .its birth to the.deliberate policy of ipreatine suspicion among, - the members of. the Triple Entente by announcing new combinations, in Europe. This is the first time,, however that this policy "lias travelled to the Far East and has by imnlicatioii drawn the United States into its meshes. ' "The Teportcd alliance reveals 110 common interests for its basis. It creates instead of removing dangers. It implies the basest treachery and incredible folly. No one with knowledge believes,the rumOil r, but it is prudent that it should be 6tran;led at its birth." . . ...