THE ALLIES IN CHINA.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 February 1901, Page 4

THE ALLIES IN CHINA.

Scenes of Brutality and Lenience.

Tho United States Government and the American newspapers have accused Minister Conger of undue severity in his dealings with the Chinese but Pekin correspondent writes to London that he is there regarded as specially lenient. President M’Kinloy addressed an identical note to tho Powers rcquos ing the negotiations as to tho indemnities, and new treaties with China to be removed to some other place than Pekin. This roused such opposition on the part of Germany that the President thought it wise to withdraw the note. It appears therefore, that Germany has succeeded in keeping tho indemnity question to credit. It is said to be tho opinion of all diplomates that if tho question of indemnity bo not removed from Pekin nothing can prevent the carving up of China. The proposal of the United States that the indemnity question bo referred to an International Commission was not only to be objected to by Germany, but was it is whispered, not agreeable to Lord Salisbury, Japan is said to be most indignant because of the atrocities committed in China by the soldiers of some of the allied Powers.

The newspapers publish daily articles strongly condemning the brutality and license which have reigued for months in China. Serious reflections are cast upon Christianity, which the Japanese claim does not withold the Russians from committing crimes which the pagan Japanese are ashamed oven to witness. One paper at Tokio says :—‘ The Russians have become devils, and the voice of God is drowned by the thunder of artillery. ’ In many shops are pictures showing Europeans murdering children, knocking down women, and assaulting old men, while the Japanese are represented bestowing gifts and benedictions upon the kneeling Chinese people. Horrible details of the crimes of the Russians and French are published, and it is claimed that the Japanese troops behaved best, with the English and Americans next. The English were well dociplined, except some Indians, who were unabio to resist the temptation to loot.