CHINESE DIFFICULTY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 April 1901, Page 4

CHINESE DIFFICULTY.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT,

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Russian-Japanese Friction. London, April 5. Russia notifies that the occupation of Manchuria will continue until order and tranquility are established. The Official Messenger, a St Petersburg journal, explains that inaccurate and alarmist versions arousing obstacles, prevented China from accepting the provisional agreement intended to insure the gradual evacuation and final restoration. It was impossible, until a strong Chinese Government was established at Pekin, to be able to guarantee Russia against the recurrence of disturbances on her borders Washington, April 5. Count Casslns, the Russian Minister at Washington, handed Mr Hay a com munieation showing the disinterestedness of Russia throughout and her determination that Manchuria should remain an intregal part of China, together with a proposal for the withdrawal of troops as rapidly as safety will permit. London, April 7. After Russia’s refusal to produce the proposed Convention the Japanese Government delivered a more emphatic pro test to China against the Convention.

London, April 7.

A battle between a thousand Chinese troops and a force of Russians, was fought between Kobantry and Simmingting. Several Russians were killed and many slightly wounded.

The Chinese lost heavily, were defeated and fled northwards. The Russians pursued. Advices from St. Petersburg state that Tungyu, the Chinese Minister, was threatened with disgrace—even death—if he yielded to the pressure to sign the Manchurian Convention on behalf of China He was twice seized with nervous apoplexy, and the signature was thus indefinitely postponed. The Russian newspapers state that Russia has officially made the Manchurian question purely a Russian question. The English newspapers declare that the designs of Russia have evoked an unprecedented display of patriotism in China. The Australian naval contingent has arrived at Hong Kong. The Governor welcomed their return to British waters. London, April 8.

The Allied Generals recommend the foreign Ministers in Pekin to insist on 6000 troops to permanently garrison nine points, on the Pekin-Shanhaikwau railway exclusive of 2000 troops stationed in Pekin.

Generals Chaffee and Woogack consider a much fewer number of troops and guarding fewer points will be sufficient. The Allied generals demand the destruction of Chinese forts at Shankaikuan, Peitang, JCakau, Tongku, Eeitsang, and Yangfcsan.

Reuter’s St. Petersburg corresponden states that a diplpmatic note just issued announces that since the Manchurian Convention has not been accepted proof has been forthcoming of the friendly sentiments of China. Russia renounces farther negotiotiations while remaining faithful to her original programme and quietly awaits events.