EASTERN AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 932, 3 July 1903, Page 3

EASTERN AFFAIRS.

THE CRAFTY] HAND OF RUSSIA

FIFTY-TWO RUSSIAN WARSHIPS

AT PORT ARTHUR.

CHINA AND THE INDEMNITY.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.) LONDON, July. 1. A! .Tokio correspondent states that it is reported that Japan protests to Russia regarding Manchuria, also that England and Japan will each send a gunboat to the Yalu to watch the Russians.

PEKIN, July 1. There are lilty-two Russian ‘warships at Port Arthur. Chinese ‘newspapers comment on the significance of the assemblage of the British, American, and Japanese fleets in the north of the Gulf of Pechili.

While America favors the payment of the Chinese indemnity in silver, and Russia and France are willing to have payment of Customs on a gold basis, since the imports are insignificant, the other Powers have warned Chang Chitung that they will take strong measures to compel China to adhere to v the protocol, and that in the event of non-compliance the Powers contemplate the seizure of the salt industry, or the re-occu-pation of Tientsin. The Chinese Government makes no attempt to reform its finances. Sums are squandered on the Court which would pay the indemnity in gold two-fold.

BULGARIA’S NOTE TO THE POWERS.

SHOCKING CRIMES ALLEGED,

By j Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright^ Received 11.39 pun., July 2. LONDON, July 2. The Bulgarian note to the Powers blames 'Turkey for thwarting Bulgaria’s efforts to pacify, the Macedon-, ians.

It accuses the troops and BashiBazouks of shocking crimes and excesses, and urges the Powers to secure the withdrawal oi the largo bodies of troops menacingly concentrated on the frontier, and to insist on the execution of reforms, adding that the principality would not he responsible for developments should the PSrte continue to act in an unfriendly manner. Replying to the Note, Austria promises to make representations.

According to Russian advices from the Orient, Russian action on the Yalu is causing great alarm to Japan, and it has been predicted that war will be the probable result i£ Russia does not recede. The Russian movements ‘on the (Yalu are shown to be a direct menace to Japan, lor the scheme of action will give Russia command of the estuary of the Yalu.

Yongampho, where the Russians have bought a quantity ol land, and l are massing troops under the guise of settlers, is on the main road running south from Wiju, to Ping Yang and Seoul. Though an insignificant place, it has ‘great prospective importance, for by building a breakwater and by; dredging, it could be converted into an excellent harbor, commanding the north of the Yalu. , Its tenure by. Russia, together with that of YongffGhiong, would effectively deprive Corea of all access to the mouth of the Yalu, except by sea or with Russian permission. With KuLion Ching and Taku Shan, which were used by the Japanese as depots when their armies went to Manchu ria, Russia would be mistress of the Yalu estuary and could effectually block Japan. The Universal Gazette of Shanghai published a despatch from . Kirwan that an American engineer armed with a passport from the United States Consul at Shanghai, and a Chinese interpreter and servant, was ordered to leave the district by the Russian Consul at Kirwin,: .who pronounced his passport useless. He went to Kirwin to examine some mines for a company. The Coiean Government contends that the Russian labor concession which has created trouble between Russia and Corea, is confined to Musan, on the Tuman river, and one place on. the Y'alu, and suggests the appointment of a commission to deliminate the exact boundaries of the concession. Oriental advices 'are as follows : The N roku says that with a view of increasing Japan's influence in Corea the Japanese Minister at Seoul, m connection with the British Minister is going to obtain the consent of the Corean Government to a plan whereby Corea shall undertake the extension of her army and navy, and the strengthening of the defences of the international boundary, Great Britain or Japan to supply a loan if needed for this purpose.