Russia and China.

Manawatu Herald, 29 January 1898, Page 2

Russia and China.

« THE POSITION CALMER. The outlook in the Far East is calmer. Germany has apparently not sup* ported Russia's objection to Great Britain's dam and that Talienwan be made a free port. Mr Curzon, Parliamentary Secretary of the Foreign Office, speaking at Bolton, said there was every reason to suppose the Chinese loan would be successful, but its failure would not affect the determination of Great Britain to uphold the same right of entry to Chinese ports as other Powers were conceded. Russia has offered to float the Chinese indemnity loan under financial conditions similar to those offered by Great Britain. France is actively supporting the Russian claim?. Rauter's Agency reports that the Russian Government is provisioning a squadron at Port Arthur. It 13 also stated that the Chinese Commander has beec asked for 2,---000,000 tons of coal for the use of the equadron, and that tho request has been referred to the Tsung-li-Yamen, or Board of Foreign Affairs of China. LORD BRASSEY SAYS WAR* IS IMPROBABLE. Lord Braasey, interviewed as to the crisis in the East, considered there was not the slightest probability of war, and he confidently believed that Great Britain's demand for freedom of trade in China has the full support of the civilised world. Russia could not face the whole world, and relation to an issue of this kind she could not face England alone. England would also have the moral and not improbable support of Germany and Japan. In the event of a naval struggle Great Britain would have a commanding superiorty over a Franco-Russian combination, and could prevent the landing cf troops in China. He believed that a German-Franco* Russian alliance was mo?t improbable: