China.

Manawatu Herald, 15 February 1898, Page 2

China.

Japan has warned China that Bbe is unable to grant an extension cfl| " tima for the payment of the indem* nity loan. The Riitish loan negotiations are regarded as having failed. British warships at Chemulpo are returning to Nagasaki. The Chinese being anspicious that J»pan will not eradiate Weihaiwai ia eaid to be the real cause of the - abandonment of the loan. ~\ The Victorious, a battleship of the " first class, has sailed from Malta for China. The Gibraltar, a first-class cruder, follows her immediately. Britain has purchased all the Welsh coal in Chinese and Japanese waters. The foreign squadrons experience great difficulty in coaling. The Russian ship? at Singapore / w«n-8 allowed 2000 tons. The v foreigners are greatly excited. The American newspapers consider Lord Salisbury has achieved a triumph in the Far East. German merchants are refusing to fettle at Kiao-chau, preferring to remain at Shanghai, where greater facilities for commerce exist. The French Government demands payment for the recent kidnapping of a Frenchman by brigands in Tonkin, and threatens to take action in the south province within eight days unless the demand is satisfied. When the reinforcements which have been despatched arrive in Chinese waters, Britain's naval preponderence over Eugsia and France combined will be represented by twpnty-five thousand tons. H.MS. Rainbow has arrived at Port Arthur. China has granted Britain the right to extend the Burmah railway through Yunnan. China has paid the Frenchman kidnapped by Tonkin brigands £4500, and granted Germany certain railway concessions at Ichauifu ai compensation for the murder of a sailor.