Russia and China.
There are 20 British warships at Chefoo, one of the Chinese treaty ports. A despatch from China states that Li Hung Chang induced the Tsnngli Yimen (Chinese Board of Foreign Affairs) to grant for the Maochurian railway, now being constructed by Russia access to Port Arthur, and also to Talienwan and Kinchow, neighbouring ports. A quarter of the English portion of the Chinese loan has been sub-, scribed, but the underwriters will provide the balance. The Russian and French demands created distrust and militated against the success of the loan.
China has conceded to Russia a 25 years' lease of Port Arthur as a naval base, and a similar lease of Talienwan as a fortified open port. The right to construct a railway connecting Petuna, Talienwan and Port Arthur has also been conceded.
The Times says that the terms of the concession are equivalent to cession, and will produce a profound effect in Great Britain.
Russia will send 50,000 men to swell the army reserves in Eastern Asia, and the Government has applied £6,000,000 to strengthen the naval forces.
The Times, dealing with the situation ia China, asserts that Lord Sails*
bury's vacillation lias assisted the rivals of Britain to affect a political and economic revolution in China. It contends lit is imperatively necessary that England should re-establish influence in Pekin, and urges that a strong naval demonstration be made by the British fleets. The Standard says that Britain's recital of admirable formulas will not prevent the partition of China, and asserts the members ot the Commons regard the situation as exceedingly grave, and deplores the official reticence of the Government in the matter. The paper adds that the Opposition " would not oppose a vigorous policy if adopted by the Government. The English journals generally complain of Lord Salisbury's weakness in regard to the British policy. Influential merchants in London contend that the efforts so far made by Britain, in view of maintaining the independence of China, have failed. They urge the occupation of the island of Chusan and the Koroloon Peninsula, as a necessary safeguard for British interests in the valley of the Yang-tse-Kiang and Hongkong. It is believed that Russia and China have agreed to prevent England ac« quiring Weiheihei, and that Russia undertakes to protect China from the British. In return for concessions In Corea, Japan will not oppose Russia in the Liatong Peninsula. The Hongkong naval yards are \ working night and day. The British warships in Hongkong are taking in coal and ammunition, and are preparing to leave for sea on Tuesday next. Viscount Cross, Lord of the Privy Seal, in a speech said a well-directed policy would settle the -difficulty in regard to China and also the Niger,. pro« vided Britain was prepared to snow she was not afraid of war.
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Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1898, Page 2
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469Russia and China. Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1898, Page 2
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