Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, SEPT. 27, 1898. China.

Manawatu Herald, 27 September 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, SEPT. 27, 1898. China.

» The news from Obina foretells coming startling events in which it is as well to be posted np in. We have heard dnring the past year of the vacillating course of Chinese diplomacy, how one day every advantage i 9 given to Russia, and how, the next day, these concessions are partially countermanded owing to British representations and then, from Russia threats and bribes again renewed. The story of the relations with the Chinese Government and the Hong-Kong and Shanghai Bank relating to the loan for the Newchang railway extension is a case in point. The Russian Minister, as we have learned, has been increasing in his opposition and has done his best to move the Tsung-li-Yamen to abrogate the loan, and it was only by Britain changing its representative at the Chinese Court, with an order for the n&vy to assemble close at hand, that rha British Opponent in the Tsung- \ ii-Yamen, Li Hung Chang, was removed and attention paid to the British demands. The British representative, Sir Claude Macdonald 19 stated to have informed the Tsung-li-Yamen " that England will not tolerate any interference of another Power with the British loan- contract freely entered into by the Chinese for the purpose of building on the most favourable commercial terms possible a railway completing the connection between Tien-tain and Newchang, both treaty ports where British commercial interests are predominant." We all know that Li Hung Chang received his dismissal, though the cablegrams tell us that he will probably soon be reinstated, and this appears likely as he has the Dowager-Empress on his side, and she appears to object strongly to all new-fangled notions. The cables we publish to*day are disquieting and need a little further explanation to get at the right construction of the news. Besides getting a railway between Newchang and Tien tain, we find from our latest English files that efforts have been made by the British colony at Newchang, in conjunction with the Japanese to obtain proper concessions in the neighbour hood of the proposed railway. The report goes on to state that this matter was referred to the local Taotai, whose dilatoriness is declared to be due to Russian bribes. It is thought to be impossible to overestimate the importance of obtaining a proper footing in a region where Russian influence already preponderates. Thus we get to find why the visit of the Marquis Ito, Premier of Japan has wrought so much confusion. We have the Chinese Emperor threatened by Russia to keep all other Powers off that portion of rihina phe desires to annex, and then Great Britain also menaces, and gets the valuable assistance of the Japanese to discuss the reforms desired in territory in which Russian influence preponderates. The Chinese Emperor has not had a pleasant, though he has had a lively time, lately, and be seems to have been ready to have agreed with the lwt speaker. The old lady, the Dowager Empress appears made of sterner staff, hates innovations, hates foreigners, perhaps appreciates bribes, and has come to the conclusion that she can manage much better than the Emperor., It is odd, and it is rather suggestive, that the Emperor should suddenly die whilst the Marquis of [to was discussing reforms, and most probably the Emperor has the least to object in the transaction. The fact, if ifc is a fact, in that land of mysteries, that the Emperor of China is dead, and that the DowagerEmpress practically reigns in his stead, means that her influence will be thrown into the cause of Bussia and what Britain needs she will have to get at the cannon's mouth. The English papers state that the position prior to the death of the Emperor, was that the Chinese regard the issue between Russia and Great Britain as a supreme one, likely to decide the whole question of China's future. We have shown that in the question as to concessions at Newchang we have the Japanese with us, and as a great proportion of the trade at Newchang is in American merchandise, we are likely to receive her powerful baoking up. We commend the perusal of an article in another oolumn headed 41 Russia's hurried preparations," as being indicative of Russian opinion of the state of affairs.