CHINA.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2944, 23 July 1878, Page 3

CHINA.

The Preparations for War.

(Per Press Agency.)

Shanghi, May, 20. The Russians hare mado great preparations for the protection of Valedvostock. There are now over 15,000 troops, horse, foot, end artillery, in the district, and four men-of-war in the harbour. This colony (Hongkong) is being well fortified, and Volunteer corps are being raised and drilled: The guaboat Lapwing left here yesterday under sealed orders. •' The British fleet is kept pretty lively. On the 19fch ult, the sloop Egeria, and the corvette Modiste, left Yokohama under sealed orders. Next day at daylight three Russian men-of-war that were in harbour also left. At noon the same day the Audacious, 14 guns, with the gun-boat -Magpie, also left Yokohama. They are.all now at Isagasaki. The prospect of war between England and Russia has excited considerable interest there. It is estimated that the British Squadron now in these waters would allow of a ship being detailed to watch each Russian man-of-war, and leave a few over for any service that may be needed. That is, in fact, what is being done. A sharp eye is being kept on all the Pacific coats.

The Chinese have just made a new loan. It is for £3,500,000, aboil* half of which is lent by a foreign bank. The loan, like previous ones, is secured on the Customs. It is understood that the money is needed for military purposes. The suffering caused by the famine in the North claims first attention. The utmost efforts arcbeing made to alleviate it, and the appeals for help have been generally responded to. Japan has notably come forward and made a handsome contribution in money and rice to the relief fund. In all the principal streets in the foreign settlements of Shanghai are placed boxes to receive the, alms fof the passers-by for the faminesiricken, and a good sum has thus been already obtained. ; The missionaries, Catholic and Protestant, are forgetting the jealousies of rival creeds in their efforts to administer succour. Deaths by famine are sadly numerous. Pestilence is, too, treading fast on the heels of famine, and so fearful is the destruction to life that in many districts there will be none left to' cultivate the fields.