AFFAIRS IN THE EAST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8250, 3 October 1906, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN THE EAST.

naval construction in JAPAN.

.Received October 2, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, October 1. Reuter's St. Petersburg correspondent aays advices received from Tokio state that tbe Miinistry has asked Parliament for twenty-seven millions sterling, to be distributed within a period from now until 1&13, for the construction and tbe repair of warships and the construction of a dockyard at Hiroshima (155 miles from Kobe).

CHINESE ACTIVITY. THE PEKIN-KALGAN RAILWAY, Received October 2, 8.50 a.m. PEKIN, October 1. Dr Pokotiloff, the Russian Minister at Pekin, hints at the early installation of Chinese Customs on tbe Russian frontiers in Manchuria. 'Eb& -first section if the PekinKalgan railway will he opened when the line is extended to Kiakhta. Tbe lailway will bring Pekin within twelve days of London. ANTI-FOREIGN FEELING. DISQUIETING REPORTS. (Per Mail Steamer). WASHINGTON, Sept. 11. Mail advices received here from China are disquieting to Americana having flnanoial interests in the Orient. There is no abatement of tha anti foreign feeling, and tbe animosity is no longer confined tn Americans, but includes all foreigners, except Japanese. A formidable party ha* arisen, and is conducting an active propaganda. It is known as "The Restorer of Rights," and its purpise is to drive foreigners out of business in China, and to that end begin by rendering valueless foreign investments. In some quarters the Chinese Government is alleged to sympathise with the movement, and at any rate capitalists interested in importaut concessions are complaining that Chinese officials are deliberately destroying their holdings, and violating their agreements at every turn. The English are said to be injuriously affected by this attitude of the Chinese Government. The movement to destroy or regaiu control of concessions held by foreigners is said to have begun when the famous Hankow-Canton Railway concession was regained by the Chineoe Government by purchase from American concessionaries, and since then every new enterprise in the way of pnblio utilities in China has baen officered and manned by the Chinese thebselves, foreign experience and direction being utilised only to the point where Chinese were able to acquire the knowledge necessary to operate them. Tbe English are complaining that in violation ot' tha agreement the Chinese Government is constructing ' tbe railway from Shanghai southward with the deliberate purpose of destroying the value of the English concession and greatly | injuring Hongkong, and there are allegations that mining concessions grauted to British subjects hare been boid up, and tbe concessionaries embarrassed. Some of the great British- business interests are uniting in strong appeals to tbeir Governments to adopt a stronger attitude and protect them in their Chinese enterprise.