CHINESE QUESTION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 239, 25 January 1898, Page 2

CHINESE QUESTION.

BRITISH STATESMEN Flß^j POSITION SERIOUS. London, January 21. In course of a speech at Liverpool, Mr Chamberlain sa'd he hoped Great Britain would not bo compelled to take isolated action. Speaking at Birkenhead Mr Aaquilh, who occupied the position of Home Secretary in the Rosebery Ministry, declared that the country would support the strenuous assertion of freedom of trade with China. A similar declaration was made by Mr Carapbell-Bannerman, Secretary of War in the Rosebery administration, in the course of a speech at Inverkeithin. The Chinese Government is wavering, though they recognise that in the acceptance of the British terms is to be found the best hope to maintain the integrity oi the Empire. General "Wblseley, the Commander-in-Chief, states that if Avar were declared to-morrow two full army corps could be ready at the quays, better equipped and drilled than any previous corps before the ship for their transport could bo iu commission. Mr Catnpbell*Bannerman states that he is greatly satisfied with Mr Chamberlain's admission of tho possibility of avoiding isolated action in tho East. Mr Chamberlain declares that after the speeches made by Mr Campbell-Bannerman and Mr Asquith, the union of the two sections of the Unionist party may bo regarded as complete. January 22. Nearly all the English newspapers are commenting on the gravity of the relations between Great Britain and Russia, and the fact that England and Japan are virtually allied. The Standard says events are rapidly shaping towards an issue, and are putting the declarations of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, tho Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the other members of the Government to the test. Either Russia or Britain must give way. If Russia is permitted to coerce China and reject the British terms, a great blow will be struck at British influence, and a crucial trial of strength must ensue. Great Britain is sending tho new first-class battleships Illustrious and Hannibal to China. France is sending the armoured cruisers Bruix and Vaudan. Paris, January 22. Admiral Besnard, the Fren ah Minister of Marine, has asked the Chamber of Deputies to sanction a large grant to meet the expense of sending reinforcements to the Chinese squadron. Berlin, January 22. The German newspapers are supporting the English demands for freedom of trade with China. Pekin, January 22. Telegrams received here state that the Russian Minister is intimidating China in regard to her negotiations with Great Britain for a loan, and tho prospects of her continuing them are considered doubtful. Tokio, January 22. Japan is despatching nine warshius, their destination probably being "Weihaiwei. The Mikado will inspect the squadron before its departure, Japan has constituted a military conscript for the mobilisation of tho forces. Sydney, January 23. The Sunday Times states with authority that Australia has been twice on the point of being invaded—in 1878 aud in 1885. On the latter occasion, a Council was hurriedly summoned on a Sunday afternoon, the Governor, the Admiral, and the Commandant, besides Ministers of the Crown, being present. A warning had come to hand by cable, to the effect that the colony might be attacked at any moment, and a subsequent despatch stated that 15,000 men were at sea, the object being to simultaneously attack Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, without any declaration of war, by Russia, had the Penjdeh incident not been peacefully settled. As one result, the Admiral made arrangements for the destruction of every unprotected coal depot, the various Governments agreeing to share the cost,