CHINESE QUESTION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 241, 29 January 1898, Page 2

CHINESE QUESTION.

London, January The outlook in the Far calmer. Germany has, apparently, not supported Russia's objection to Great Britain's demand that Ta-lien-wun be made a free port. Mr Curzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Office, speaking at Bolton, said there was every reason to suppose that the Chinese loan would be successful, but its failure would not affect the determination of Great Britain to uphold the same right of entry U) Chinese ports as other Powers were conceded. Russia has offered to float a Chinese indemnity loan under financial conditions similar to thoso offered by Great Britain. France is actively supporting the Russian claims. Reuter's Agency reports that the Russian Government is provisioning the Bquadrou at Port Arthur. It is also stated that the Chinese Commander asked for two million tons of coal for tho use of the squadron, and the request was referred to the Tsung Lis Yaraen, or tho Board of Foreign Affairs of China. Melbourne, January 27. Lord Brussey has been interviewed regarding the crisis in the East. He considered that there was not the slightest probability of war, and confidently believed that Great Britain's demand for freedom of trade in China had the full support of the civilised world. Russia could not face the whole world with relation to an issue of this kind. She could not face Eng* land alone, let alone England with a moral : and not improbably the actual, support of Germany and Japan. In the event of a naval utruggle Great Biitain would have a commanding superiority over the Franco-Russian combination, and could prevent the landing of troops in China. He believed the entrance of Germany into the Franco-Russian alliance as most improbable.