THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 353, 13 October 1898, Page 2

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

PRESS GAGGED. LORD C. BERESFORD'S IDEAS. THE EMPEROR IGNORED. THE 'DOWAGER EMPRESS ASSUMES COMMAND. A REIGN OF TERROR. BRITISH LOAN NEGOTIATIONS. (by electric telegraph—copyright). Shanghai, October 11. The Empress Dowager of China has issued an edict suppressing native journals. Tuang, Minister Designate to Japan, has been arrested in connection with the proposed reforms. The Tsuug-li-Yamen has protested against the excessive strength of the Russian detachment sent to Pekin. Sydney, October 11.

The Herald publishes a special interview with Lord Charles Beresford at Colombo, en route for China on his commercial mission. He said his mission was most important. Above all it was in the interest of peace. He believed there was room for all in the Far East, and there was no need for any discourtesy. He hoped English honesty would prevail. When China was opened up, as he hoped it would soon be, it would benefit the whole world, and perhaps more than all China herself. The main point to be remembered was that it was impossible for Great Britain to add a single acre of China to her territory. The only way to deal with the difficulty was to assist the Chinese to manage the country themselves. Trade and commerce could only be properly secured by adequate military and police forces. Given security, development would rapidly proceed on certain and defiuite lines. Another way to manage the present difficulty was by a commercial alliance between the Americans, the Germans, the Japanese, and the BritLsh in the Yang-tse-Kiang Valley. If the British alone were concerned, war might easily come, but such an alliauce would be too strong for one or two countries to interfere with, and so would make for peace.

(Received October 12, 11.55 a.m.) Shanghai, October 11

The Dowager Empress of China now issues decrees in her own name ignoring the Emperor. Her proscriptions against the progressive party are causing a reign of terror.

Contingents of Italian and Japanese marines have been ordered to Pekin. It was announced some time ago that the strong pressure brought to bear by Great Britain upon the Chinese Government had been successful in preventing the conclusion of the negotiations for the transfer of a loan for the extension of the Shanghai'Kwan railway to Neuchang from the Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank to the Russo-Cninese Bank. The final contract has now been let under which the former Bank accepts the security. The loan is unobjectionable to Russia.