THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1901. RUSSIA IN MANCHURIA.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 112, 23 February 1901, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1901. RUSSIA IN MANCHURIA.

According to the latest cables, Russia seems to bo making the most of her oppoitrinities in Manchuria. It appears that Tse Ngchi, the Tartar Qeneral in command at Manchuria, was dismissed by the Chinese Covernment for having sanctioned an

agreement made in reference to Mukden with Admiral Alexieff. Russia, however, recognising the value of such a “ friend at Court,” compelled China to reinstate the General. As the other Powers do not wish to see one having more influence than another in the Flower}' Lind, Japan, (lie Power most interested in Manchuria, made a protest against the signing of such a treaty during the progress of the peace negotiations. That protest seems to have been unheeded, for the Pekin correspondent of the Times reports that Yangyu, the Chinese Minister at St. Petersburg, telegraphs tiiat by the proposals with the Russian Finance Minister supplementing the agreement between Tse Nchi and Admiral Alexieff,the Manchurian provinces of Mukden and Rei Loung Kiang will each have a Russian militaiy official in control of the Chinese police. A Russian civilian will control the railways, and it is further provided that commercial concessions in Manchuria shall be reserved for Russia. Russia shall control the inland Customs of Manchuria and the native Customs at Niuchwang, but the maritime Customs of Niuchwang shall be paid into the RussoChiuese Bank. Russian laudborne goods are also to bo granted special privileges in Manchuria. The-aim of all the Powers professedly is to preserve intact this mighty empire which is tottering to its fall, pending some solution of the intricate problem of bow to dispose of the pieces, should it by any means become broken up. Russia, by corning in as China's big brother to save her from the consequences of her fight with Japan, was able to get Port Arthur. To this later on she added the neighbouring port of Talienwan. Germany acquired Kiao-chan, as the price of a couple of murdered missionaries; while to England was allotted the town and fortress of Wei-hai-wei. In each case Chinese vanity was saved by the agreeable fiction that these places were let to the various nations, “on lease.” What is to become of China ? Are we to witness the spectacle of the tearing to pieces of China by the Powers of Europe, screaming and fighting like vultures overlSifeir prey, or will the Asiatic “sick man ” be bolstered up again like his Western brother, a nd continue to just barely exist by playing off nhe jealousies of one country against another ? Or is it possible that the demonstrations she has received of the futility of the old jwaya may be as the entering in of the breath of life, the life of the western world’s progress, the life which has so rejuvenated and recreated China’s neighbour, Japan. THE SEVENTH CONTINGENT. Young New Zealanders seem as ready as ever to offer their services in the Empire’s cause, and the applicants for the Seventh Contingent are already far in excess of the required number. Such being the case, it seems to ns to be mere “fooling” continually sending small drafts of men. A command of 250, however good in quality, is merely a drop in the ocean. If the need is for more

mounted men, to quickly end the war, and if, as we have already seen, a large number of men are anxious for service, why not send 1000 or 1500. The expense of one such body would be far lees than that of four smaller ones, beside the fact that their influence on the continuance of the struggle would be of much The war has even now dragged on too long, and those concerned, as a fighting line or as an interested nation, are beginning to be heartily tired of it. The only way to end it is to send out an overwhelming force, and the colonies can' more readily supply the arm of the service required. That being so, there is only one one course of action, and when the next contingent is being sent it is ro be h .ped this will be followed.