WEI-HAI -WEI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 190, 10 August 1904, Page 5

WEI-HAI -WEI.

CURIOUS 3RITISH POSITION. TENURE DEPENDS UPON PORT ARTHUR. i Negotiations Proceeding. (Received 9.6 a.m.) LONDON, August 9. Negotiations are proceeding between the Foreign Secretary, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and China, with the object of modifying the terms of the Wei-hai-wei agreement, by which England is bound to withdraw from that treaty port whenever Russia withdraws from her occupation of Port Arthur. [Wei-hai-wei, in the Chinese province of Shantung, and the adjacent waters, were, by a Convention with the Chinese Government, dated July 1, 1898, leased to Great Britain for so long a period as Russia should remain in possession of Port Arthur. The territory leased comprises, besides the port and bay, the island of Liv Kung, all the islands in the bay, and a belt of land ten English miles wide, along the entire coast-line of the bay. The area of about 285 square mi l " s !, including the island of Liv Kung, contains about 123,750 inhabitants. The native city of Wei-hai-wei is a walled town with a population of about 2000. Within the limits of the territory Great Britain has sole jurisdiction, except that within the walled city Chinese officials may "exercise such jurisdiction as is not inconsistent with the defence of the territory. Within an area of 1505 square miles Great Britain has the right to erect fortifications or take any measures necessary for the defence of the territory, and to acquire sites necessary for water supply, communications and hospitals. The station itself is used as a flying naval base and as a depot, 'drill ground and sanatorium for the China squadron. Forts command the entrance to the harbour. The territory is administered by a Comnissioner (at present Mr. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C. M. G.), under the Colonial Jiiice. The garrison consists of a Chinese regiment with a strength of about 550,]