A DRAMATIC SCENE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9160, 18 July 1895, Page 6

A DRAMATIC SCENE.

A correspondent of the New York Herald, writing to that paper from Shanghai, under date May 13tti, describes the followiug scene of the exchange or ratification of the Shimouoseki Treaty. It was in the same temple, outside Chefoo, in which Sir Thomas Wade, the British Minister, signed the Chefoo Convention with Li Hung Chang, regulating open trade, twenty years ago. The place is known as tho Bamboo Temple. The Russian Admiral Tyrtoff and his ViceAdmiral, with the German, French, and British Admirals in uniform, with their escorts, awaited the arrival of Count Ito and tho Chineso Envoys at the place of the ratification. When the treaty was laid upon the table Admiral Tyrtoff drew his sword and laid it across the document in a state of great excitement, saying, " I protest agaiust tbe ratification of this treaty in the name of the Czar, and I give the Japanese Government forty-eight hours to evacuate every iuch of Chinese soil." This action created considerable consternation. The Chinese refused to move without instructions. Count Ito maintained a dignified attitude, aud ignoring Russia's violence, demanded whether the Chinese were prepared to carry out the ratification. Upon receiving no definite reply he threatened to leave Chefoo immediately and return to Japan. The Chinese implored time. The treaty ,ay under Admiral Tyrtoff. sword for four hours, the Chinese being afraid to lift it. 'The French and German Admirals supported Admiral Tyrtoff. The English-

men merely looked on. A modus vivendi was not arranged until midnight, and then the sword was lifted and the treaty exchanged.