THE POWERS AND EASTERN ASIA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9919, 27 December 1897, Page 5

THE POWERS AND EASTERN ASIA.

RUSSIA, CHINA, AND JAPAN. SUPPLIES FOR RUSSIA. United Prcst Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. I Received December 24th. 9.50 a.nr. Shanghai, December 28. The Chinese Government -. regard Russia as her only friend and Great i Britain's influence as nil, owing in a large measure to the failure of the last Chinese loan. Russian officers are drilling the northern army divisions in China. St. Petersburg, December 28. China has accepted the offer of Russia to supply her army with 120,000 Berdan rifles, payment to be made after five years. China undertakes to reconstruct the fortifications at Russia's expense. The Novoe Yremya says that Japan is unable to command any Power interested in Chinese waters. The Novosti, another leading journal, states that Great Britain will probably acquire Port Hamilton or Lazareff, in Corea, Other Russian newspapers say that financial relations between Russia, China and Corea give Russia an enormous influence over the other Powers. An Extraordinary Council of State, under the Presidency of the Czar, has been summoned at St. Petersburg, in order to discuss future action in China. Russia demands the dismissal of English engineers on the Chinese railways and the substitution of Russians, but China hesitates to take this step. Vienna, December 23. The press urge the Austrian Government to secure a sphere of influence in China. Washington, December 23. The United States Government remains passive with regard to China. Received December 24th, 9.50 a.m. St. Petersburg, December 23. The Russian authorities are negotiating with several firms in San Francisco for large supplies of canned fruits and meat for Vladivo3took, in view of possible trouble with Japan. Rec-ived December 24th, 7.40 p.m. London, December 23. The Standard's Pelcin correspondent states that Russia is willing to -advance the balance of the indemnity, 200 million taels, which China agreed to pay Japan, in eight instalments at the conclusion of the late war, on condition that Japan is compelled to evacuate Weibaiwei. The terms of peace between the two countries provided that Japanese tjroops should continue to occupy Weihaiwei, the chief Chinese naval station, as a guarantee for the observance of the treaty and the payment of the indemnity. China, by the flotation of loans, has already paid a portion. This latest-move on the part of Russia has caused great excitement in Japan, where prolonged Cabinet Councils, attended by the military advisers of the Government, are being held. Received December 25th. 1.5 a.m. Paris, December 24. France ia sending a cruiser to China. Berlin, December 24. The newspapers refer to the inferiority of the German squadron compared with the British fleet in Eastern Asia. The Cologne Gazette says open resistance to Germany's action in China would mean immediate Russian help foe Germany. Received December 21th, 9.30 p.m. Sydney, December 24. In connection with the cable announcing Russia's obtaining large supplies of canned meats and fruits for Vladivostock, the Russian Government has for somo weeks been in communication with the New South Wales Government, with the view of obtaining 700 tons of frozen meat, to be delivered at Vladivostock during the next twelve months. The Minister for Agriculture, after arranging with several exporters, cabled to Russia the terms upon which the meat will be supplied, and has not yet received a reply.