THE SITUATION IN THE EAST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9990, 21 March 1898, Page 5

THE SITUATION IN THE EAST.

. FRENCH DEMANDS UPON CHINA.

ATTEMPT TO CHECK BRITISH

EXPANSION.

THE CHINESE LOAN.

RUSSIA AND CORE A.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyricht. Received March 20th, 4.45 p.m.

London, March 18.

France demands that China shall not alienate the territory south of Yang-tse-Kiang. This is done with the view of blocking British extension from .Kowloon, which was ceded to Britain in 1861, and also to obstruct the Burmese railway extension granted to Britain through Yunnan.

Franch also demands the cession of the coaling station at Kwanchou, and the prolongation of the I_aokai railway in the French sphere in Tonquin into Yunnan. * Tfie Times, referring to the French demands in regard to Kowloon, states that they show the necessity of securing the expansion which the Government of Hong Kong pressed upon* the Home authorities when China, at the instigation of France, gave Great Britain the" right to demand compensation for the breach of the Burmese agreement. "However," adds The Times, " owing to the procrastination of the Imperial Government we are now confronted with an attempt to steal a march, and it is necesaary to make. China understand that worse things will happen than the occupation of Hainan if she yields to France." Received March 20th, 5.15 p.m. London, March 19. The tenders for the Chinese loan are to be opened on Tuesday. The London and Berlin financiers favourably receive it. The price of the loan has been fixed at 90. Tokio, March 19. Russia has withdrawn from the control of Corea in response to pressure by Japan. In the event of Corea failing to maintain its independence, however, Russia will again intervene. M. Alexieff, the Russian financial agent, has accordingly been recalled. Pekin, March 19. The French Ambassador at Pekin, on his last visit to the Tsungli-Yamen, or Chinese Council of Foreign Affairs, when the demands of France were refused, threatened active operations from Tonquin and the seizure of the coaling station.