THE FAR EAST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10061, 13 June 1898, Page 5

THE FAR EAST.

CABLE NEWS.

GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

THE RUSSO-CHINESE TREATY.

United Press Asso.iation—■ By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. s Beceived June llth, 9.40 a-m. London, Jane 10. "The Times" states thai; a convention has been signed by China granting Great Britain a lease of the mainland behind Kowloon and opposite Hong Kong. China retains the northern shores of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay, but leases the waters of both bays, reserving to herself the right of entry for her own ships, whether for belligerent or nentral purposes. British ! jurisdiction is to be exercised over an area of 200 square miles. Received June 12th, 5 p.m. London, June 11. Russia bas declined to permit the Japanese railway from Chemulpo to Seoul, in Corea, ou the ground that British capital is invested in the venture. The newspapers have published the text of the liusso Chinese Treaty in regard to Fort Arthur. It states that the port is regarded for the exclusive use of Russian and Chinese warships, and is to be closed against foreign warships and merchantmen; while the port of Ta-lien-wan is to be exclusively reserved for Russian and Chinese warships. Mr Curzon, Parliamentary Underj Secretary for Foreign Affairs, states that the documents have not yet reached Lord Salisbury. I The above are deemed to explain Mr Curzon's remarks on Thursday, because the documents overrule the Tientsin treaty. Received June 12th, 5 p.m. London, June 11. The debate in the House of Commons on the foreign policy is chiefly directed against Mr Chamberlain's speech at Birmingham. Mr Asquifch denounced it as fatuous and dangerous. Considering, he said, that' Great Britain and Russia were the dominating forces in Asia, it was of the highest importance that Great Britain should cease to regard Russia as a perpetually menacing antagonist. It was demeaning to tout for an alliance on the highways and byways of Europe. Sir W. V. Harcourt, Leader of the Opposition, demanded to know whether Mr Chamberlain or Lord Salisbury was the true exponent of the Government policy. Mr Chamberlain, in his reply, denied that the Cabinet were'divided. Had he differed from the Premier, he would ! have resigned. He adhered to his speech in Birmingham. They had sought an alliance with Russia, but having failed, it would be absurd to enter into fresh negotiations. It was impossible to enforce the policy of the open door, or preserve China against the inroads of great' "military Powers jso-I6ng as England was isolated, and he would advocate the closer relations of the Anglo Saxon nations. Received June 12th, 5.10 p.m. * London, June 11. In the course of his reply Mr Chamberlain taunted Sir William Harcourt that the present Cabinet was unlike its predecessor, where the Premier was not on speaking terms with a leading colleague.