MANCHURIA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1908, Page 7

MANCHURIA.

«> JAPANESE TREATMENT OF TRADE. THE " OPEN DOOK." AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE. Br TulierapJi. — Pr*s» Association. — Copyricht LONDON, 26th February. Reuter's Berlin correspondent reports that, it is stated on credible authority than Sun-Pao-ki, Chincso Minister, has been instructed to discuss with Prince Bulow, German Chancellor, the question of Japan's treatment of trade inierests in Manchuria. The Chinese representative will also broach the possibility of the United States and Germany entering into a special agreement for the maintenance of equal trade opportunities in Chinese territory. RAILWAY QUESTIONS. JAPAN IS DETERMINED. TOKIO, 26th February. The Japanese Government declares that it intends to hold China to her pledge not to construct a railway parallel with, or any branch line likely to affect the traffic of, the South Manchurian railway. The latter would lose half its traffic if the Takumen line were constructed. The question does not affect the open-door policy, which Japan is actively engaged in executing. CHINESE PRESS OPINIONS. THE OPEN-DOOR ENDANGERED. (Received February 27, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 26th February. Dr. Morrison, the well-known corrospondent, states thai Chinese newspapers urge that if the Japanese contention denying China's right to extend northward tne railway system wost of Liau is upheld, tho result will be the ond of the "open-door" and extinction of Chinese sovereignty in Manchuria. The Pekin Government is discussing the question wiLh tho Japanese Legation. ffc has been asserted by American newspapers that tho real " question of trouble between the United States and Japan is not that of immigration, but whether Manchuria will fall under .Japanese control and the open-door be closed. In regard to the vail way dispute between Japan and China. Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Minister, has made friendly representations to the Government of the Mikado. A British syndicate tias secured a concession for the construction of the line, and China, despite Japanese protests, is giving indication of a determination to abide by the agreement, which has been signed. Japan holds that the building of the railway, whicn would run parallel with the South Alanchurian railway, would injuriously affect Japanese interests. INDIAN FRONTIER TROUBLE. ■ — » ZAKHA KHELS DISHEARTENED. By Telcsrraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. (Received February 27, 8.42 a.m.) CALCUTTA, 26th February. Tho Zakha Khcls are greatly disheartened, and there is every indication of their early submission. DISTRESS IN INDIA. A MILLION PERSONS GETTING RELIEF. By Tclesrraph.— Presa Association.— Copyright CALCUTTA, 26th February. Upwards of a million persons in India are in receipt of relief. On 6th January the Secretary of State for India received the following telegram from the Governor-General:— "Moderate rain fell during the week in _ part of Madras Presidency; slight rain in Burma, Eastern Bengal and Assam, Bombay, and Hyderabad. Elsewhere- week was rainless. Rain urgently wanted in Upper India, and owing to its absenco prospects are becoming worse, and distress 'is increasing in United Provinces and Contral India. Numbers of Stato relief are now: United Provinces, relief works, 68,404; gratuitous relief. 32,928; Central India, relief works, "32,781; gratuitous relief, 1897. No marked increase of crime, or wandering, has yet appeared in United Provinces, and measures taken to meet situation are adequate. Bengal report is somewhat more hopeful than before, though rain is wanted badly, and scarcity is apprehended in a number of districts in Orissa. Numbers on test works are- still insignificant, but over 3000 poisons, mostly women and children, are- in receipt of gratuitous relief. 574 persons are employed on test works in Panch Mahals district of Bombay. Total number of persons in receipt of Stato relief in the whole of India is now 140,000. Area sown with wheat in British India is estimated to be 34 per cent, less than last year. "In the Punjab and United Provinces de. crease is 42 and 35 per cent, respective' ly. There is also a decrease of 37 per cent, in area sown wiui oil seeds. Prices continue to show a tendency to rise."