CRISIS IN CHINA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70455, 4 October 1900, Page 2

CRISIS IN CHINA.

» FBANCE AGBEES WITH GERMANY. RUSSIANS AND GEBMANS OCCUPY RAILWAYS. Per Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph. — Copybight. Beceived October 3, 10.25 p.m. Lonbon, October 2. The Victorian Naval Contingent has arrived at Taku. The New South Wales Contingent winters at Peking. Beuter's Paris correspondent states that M. Delcasse's (French Premier) Note to the Powers agrees with Germany as to the necessity of obtaining satisfaction for the murder of J3aron yon Ketteler (German Minister) and the attack on tke Legations. It suggests that the Ministers should ferthwith begin negotiations with reference to other questions at issue. A hope is entertained at Paris that Great Britain will adhere to the terms of the Note, which claimed to have the effect of re-establishing a concerted action by the Allies. Beceived October 3, 11 p.m. Hong Kong, October 3. A German force is at Liangsiang, occupying the Paotingfu railway. The Russians at Tongshang are controlling the Shanhaikwan line. Beceived October 4, 9.10 a.m. London, October 3. British trading steamers have been withdrawn from the West River, as, owing to vexatious restrictions, they are unable to compete with Chinese steamers, which receive preferential treatment. ' Hong Kong, October 2. An Imperial Edict has been issued dismissing the Governor of Shansi, and appointing to important offices men not connected with the Boxers. General Sir Alfred Gaseleo commands the Peking column. Tbe German column which was at Tientsin ia on its way to Paoting-fu. THE KAISER REPLIES TO THE CHINESE EMPEBOR. SUGGESTED OBLATIONS OF NO AVAIL. THEEE MUST BE PROPER ATONEMENT. Received October 4, 9 a.m. Berlin, October 3. It is officially stated by the Govern* nient that the Emperor has sent the following reply to the Chinese Emperor'a Edict tohim :—"I: — " I observe with satisfaction that Your Majesty is anxious to expiate, according to your religion, the shameful murder; yet, as a Kaiser and a Christian, I cannot regard the oblations you propose as an atonement. Besides my minister, there have gone to the Throne of God many of my brethren of the Christian faith — bishops, missionaries, women, and cKildren, who, for the sake of their faith, which is also mine, died martyrs, and are appearing before God as Your Majesty's accusers. No oblations can suffice for all those innocent ones. Ido not hold Your Majesty personally responsible, but your Advisers and officials, on whose heads rests the blood-guiltiness, must expiate the abominable deed. When.Your Majesty brings those officials to condign punishment I will consider it an expiation which satisfies Christendom." The. Kaiser invites the Emperor to return to Peking, promising protection, and adding; "I yearn for, a peace which atones

for guilt to the uttermost, which offers all foreigners in China complete security, and which offers, above all, free exercise of religion." GERMANS DEFEAT BOXERS. Received October 4, 10 a.m. t Hong Eong, October 3. Two battalions and one battery of Russians remain in Peking. Owing to an attack on the German* „ patrol south of Peking, General Hoffner, with 2,000 troops and batteries, burned several villages where arms were found, ] and subsequently dispersed a large Boxer force, killing 40.