THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11540, 29 March 1898, Page 5

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

LORD SALISBURY’S POLICY,

BRITISH NEWSPAPER CRITICISM. THE RUSSIANS AT TALIENWAN. ALLEGED RUSSO-CHINESE AGREEMENT. CONCESSIONS TO JAPAN. NAVAL ACTIVITY AT HONGKONG. United Press Association—By Electric TelegraphCopyright. Beceived March 28, 9.15 a.m. LONDON, March 26. The Times, in dealing with the situation in China, asserts that Lord Salisbury’s vacillation has assisted the rivals of Great Britain to effect a political and economic revolution in China. It contends that it is imperatively necessary that England should re-establish her influence in Pekin, and urges that a strong naval demonstration should be made by the British fleet in the Gulf of Pechili.

The Standard says that Great Britain’s recital of admirable formulaewill not prevent the partition of China, and asserts that members of the House of Commons regard the situation as exceedingly grave, and deplore the official reticence of the Government in the matter. The paper adds that the Opposition would not oppose a vigorous policy if adopted by the Government. English journals generally complain of Lord (Salisbury’s weakness with regard to British policy. Influential merchants in Londoncontend that the efforts so far made by Great Britain with the view of maintaining the independence of China have failed. They urge the occupation of the island of Chusan and the Koroloon Peninsula as necessary to safeguard British interests in the valley of the Yang-tse-Kiang and Hongkong. Beceived March 29,12.50 a.m.

March 27. f

A Reuter’s telegram states that China will open Euming Fu, near Foochow, as a treaty port, but will retain sovereign rights at Port Arthur and TaUenwan, both of which will ■be open to warships of all nations. Kiuchan will remain in the hands of the Chinese. Russia, however, will establish a small station in ite;environs. V PEKIN, March 26.

Russia has agreed that Talienwan shall be an open port under the superintendence of Russian officials, with a tariff similar to that of the. Chinese treaty ports. She undertakes to pay China the Customs revenue of the port, after the expenses of collection have been deducted. Beceived March 28, 9.30 turn. HONGKONG, March 26. It is believed that Russia and China have agreed to prevent Great Britain from acquiring Weihaiwei, and that Russia undertakes to protect China from the British. _ In return for concessions in Corea, Japan will not oppose ,Russia iu the Liaotong Peninsula. The Hongkong Naval Yards are working night and day. The British warships in port are loading coal and ammunition, and preparing to leave for sea on Tuesday next.