THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIV, Issue 12323, 13 October 1900, Page 7

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

A DISGRACED GENERAL. PRINCE TRAN’S PUNISHMENT, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR, THE ALLIES’ EORCE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Oct. 11. The Shanghai correspondent of the “ Standard ” says that General Yu has been suspended, because the Dowager-Empress discovered that his supposed army of 60,000 men only consisted of 4000. The Shanghai correspondent of the “Daily News” cables that the DowagerEmpress is unable to degrade and adequately punish Prince Tuan while he is recognised as the father of the heir to the throne. Sir Ernest Satow.who succeeds Sir Claude Macdonald at Pekin, has left Shanghai. ■ i THE BRITISH AT CHINGWANTO. MURDER OF A MISSIONARY. THE ALLIES’ ARMY. INSUFFICIENT TO ADVANCE ON SINGANFU. HONGKONG, Oct. 11. A British force is guarding Ohingwanto harbour, near Shanhaikwan. The Rev D. Kay and his wife and daughter were murdered at Shansi on August 30, at the same time that Miss Way was killed. Count Waide rase recognises that the Allies possess insufficient troops to advance to the new capital at Singanfu. TROUBLE IN THE SOUTH. RUSSIA’S ATTEMPT TO STEAL A MARCH. (Received Oct. 12, 11 p.m.) HONGKONG, Oct. 11. An Imperial edict confirms the punishments on the instigators of the attack on the Legations cabled yesterday. Unfavourable news has been received from Swabow, near Canton, and a German gunboat has gone to Canton to repress any action by the Chinese against foreigners. General Chaffee reports 'that Li Hung Chang has demanded ' that Americans should return loot to the value of two hundred thousand! dollars.

The British axxdl Italians have occupied the Summer Palace, displacing the Chinese officials whom the Russians had restored without consulting the Allies. The Germans occupied the palace of the Dowager, which the Russians looted and then restored to the Chinese. . THE RUSSIAN GENERAL. A GIFT FROM THE CZAR. ST PETERSBURG, Oct. 12. The Czar has presented General Algxieff with a sword of honour, resplendent with gems, and) inscribed, “ For victories at the seat of war, Pechili, 1900.” A rescript has been issued, demobilising a great part of the Russian troops specially summoned in connection with the trouble in China. HONGKONG, Oct. 12. The British are sending an expedition to the coalmines in the hills to the westward of Pekin, to investigate the supply. M. DELCASSE’S PROPOSAL. •HONOURS FOR AN ANTI-FOREIGNER. (Received Oefc. 12, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 12. Lord Salisbury has accepted M. Deloa'sse’s .proposal in principle, and has suggested that each nationality should garrison one place. Japan has adhered to the principle, and Mr M’Kinley, despite ar reservation, cordially supports the proposal as the basis of negotiations. (Received Oct 13, 1.30 a.m.) HONGKONG, Oct. 12. Chang Weh Hang, at whose suggestion the Dowager Empress enrolled the Boxers army, has been made Governor of Singanfu. , ' V ' BERLIN, Octe 12. Advices received here ..assert tha t the province of Hunan is in' a state of rebellion.

..... NOTES ON THE SITUATION. Recen* cables do nto'b make the situation in China look any brighter. Count Woldersea’s admission that the trctops ait his disposal are not sufficient to justify am advance upon the new 'capital at Singanfu shows that the position is very critical. The Allies are unable to move any disttoce from the sea-board, and the rest of the Country is practically at the mercy of the enemy. This being (the case, It is satisfactory to have additional assurances of the good relations existing between the Western Powers. America is probably restrained te some extent by the impending Presidential election, but the rest of tiro Allies appear to be in perfect accord, ahid! to be applying themselves with the utmost vigour t'o the settlement of the 'trouble. Germany has declared that her arrangement with Russia in regard to the working of the railways under their control is purely a military one, tod the fadt that Great Britain is guarding the harbour alt Chingwan'tb while the other Powers are restoring the land communications suggests that this explanation is Correct. The suspension of General, Yu hy the Dowager-Empress for deceiving Iris Royal mistress with regard to the strength of the army under his control has no very important hearing on the situation. It is common enough for Chinese officers to practise deception of this kind, as their own pay .depends upon the nominal number of their men, and the Empress was, probably aware of the condition of the general’s force long before it suited her to degrade him. The difficulty of adequately punishing Prince Tuan, on account of his being recognised as the father of the heir to the throne, could be easily overcome by the discovery, under Chinese methods, of another parent, if the Empress really wished to conciliate the Powers.