THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12428, 18 February 1901, Page 5

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

AN AUSTRIAN SETTLEMENT. ■ United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, Feb. 15. The Austrian forces have occupied 150 acres near the Imperial Canal, at Tientsin, for the purpose of establishing a settlement there. EXCUSING THE IMPERIAL COURT. (Received Feb. 17, 5.10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. The " Times'" Pekin correspondent saj-s that the action of the Imperial Court, in not returning to Pekin is not inexcusable, in view of the foreign Ministers' decision to begin the construction of a Legation's fortress alongside the Imperial Palace, for the accommodation of two thousand troops, with their equipment and stores capable of withstanding a three months' siege. THE GAME OF GRAB. . The "Times'" correspondent also states that France and Germany, with a view to subsequent commercial transactions, have Annexed acres of private property in Pekin. Italy has grabbed the Imperial Maritime Customs buildings and gardens. RUSSIAN LOSSES. (Received Feb. 17, 5.10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. The Chinese, attacked'the Km-sian force beyond Shanghai, killing four officers and forty men., Russian reinforcements have been sent. TOO LENIENT. (Reoeived: Feb. 18, 12.9 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17. Viscount Cranborne, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated in the House of Commons that the Powers had been far too lenient towards China. Britain had opposed the expedition to the interior to enforce punishment. RETURN OF THE AUSTEALIAN CONTINGENTS. . SYDNEY, Feb. 16. The China special correspondent of the Sydney " Daily Telegraph " states that the Australian naval contingents have received instructions from the-Admiralty to return home as soon as possible after the, winter breaks. They will probably start early in March. .