THE SITUATION IN THE FAR EAST.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 36

THE SITUATION IN THE FAR EAST.

Hongkong, February 1. Eussia has 10,000 troops in China at Port Arthur and Talien Wan Bay. Berlin, February 1. Germany demands further railway concessions in the Shantung Peninsula, from China, as compensation for the murder of a German sailor at Eiao-chau in June last. London, Febuary 1. Eeuter’s correspondent understands that China is willing that British ships should anchor in Port Arthur, where the Bussian ships have been allowed to winter. St. Petersburg, February 1. The Novoe Vremya ' complains of the exasperating tone of the English newspapers in connection with their calculations of the strength of the Eussian fleet. It says the English papers forget that Eussia could outweigh the combined fleets of England and Japan in Eastern waters by sending her Baltic fleet to China, and she could do this without any danger to her position in the Baltic. Constantinople, February 1. A Eussian steamer currying 1500 soldiers, 12 cannon and a number of quick-firing guns has passed through the Bosphorus from a Eussian port in the Black Sea, bound forVladivostock. Yokohama, February 2. Owing to his strongly favouring the Eussians, M. Hishi, the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been compelled to resign office. The Emperor of Corea has declined a Eussian request for a resident legation. St. Petersburg, February 2. It is reported that an arrangement has been arrived at whereby the Chinese Eastern Eailway is to be connected by two lines with the Eussian system at the Manchurian frontier. London, February 2 The correspondent of the Times at Pekin reports that Britain has definitely withdrawn the conditions in regard to the opening of Talien Wan Bay, which she alcached to the recent offer to float tlie Chinese loan. The objects sought have by the waiving of the demand been secu:ea, and he expresses the opinion that there is every reason to hope that the negotiations with China as to the loan will prove successful. Eeuter’s agent at Pekin states that China having allowed the Eussian squadron to winter at Port Arthur, the German squadron will occupy Port Kiaochou, whero tho Eussians wintered last year. London, February 3. The Government has ordered the firstclass battleship Barfluer (10,500 tons, built in 1894) to proceed to service in Chinese waters. The British and American newspapers express great disappointment over the suggestion that Lord Salisbury is backing down in connection with England’s demands for opening Talien Wan. The Continental papers rejoice over the announcement contained in the Times that Britain has definitely withdrawn her conditions with regard to Talien Wan. The British Foreign Office has warned the public that many of the statements published in the newspapers are inaccurate. London, February 4.

The Russian and German newspapers., commenting on England’s withdrawal of the demand for opening Taiieu Wan Bay

as one of the conditions of the Chinese loan, endeavour to prove that Russian diplomacy Has defeated British diplomaey. , , The Standard's Berlin correspondent StdteS.fbiat the Goroiaii negotiations for fiafHbip'atiiig fi} loan Will be liniitea tb’ fedfikerS; SBB &qjretniii6dt &dp taking any share. The Sictfldatw it is still hoped ihat, Great Britain vfril! get the lion’s share of the loan. New York, February 3. The newspapers of Baited; States publish articles expressing strong sympathy with Britain in the event of war being declared. The New York Herald remarks that bleod is thicker than water, and points cut that millions of Anglo-Saxons would find their commercial interests threatened if England were compelled to fight. PeiFIN, February 3. Colonel Wdrorloff, ltdssiari Military Adviser to the Chinese Government; ha§ Deed placed under arrest. The Chinese authorities have also dismissed the German military official*-who fefh hfigaged its instructors to the Chinese t'aijr at thd .tdtdtiddtidd o’f the war with Japan. * . ~~~ r . - . . Hongkong, Fefefdary 4. The Chineses assassin of a German sailor * at Kiao-chau has been beheaded by the Chinese authorities. Six thousand Russian troops have arrived at Kirin, capital of the Kirin province of Manchuria, situated on Sungavia (a branch of the Amur fiver) at the .head of steam J navigation. There are 70,000 Russian troops at Vladivostock. London, February 4. Mr Gerald William Balfour (Chief Secretary for Ireland), speaking at _ Leeds, denied that the Government was flinching from the position taken up in regard to China, and had not departed from the attitude first assumed in the smallest particular, and had not yielded any Claims tinder pressure of the Powers. - London, February 7. The British cruiser Bonaventure—a second-class cruiser of 4360 tons, and 9000 h.p —is being placed in commission for the China station. Hongkong, February 6. At the request of Sir Robert Hart, Inspector-General of the Chinese Imperial Castoms, Mr M. Boyd Bredon, Commissioner of Customs at Chefoo, has been appointed Deputy Inspector-General. Sir Robert Hart will act as chief adviser to the Chinese Government on general affairs. St. Petersburg, February 6. The Russian armoured cruiser Vladimar Monomach haß sailed for China. THE SIBERIAN LINE AND AUSTRALIA A MOMENTOUS QUESTION. Writing of the possible daqger to Australia that may arise from the completion of the Siberian railway, the China correspondent 6f the Age says:— “The importance to Australasia of the present attitude of Europe towards China can scarcely be exaggerated. It is now admitted that Port Arthur will be the southern outlet of that great railway, which is to traverse Siberia, and place Manchuria in direct communication with St. Petersburg. This railway will possibly cause the abandonment of the present mail route to India and Australia in favour of the trans-Siberian line. This latter is to be completed in 1901, and will give an unbroken stretch of railway from Ostend to Vladivostock, 8969 miles in length. This distance might easily be covered in 300 hours, which would bring Port Arthur within 13 davs of London,

and japafl within 15, as against 28 day s via Canada or e?l days via Suez. Moreover, if fast steamofs* Vfte provided between the Pacific termiruAf Australian port 3, Brisbane might b# brought within 25 day 3of London, and a divergence of traffic caused which Would have a powerful effect upon our tufiioiial lutorests. There is no need to MM oitt With which a Russian, French or German expedition might swoop ite'dn th’e co’asts d$ , t tfcßS *teps will have to , be taken!, ttf {luJfcKeh the-Saifl-m’utiication between Great Britain her Eastern' possessions. Either, the P: and V. must ShiMeU, the, passage by five or &i± days or a land ItiiQ bo con 95 to India, with provision for through traffic as far as Madras for Australian travellers. It seems strange that the project of a laud line to India should have slept so long. It ought to be easy enough to devbo some railway project for shortening the route to the East. One profefifele effect of the action of Germany and Rus&ici iff EhiHa will, be to induce Australia to federate, xxt tfll from the days of the nchaian >, down to that of the i ominion of Canada, federation has been the outcome of a fear {feat tiniest a HUittbor of small communities feebfiniQ dmfiigdrtiMted ifitd ft large one their indepericiontie Wo’iiid .fee sSrldtlsly threatened. Is Australia qfiifcb ffCO froiii such a danger ?”