CHINA AND THE POWERS

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 21

CHINA AND THE POWERS

LONDON, February 13. Su* Ernest Satow, British Minister at Pekin, has informed the Chinese Government that Great Britain declined to recognise the obscure official Changpossi as an envoy to offer condolences on the death of Queen Victoria and to congratulate King Edward on his accession. _Li Hung Chang has assured the foreign _ Ministers that the Emperor is sulcly directing the affairs of the Empire. LONDON, February 15. Nevra from China states that the Emperor has directed the astronomers to select an auspicious day for his return to Pekin.

Three officials on the Ministers’ list of wrongdoers have refused the Emperor’s request that they should commit- suicide,

A member of British and Continental capitalists have acquired for a mil lien sterling the works of the Chinese EnSineering and Mining Company, and the Icsping coalfield. This is the largest transfer ever effected in China.

The Austrian forces have occupied 150 acres near the Imperial Canal at Tientsin, with a view of forming a settlement.

The ‘Daily Telegraph’s” special correspondent in China states that the Australian Contingent has received instructions from the Admiralty to return home as soon as possible after the winter "breaks. It will probably start early in. March. LONDON, February 16. The Chinese attacked a Russian force beyond Shan-hai-kwun, killing four officers and forty men. Russian reinforcements have been sent. The Pekin correspondent of “The Times” says that the action of the Imperial Court in refusing to return to Pekin is not inexcusable, in view of the decision of the foreign Ministers to begin the construction of a Legation fortress alongside the Imperial Palace. The fortress will have accommodation for two thousand troops with their equipment and stoies capable of withstanding a three months’ siege. The correspondent also states that with a- view to subsequent commercial transactions, France and Germany have annexed sern© acres of private property at Pekin, and Italy has grabbed the imperial maritime Customs buildings and gardens. LONDON February 17. Speaking in the House of Commons, Viscount Cranbourue, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said the Powers had been far too lenient with China. Britain, he said, had opposed an expedition to the interior to enforce punishment of those responsible for antiforeign outrages.