CHINA AND THE POWERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4313, 23 March 1901, Page 5

CHINA AND THE POWERS.

OAB3LIS NEWS.

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THE RAILWAY SIDING DIFFICULTY. 1 “ DIPLOAIACY AIUST SETTLE THE QUESTION.” .. LONDON, March 21. The British authorities at Tientsin are calling up reinforcements to maintain order in the event of.trouble arising from the French sympathy with the Russians.

According‘to a Reuter’s Agency message, the sentries of both tho Russian and British forces at Kinder’s siding are nnder orders to refrain from aggression unless the conduct of the other party compels action.

Hearing that Major-General Campbell (British) and Major-General Wogack (Russian) had received instructions from their Governments, Count von Waldersee, tho CommandcrnnrChief of the ai. Hod 1 army, replied that- diplomacy must settle the question. Persistent reports arc circulated that friendly negotiations are in progress _at London and St. Petersburg to decide tho.real facts as to the concession. Tho substitution of cool-headed marines for Indian troops is intended to minimise the possibility of untoward incidents.

Eight hundred Russian artillerymen have sailed from Odessa, on the Blaek Sea., for Port Arthur. The British outposts hitherto employed on tho linos of communication are concentrating at Tientsin. Kinder’s siding gives access to the wharfage connected with the coal mines. A PARTIAL SETTLEMENT ARRIVED AT. AIILITARY GUARD WITHDRAWN. (Received March 22, 1.57 p.m.) LONDON, Alarch 21. Speaking hi the House of Commons, the Alarquis of Lansdowue, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated that* Russia and England had agreed to withdraw their respective troops from the disputed railway siding at Tientsin, pending examination of the titles to tho land. (Received March, 22, 10.52 p.m.) LONDON, Alarch 22. Lord George Secretary of State for India, states that in the trouble with tho Russians over Kinder’s siding, General Barrow restricted himself to the protection of British rights to the land, which' he believed was the property of the) railway administration. Count von Waldersee was present when Alajor-Goneral Barrow and General Wogack arranged for a withdrawal of thei respective guards at daybreak yesterday. Work has been suspended until a diplomatic settlement is arrived at.

(Received Alarch 23, 1.6 a.m.) LONDON, March 22. _ The Alarquis of Lansdowue stated in the House of Lords that owing to an affront offered to the Russian flag by Britain on the 16th, lie had; instructed the British Commander, LieutenantGeneral Gascleo, to invite Count von Waldersee to arbitrate, reserving questions of titles.

He had also requested General Gaselee to avoid force, ctecept to repel aggression. It was understood if either side was found to be blamable for irregularity an apology would be forthcoming. (Received March 23, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, March 22.

.Lord Lansdowne proceeded to say that Count Lamsdorff proposed to Sir Charles Scott (British Ambassador at St. Petersburg) that'there-should be a simultaneous withdrawal, with a reservation of the" question of title to 'Kinder’s siding. Great Britain had agreed to this, and orders were thereupon sent to both forces to withdraw under Count von Waldersee’s supervision. The incident, said Ms Lordship, had ended, and what was a small matter of strictly local importance had not disturbed tho relations of the two Governments. The announcement was received with cheers. MEASURES FOR AIAINTAINING PEACE. LONDON, Alarch 21. General Baillouid, commander of the French forces in China, is inquiring into the recent disorderly conduct of French soldiers at Tientsin.

French gendarmes have been posted outside tho British concession to prevent French soldiers from entering. Similarly, the Australian Naval Brifi.de has been stationed outside the rench concession to prevent the Sikhs from entering. SETTLEMENT OF THE KOREAN DIFFICULTY. (Received March 22, 10.46 p.m.) LONDON, March 22. News from Yokohama, dated Thursday, says that the Korean crisis has been settled, and the official responsible beheaded. [The crisis referred to, no particulars of which - have 6om© to baud, was probably the cause of the hurried departure of Russian warships from Japan to Korea, and the reported mobilisation of the •Japanese fleet.] AIANCITURIA AND RUSSIA. (Received March 23, 1.10 a.m.j LONDON, Alarch 22. In the House of Commons Lord -Cranborne, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said the Government regarded Count Lamsdorffs assurances to Sir Charles Scott on February 6th and 27th as applicable to any Russo-Chiuese Manchuria agreement.