A DRAMATIC SCENE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10415, 18 July 1895, Page 3

A DRAMATIC SCENE.

A correspondent of the New York Herald, writing to tbat paper from ShanehM under date May 13, describes the following scene :—" The exchange or ratifications of tne' Shimonoseki Treaty was in the same temple out'ijde Chefoo iv which Sir Thoaias Wade, the British Minister, signed the Chefoo Couvontion wifh Li -Hung Chans; 20 \eirs sgo. The place in known at the Ba-übpb Temple. The liasainn admiral (Izrtoff) '"and his vice-admiml, with the _ ,Germa.n, , French, and British I'dmirida (in uniform) and their escorts, waited the arrival of Count Ito and the Cbiuese envoys at the place of the ratification, vsh-u the treaty was laid upon the table Admiral Tzttoff drew his sword and laid it -pn>s the document in a state of great exfi'ement, saving, 'I protest against the ratifhv.tinu of this treaty in the nima of l,ha Czar, and give the Japane-e Governmeni.4B hourf-to ev.icua'-e every inch of Chinese soil' Tnis Rctiou created considerable consternation. The Chinese refused to move without instructions, and wired frantically to' Pekin Count Ito maintained a dignified 'stytiii'da, and, ignoring the Prussian' violence,,demanded whether the Chinese were^ptepar'td to e«ry out the ratification. Upon recc-iving no deUuite reply he threatened to leave Cuefoo irotaediatply and return to Japan The Chinese implored time The treaty lay under Admiral Tzrtotfa sword four hour'o, the Chineie being afraid to lift it. The French and Geiman admirals supported Admiral Tzrtoii. The English admiral merely Jookeu on A modus vnendi was not arranged until midnight, ana then the sword was lifted and the treaty exchanged."