THE PARTITION OF CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 13

THE PARTITION OF CHINA.

..RUSSIA'S LATEST DESIGNS. EXCITEMENT IN JAPAN. • ' London, December 20. - The St. Petersburg correspondent of The states, with reference to Russian movements in the East, that Russia is comT pelled to secure influence in Manchuria. December 21. <- The German squadron which recently left Kiel for Kaio-chau has arrived at Plymouth. 'Her Majesty entertained Prince Henry at ' dinner last evening. , December 22. The Times, commenting on the situation in China, says it is clear the occupation of Kiao-chan by Germany and Port Arthur by itussia is the result of a preliminary understanding between the two nations, and adds that if it can be shown that G/eat Britain's commercial and political interests in China will be injuriously affected by recent developments it is necessary no tim 3 should be lost in preparing to take a firm course of action. Great Britain's trade and interests in China enormously outweigh those of all other nations put together. If a»y agreement with France prevents the annexing of Cbusan, the navy must discover in South China a base equally as suitable as Shanghai for the defence of British commerce. The Times' St. 1 Petersburg correspondent states that the Russian Foreign Office sentprivate circulars to the editors of newspapers directing them to avoid showing au unfriendly tone towards Germany's action in China. The circular stated that the sending of a Russian squadron to Port Arthur had no political significance. December 23. A Renter's telegram from Pekin states that Great Britain demands a quid pro quo if China grants concessions to other Powers. The Standard's Pekin correspondent states that Russia is willing to advauce the balance of the indemnity of 200 million t'aels, which China agreed at the conclusion of the late war to pay Japan in eight instalments, on condition that Japan is compelled to Evacuate Weihaiwai. The terms of peace between the two countries provided that Japanese troops should continue to occupy Weihaiwei, the chief Chinese naval station, as a guarantee for the observance of the treaty and the payment of the indemnity. China, by the flotation of loans, has already paid portion. This latest move on the part of Russia has -Caused great excitement in Japan, where prolonged Cabinet Councils attended by the military advisers of the Government are being held. Shanghai, December 20. It is reported that th« British China fleet

will winter at Weihaiwei— a Chinese naval station on tho north coast of Shantung Peninsula, It is stated that China has invited Great Britain to assume a protectorate over the valley of the Yang-tse-Kiang and the Si Kiang, or West River. Government officials at Pekin have advised the transfer of the capital to Nankin, the capital of the province Kiangsu and the former capital of the Chinese Empire, situated considerably farther inland and to the southward than Pekin. December 23. The Chinese Government regard Russia as their only friend. Great Britain's influence is nil, owing in a large measure to the failure of the last Chinese loan. Russian officers are drilling the Northern army divisions in China. December 27. China declares that if the Horgkong Bank insists on likin or customs duties being placed under foreign control she would prefer to raise a Russian loan of one hundred million taels on the security of her railways and mines north of the' Great Wall. She would also divert her commerce to the advantage of Russia, and appoint a Russian to succeed Sir Robert Hart as Inspectorgeneral of Customs. '•„ Tokio, December 21. A large Japanese squadron has left Nagasaki, but its destination is not stated. St. Pjeteksbukg, December 20. Russian newspapers state that the occupation of Port Arthur by the Russian squadron is a counter move to the German occupation of Kaio-chan. December 23. Russian authorities are negotiating with several firms in San Francisco for large supplies of canned fruit and meat for Vladivoatock, in view cf possible trouble with Japan. China has accepted the offer of Russia to supply her army with 120,000 Berdan rifles, payment to be made after five years. China undertakes to reconstruct her fortifications at Russia's expense. The Novoe Vremya says that Japan is unable to command any Power interested in Chinese waters. The Novosti, another leading journa', Btates that Great Britain will probably acquire Port Hamilton or L^zarefl in Corea. Other Russian newspapers say that the financial relations between Russia, China, and Corea give Russia enormous influence over the other Powers. An extraordinary Counoil of State, under the presidency of the Czar, has been summoned at St. Petersburg, in order to discusa future action in China. Russia demands the dismissal of the English engineers on the Chinese railways and the substitution of Russians, but Ohiaa hesitates to take this step. Berlin, December 20. The Foregn Office profess to regard the Russian entrance to Port Arthur as a fore-

gone conclusion as a continuation of cooperation with Germany in Eaitern Asia. December 22. It is reported here that Great Britain will occupy Quelpaert, an island 52 miles south from the southernmost point of Oorea. The Cologne newspaper Kolinsche Zeitung sajs the partition of China has commenced, and other Powers will soon act. j December 24. The newspapers refer to the inferiority of ths Garman squadron compared with the British flset in Eastern Asia. The Cologne G-zstte says open resistance to Germany's action in China would mean immediate Russian help for Germany. Paris, D;c9mber 22. It is stated that the French Gavernment will remain passive with regard to the present international development in China, provided no aggressive movement is made in Southern China. A French ciuiaer has been sent to Hongkong. December 24. France is sending a cruiser to China. Vienna, December 23. The press urge the Austrian Government to secure the sphere of influence in China. Washington December 23 The United S sates Government remain passive with regard to China. Sydney, December 24. In connection with the cable announcing that Russia was obtaining large supplies of canned meats and fruits for Vladivostock, the Russian Government has for some weeks been in communication with the New South Wales Government with the view of obtaining 700 tons of frozen meat, to be delivered at Vladivostock during the next; 12 months. The Minister for Agriculture, after arranging with several exporters, cabled to Russia the ' terms upon which the meat would be supplied, and has not yet received a reply. December 27. The Hongkong Daily Press of December 2 contains an unofficial statement that Russia and Germany and France have agreed upon a policy of territorial aggrandisement in China, under which Germany is to retain Kiao-chau and eventually annex the whole of the. Shantung province ; France is to have Formosa and the Tokien province ; and Russia annexes Corea and Manchuria and the whole north-eastern portion of China as far as the Shantung border. Eastern news reports that a body of 1000 bandits raided Haifong, a district in China. They sacked the town and killed 21 men, two women, and four children.

Japan purchased over 120 railroad locomotives from the United States in 1896. At a poll in the Borough of Sumner on Thursday on fche introduction of the Rating on Unimproved Value Act only 29 votes were recorded. Of these 27 were for the proposal, 1 against, and 1 informal. As 77 votes were necessary to carry the proposal, it was declared lost.