THE CHINESE SITUATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 15

THE CHINESE SITUATION.

London, February 13. Ifc Is believed that the British battleship Victorious, recently ordered to China, is shadowing the movements of the Russian cruiser Vladimir Monomach. Britain is negotiating with the Chinese Government for the opening of Yuen Chonfu as a treaty port; also for the navigation of the inland waters in the Kiang-Si province. February 15. Shanghai reports that China offered Great Britain, instead of opening Talienwan Bay, two inland ports in the province of Hunan, access to which may be obtained by the Yang-t«e-kiang and its tributaries. China also offers Britain the appointment of a general, who will be empowered to raise an army of 60,000, with its headquarters at Penayong, ready to defend Pekin. February 16. It was recently announced that the Chinese Government had granted Britain the right to construct a railway from Mflndalay through the province of Yunnan. The Standard states that China now proposas that tha railway shall touch the Yang-tsc-kiang, Mekong, and Si-kiang Rivers, so as to give England control of the trade of the southern provinces. A Renter's message from Pekin states i that a secret treaty has been entered into between China and" Russia which does not j prevent the raising of a loan from abroad ; for the construction of the Manchurian ! railway. j February 17. The Japanese Ministers i* London and Pekin advi9a that China will be allowed to postpone payment, of the war indemnity due to Japan with a view to bringing about a reconciliation betwoen Japan aad China. Ths Kobe corre&pondenr, of The Times says it Is doubtful whether the finances o£ Japan will admit of such an arrangement. February 18. The Time 6 states that a credit of six million francS^has been voted by France for Tongking for the purpose of constructing a railway from Hanoi to the Chinese frontier. February 21. China has assured Britain that she will not alienate to any other Power any portion of tbe Yang-tse-kiang railway, and she has agreed to open all the inland waters to foreign steamers within four months. Constantinople, February 15. Rissia is negotiating with the Porte for leave to take through the Bosphorus from j the Black Saa a cruiser destined for China. Russia has purchased 50 000 tons or coal at Odessa. St. Petehsburg, February 13, The Russian auxiliary cruiser Tamboff has sailed for Vladivostok. She takes 1000 soldiers. February 16. The Czar is indignant that the Chinese delegate at St. Petersburg has been instructed to negotiate for the construction of railways only, and that the Russian Ambassador at Pekin wrongly informed him that the delegate was empowered to negotiate for the loan as well. Ia reference to the alleged purchase or 50,000 tons of coal by Russia at Odessa, i several Russian naval officers have been arrested for deception in connection with the affair. February 18. The Russian auxiliary cruiser Gambaff, which has sailed for Vladivostock, carried 16 guns. Hongkong, February 20. Seven thousand French troop 3 have been mobilised at Mongkui, the port of Tonkin, to co-operate with the navy on the arrival of reinforcements. A correspondent, who subscribes himself "O. X," writes:—"The Russian auxiliary cruiser Jamboff, mentioned as having sailed for j Vladivostock, is of 4360 tons acd 18 knots j speed. She is one of the • volunteer fleet' «f 10 ] vessels, rauging from 2700 to 5300 tons and 12 to 19 knots speed, which are at the disposal of the Russian Government when needed. ' The Black Sea Boya' fleet,' consisting of five steamers, ranging from 224-0 to 24-00 tons and 16 knots speed, and one bmall steamer ot 760 j tons and 13 knots speed, is similarly at the disposal oi: the Government. Tne Vladimir Monomach, now on the way out, is an aroaoured cruiser of 5796 tons, of which class Russia has already in the Bast tbe Admiral Nackiooff (7782 tons), Dimifcri Douskoi (5893), Paniyat Azova (6000). and the famous Rnrik, of 10,923 tons. The Sissoi Velski, also reported as on the way, is a powerfully-armed, though secondclass, battleship, of 8809 tons. The Nicoiai I, a second-class battleship, of 8440 tons, ia now on the station, and the Admiral Korniloff, a second-class cru'ser of 5000 tons, besides gunboats and torpedo boats, so that the Russian squadron in the East with these additions will be a very powerful one."