THE CRISIS IN THE FAR EAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 13

THE CRISIS IN THE FAR EAST.

BRITAIN LEASES WEI-HAI-WEI. London, April 4. The Times states that the Chinese Government have agreed to lease Wei-hai-wei to Great Britain after the withdrawal of the Chinase troops in May. - The Daily News, commenting upon the lease, says that more of the hinterland of the port is claimed. It is believed that j the Russian Government have acquiesced in tho lease, and that Japan is favourable to a Britioh occupation. The Timea remarks that Wei-hai-wei will be s, difficult place to defend, whilst, it is inferior to either KiaouChaa or Pert Arthur as a «aval base. It* is officially announced that China has opened Fu-ning-fu, in the Province of Fo-kieo, 70 miles north-east of Foochow; You-chon-fu, in the Province of Hunan, at the head of Lake Tung-ting ; and Chen-j>uen-£u, on the Gulf of Leao-fcoug, as treaty I ports. | The lea&ing of Wei-hai-wei to Great Britain | is confirmed. Japan agrees to the arrange- j ment. r It is reported from Tien-tsin that a censor or the highest rank hae memorialised tbe Emperor acensirg the members of the Isung-Li-Yauaen of accepting 10 milliou taels Russian pay, and Li Hang Chang of accepting a million and a-half taels. Jf Li Hung ia proved guiltless the censor offers to submit to decapitation, bat if guilty he asks that Li Huog be executed. April 5. An impression prevails that Britain will exact further compensation from China. Ifc is reported f r.om Pekin that France is about to seizs a coaling station near Fuc'aan. The Timss states that all the commercial Powers would view ao daring a step with the utmost disapprobation. The press and politicians are generally satisfied with the Wei-h=s,i-wei concessions, but the military service is less satisfied, fearing that, a heavy garrison with extensive fortifications will be necessary to maintain the positioD. Germany was completely surprised by the move, but is apparently acquiescent. "The Times states that M. Paoloff, the Russian representative at Pekin, did not support the French claims in Southern China. - - - April 6. In the Hoasa v of Lords the Duke of Devonshire said Kaiou Chan would be a free port, but Port Arthur gave' Russia strategic eea advantages and was a menace to Pekin. Tha concession of Wei-hai-wei certainly lessened appreberslons in regard to the Chinese question, and at China's request her warships would ba allowed facilities at Wei-hai-wei, Britain also consenting to train her naval officers. Earl Kimberley said th« dismemberment of China was inevitable. In the House of Commons Mr Balfour said there was a difficulty in the way of submitting papers on the Chinese question as negotiations w6re still proceeding 1 , thus limiting explanations by tbe Government on the subject. The state of extraordinary and unaccountable paralysis which existed in China provoked attacks. The Government had adhered to the policy enunciated on January 11, and had already obtained great commercial concessions. Germany's interests were absolutely identical with British, and he did not believe either ; Russia or Germany would interfere with .treaty rights. Russia's policy of railway extension and open ports would prove highly beneficial to commerce. Mr Balfour said if Russia is satisfied with an ice-free port the balance of power remains undisturbed. Believing that the occupation of Port Arthur will be a constant menace to Pekin, Lord Salisbury offered, if Russia abstained ft-om occupation, that' Britain would not have occupied a port on the Gulf of Pechili, but Russia refused. Wei-hsi-wei was leased on the same conditions as Port Arthur, and though of less natural strength Wei-*hai-wei would accommodate larger ships and a larger force. Pechili was thus prevented from falling into Russia's undisputed control. He tipped China would be opened

to universal trade, while still retaining her suzerainty. If not, the Powers specially interested would constitute an alliance to prevent her falling a prey to any exclusive interest, The speech was received with loud cheers. Sir W. V. Harcourt said the Government had abandoned equality of advantage. He was in favour of the policy of rival occupation. Mr Curzon said Wei-hai-wei as a port of observation would facilitate the policy of an open door. Russia had explicitly admitted the right of warships to enter Port Arthur. The occupation of Wei-hai-wei would not disturb Japan or Germany. Sir E.'Grey said Wei-hai-wei would prove extremely expensive, and ho doubts whether it restored the old balance of power. Lord Charles Beresford regarded it as an excellent counterpoise to Port Arthur. The debate was adjourned till the 11 Lh itist. Singapore reports that ou'y 15,000 tons o£ Welsh coal are afloat in Eastern ports. The price has risen 30 percent;. Ic~ is expected that Japan will control all the Eastern markets for coal, including warships. April 8. The Times correspondent »t St. Petersburg says it is understood in official circles in St. Petersburg that Russia assented without protest to the lease of Wel-hai-wei to Great Britain. April 10. The British War Office has decided to fortify Wei-hai-wei, and are shipping large quantities of shells thither. St. Petersburg, April 5. Count Muravifff, in response to inquiiietf, has reuewed his assurances that Russia will keep Port Arthur and Talienwaa open to trade. The Novoe Vreoiya threatens a demonstration on the pare of Rasaia on the Afghan frontier in reply to the British demonstration in the Gulf of Pechili. Russia has closed the ports of Ssbaslopol and Cronstadt to merchant shipping. April 6. The Novoe Vrenaya states that the concession of Wei-hai-wei to Britain deprives tha Russian fleet of & free exit from the Gulf of Pechili. fApril 10. The Russian Press are much less hostile towards Britain. It is considered that the present tone of the newspapers is duo to promptings which were received from the Russian Government. Berlin, April 5. The Nsuestin Nachiichtea (Latest News), commenting on the leasing of Wei-hai-wei to Great Britain, aajs that Germany is now unable to claim tbe Shantung Peninsula as her exclusive. sphere,. and that the influence of the -Russian position afc Port Arthur has been checked. Pekin, April 6. China haa agreed to the French demands, but reserved the. British lights with regard to the extensionafc Kowloon. Russia is fortifying 1 Taliemvan. " ' April 9. • China has voluntarily declared Woosung a treaty port, hoping that Britain will consent to a. revision of the tariff. Tokto, April 5. M. Alexieff, who was rocen*'y appointed Russian Financial - Adviser to tbe Corean Government, has now been appointed Russian Commercial Agent in Japan. April 6. The Japanese Dieth&s protested against tha action of Russia and Germany in CMora, and has urged the Government to onforce'a protest on similar grounds to those put forwaid by the Powers for the withdrawal of Japan from the Liaotting Peninsula after the laic China-Japan war. April 7. The Japanese are vehemently excited and will probably demand a foothold on the mainland opposite Formosa. PAEIS, April 7. The Rjpublique Francais 3tates that thera 5s grave danger of an alliance being formed between BritaiD, Japan, and Germany/ The Journal dcs Debats is alarmed at Britain's design to reorganise the Chinese navy, and demands that all the Powers must participate in the scheme. France now does not insist on Kaiou Chau b=jiug included in ths unalienabla territory, and claims that Frenchmen should assist and not superintend the postal service. Constantinople, April i. The Russian- Government have informed the Sultan that 20,000 troops will shortly pass through the Dardanelles en route for the East. The Fcench demands which have been conceded are presumably those recently announced, in which Fraccs insisted that Ch:na shall not alienate any territory pouEh'of Yang-tse-Kiarg, & coaling station at Kwanchow, and the prolongation of the Laokin railway iuto Yunnan. Th« firat stipulation is apparently made with the objacfe of blocking British expansion from Kowloon, and to prevent the extension of the Burmese railway. The British rights appear to have been reserved in conceding .French demands.