NOTES ON AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 52

NOTES ON AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

(By Major Kexxeby.) September 4. Russia's excuse that the occupation of Niuchwang was dictated by military reasons for 'the protection of her borders will hardly bear close inspection, wlien tho distance Nitt. chwang to the nearest point on the Russian frontier is calculated. It is 480 miles as the crow flies, and that point is within 50 miles of Vladivostoek, and less than 40 miles from a large Russian military camp, which is permanently garrisoned by at least 7000 men, with three times that number within two days' march to support them if tho Chinese should cross the frontier. If the distance from tho other points of the Russian border on the Amur, or further west on the Algun Rh ers to Niu-chwang" is considered, the absurdity of the Russian claim is at once apparent, for the nearest approach to the southern frontier of Siberia would be along ihe line of railway which Russia is constructing from Niu-chwang to Tsurukhaitui, on the Argun River. * The distance from Niu-chwang to Tsurukhaitui is about S6O miles, via the route laid down lor tho railway, and as Russia finds it necessary to reinforce the large number of troops which are now guarding the partially constructed line, is it reasonable to suppose that the number can be reduced when the railway is completed and in operation? The only reason Russia desires to withdraw from the other Powers at this juncture is to be free to act independently whenever it suits her interests to do so, and no matter how careful the other Powers may be in their dealings) with a reorganised Chinese Government, JElussia will find an excuse to remain

the permanent owner of Manchuria unless Great Britain and the other Powers whe-o interests are threatened by Russian rule arc prepared to resort to arms to compel Russia to evacuate whenever the Russian troops are ordered to retire from Peking. Firmly resolved to secure •x footing in Manchuria, to place thousands of troops, with ample stores, equipped with every requisite, and with fortresses to fall back upon in case of need, Russia is taking every advantage of time, and is using the Suez Canal to place them in a position to defy the Powers when they decide to restore Chinese territory to a reorganised Chinese Government. Russian promises look well in print, but the statesman does not exist who honestly believes thai Russia will evacuate Manchuria unless her troops are too weak to hold it against the forces of the Powers which are sent against them. If the Russian frontier was in danger, and for its protection the occupation of Niu-chwang became a military necessity last month, how much more will its retention be necessary to Russia when a strategic railway connecting ihe Russian military bases at Unon, on the north, and Vladivostoek, on the north-east, with the military base at Talienwan and the naval base at Port Arthur passes through Niu-chwang and the thousand miles which separate the Russian military stations on the Yellow Sea from those in the north and east.

Tsitsihar, recently captured by the Russians, iv situate in the centre of Manchuria, at the junction of the Njnni and Talo Rivers, which together form the Sungari River, a branch of the Amur, which drains one half the territory of Manchuria. T&itsihar is at. the head of navigation, and i« an impoi bant place on the line of the Russian railway system, 190 mi!es_ north of Peluna, where the railway that is under construction from Vladivohlock to the westward joins the main line which connects Port Arthur with the Siberian system at Onor>. The population of Ttilsihar numbers 30,000. and the trade of the town is of considerable importance. The value of the place for milkary "purposes is very great, owing to its central position and the fact that the entiie trade of the whole of the central portion of Manchuria finds an outlet; to the sea via the Sungari River. The next town of importance which Russia will occupy will probably bo Petuna, and then Kirin, the capital of the central province of Manchuria, will follow, as the Russian troops march to the south. Kirin has:' a population of 150,000 "people, and has a rich trade, it being a great distributing centre. A branch of railway from Peluna is under construction, the distance from the last-named town to the capital being about 160 miles*. Ningula, 14-5 miles north-east of Kirin, has been occupied by a flu&oian force, which marched from Vladivojstock over a month a^o. This town lias a population of 15,000, and is located on the- railway connecting Vladivostoek with Petuna.

The movement" of the Russian troops from the north and east are towards the houih, their objective being Mukden, the capital of Manchuria, and the home of the Mpnchu Royal Horse, whose members rule the Chine's Empire. With Russian troops hastening from Europe, via Suez, to invade Manchuria from the south, the advance of other bodies of Russians from the north and east to form a junction with their comrades in the vicinity of Mukden, will complete the Russian chain, and as the troops push southward toward their objective other* will take up the positions they ha\e evacuated until every stiategic point on the railway system is fully garrisoned by artillery, dragoons, and infantry.

The Telegraph department advises us that Berne notifies that the Great Northern Company announce a momentary interruption of Chinese lines between Shanghai and Chefoo, and that the "laying of the cable between Chefoo and Shanghai has been commenced.