THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 23

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

_ -^r THE APPEAL OF THE EMPEROB.

FRICTION BETWEEN BRITISH AND RUSSIANS.— UNEASINESS IN GERMANY.

THE KAISER REPLIES TO THE EMPEROR.

PAVING THE WAY FOB, PEACE. GERMANY'S NOTE ACCEPTED BY THE POWERS.

HONGKONG, October 1.

The British gunboat Robin shelled the village of Lukham, on tke West River, in retaliation for the Chinese firing upon a British-owned steamer at Lungkiang. The ringleaders were also seized and flogged. in following America's sdvice that the authorities should punish the instigators of the outrages, the hiand of Li Hung Chang is conspicuous. Action was taken by the latter with the hope of averting the blow of Germany. Chinese accounts declare that Li Hung Chang has tardily convinced tho Dowager Empress of the deception of which the Manchu leaders were guilty. They also represent the Emperor as having soundly rated the Princes and other courtiers for the state into which they had -brought the country. _ The Dowager Empress is said to have remained silent during this .lecture.

Kang__ Vi (the Chancellor) and Innian (Master of the Police at Peking) are included in the list of those who are to be punished.

The Emperor of China lias addressed an Edict to the Kaiser stating that he had ordered an official oblation to be offered to Herr Ketteler's coffin. The Chinese Minister at Berlin will also make ablations on the arrival of the coffin there. He appeals to the Kaiser to negotiate peace.

In another letter the Emperor expresses regret to the Mikado for the murder of the secretary of the Japanese Legation at Peking, and states that he has ordered funeral oblations.

October 2,

The Emperor's recent Edict declares that Prince Tuan and the others included in the punishment list were entirely responsible for the bloodshed.

Kirin was peacefully surrendered as a result of the Russian negotiations with Prince Ching and Li Hung Chang.

Besides denuding the Summer Palace at Peking, the Russians destroyed the famous White Pagoda and two Boxer temples. Octoßer 3. A German force is at Liang-siang, occupying the Paoting fu railway.

The Russians at Tongshang are controlling the Shan-hai-kwan line.

The Victorian naval contingent has arrived at Taku. The New South Wales contingent winters at Peking. . Two battalions and one battery of Russians will remain in Peking. General Gaselee commands the Peking column.

The German column, which was at Tientsin, is on its way to Paoting fu. O.ving to an attack upon a German patrol to the south of Peking, General Hoffner, with 2000 troops and several batteries, burned a number of villages where arms were found.

Afterwards they dispersed a large force of Boxers, killing 40.

An Imperial Edict has been issued dismissing the Governor at Shansi, and a.iv pointing to important offices men not connected with the Boxer-;.

HONGKONG, October 4.

It is officially announced that, in accordance with Court yon Waklersee's instructions, the allied admirals decided to seize Shan-ha i-kwan.

The British warships were sent to demand the surrender of the town.

The Chinese did not contest the demand, but evacuated the place.

The British flag was then hoisted, and the other flagships of the allied fleet entered the port, when the respective flags of the Allies were hoisted.

M. De Giers, the Russian Minister at Peking, has informed his colleagues that his Government, with the other Powers, had agreed on principle to withdraw from Peking and negotiate at Tientsin.

The other Legations assert that they had not received any such instructions, and that none of the officials responsible for the resent massacres had so far been punished.

Renewed preparations are being made for the expedition to Paoting fu.

October 8,

Huontapu, the Dowager Empress's nephew, who way dismissed by the Emperor in 1898, has succeeded Prince Tuan on the Tsung-li-Yamen. He has also succeeded Yun^ Lv as Generalissimo.

Five hundred Germans, with two guns, had a sharp encounter southwards of Tientsin with 8000 Chinese, described as Boxers. It is believed they are Li Hung Chang's Veterans. The Germans returned to Tientsin owing to their transport service being incomplete.

Shanghai attaches importance to the fact that the Woodcock and Woodlark are surveying respectively the Hau River and landing men in the vicinity of the Kangyin forts.

The Germans are building a branch railway line between Tangho and Chingwantao.

LONDON, October 1.

Reuter's coi respondent states that friction exists between the British and the Russians. Each Power hns seized and is repairing small sections of the railway.

October 2.

The Times correspondent at Peking states that the Chinese offered the British an opportunity to peacefully occupy Shan-kai-kwan and Tongshan, anticipating Russian action. The proposal was discountenanced by Great Britain for fear of disturbing the concert of the Allies.

Four thousand allied troops sail from' Tdku for Shan-hai-kwan, the navies cooperating.

Reuter's Paris correspondent states that M. Delcasse, in a Note to the Powers, agree? with Germany as to the necessity for obtaining satisfaction foi the murder of Baron Ketteler and- the attack on the Legations. He suggests that Ministers forthwith begin negotiations with reference to the oiher questions at issue.

A hope is entertained in Paris that Great Britain will adhere to the terms of the Note, which it is claimed will have the effect of re-establishing concerted action by the Allies.

October 3.

The British trading steamers have withdrawn from West Rivet. Owing to the vexatious restrictions imposed upon them, they are unable to compete with Chinese steamers, which are receiving preferential treatment.

October 4.

Emperor of Germany's reply to the Emperor of China is warmly praised throughout Great Britain and the Continent.

The latest indications are that a fresh German proposal will be msde. The idea seems to fee that tke ambassadors should inquire into the proposed punishment of the instigators of the outrages and superintend its being carried into effect, after which peace negotiations might be commenced.

Prince Ohing has been informed that General Yung Lv and the Viceroys at Nanking and Wuchang have been appointed, with Li Sung Chang, to negotiate. The Viceroys remaining at home are being consulted by telegraph.

The Allies, however, have already declared that the appointment of Yung Lv is impossible, he having taken part in the attack on the Legations.

October 7,

Germany has taken over from Russia the Taku-Tientsin-Peking railway, and 1 has promised to restore British control.

When approaching Shan-hai-kwan the Russian troops, mistaking the French troops for the Boxers, fired upon them. The French answered their fire. There were many casualties on both, sides, including 10 killed.

Reuter's correspondent states that a British force has occupied Chinwantao and commenced the construction of a- railway pier .vith a view to making the harbour a winter port.

October 8. Dr Morrison, in a despatch to The

Times, says that the Russians, after sacking it, handed the keys of the Summer Palace to the Chinese. Prince Tuan and other Boxer leaders are the mainstay of the Court, and probably dictated the decree appointing their own pseudo punishment.

The British police on the Kaulung border have been reinforced,- owing to an outbreak of Chinese rebels in the vicinity. PARIS, October 8.

M. Delcas^e's Note is interpreted in some quarters as a 'proposal for military control over China.

BERLIN, October 2.

It is .«emi-omcially announced here that Germany's aim in China was to maintain the Allies' concert. It is added that the alleged triple alliance amongst France, Russia, and Germany is baseless.

Much unrest prevails "in Germany respecting the Emperor's policy. German stocks arc falling heavily.

October 3.

IL is officially stated by the Government that the Emperor had sent the (following reply to the Chinese Emperor's Edict to him : - — •

" I observe with satisfaction that your Majesty is anxious to expiate, according to your religion, the shameful murder of my t Minister ; yet, a,s Ka'.ser, and a Christian, I cannot regard the oblations you propose as an atonement. In addition to my Minister, there hay& gone to the throne of God many of my brethren in the Christian faith. Bishops, missionaries, women, and children, who for the sake of their faith, which is also mine, have died martyrs, and are nppearing before God as your Majesty's accusers. No oblations will suffice for all those innocent ones. I do not, however, hold your Majesty personally responsible ; but your advisers and officials, on whose heads rests 'the blood guiltiness, must expiate their abominable deed. When your

Majesty brings those officials to condign punishment, then I will consider it an expiation which satisfies Cliristeadom."

The Kaiser invites 'the Emperor to return to Peking, promising him protection, and adds: "I yearn for a peace which will atone for guilt to the uttermost, and which offers all foreigners in China complete security, and affords, above all, absolute liberty for the free exercise of religion." October 5.

It is officially announced that Germany accepts the Emperor of China's edict forefehado'Wing tne punishment of the leaders as the first step towards the re-establish-ment of older.

China asks the Allies to inquire sufficiently as to the correctness of the list of offenders, and to arrange for the control of their execution and the penalties inflicted.

America adheres to Germany's decision, and ihe other Powers are favourable. October 6.

The Powers have unanimously agreed to Germany's note embodying the basis of a peace settlement.

M. Delcasse proposed to the Allies a comprclhensive basis for negotiations when the credentials of the plenipotentiaries had "been verified, including punishment of the ringleaders, prohibition of army, equitable indemnities to foreigners, dismantling the Taku forts, occupation of points between Tientsin and Peking, and the maintenance of permanent Legation guards. M. Delcasse's proposal is regarded in Vienna as an appendix to the- Kaiser's reply to the Emperor.

America and Japan insist upon the return of the Emperor to Peking prior 'to the opening) of negotiations. President M"Kmley had intimated to Wu Ting Fang, the Chinese Minister at Washington, that unless Prince Tuan and the other leaders implicated were adequately punkihed it would be a matter of profound regret.

The Standard says that Britain throughout has been working in harmony with 'Berlin. Both were resolved to reach a genuine settlement. T<he Daily News Shanghai correspondent states that the fresh appointments of notorious anti-foreign officials, and the 'actual flight of the court to Si-ngan fu, indicate the resumption of the policy of defiance. Eigflit thousand troops have joined the court, via the Imperial Canal. Fresh 'disturbances are reported from the Szuchuan province.

The Times Shanghai correspondent says that well informed circles consider the recent edicts are intended to hoodwink the- Allies. It is believed highly inflammatory edicts were issued secretly.

Eight thousand German troops will winter in Peking.

ROME, October 2.

The Italian Minister at Peking cables that the Edict of punishment against the anti-foreign leaders is regarded as a' mere artifice.

The Ministers agree that energetic action on the part of the Allies is necessary.

ST. PETERSBURG, October 1

Russia has ordered the new ironclads Sebastopol and Poltava, besides five large torpedo boats, to reinforce the squadron at Port Arthur.

October 2. > The Government Messenger, the official organ, denies that Manchuria has been incorporated among Russian territories.

SYDNEY, October 6. The steamer Perthshire has sailed for China with 445 British remounts.

On Wednesday evening at the Young Women's Christian Association Rooms a meeting" was held specially for praise and thanksgiving in connection with the deliverance and safety of Christian workers in China. There was a good attendance. Mr Duncan Wright presided. Interesting items of information about Miss Maggie Reid and Miss Jensen, now in Shanghai, and others were given to the meeting. Miss Foord, lately from India, gave an interesting- narrative of what she had seen of the Poona Mission. The Chairman read a hopeful account* regarding- the agents at many of the stations in China. Those t Vfho are interested will do well to note this fact : Many of the missionaries now in Shanghai (nearly 400 in all) are greatly in need of clothing, etc., as, in many cases, they lost sill. A box is now being made up by Mrs Andrew Thomson, of Port Chalmers, which will be sent off on Monday next, if all's well. Gifts may lie sent to the Young Women's Rooms, or to Mrd Thomson, and these must be sent at once.