SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 10

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

(Per Sieira. at Auckland) THE CRISIS IX CHINA. The Chinese of San Frsmeuco arc consulting among themselves regarding the demands of Russia in Manchuria, which really mean I the absolute control of the province, with China responsible- if anything goes wrong. Both the Chinese plenipotentiaries here admit that they fear to lcfupe the demand', although recJgni-ing that compliance mean? the lo=t of a province to China. Thcv aUo behevo that to consent mi^ht precipitate troubl" with the other Powe: ; -, for Russia announce.- that only Russian-, and Chinese ■\^ ill be allowed to tiade there except at the greaie-t disadvantage Pi.ii re China has said that he would a^k the ydiue of (lie other Mini»tei- The statement corner from Beiim that it i} officially domed that Germany, Japan, ond Gicai Butaiii ha»e lointly re-nioiii-tratcd again- 1 the Russian annexation ot Manchuria. The fact- of the c^e arc dcclaicd to lie that 1 1 ■ <"• i'onci* constituting the Triple Alliance and IJicjl Kiitair. Japan, and 'he United tti.ue-> ' a\ o <.cp.uai.elj- r..r'c to the Ciune-e pl"ninoteiitiai'ie, in Pi king friendly representation - :s to how unwise it would be for China at the pie^ent stoge of the peace negotiations to grant any Power t-ppaials concc-sion-, and thus render more difficult an agreement w ith the Powei.-. The Peking coi respondent ot The Times wne- that Japan hns notified China that in the cent of Ku--ia being si anted core, ess-ions, t'oirmeicial i>r teintonal, Japan will reqtuic equal advai'tagc* He adtU that although Knefa'id. Germany, Au-tri», Italy, and the United States have addressed similar academic leiruii' t'anc°s theie l; every reason to believe that China v. ill sign the Russun convention in full, Ri,--ia lnMns; intimated that her term-, are liicnoeable. Li Hung Chang is drclaxed to be so committed to the °upporl of Kus-n that I.c is nn longer a free agent, and it is impc,"il>le Jor lum to avoid authorising Iho Impcnal «igi:atrio. The text of the con \ention has not vet he on communicated to at y P"\,er noi ha- ai.y Power been able to g.i'iantcs material a-=i»tanca in the .=afeRi'arJu g of China in the r\n t (if ! ci icfusil to °ign th" (oii'.fi t'l-n Wirli n view to en frin'i'ig China'- M. Ue (iiii', it i= r=-TiL3d, mfcimcd Tii Hrn^ Chans th.'t Rui=.a would not pm :< limle m tie drrr.p.i'd for the execution <<f TO of the pnrcipal offrndT" AccoicUn^ to OncauU .idvicc^ i\.,.v.i\cti by

transport at Seattle (Washington State), a provisional Russian administration in the .Neuchwang district has excelled in.corruption Extensive _ embezzlements and systemat-o 11 squeezes" have been brought to light, oneinterpreter having accumulated 25,000d0l in three months The victims in all case 3 were Chinese merchants and shopkeepers, who were compelled to satisfy the requirements of the offtcia Is. Finally, complaint induced the officials to institute a thorough investigation and the secretary of the Police department was exiled to Sagahn for 15 yeSars. One Oamese interpreter, who had made a forttn c ma short time. wa*> banished for 20 year.. The entire Police department is undergoing a change. It is rumoured that the French intend to withdraw most of their forces at Pckinp-, only the infantry brigade, a regiment ot cay alary, and some artillery to protect the Legation and guard the lines of communication being left The Germans show few signs of ?- ce PP a o rmg to depart, but are offering to sell OU.OOO American hor.^es, a? well ?s a quantity of came\s The French intend to send a force to be stationed permanent.v at Hankow, and to s?uard the othei end of the Lillian railroad. PRESIDENT M'KIXLEY INSTALLED AO4IN. At the inauguration on March i- the President said : " f have the satisfaction to announce that Congress has reduced taxation by 41,000,000d01. Everj- a\ enue of production 13 crowded with activity, and labour is well employed. American productions find a good market at home and abroad. Our productions, however, aie increasing at such an unprecedented volume as to admonish us of the iiece---ity of further enlarging our foreign markets by broader commercial relations. The Spanish war imposed upon us obligations fi om which we cannot escape, and from which it would be dishonourable to attempt to escape. The latest news from Peking has led y?e State department to the conviction that difficulties will be encountered in reaching an agreement between the foreign Ministers respecting the amount of indemnities to be levied upon the Chinese Government, and tha methods of its collection. The United States Minister is doing all he can to restrain the demands of the Powers to a sum total which will be within the reach of the Chinese Government, without causing the destruction of the dynasty, and an upheaval tint would result in the loss of much territory to China Ihe encroachments of Ru^ia in Manchuria, are also a serious complication, and paiticulariy irritating to Japan "