THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 7

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

CHECK TO KUSSIAK DIPLOMACY. THE MAKCIIL 7 KIAN CONVENTION. CHINA REFUSES TO SIGN. JAPAN BACKING CHINA. 11USSIA AND THE MANCHUKIAN CONVENTION. A PROTEST J3Y JAPAN.

LONDON, April 2.

The Cologne Gazette's St. Petersburg correspondent says that, owing to disturbance by marauding Chinese regulars and Boxers in the neighbourhood of Chang-tu-fu, General Grodekoff is sending General Kaulbars, with strong reinforcements, to Kharbin, anticipating the spread of Boxerism in that district in the spring. Meanwhile the military are guarding the Chang-tu-fu-Kharbin railway, and have already strengthened the town guard.

Reuter advices from Washington state that owing to China not signing the Manchurian convention Russia has threatened a rupture of diplomatic relations if China persists in her refusal.

Two Russian warships have gone to Chemulpo, in Corea. Dr Morrison, The Times correspondent, reports that the Viceroys of the Yang-tse provinces — L:n Kun Vi and Chang Chih Tung — have warned the Imperial Court that they will disregard the porvisions of the Marfchurian Convention, even if signed by the Emperor.

Li Hung Chang urged the Emperor to reconsider his decision not to sign the Convention.

Tne Emperor replied that in view of the unanimous advice of the chief provincial officials of the Empire, the decision of the Throne was irrevocable, and the Convention cannot be signed. The Daily Express reports that British and Italian capitalists, associated in the Peking syndicate, secured some time back the ratification of an immense concession, comprising the richest^ coal, iron ore, and petroleum fields, in the Shansi and Honan provinces. It is proposed to bring the minerals to the Yang-tse Valley, and there erect mills among the dense population of that region. M. De Giers, Minister at Peking, has been instructed not to allow the Russian flags to be hoisted at Tientsin siding, pending a settlement of the question of title.

Seven Frenchmen at Tientsin sabred Captain Barnett, of the Madras Infantry. His wounds are not dangerous.

An Indian sentry was shot in the thigh in the darkness. He twice returned the fire. It is believed that the assailants were foreign soldiers.

April 3.

The Germans, in routing 1000 robbers seven miles north of Tientsin, killed 11 and wounded 50 of them, and also captured a gun and 30 carts. Several foreigners were discovered amongst, the robbers.

Li Hung Chang is indisposed. He sails from Tientsin to-morrow, his bodyguard accompanying him, to -Shanghai.

China has agreed that Killan Nsn, on the island of Amoy, should be converted into a foreign settlement, on the model of Shanghai.

In an interview concerning the Manchurian convention Li Hung Chang told Dr 'Morrison that China would not dare to divulge her secret agreement with Russia. Neither would China dare forbid the threatened annexation of Manchuria, nor cancel her conditional pledges. He was convinced that the convention would ultimately be signed. He treated the attitude of the southern provinces with indifference. He concluded the interview by stating that a respite of 20 years would enable China to again become strong. »

The New York Herald reports that Japan has promised to support China in not signing the Manchurian convention.

The Morning Post states that the Japanese Minister at St Petersburg has protested against any coercion of China.

The Tokio correspondent of The Times reports that Russia has replied to the Japanese protests, expressing her unwillingness to discuss with a third Power the convention, which was of a temporary character. The terms of the convention would be published hereafter, and if objectionable representations would then be possible.

President M'Kinley is pleased at the firmness of China in refusing to &ign the

convention.

LONDON, April 4,

China has notified Russia that owing to the attitude of the Powers she is unable io sign the Manchurian Convention, and that she cannot alienate the sympathies of all for the sake of one friendship.

Renter's advices from Canton state that the Court has informed the Viceroy that

a peaceable fettlemtnt of affiirs is impossible. Prominent Canton oiiiei.il>. aic despondent over the situation.

The Stand ad bays that the Dow.igerEmpre c< 5 secretly guve audicnci' to Geiiernl Tung-luh-sianj, ;uxl begged h.i<> to m untain a Lige irrce of mi lit a at NiiighM to assist the Court in the cveat of iuithcr complications -with the Allies

Dr Morrison btaTes that ihe rennikable fhnine«s of China is due to the initiative of the be^t piogrc-feive elements. The signing of the Manchurian Convention is unlikely, unless Russia's demands aie materially abated. The' New Yoik Hera.d averts that Japan has given a -written a«Hirance to Clr.na that &he will &haie v>ith her the consequences following on not signing, even if it means war.

All the Powers except Russia demand four executions and 91 degradations, limited to provincial officials.

Every Viceroy and impoitant Governor has presented a memorial against the signing of the Convention. Prince C'liing states that every Chinaman is opposed except Li Hung Chang.

April 5,

Irritition is felt by the Russian (4overnrnent as the outcome of the refusal of China to sign the Manchurian Convention.

There are indications that Russia will now hurry forward the arrangements for the granting of compensation by China to the Powers for the late outrages, so that the Powers shall withdraw from China, while Russia, despite Japan, will continue to remain in Manchuria.

Li Hung Chang, who advocated the signing of the Manchurian Convention, has been disgraced by the Imperial Court.

Russia notifies that the occupation of Manchuria will continue until order and tranquillity are established.

The Official Messenger, a St. Petersburg journal, explains that inaccurate and alarmist versions arousing obstacles prevented China from accepting the provisional agreement intended to ensure the gradual evacuation. Final restoration was impossible until a strong Chinese Government at Peking was 'able to. guarantee Russia against a recurrence of the disturbance on her borders. April 7. After Russia's refusal to produce the proposed Manchurian Convention, the Japanese Government delivered a more emphatic protest to China against the Convention. WASHINGTON, April 5. Count Cassins, Russian Minister at Washington, Has handed to Mr Hay a communication showing the disinterestedness of Russia in 'China throughout, and her determination that Manchuria should remain an integral part of China, together with a proposal to withdraw the troops as rapidly as safety permits. TOKIO, April 3. The President of the Japanese House of Peers, in the course of a warlike speech, declared that Japan could easily expel Russia from Manchuria.

The Emperor of Corea has withdrawn Mr J. M'Leay Brown's dismissal, after a protest from the British and Japanese Ministers.