THE CHINESE QUESTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2505, 26 March 1902, Page 15

THE CHINESE QUESTION

A SEIZURE BY RUSSIA. THE SPREAD OF REBELLION. THE REBELLION SPREADING. LONDON, March 17. Rus-ia in August last spized a quarter of a million poundV worth of salt at Tang-ku, belonging to private individuals. The attempt to sell it failed, ' owing to the threat of Yuan Shi-Kai, Viceroy of Chili, that he would puni-ah the Chdneie who should buy it. iJ. Les^ar (Minister at Peking) then offered to restore the salt without compensaion if China promised net to employ any foreigners in the northern navy or in its, administration. Prince Ching has now agreed to this, but it is expected that Yuan Shi-Kai will refuse to ratify the agreement. March 18. > The foreign Mini-tcrs at Peking have approved of the principle of restoring Tientsin to China, Germany suggesting a midsummer date for the restoration. The rebellion under Hung Ming, a relative of Sung Su Chuen, the leader of the Taiping rebellion, is .spreading throughout the Kwang^i, Kwangtung, and Yunan province-*. Many of the Imperial troops are joining, induce^ by the higher pay and loot. The advance of General Ma, who was despatched to suppress the rebel«, was checked, and after two days' fighting the .rebels occupied Faugcheng, killing or capturing all the mandarin'-. They have ako occupied the mountain passes between General SiA and General ,Ma's troops at Lienchow and Kaotsheou, thus preventing the Imperial forces from effecting a junction. i Mdich 19. Further Chinese rebel succo'-sos ar<» reported in the province.', of Kwangtung, Kwaiifi-«i, and Kwei-chan. General Su and General Ma have asked tor reinforcements. In connection with the acceptance by Prince Ching of Russia's offer to restore the quarter of a million pounds' worth ' of Milt seized at Tang-ku on condition ' that foreigners were not employed in the northern navy or in the administration of Chinese affairs, Yuan Shi-kni. Viceroy of Chi-ii, refuses to be bound by Prince Clung--- pledge not to employ 1 foreign instructors in the navy. j Negotiations with regard to the Rus'so-Chinase bank claims have been j dropppd since the American note and ' the British and Japanese protests. Manchurian negotiations have been resumed on a much modified basis, and an early .settlement is probable. March 21. Telegrams received from Lungchau in- ! form the Viceroy at Canton that General Su, with 20,000 drilled troops armed with modern rifles, has joined the rebels. |

March 22. j Lord Cranborae, m reply to a question in the House cf Commons, said the Chinese reported that the troops of Kwar.g Si rebelled, because their pay wa.s in arrear-.