THE SITUATION IN CHINA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9101, 20 March 1901, Page 3

THE SITUATION IN CHINA.

TIENTSIN SIDING INCIDENT. COUNT WALDERSEE INTERVENES. Eleotrlo Telegraph— Copyright— Unit' d Press Association. LONDON, March 19. Wutingfang, Chinese Minister at Washington, has been instructed to advise the Court whether the Manchurian agreement is inimical to Chinese interests. Mr Hay informed Wutinfang that it was urgent that America should know Russia's intentions. Forty disorderly French soldiers have been arrested at Tientsin. Reuter learns m London that -Count LamsdorfPs assurances to Admiral Scott on Uie 6th, referred to Count Alexiff's agreement at Port Arthur on November 22nd, and not to any agreement that had reached St. Petersburg. The agreement was received m Pekinon February 23rd. If the assurances given on . the 6th that Russia was not. engaged hi negotiations were true, a new treaty was arranged a fortninght following, "which it is gravely doubted. It is believed negotiations were progressing long prior to the 6th. The Times' Berlin correspondent says that there is a well-founded, and widespread belief m the existence of the Russo-Gennan treaty containing mutual assurance on Chines© questions. (Received March i», 8.55 a,m.) LONDON, March 19. Count Waldersee, the Gommander-in-Chief, has authoritatively intervened with a view of ending the mutually hostile attitude of the British and Russians at Tientsin. It is expected that 10,000 French troops m China will shortly return. The New York Herald's Tientsin correspondent states that Colonel Wogack, the German officer at Tienstin, declined Count Waldersee's compromise. (Received March 20, 9.20 a.m.) Mr Balfonr m the House of Commons said the mission of H.M.S. Plover to Elliot and Blonde Islands m January was to suppress Chinese pirates. It was undertaken m pursuance of article 52 of the Treaty of Tientsin. [Russia lately protested against this mission, claiming the islands were within her exclusive jurisdiction.]