The Eastern Situation.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 101, 31 December 1897, Page 2

The Eastern Situation.

Shanghai, December 26. The Chinese Government regards Russia as its only friend. Great Britain’s influence is nil, owing in a large measure to the failure of the last Chinese loan. Russian officers are drilling the Northern army divisions in China. St. Petersburg, December 26. The Russian authorities are negotiating with several firms in San Francisco for large supplies of canned fruits and meat for Vladivostock, in the view of possible trouble with Japan. China has accepted an offer by Russia to supply her army with 120,000 Berdan rifles the payment to be made after five years. China undertakes to reconstruct the fortifications destroyed in the China-Japanese war at Russia's expense. Berlin, December 26. The newspapers refer to the inferiority of the German squadron compared with the British fleet in Eastern Asia. The Cologne Gazette says that open resistance to Germany’s action in China would mean immediate Russian help for Germany. Paris, December 26. France is sending a cruiser to China. London, December 26. The Standard's Pekin correspondent states that Russia is willing to advance the balance of the indemnity (200,000,000 taels) which China agreed to pay Japan in eight instalments at the conclusion of the late war, on the condition that Japan is compelled to evacuate Weihaiwei. The terms of peace between the two countries provided that Japanese troops should continue to occupy Weihaiwei the chief Chinese naval station, as a guarantee of the observance of the treaty and payment of the indemnity. China, by the flotation of loans, has already paid portion of the indemnity. This latest move on the part of Russia Ims caused great excitement in Japan, where prolonged Cabinet Councils, attended by the military advisers of the Government, are being held. Sydney, December 27. In connection with the cable announcing that Russia was obtaining large supplies of canned meats and fruits for Vladivostock, the Russian Government for some weeks has been in communication with the New South Wales Government with a view of obtaining 700 tons of frozen meat, to be delivered at Vladivostock during the next twelve months. The Minister for Agriculture, after arranging with several exporters, cabled to Russia the terms upon which the meat could be supplied, but he has not yet received any reply. Tokio, December 29. Attempts to re-form the Japanese Cabinet failed. Newspapers demand the formation Jof. a strong Ministry in order to meet the gravity of the situation. Shanghai, December 29. The British fleet has anchored in Port Saylton.