CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 92, 15 April 1903, Page 2

CHINA.

RUSSIAN CLAIM TO FORESTRY RIGHT J. ATTEMPT TO OVERRIDE SIR ROBERT HART. PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, April 12. Russia's action in delaying the evacuation of Nuohwang is attributed to a desire to establish a Russian claim ,to certain forestry rights on the lOhinoso side of the Yahu River and to attempt to establish independent customs at Daloy, with Russian officers to collect Chinese customs and report direct to Pekin, over the head of Sir Robert Hart, Chief of Ohinese Imperial Customs. This would eadaoger the' Ohinese maritime customs. DRUNKEN SOLDIERS FIGHT. YOUNG LU'S SUCCESSOR. ' ReceirelU 9.54 p.m. London, April 14. A hundred drunken German and Austrian soldiers fought with brick-', knives and clubs in a street at Fekin, in the presence of crowds of Chinese, until the patroh separated and confined the rioters to barracks. Reuters agency at Pekin reports that the Russians explain that tho evacuition ot Nuchwang was delayed owiDg to a desire to establish au International Sanitary Commission to prevent bubonic plagues. Prince Ching has succeeded Yung Lu as Grand Secretary. ABOLITION OF THE STAMP TAX. Keceiva I 14, 11.7 p.m London, April 14. An ed'iat issued by the Dowager Empress of China repeals the stamp tax impoeed by the Yuanshikai officiate, hoping theri by te paralyse this scheme and secure the honest collection of taxes.

The Dowager reviewed 7000 superior troops at Paotingfu.