THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6125, 11 March 1898, Page 3

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

• ETJSSIA'S DEMANDS. A CHINESE DECLAEATION. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph— Copyright. Beceived March 10, 10.10 p.m. ST PETERSBURG, March 9. Russia is employing I'rench steamers for the conveyance of troops to the Far East. BERLIN, March 9. The Tacjeblatt states that China will lease Port Arthur and Talienwan to Bussia for ninety-nine years. Beceived Starch 11,10 a.m. PEKIN, March 10. The Tiiung-lt-yamen (the Chinese Foreign Office) declares that the demand of Russia is not regarded in the naturerot an ultimatum. It has instructed . t'hei Chinese Minister' at Berlin to interview theCz&r and press for the withdrawal of ther demands.. • ST-PETERSBURG, M__ck 10. Russia has issued a ukase devoting ninety million roubles to the construction of warships. It is reported that the Russian Government has refused to grant the request made by the British Government -for specific information with regard to Russian demands from China. Beceived March 11,10.15 a.m. AUSTRALIAN INTERESTS. LONDON, March 10. In addressing a meeting of the United Service Institution, Mr Archibald R. Colquhoun, explorer, traveller and author of "The English Policy in the Far East," referred to the Chinese question. He said that the Australians would bitterly resent any action which resulted in closing the Chinese and Japanese markets through British neglect. Mr James Huddart also spoke, and said that trade with China vitally affected the Australian colonists, who would willingly support a bold and persistent policy.