THE CHINESE QUESTION

West Coast Times, Issue 10671, 27 December 1897, Page 3

THE CHINESE QUESTION

[Peb Ukited Press Association.]

St Petersburg, Dec 23. , An extraordinary council of state under the Presidency of the Czar has been summoned at St Petersburg in order to discuss future action in Ch,ina. 3 , , Russia demands dismissal of English engineers.on the Chinese . railways and the substitution of Russians. China hesitates to take this step, Russian authorities are negotiating with several firms in . San Francisco for large supplies of canned fruits and meat for Vladivostock .in view of possible trouble with Japan. China has accepted the offer of Russia to supply her army with 120,000 Berdan rifles, payment to be made^ after five j years. China undertakes to recontruct fortifications at Russia's expense. Shanghai, Dec 23. The Chines© Government regard Russia as" her only friend. Great Britain's, influence is nil, owing in a large measure to the failure of the last Chinese loam-- -■

Russian officers are drilling the northern army divisions in China. (Received Dec. 24, at 10 a.m.) St Petersburg, Dec 23. The Koroe Vreim a says Japan is unable to command any Power interested in Chinese waters. The Novosti, another leading journal, states Great Britain will probably acquire Port Hamilton, or LazarefE, in Corea Other Russian newspapers say the financial relations between Russia, China , aid Corea give Russia an enormous influence over other Powers. ; Vienna, Dec 23. ! The Press urged the Austrian Government to secure a sphere oE influence iv China. Washington, Dec 23. The United States Government remains passive with regard to China. (Received Dec 24, at 7.40 p.m.) London, Dec 23. The Standard's Pekin correspondent states Russia is willing to advance the balance of the indemnity of 200 million taels, which China agreed to pay Japan in eight instalments at the conclu«ion of the late war, on condition Japan is compelled to evacuate Wei-hae-wei and Hai-wei. The terms of peace between the two countries provided that Japanese troops should continue to occupy Wei-hae-wei, the chief Chinese naval station ? as a guarantee of the observance of the treaty, and the payment of the indemnity. China, by the flotation of loans has already paid apportion. This latest move oa the part of Russia has caused great excitement in Japan, where prolonged Cabinet Councils, attended by military advisers m of the Government, are being held. (Received-, Dec. 26th, at 1.5 a.m.) Pabis, Dec 24. France is sending a cruiser to China. Berltn, Dec 24. Newspapers refer to the inferiority of the German squadron compared with the British fleet in Eastern Asia. The Cologne Gazette says open resistance to Germany's action in China,, would mean immediate Russian help for Germany. (Received Dec 26, at 9.30 p.m.) Sydney, Dec 25. In connection with the cable announcing Russia was obtaining large supplies of canned meats and fruits f oriVladivostock, the Russian Government has for Borne weeks 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 on which the meat could be supplied, and has not yet received a reply.