The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-20
WARLIKE IN FAR EAST
WHILE THE POWERS ARE WRANG-
LING CHINA MAY GO TO PIECES.
of n Patriotic Movement to
Overthrow the Manchu Dynasty
British Cabinet Meeting.

LONDON, March 19.-There was an i'm
portant Cabinet conference this morning in
continuation of yesterdays discussion of
the Chinese question. 1T Is reported that
Great Britain requests Russia to give guar
antees that the war ships of the world will
be allowed free of duty into Port Arthur.
Great Britain in this matetr is ostensibly
acting at the instance OF China
A special dispatch from Shanghai received
here to-day says a conspiracy, with the
object of bringing about a rebellion, has
been started by Chinese officials of various
ranks at Chang-Sha in the province of HUI
Nan. 1t is said to have spread to all the
provinces bordering on the Yang-Tse- -Kiang
and fears are expressed that it may prove
to be the most formidable since the Tai
Ping rebellion. 1t is professedly a patriotic
movement to overthrow the Man-Chu dy-
nasty and save the central provinces from
European control. But it is suspected that
the plot emanates from the mandarins, who
are alarmed at the prospect of a diversion
of part of their pickings to pay the interest
on the new loan. The Peking authorities
are cognizant of the movement but, dis
trusting the loyalty of the provincial
satraps, they are helpless. The conspirators
are said to have approached British sub
jects with ind 'cements to join in the re-
bellion, and they have also offered large
sums of money for arms.
The recent inactivity of Russians at
PelSing, according to dispatch from that
city, is explained by the fact that the ne
gotiations have again been transferred to
st. Petersburg owing to the difficulties en-
countered at Peking. The coincidence of
the French demands being presented on the
eve of the emission of the Chinese loan in
London is much commented upon and it is
asserted at Peking that France and Russia
are trying their best to wreck the loan.
Upon the occasion of the last visit of the
French ambassador to the Chinese Foreign
Office the Chinese refused to accede to the
French proposals, and the ambassador said
that when he next visited the Foreign Office
he would present stronger arguments and
would even threaten active operations from
Tonquin and the forcible seizure of a coal
ing station. The general opinion at Pelsing
is that IL is impossible to disregard the per-
sstent rumors circulating in well-informed
circles that Russia has abandoned her at
tempts to lease Port Arthur, but has not
ceased her negotiations regarding Ta-Lien
Wan.
The Czar, according to a special dispatch
from ST. Petersburg, has authorized an in
crease in the ordinary naval expenditure of
100000 roubles yearly for six years in addi-
ton to the special grant of 90,OOO000 roubles
for naval purposes recently announced.
A semi-official statement has been issued
at Paris saying that there is no connection
between the demands of the French gov
ernment in China and the Chinese loan. The
French demands reached Peking at the be-
ginning of the month, and the negotiations
were Immediately transferred to Paris,
where they are proceeding. The French
charge that there is no occasion to threaten
or menace China with the forcible seizure
of coaling station.
A dispatcn from Peking this evening says:
China, it is stated. has offered to lease to
Russia Ta-Lien-Wan and to allow the pro-
posed railway from Peturia to Kwang-
Chung-Tu, Mukden and Port Arthur to be
constructed, provided Port Arthur remains
in Chinese hands. 1t was rumored yester-
day that the Chinese government is increas-
ing the Port Arthur garrison by 800 men
and is also sending troops TO Taku and
Shan-Hai-Kwan The interview which was
to have been had yesterday by NJ. Duboie,
the French charge d'affaires with the au-
thorities was postponed owing to the sacri-
fees in the Temple of the Sun. China, it
is asserted, proposes to yield only to the de-
mands relative TO the province of
Kwang-Si.