The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-08
IT Is Expected to he Long, hut More
Remarkable for Its Omissions
than Its Contents.
PARLIAMENT OPENS TO-DAY
AND BRITONS ARE ANXIOUS TO KNOW
WHERE THEY STAND.
Internal Loan of 100, 100000 TaeIs Au-
for Japanese Indemnity.

LONDON, Feb. s.-Parliament viii open
to-day and there will be the usual speech
from the throne. The speech is not ex-
peoted to throw much light, if any on the
situation in the far East, but the debate
that will follow may force the Ministry to
take the public into its confidence. A fore
cast of the speech printed in the morning
newspapers says that, referring to China,
the Queen will speak favorably of the pa
citic relations between the powers and will
then point out the satisfaction experienced
at the conclusion of the treaty of peace
between Greece and Turkey Dealing with
India, complimentary illusions will be
made to the valor and loyalty of the British
Indian troops. There will be lengthy ref
erence to the West Indies and the govern
ment's intention as outlined by the secre-
tary of state for the colonies, Mr.. Chamber
lain, and the speech will then express the
hope that the International sugar confer
ence viii have satisfactory results The
first place in the estimates will be devoted
to the army needs and the chief bills prom
ised will be local government for ireland
and the London municipalities bill, provid-
ing, as announced by the Marquis of Sails
bury, for the modification of the London
County Council, in the direction of decen-
tralization.
The speech is expected to be long, but
rather more remarkable for its omissions
than its contents. 1t is quite evident that
no settlement has yet been arrived at re-
specting China, which will admit of more
than bare mention. The same applies to
the West African difficulty with France
and the troublesome Cretan negotiations.
which are again in a state of collapse. The
10 aNrfnt to ~.
Soudan advance, but it is not likely to be
gratified to any extent. 1t is said, however,
that there will be long reference to the
West Indies and the sugar commission. No
proposal will be made to relieve the Indian
exchequer of the cost of the campaign on
the northwest frontier. The message ad-
dressed specially to the House of Commons
will deal largely with the intended increase
in the army estimates, with a view OF
strengthening the army and amending the
conditions of service Some fourteen new
bills will be mentioned, mostly of local in
terest. The Marquis of Salisbury and the
other leaders gave the customary parlia-
mentary dinners this evening. Lord Rose
berry returned to town to-day from Naples.
The Peking correspondent of the Times,
telegraphing yesterday, says: Il have rea-
sons to believe that China will be induced
to decline the British proposals in conse-
quence of Russias opposition and, similarly,
that she will be unable to accept the Rus
sian proposals owing to England's opposi-
ton. The country is helpless and unable to
pay the indemnity except by installments,
but China nurses the hope that Japan will
agree to an extension of time. Meanwhile,
an imperial decree authorizes an issue OF
+,.on Z 49,
of 1OO,OOOOOO taels (about $7SOOO,OOO) 1t APP
peals to the officials, the gentry and mer-
chants to assist the issue in the remote pos
sibility of raising enough to meet the in
stallment due next May. The method pro-
posed increases the growing distrust in the
government. Similar bonds, issued at the
time Of the war of 1859. were repudiated in
1862.
THE unsatisfactory and evasive nature
of the imperial edsct exacted by Germany
in condemnation of the Shan-Tung muir
ders affords Germany the desired pretext
for remaining in military occupation of con-
siderable territory, including the town OF
kiaochau, beyond the area leased. China
stlll maintains that the murder of the Ger
man sailor was Justihable homicide and due
to the sailors misconduct, but she Is power
less to refuse Germany's exactions.'s
Another special dispatch from Peking says
that the proposed internal loan of 100, 100000
taels is redeemable in twenty years. The
principal and interest are payable from the
land and salt taxes, and the money is i'm
tended to pay the Japanese indemnity but
the prospects of its being subscribed are IL
lusory. 1t Is apparently intended merely as
a ruse to gain time. A German firm offers
to negotiate 6-per-cent. loan at "a. Rus
sia objects to an equal division Of the loan
between herself and England.
The Hong-Kong correspondent of the
Times says an imperial edict authorized
Sheng Ia Jen, director general of railways.
to proceed with the construction of the
Kwang-Tung Railway, and Sheng Ia Jen
has invited the cooperation of Chang Chen,
consul general at Singapore, who is wealthy
and native Of Kwang-T -Tung province.