The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-03
BRITISH LION ROARING
PRESS IN A. RAGE OVER THE BACK
DOWN IN THE FAR EAST
Premier Salisbury Apparently Has
Once More Proved His Claim to
Be Known as ''the Greatest Funk
in EurOpe"-Demand for Equal
Rights In China Withdrawn.

LONDON, Feb. "A wave Of indig-
nation has swept over the press
throughout the country at Lord Sails
bury's alleged backdown at Ia Lien
Wan. Conservatives no less than Lib
erals beWail the supposed retreat from
an unassailable position, on the ground
that Great Britain, supported by the
United States and Japan, might safely
have defied Russia
1t is understood that the government
is angry with the Times for revealing
the position.
The Standard this morning in the
course of an editorial expressing it's
regret, assumes that since there is no
official information to the contrary
the Times version of the situation is
correct. 1t thinks this will be pain
fully felt in the course of the pending
bye-electionS and especially as the
story suggests suspicious of a larger
and wider surrender" The editorial
concludes by advising the government
to let the country know as speedily as
possible exactly where it stands.
The Times announcement caused
much surprise and excitement among
politicians and was eagerly discussed
at the clubs. The Liberals vigorously
denounced the reported backdOwn of
the British government, While the Con-
serVatiVe members of the house of COM
mons did not conceal their bitter dis
appointment Many declined to credit
the report until it should be officially
confirmed, and a prominent Conserva-
tive this afternoon offered a Liberal
opponent to pay substantial sum TO
public charity if the reported back
down should be confirmed.
The Liberals declare it would be a
humiliating surrender to Russia and ID
severe blow to British interests and
prestige.
The members of the late cabinet are
already communicating with each other
with the view Of using the matter as
a point of attack upon the government
during the debate upon the queens
speech upon the reassembling of par
lament.
The afternoon papers commented in
the most severe terms upon the alleged
withdrawal
The Globe says: mo wonder if the
opponents of the ministry regard it as
a national humiliation, when it's sup
pCrters are unable to find a reasonable
excuse for it. The public was led to
believe that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
and other cabinet ministers meant
what they said, so the ministers have
only themselves to thank If they lose
prestige at home and abroad, through
the withdrawal of the Ia Lien Wan
demand. England with her strength
and enormous resources has the game
in her own hands"
The Pelxin correspondent Of the Times
telegraphing yesterday says: "Col.
WCronoeff, the new Russian
military advisory to China, has COM
menced his duties, and the German
military instructors have been notified
Of the non-rnewal of their contracts"
BERLIN, Feb. 2.-The articles in the
st. Petersburg Novoe Vremya, which
has attracted the attention of Europe
declares that France and Germany,
supported Russia's determination and
opposed Fngland's with reference TO
Ia Lien Wan and hence Lord Sails
bury, it is claimed, is obliged to con-
suit with his colleagues before the
meeting of parliament as the best way
to beat a retreat if Great Britain wi hes
to AVOID an omen conflict with Russia