The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-03
has ENGLAND BACKEDD0WN?
OF THE D. MAEs FOR An OPEN Pert.
The Government Angry with "rhe Than
dcrer"-ih- Japanese .anding squad
ron Ordered to Chinese Waters "A
United States Onscial Assaulted.

LONDON. February "A wave Of
Indignation has swept over the prsss
throughout the country at Lord
salisburys alleged back down at Ta-
Lien-Wan. Conservatives no less than
Liberals bewan the Suppressed retreat
from an unassaiIable position. on the
ground that Great Britain. supported by
the United states and Japan. might safe
ly have dehed Russia.
1t Is understood that the government Us
angry with the Times for revealing tho
position.
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
LONDON. Feb. 2.--The afternoon news
papers to-day comment In the most Sc
we're terms on the alleged withdrawal OF
Great Briiains demand for the opening
OF the port. Ta-I.en-Wan. Some OF them
refuse to credit the report
An official statement on the subject.
just issued. Is as follows:
NO commrniC alton can at present be
published concerning the Times Ta-Lien-
Wan report. or the negotiations as a
whole The negotiations thus far are
absolutely confidential Many kilograms
from China contain statements not mere
iy going far beyond the governments
information, but In some instances are
quite 90 variance with known facts"
The Times Ta-Lien-Wsn announce
ment has created much surprise and ex-
citement among politicians and II was
eagerly discussed al the clubs. The LIB
erals have vigorously denounced the re-
ported back-down OF the British govern
Ice. n
OF the House OF Commons did not con-
ceal their bitter disappointment. Many
declined &c credit the report until II
should be officially confirmed. The Libe-
rails declare II would be a humiliating
surrender 10 Russia and a severe Llow 10
British interests and prestige. The men,
bers OF the late Cabinet are already COM
Indicating with each other WITH the view
of using the matter as point OF attack
upon the government during the debate
upon the Green's speech upon the reas-
sombling ol Parliament.
ORDERED TO CHINA.
SAN FRANCISCO. February s-The
steamer Rio dc Janerio. which arrived
to-day from Hong Kong and Yokohoma.
br@u~ht the following Oriental afvces:
The Jananese standing squadron con-
slstlnG OF the Full. Yaskmi. Matshima.
Itsushlma. Hashdate. chlnicn. Akitsus-
mama. Naniwa. Suma and Idzsumi. has
been ordered TO leave Yokosuka for Chi
nese waters on January 20th shortly
before the Rio left Japan.
The Chou Shlmbnn says that the French
Government has officially communicated
to the Japanese Government its desire 10
borrow the Pescadores IN order TO form
an anchorage for the French squadron.
On December 2ith. the japanese mer-
chant steamer. Nara Maru. ran on hid.
den rock OF the Pescadore group and sank
Immediately. OF her eighty passengers
and crew. seven only reached the shore.
The drowned were all japanese
a Toxic paper states that there are
some sixty thousand troops IN VladIvo-
stock ready to take the field at a mo-
ments notice.
AN OFFICIAL ASSAULTED.
Mr. Sands secretary OF the United
states legation at Seoul. was assaulted
by q gang NJ five or six Japanese coolies
nj Nagasak on New Years day while
walking alone. No reason Is known for
the assault and the matter II being IN
yesiigafed hv the local authorities.
Twentv-one neon'e were kllled and thir-
teen Injured at Nlicati Prefecture. owing
10 the collapge ~ horses. on account
OF the heavy downfall of snow.