The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-04
NEVER BACKED DOWN
Great Britain Stands Where
She Has Always.
IA LIEN WAN PROPOSAL
Was Not an Ultimatum, But
Only a Suggestion.

London. Feb. S.-On uncontrovertible au-
thority the Associated Press learns that
Great Britain has not backed down on
the question Of making Ia Lien Wan
free port. The Marquis of Salisbury, MT
Curzon, the parliamentary secretary OF
the foreign office, the Russian ambassa-
dor and the Chinese minister each said
yesterday, in conversation, that they had
not head of any backdown- The open
ing of Ia Lien Wan. il is pointed out, was
never made a condition in any sine qua
nan sense in connection with the loan TO
China Iii the preliminary negotiations
on that subject the opening Of Ia Lien
Wan WAS sketched IN natural tints. Great
Britain only suggested it as one condition
favoring a speedy completion of the loan.
She never demanded il. and therefore in
no sense can be said 10 have backed down,
if the desire was mot persisted in The
Ia Lien Wan question is however, with
other suggested conditions of the loan,
still negotiating.
The heat of the Russian press on the
subject is IN no sense shown by the Rus
sian government in its communications
which have reached the foreign Office.
Though Russia has protested and means
to continue TO protest in the stoutest man
ner against Ia Lien Wan being opened by
British influence she will not carry her
protest 20 the point Of making II casus
belli. Further it is by no means Russia's
intention to close China to other nations
in any concessions made TO Russia by
China The irritation in Great Britain and
the disappointment in America over the So
called backdown of Marquis Salisbury is
therefore not justified. Great Britain IS
| acting strenuously in favor of free ports
in China. and hopes sincerely to have the
moral support of the United States in
this policy. If events should push Great
Britain from this position with the pros
pect OF defeat therein, she vii Task for
| the support of Washington.
BRITISH REINFORCEMENT.
Shanghai, Feb 3.-The China Gazette
SAYS that the British Indian. Australian
and Pacific squadrons have been ordered
to be ready to reinforce the fleet in the
far east. thus giving the British admiral a
feet capable Of coping with ANY combl-
nation opposing British policy.
| In the meanwhile, adds the China Ga
| zette. "thc British claims in the Yang Use
KfanS will be supported by strong
| SQUADRON stationed at Chusan, to which
place two other warships are en- route In
| the event Of Russia hosting her flag over
| the forts at Port Arthur the British adj
| niral has been ordered to hoist the Brit
! ish flag over Chusan and the Japanese
/ feet will ascend the Yang Use Kiang as
| soon as the river rises. About 1900 Rus
/ sian artillery and cavalry and quantities
| OF stores and munitions have arrived at
/ Kirin. the capital of the Manchurian pro-
vince Of 1<irin."
London. Feb 3.--According to special
| from Shanghai, published today. two
! British warships entered Port Arthur yes
terday and left without anchoring.
London. Feb. Some Of the afternoon
newspapers today refer to the absence OF
Russian and German ambassadors at the
Marquis or SaIisbury's regular Wednes-
day reception Of the diplomatic corps as
being a disquieting pOrtent.
Berlin. Feb. at was announced here
in a dispatch from Kiao Chou that the
murderer Of Schulz. the sentry who was
killed While on duty at Tsimo, has beer
executed after trial by a Chinese court.
Pekin. Feb. 3.-There have been two
further conferences on the subject Of tbs
| proposed loan, but without definite re-
| c11Its