The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-08
London Editors Alarmed at Russia's
Action and Asking What Will
Britain and China Dot
PARTITION OF CHINA BEGUN
MEANING OF THE DEMANDS MADE IN
BEHALF OF THE GAR.
Another Cabinet Crisis in COrea, Ow-
ing to the Concession of Deer
Leland to Russia.

LONDON, March 7.-Replying in the
House of Commons to-day to Sir Ellis Ash
mead Bartlett Conservative, Mr.. Curzon,
the parliamentary secretary for the Foreign
Office, said the government could not con-
firm the message to the London Times from
Picking, published to-day saying that Rus
STA has demanded that China surrender to
her all sovereign rights over Port Arthur
and Ta-Lien-Wan for the same period and
on the same conditions as in the case of
Germany at Kiaochau bay, besides demand
ing important railroad concessions, giving
five days within which to receive a reply
and threatening to move troops into Man
churia in the event of noncompliance with
her demands. Mr. Curzon also said the gov
eminent had no confirmation of the report
that Russia had occupied Deer island,
! Corea, nor could the government confirm
the reports setting forth that Russia was
Strengthening the forts at Port Arthur.
A dispatch from Peking says: Much I'M
easiness is felt in Chinese circles in conse-
quence Of the Russian demands. The Rus
sian minister of finance moreover, is re-
ported to have urged these demands per-
emptorily and to have complained that the
Chinese loan was settled in spite of the dis
approval of Russia. All kind of spectators
are flocking here for the purpose of secur-
ing concessions for electric lighting, street
railroads and regular railroads, etc. The
Chinese merchants are showing great Gag
erness to participate in the enterprises.
Another dispatch from Picking says:
Russia demands the settlement of the
lease of Port Arthur and Ta-Lien-Wan by
March 26. The Tsung- Li-Yamen (Chinese
Foreign Office has given full powers to
Yang Yu, the Chinese minister at st. Pc
tersburg, and the negotiations have been
transferred there. The matter Is practically
settled. What will Japan do? England
will do nothing. China has given Japan a
written undertaking to pay the indemnity
in May
All the morning papers comment on the
menacing aspect of affairs in the far East.
The Daily Chronicle, in strong editorial
says; LAS rebuff to Lord Salisbury moth
ing could be clearer and more painful. Rus
STA has simply begun the partition of China.
If anybody asks what China will do the
answer is simple There is no such thing
as China. The real questions are: What
Will england do and what Japan? If ever
Great Britain needed a strong man it is
now, and the country will learn with dis
satisfaction that again, at a moment of
acute crisis, the Dremier's health compelS
him to go abroad. Thus both the Queen
anu tue prime minister are 10 be absent
when their presence is peculiarly needed
me Ministerial Standards editorial is
mlIder, but to the same effect as the Daily
Chronicles. 1t says: Years may pass in the
execution of the designs, but from the mo-
ment the covenant is signed, the partition
Of China is begun. The disguise is too thin
to be meant to deceive. 1t is no wonder
that the eyes OF the nation are fixed in
eager expectation upon Japan. The question
remains whether England will resist Russia
or proceed to restore the equilibrium by in
dependent measures of her own"
A dispatch from NagaSaki, Japan, to the
Daily Mail says the Corean Cabinet with
the exception of the foreign minister, Min
Chong MOu, have resigned because Min
Chong Mou granted the Deer island con-
cession. to Russia without the consent of
the Cabinet.
The Russian government has ordered thir-
ty new torpedo boats to augment the Rus
sian Pacific squad n at Vladivostock and
Port Arthur. Russia also proposes to keep
eight cruisers of the volunteer fleet contin-
ually in far Eastern waters instead of the
Black sea, so as to avoid the possibility Of
being hampered by Great Britain closing
the Suez canal
The Berlin Tagblatt to-day publishes
dispatch from Picking, saying China has
agreed to lease Port Arthur and Talif-Wan
to Russia for ninety-rlne years.