The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-03
BRITAIN'S BACKDOWN
CAUSING WAVE on INDIGNATION
THRoUGHotT ENGLAND.
Both Conservatives and Liberals Dis
pleased at saIisburx,s Action
Concerning Ta-Lien-Wan.
CRITICISED BY THE PRESS
AND DENOUNCED BY POLITICIANS
As A HUMILIATING SURRENDER.
Official Statement i'm Which No Light
uation in the Far East.

LONDON, Feb. "A wave of indignation
has swept over the press throughout the
country at Lord Saiisburys alleged back
down at Ta-Lien-Wan. Conservatives, no
less than Liberals, bewail the supposed re-
treat from an unassailable position, on the
ground that Great Britain, supported by the
United States and Japan, might safely have
defied Russia. IL is understood that the
government is angry with the Times for re-
vealing the position. The Standard this
morning, in the course OF an editorial ex-
pressing its regret assumes that since there
is no official information to the contrary
the Times version of the situation is cor
rect. 1t thinks this will be painfully felt
in the course of the pending bye-elections.
especially as the story suggests suspicious
of a larger and wider surrender" The ed
itoriaI concludes by advising the govern
ment to let the country know as speedily
as possible exactly where it stands
The Globe says: mo wonder if the OPP
ponents of the Ministry regard it as a ma
tional humiliation when its supporters 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 min
listers have only themselves to thank if
they lose prestige at home and abroad
through the Withdrawal of the Ta-Lien-Wan
demand England, with her vast naval
strength ana enormous resources, has the
game in her own hands if the ministers will
only play 1t with the necessary spirit
An official statement on the subject is as
follows: mo communication can at pres
ent be published concerning the Times's
Ta-Iien-Wan report or the negotiations as
a whole. The negotiations thus far are alb
solutely confidential. Many kilograms from
China contain statements not merely going
far beyond the governments information,
but in some instances are quite at variance
with known facts"
The Liberals at the clubs last night Wig
orously denounced the reported backdown
of the British government, while the Con-
servative members of the House of Com
mons did not conceal their bitter disappoint-
ment. Many declined to credit the report
until it should be officially confirmed, and a
prominent Conservative this afternoon Of
fered Liberal opponent to pay substan-
tial sum to a public charity if the reported
bacldown should be confirmed The Lib
erals declare il would be a humiliating sur
render to Russia and q severe blow to Brit
ish interests and prestige. The members of
the late Cabinet are already communicating
with each other with the view of using the
matter as point of attack upon the gov
eminent during the debate upon the Queens
speech upon the reassemblng of Parlia-
nient.
The Picking correspondent of the Times tel
egraphing yesterday, says: Colonel Woro-
noff, the new Russian military adviser to
China, has commenced his duties, and the
German military instructors have been no
titled of the nolrenewaI of their contracts
An article in the St. Petersburg Novoe
Vremya which has attracted he attention
OF Europe declares that France and Ger
many supported Russia's determination and
opposed England's with reference to Tia
Lien WAN and hence Lord Salisbury. it is
claimed, is obliged to consult with his col
leagueS before the meeting of Parliament
IS 10 the best way to beat retreat if
Great Britain wishes to avoid an open con-
fict with Russia.