Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-08-18
MORE TROUBLE IN THE EAST.
Russia is Crowding Great Britain
Out Of Northern China.
BRITISH BECOMING AROUSED.
Russia, France and Belgium Unite and
Prevent Great Britain Securing Con-
cessions of the Greatest Importance
to British Chinese Interests.

Great Britain has received severe
setback in China as result of the
combined diplomacy of Russia, France
and Belgium, particularly the former.
The contest centered on the granting
of the concessions for constructing a
railway from Pekin to Han-Kow, and
it was universally conceded that the
power which secured this was in the
ascendancy in Chinese empire. For
this reason Sir Claude NJ. Macdonald,
the British minister to China, attended
a meeting of the Chinese foreign Office
officials and pledged Great Britain's
| formal promise to support China if
threatened by any foreign power on
account of a concession granted to a
British subject. However, NJ. Pavloff,
| the Russian charge daffaires, continued
to exert his influence against the Pc
kim Han-Kow railroad The conces-
sion represented the essence of Great
Britain's future in China, and it was
realized that if China yielded to Rus
sian menaces, the prospects of the
Shan 81 (British) syndicate were i'm
periled. 1t was a foregone conclusion
that NJ. Pavloff would demand a revo-
cation by the Chinese government of
the Shan ST contract. Private enter
prise would avail nothing against the
representations of Russia, and Great
Britain would be barred from the com
mercial advantages which that agree
ment carries.
Late dispatches from Pekin say that
an imperial edict has finally issued
sapctioning the Belgian loan for the
construction of the railway line from
Pekin to Han Kow, despite the protests
of Sir Claude Macdonald, the British
minister. Baron DeVincl1, the Belgian
minister, sent dispatch to the Tsung-
Li-Yamen, Chinese foreign Office as
sorting that NJ. Pavloff, the Russian
charge daffaires, and NJ. Gerard. the
French minister, had joined him in
urging the Tsung- Li-Yamen to disre-
gard the attempt of the British minis
ter, to prevent the ratification of Pekin-
Han Kow contract, and it is asserted
confidently that despite the British en-
deavor to obtain revision of the con-
tract, an imperial decree will issue
forthwith for its ratification.
The Tsung- Lii Yamen has also given
formal assent to all the conditions inn
posed by the Russian charge daft
flares, NJ. Pavloff, regarding the con-
tract for the Niu-Chwang (British) rail
way extension loan. These conditions
are in direct conflict with the terms of
the signed contract and are designed
to block the completion of the final
contract.
. London: All the morning papers in
GLIDING the supporters of the govern
mentJ attack Lord Salisbury for weak
ness dealing with the Chinese ques-
tic ~ANs.sndard says; These res
'peated"" ~ p IONS arc Becoming
intolerable."
Daily Mail: 1.-The door is closed
not exist in the Yangtse valley. 1t is
mistake; and, looking to what Lord
Salisbury has done in Egypt, his fail
ure in China is inexplicable."
Daily Chronicle: "What is to be the
result nobody can say. There is room
for the gloomiest forebodings. Does
the country realize that for want of
little foresight and firmness Great
Britain may ere long be plunged INTO
colossal war? Such without the
least doubt or exaggeration, is the APP
palling possibility"
In the house of commons A. j. Bal
four, the first lord of the treasury and
government leader, admitted that the
statements in the Pekin dispatch were
substantially correct, and said that the
matter was engaging the serious at
tention of the government"
Paris: The papers are full of the
significance of the Chinese question.
The Matin says: SIN China the great
est game in the world is being played,
and French Intervention should be
efficacious and decisive" The Soir has
a sensational article headed, "War be-
tween England and Russia imminent"
The Journal DIES Debats says: England
is now seeking an arrangement with
Russia. That understanding is impos-
sible unless Russia remains mistress of
of the north and England is insured
her influence on the Yangtse river.
In short, the lines Of the section are
beginning to be marked along which
the disruption would occur whenever
China falls TO pieces. Clearly, neither
France, Germany nor Japan could hold
aloof from such an agreement" The
article hints that France would sup
port Russia in the event of war, and
says, in conclusion: France will be
content with the southern provinces,
bordering on Tonquin.