The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-19
MAY YIELD TO FRANCE
CHINA INCLINED TO GRANT THE
CONCESSIONS DEMANDED,
IntimatiOn that Great Britain Will
Attempt to .Stiffen the Backbone
of the Celestial Emperor.

LONDON, March 1S.-It is announced to-
day in a dispatch to the Times from Picking
that the mission of Sinking Chen, the
Chinese minister to Germany, who was sent
to st. Petersburg in an effort to prevail
upon Russia to modify her demands upon
China, has been unsuccessful, and, it is
added, there is no alternative but to agree
to the Russian demands.
A dispatch from Picking says: The French
demands upon China, in addition to those
cabled from Picking last night Chat China
shall not cede any portion of the four prov
inces of Kwang-Tung, Kwang-Si, Yu-Nan
and Kwei-Chou, that the railroad from
Lung hou-Ting, on the northern frontier
of Tonquin, shall be extended via Pase-
Siam into the Yun-Nan province and that
a coaling station be granted to France at
Lei-Chou-Fu, in the Hen-Chou peninsula,
north of Hai-Nan) include that the director
of the imperial postoftice be a Frenchman,
evidently with the view of separating it
from the control of Sir Robert Hart. the di-
rector OF the Chinese imperial maritime Gus
toms; and the cession of coaling station
at kWang- Chou is demanded On the same
terms as Kioa-Chou bay ceded to Germany
with railroad concessions to include extern
sive mining privileges: Eight days are al
lowed to China in which to reply to the
French demands, and threats inter-
preted to indicate the French occupation of
the province of Hai-Nan unless the Chi
nese complay
The Times publishes a military article
showing that Russia's strength on the Man
churian frontier is considerably less than
is generally supposed and is certainly 'in-
adequate to meet a well-equipped adver-
sary." CommAnting editorially on the con-
illusions drawn by its contributors the
Times says: Japan has evidently taken
measure of Russia's strength, and the re-
suit is seen in Russia's withdrawal from
Corea. Japan has made no fuss, but she
has acted and she has acted so quietly
that her action stands revealed for the first
time by it's results. 1t forms an admirable
object lesson for the British government"
At the Cabinet council to-day there was
an anxious discussion of the new develop
ment of French demands in China. The
Duke of Devonshire, lord president of the
council, who presided, has decided to post
pone his intended departure for the Riviera.
All the newspapers comment on the i'm
possible nature of the French demands.
The Times says: China is inclined TO yield
through her fear of an occupation of Hal
Nan. 1t may be necessary to make it very
plain to the Chinese mind that worse things
IL China undertakes to settle by a mere ex
pafte agreement with a third power ques-
tons which Immediately affect the safety
and prosperity of one of our most i'm
portant possessions in the East"
The Daily Mail says: What does it
mean? coaling station and railway are
all very well; but If 1t comes to admitting
a French title to the Hinter and of Muir
NAH and Hong Kong Great Britain must
oppose to the utmost of her influence and
power.
The Morning Post thinks it time for Eng
land 70 present her list of requirements.