The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-06
THE PARTITION OF CHINA.
Settlements Demanded by Japan-The e
| RussOfcatiOn of Manchuria.

VANCOUVER, 3. c., April 5.-Advlces
from the far East, brought by the steamer
Empress of Japan. indicate ohat Japan has
watched with jealous eye Italy's recent at
tempt TO get lease of San-Mun bay The
Japanese press recently circulated report
that the United States was demanding con-
cessions also. Marquis Ito. Japans great
est statesman, was interviewed, but said
he was not much concerned at the reported
American demand, contending that nothing
need be feared, as all countries had the
same rights as far as settlements were con-
cerned. Marquis Ito has, however, been in
direct communication with Lii Hung Chang,
and has advised various reforms. He says
a partition of China would be inevitable
should China persist in her present course
of action. In the San-Mun affair the Jap
anese are saying that their government
must abandon the hold-off policy hitherto
adopted and demand some substantial grant
of land from China. Mr.. Yalo, the Japan
ese minister at Peking, has. therefore, ap-
piled to the Chinese government for five
new settlements for Japan's exclusive use,
to be opened at Foo-Chow, Annoy, New
Chwang, Shanghai and Chung g-Kiang, in ad-
dition TO the Tien-Tsin and Han-Kow set
Elements which have been conceded al
ready. 1t is stated that the Chinese gov
ernment has decided TO entertain these de-
mands, with the exception of Shanghai and
Chung Kiang.
The Russians adopting inhuman prac-
tices to spread their influence in Manchuria.
At one place, some twenty Ii from Lao
Tang, Russians attempted TO take posses
sion Of house and an old woman who re-
sisted was kicked to death. The Russian
explanation was that the old woman at
tempted to set fire to the house and in pre-
venting her she got hurt and died. After
paying a few dollars the Russians kept
possession of the house. AT another place.
twelve Ii from Liao-Tung, they commenced
to take forcible possession of a house be-
longing to a well-to-do Chinese. The Chinese
held their own, and the Russians are now
putting in a claim for compensation.
A correspondent of the North China Daily
News gives some remarkable information re-
gardng the Russian progress in Manchuria
and the northern provinces. He points out
that whereas the only British subjects VINO
are permitted by treaty 10 own land out
side the treaty limits are missionaries Rus
slams in Manchuria are acquiring land as
they please and are already working mines.
The railway, 100, is obviously d military
one and he asserts that there are 5000 Rus
sian troops at Port Arthur. 1900 at Talien-
Wan, 1900 at Kin-Chou, 300 at Lun-Chou,
300 at Wa-Fang- 200 at New-Chang 200
at Hai-Chieng, 200 at Liao-Tung, 300 at
Kirin, 10000 al Hai-pien, north of Kirin and
in fact Russian soldiers all over Man
churia. They are to be met with even
where the railway will not touch. In Hal
Chieng, the Russians are mounting guns. AT
Lao-Tung they have site two hundred
yards square where they building bar
racks. AT Kirin the Russians have posses
sion of the Chinese barracks, and
900 soldiers with twenty officers and
mining engineers, are quartered there.
Outside the city they are purchasing
land and intend to occupy houses for the
summer. The Chinese officials and people
are much afraid of the intruders, who do
just as they like and square any re-
monstrance with a few dollars.
Visitors to the locality cannot move with
out being shadowed by Russians. AS there
is no railway at Kirin and the branch line
which is projected will not reach there for
two or three years. the presence of soldiers
appears unnecessary. The Russo-Chinese
Bank has opened a branch in Kirin. worked
by Chinese. with one foreigner, who is Brit
ish but little beyond political work appears
to be done. At Hai-Pien, where the railway
branches off from the main line TO Vladi-
vostock, there are Russian settlements with
twenty thousand soldiers. II is instructive
to compare this military occupation with
the railway in which British capitalists
have their money, a good road. with stone
embankments and workshops along the line.
where carriages and bridges are being built
and yet not one British soldier to protect
the property.
The agricultural and mineral resources of
Manchuria are immense and the Russians
working to exploit them for their
sole advantage. Land Is being compulsorily
acquired at the rate of SO NOW. and In
the event Of Chinese resistance a telegram