The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-12
RUSSIA in THE FAR EAST
SAID TO BE TAKING AID. ANTAGE OF
BRITAINs TROUBLES.
PeremptOry Demand Made for Dis
puted Land i'm China-The Anglo
American Treaty.


of opinions of the principal Chinese-Japan-
csc papers as received to-day by the steam
er Empress of Japan. thirteen days from
Yokohama, indicate that Russia Is
Enthusiastically revealing her intentions in
the far East. The China Gazette says that
taking advantage of Englands pressing en-
gagements in South Africa, the Russian
government. through its consul at Hankow,
has revived it's claim to the Jardine- Math-
eson land, making a demand for the prop
erty In the most peremptory fashion. The
Russian consul claims that the question
of the disputed ownership of the land has
been absolutely decided in favor of his
government and he has announced his IT.
tention to take forcible possession of the
property without further negotiations. His
actions are said to have been extremely
highhanded. Relations between the Brit
ish and Russian residents are strained to
the breaking point.
The rebellion in central China has be-
come formidable, and advices from Chang
Sha, dated Dec 20, state that the insur-
rection in Hengshand district is spreading
rapidly and large body of insurgents have
already entered Ping Shiang. on the from
tier, touching the Human borders and the
center of some new and valuable mines.
The state of anarchy in south China, and
more particularly in the province of
Kwang-Tung. is causing no little anxiety
to the British authorities and to all having
an interest in the integrity of the Chinese
empire. The Cantonese are the race in
China least well disposed towards the pres
ent dynasty, and their disloyalty has been
increased by a weak and corrupt provn-
cial government. Forming the buffer be-
tween the rest of the Chinese empire and
the French possessions in AMMAN there
have been for years bodies of armed men
only partially under control, who have wor-
ried the French when it suited. Their ac-
tions have been disavowed when necessary.
The French in Kwopg- Chau-Wan have
been attacked by bands which the Chinese
authorities claim are pirates whom they
are unable to suppress. Unless England
compels drastic measures and some firm
hand takes control in south China France
may seize the excuse TO include this, al
most the richest province in the Chinese
empire, within French territory.
There is abundant evidence in the jap
anese press of the probability that Japan
is drifting into war with Russia. The
dangers of such a conflict. their govern
ment having recently given an order in
England for 100000 suits of warm winter
clothing for Japanese soldiers in prepara-
ton for a campaign in Russia.
The Kobe Chronicle asserts that Japa-
| nese cruiser, with a large force of soldiers
on board, recently sailed from a Japanese
port under sealed orders, and that three
transports have been chartered to carry
troops to Korea. The following is Speci-
| men of japanese journalistic opinion: The
Japanese are convinced that to permit Rus
STA to acquire Korea or establish Russian
ascendency i'm northern China would be
strategically, politically and commercially
deadly menace to Japan's rapidly devel-
oping strength. Japan believes her navy Is
strong enough to attack Russia, and the
general opinion is that the interests of
| the two nations are so conflicting that II Is
| impossible to avoid a rupture in the near
| future.
Since Dec. trains have been running reg
ularly on the railway connecting New
Chang, Port Arthur and Talien Wan. The
| Russians are to be congratulated upon the
rapid completion of a railroad of no less
| strategical than commercial Importance TO
Russia. 1t is said however, the line shows
| signs of having been hastily built, so that
| a high rate of speed cannot be attained by
| trains.
The latest news from Korea is that the
Island Kingdom proposes to throw open
Port Hamilton to trade. Three little is
| lands constitute the group known as Ky
| obu-To. The central islet was occupied in
| 1866 by Gtrae Britain, while the eastern is
| lands served for exercising troops. The
| Korean government now intends TO make
| a harbor at the central island and to appro-
pirate land for a foreign settlement on the
| western. AS the place offers no great op-
portunity for trade, it is supposed the
| movement is really political rather than
| commercial
The government of the Federated Malay
States is carrying out a scheme for the
| wholesale importation of Chinese laborers
md 10 Am
provinces are being shipped direct to the
| Malay peninsula ports. The Malay gov
| eminent contributes 50 per head towards
| the transportation expenses.
| 1T is said the Japanese prince imperial
will visit America next summer. He is to
| be married i'm May and will then set sail
| for the United States. Count Ito, one of
| the ministers of the Japanese Cabinet,
made this announcement a few days ago.