Evening star., 1901-04-02
Generals of Allied Forces in China
Reach Agreement.
WILL REDUCE CHINA'S DEFENSES
Destruction of One VIII Improve
the Taku' River
SITUATION IN PAO TING FU


ton of the forts the generals are prac-
tically agreed that those at Taku, Shan
Hal Quan and Tien Tsin must at least be
rendered useless, while the north fort at
the entrance Of the river Taku must be de-
stroyed entirely on account Of the fact
that ever since it was built II has caused
lower water on the bar, having diverted
the course of the stream.
The merchants have frequently complain
ed to the consuls but no government has
liked to ask China to destroy fort at the
entrance to an important river. This, how
ever, can now be done as a matter Of mil
ftary necessity, and will give foreign mer-
chants intense satisfaction, as In conse
quence of it's being done the river will In
a short time again be navigable as far as
Tien Tsn.
Situation in Pao Ting Flu.
PAO TING FU, Saturday, March 80 (via
Pekin, Sunday, March 81, by post to Che
Fee).-ThQugh Pao Ting Flu may be reach
ed in few hours by railway, it is prac-
tcally unknown to foreigners now in
Pekin Marvellous stories and rumors pass
as current facts, but are entirely without
foundation. After the Occupation of Pao
Ting Flu an agreement was entered into
between the allies and the Chinese that
the former should not advance beyond the
province Of Chi LII and that the latter should
not go beyond ten miles inside the Shan 81
province. The Chinese have frequently
broken that agreement and have been at
tackled by both Germans and French in
dlHerent parts of the province. Chi LII at
present has 10000 Chinese troops com
manded by Liu-Kluantes, the famous black
nag leader, within twelve miles of Huo
Lee where there are 5000 French troops,
NJ hn n,.n h,,f
are restrained by positive orders from
Pekin, NJ. Picl2on dhe French ministe err
having informed Gen. Voyron, commanding
the French troops. that he had received
instructions from France to the effect that
the government does not desire aggressive
action on the part of the troops. Provided
the Chinese do not advance, which is not
considered likely, there is little chance of u
collision.
German Force Attacked.
Early in March 100 Germans We're at
tackled near the border and two men We're
killed Two thousand soldiers entered
Shan Si province through the Antt-Suling
pass, driving the Chinese beyond Shat
Quan, and then retiring to Ante-Suling,
where they are now in camp.
French officers state that Shan 81 has a
different people from the Chi Ii province,
the inhabitants being more arrogant, dar
Ing the foreign troops to enter. The French
have large supplies at Cheng Ling and
HuO Ii including camel trains.
Pao Ting Flu is entirely peaceful and its
condition is better than of any other city
occupied by the allies. Chinese officials
conduct the entire government of the city,
the French and German commission acting
interfering except in cases where fragrant
injustice has been done. when they act as
a sort of court of appeals.
Most frequently they have been called
owing the infarfpranca nf Catholic
missionaries and the eXaction of extortions.
French officers say that if 1t is GUS
tomary in ordinary times to subject the
native converts to eXtortion, even when
they are palpably in the wrong. China has
a grievance that would not be tolerated by
any other country.
Lieut. Reeves. the military attache of
the United States legation, recently re-
ported to Mr.. Squiers, the charge daffaires,
a similar state Of things regarding Catholic
BERLIN, April 2.-The Pekin correspon-
dent of the Cologne Gazette says China has
agreed to the proposal Of the powers to
make the Island of Kwange Su, near Annoy,
an international settlement, modelled after
Shanghai.
The Manchurfan Question.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 2.-The supe-
rior councillor Of the Chinese legation,
Chu-We-Jte, is continuing the negotiations
as charge d'affaires regarding the Man.
churian agreement. The Illness of the Chi
nese minister, YangYu, is now admitted
to be due to apopleNy, which will inca
pacitate him from work, probably, for a
long period. It is said that the loss of half
his estate, through the destruction of a
Chinese bank, combined with political
cares is undermining his health.
Unofficial observers scarcely understand |
how a doubt can possibly be entertained
abroad that China will ultimately accept
the Russian conditions, after it is apparent
that no power Is willing to forcibly sup
port China. For, as it is urged, while |
Russia undoubtedly prefers to carry
through her plans as made, her diplomatic
position would suffer as little as her mill |
tary position from Chlna's refusal to ac-
cept what Russia regards as moderate con-
ditions of withdrawal. |
Sentry Shot at Tien Tsfn.
TIEN TSIN, April IAN Indian sentry |
was shot in the thigh Saturday night. He |
states that he twice returned the fire. He |
believes the aggressors to have been for |
eign soldiers. German mounted infantry
started yesterday in pursuit of the robbers |
in the Bi-tai district.