AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 881, 4 May 1903, Page 1

AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

A despatch from St. Petersburg to the San Francisco Call under date March Ist, says:

Tho opinion of Dr Robort Coltruan, jim., that another outbreak against foreigners is imminent in China, attracts much attention here, and, what is more, coincides with tho general opinion of those who know China well.

Some time ago I travelled with Prince Oukhtomsky, president of tho RussoChincse Bank, who knows China by heart. Tho conversation dropped upon the probabilities of a further rising in China. In Princo Oukhtomsky’s opinion, nothing could provent such an outbreak taking place. Again, while I was visiting Colonel Vereschchagin yesterday to see his unique collection of Chinese rarities which he recently brought back from China, the opinion given by Dr Coitman came up. Colonel Vereschchagin (who, by the way, is a brother of the world famous artist) warmly endorsed the American Doctor’s opinion, and said he was convinced another anti-foreigner rising was as aura as auythiug in the world could be.

At the same time there comes another startling confirmation of trouble to come in a letter from Khartum According to the writer, among the inhabitants of that district, a resumption of scenes and uprisings such as took place in 1900 is arranged for the spring of this year, only in much greater strength than was used last time. And, more curious'still is the statement that Japan will bo largely mixed up in the whole affair, and that Japanese spies and agents have for a long time been travelling throughout China and Manchuria, stirring up a restless sentiment among tho people.' How true tho suggestion of Japanese interference may bo it is impossible to say, but what is absolutely sure is that the troubles of three years ago in China are considered in responsible circles to be most liable to recur in the near future.

This may be taken as accounting for tho particularly large fleet Russia has sent out. and which is now on the way to Far Eastern waters. It also will account for certain symptoms of special military preparations in Southern Russia, which newspaper correspondents bn the wrong track attribute to a fear of the development of tho Macedonian question,