Mass Meetings and Indignation in China
Mass Meetings and Indignation in China.—The greatest indignation prevails at Canton, China, because of the action of the Chinese Government in seizing the Japanese steamer loaded with rifles. The Chinese contended that they had a right to seize the vessel for they had good reason to believe that the guns were being so disposed of as to reach the hands of revolutionists who were exciting trouble. Japan demanded the restoration of the vessel, indemnity for the goods that were seized, and an apology from the Chinese Government. She sent a war-ship to enforce these demands. It looked for a time as if they might come to war over the question, but England stepped in as the ally of Japan, and a settlement was reached. But while the original demands of the Japanese were modified to some extent, yet the question was settled in such a way that the Canton province of China is holding mass meetings to express its indignation at the yielding to Japan. It is stated that 50,000 people attended the mass meetings that were held in a single day of last week. The meeting recommended the impeachment of Yuan Shi Kai of the Board of Foreign Affairs for weakness shown in yielding to Japan.