ib. was presented on the 17th to the Tsungli Yamen by the British Charge d'Affaires demanding the opening of the West. River. The Chinese Ministers have, among themselves, resolved upon this' step in the interests of their owa revenue, and' very little pressure is needed to influence them to adopt this action. They see that unless this is done the trade of Kuangsi, Eastern Yunnao, and Westera Kuangtang will in a few' years flow south wa through Tongking and the duties thereupon will be completely lost: to them. An answer was to be given by midday on Sunday, the 19th. The Chinese government like other governments want some quid pro and so they have made it a condition of opening the river to foreign trade that Great Britain do not take back the territory ceded to her by the Burma-China Convention.
should here be said that Great Britain with the view of punishing China for breaking the treaty in relation to the cession to France of Mangii and Utai in Chianghéng [eetince, now demands the opening of the West River and the retrocession of the Burman Shan territory handed over by treaty to China. The conditions have been wired to Lord Salisbury and an answer is daily sri ogc to it; Chine wil Gereloe It is not likely Lord Salish,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.