Tu is reported in mandarin circles that Russians have commenced laying a military railway between Ch'angeh'ungiu and Kirin (both in Kirin province or Central Manchuria) and have also started constructing fortified posts on the eastern frontiers of that province, evidently expecting a Japanese advance in force in that direction.
The Cour Their Majesties, according to a Peking telegram, will leave Peking to-day, the 18th inst., for Eho Park Palace and will reside there during the summer and autumn months, returning only occasionally to Po King for special Court functions.
19th April.
Stricty Neutral The Waiwupu issued the other day instructions to Tseng Chi, Tartar General of Fengtien (Lower Manchuria), to keep "strictly neutral in all things" in the present war, oven although Russians! should attempt force to obtain assistance from the Chinese authorities in Manchuria; acts which would give cause to Japan to protest and so render things dangerously unpleasant for China. "China," continued the Waiwupw's in structions to the Tartar General, " having decided upon a course of strict neutrality, any attempt of the belligerents to force the Chinese Authorities to break thi neutrality must be protested against and opposed to the last breath."
Japanese Arrested in Fengtien Province.
A Newchwang letter states that ea the Tth of April two Japanese merchants, who had landed at that port from an incoming steamer, were arrested by the Russians shortly after the former's arrival, and incarcerated on the charge of being spies. On the 9th inst., two more di guised Japanese were discovered near the city of Liaoyang by a Russian patrol and arrested on the spot. The two unlucky prisoners were immediately rushed to gaol ina most " precipitate manner" by. their captors, and, it is reported, are to be made to suffer the, usual penalty awarded to men found wandering about disguised in an enemy's territory.
The "Fire Zone" at Newchwang.
The "Sinwénpao" publishes a Newchwang telegram stating that the Russian military authorities there have issued a proclamation in Chinese notifying junk owners that they will be only permitted to anchor their vessels in the river one mile to the left of the forts and five miles to right of the same. "The space within the six miles' area noted above is inside the fire zone, and junks or steamers anchoring there will be liable to be sunk by the fire of the forts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.