Peking, Oct. 2.
The Chinese Government has obtained, at the request of Baron Maltzan, German Charge d' Affairs, the release of the five German off. cials of the Shantung Railway, who have been lately arrested by' the Japanese at Weihsien. They have tone under Chinese escort to Tsinanfi The Chinese Minister to Berlin has wired that the German Governtient refuses to consent to the definition of the districts Lungkow, Laichow and Kiaochou to form the war zone, because Germany cannot derive any benefit therefrom and it violates China's neutrality. The Chinese Government is, consequently, in a great dilemma. A number of prominent high officers, as General Chang Hsin and others, have been convened to a secret conference in Peking. Generals Feng Kuo chang of Nanking, Chin Yen-keng of Tsinanfu and Chang Hei-luan of Mukden are expected to arrive here Within the next few di A two urs conference was held this morning at the President's Palace, in which Hsit Shi-chang, Secretary of Btate, Sun Pao-chi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuan Chi-jui, Minister of Liu Kuan-hsiung, Minister Navy, Chou Tee-chi, ter of Finance, and Generals Yin Chang and Chang Hsin took part. An order was issued after the meeting by the President, instructing all high civil officials and military officers of the Provinces of Chibli, Shantung, Fengtien and Kiangsu to show the greatest re-Straint and calmness towards foreigners, especially to those belonging to the belligerent Powers, and Not to afford a pretext to any foreign Power for intervention.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.