Peking, Feb. 3.
No information has yet been given out concerning the details of the negotiations beween the "Japanese and Chinese, which began yesterday. The first conference lasted for four hours, the Japanese evincing determination to commit China to the full programme of the demands recently submitted.
The Japanese are endeavouring to press China to agree to a daily conference, but the latter is equally insistent in limiting them to two a week.
Yesterday 4,500,000 were handed over to the Government by the Salt Administration, which calls to mind the fact that the unrest caused by Japan's attitude is already having an adverse influence on trade. If -Japan remains obdurate, there is certain to be a further decrease in the Customs.
To-morrow the State Council reassembles and it is probable that an interpellation will be submitted to the Government in connexion with Japan's demands.
So far the President has_ been using all his influence to pacify the minds-of the people. Yesterday
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.