A Reuter telegram from Peking appeared in Tuesday's papers announcing
that Russia bad presented a Note to China with regard to the position of Outer Mongolia. Russia is
stated to have asked that, as regards internal affairs, the independence of Mongolia shall be recognized, and that China shall not maintain troops or send colonists there ; she is further said to have announced her intention of assisting the Mongolians to keep order and of constructing a railway from Kiakhta to Urge, which should eventually connect Peking directly with the Trans-Siberian line. The Peking corre- spondent of the Times, who cannot be accused of any anti- Chinese prejudices, paints out in Wednesday's paper that Russia has repeatedly warned China of the possible results of her aggressive policy in Mongolia. By the beginning of December the revolution spread to Mongolia, the Chinese officials were expelled, and a Great Khan installed in their place. It is interesting to remember that the Mongols are naturally inclined to support the Manchus rather than the Chinese in the present struggle; and the revolt of Mongolia from Chinese rule is taken as a sign that the Mongol leaders believe that the Manchu domination of China is at an end. With regard to the internal situation in China all that can be stated is that negotiations between Yuan Shih-kai and the republicans still continue. The Peking correspondent of the Times, telegraphing on Wednesday, announced that he had excellent authority for believing that an early abdication of the Throne was certain.
