Two grave complications have been introduced this week into the
Chinese affair. The first is the evidence that the persons ruling in Pekin hate Russia more than any other Power. They have evidently been preparing for months to block the Siberian route and destroy the Trans-Asian Rail- way. Armed bands, provided with excellent guns, have stopped all work on many sections of the railway, and regular troops are blocking the Amur, which constitutes at present one division of the long route, and are bombarding the Russian town of Bla.govestchensk, which is the depot used by the Russian troops guarding the river. It is even reported on good authority that the town has fallen, but this is officially denied. At the same time the Chinese in Manchuria have risen on the Russians scattered about the province, anj
he total result is that the Russian land route to the Pacifie .is useless until China is conquered. The Russian Govern- ment is pressing forward reinforcements, but it seems to be admitted that Siberia has been depleted of troops, and that a large army must be employed at once for the conquest ot Manchuria. The result of this is that, although Russia may assist in the march to Pekin, she cannot make a " dis- interested " peace, for she must claim Manchuria. The event is a strong lesson to those who have persistently alleged that a, secret compact existed between St. Petersburg and Pekin.
