Of the bids, says Mr. Goodnow, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, and 15 are for English rails; No. 9 is for rails from Belgium; and Nos. 4, 7, 8, 11, and 14 are American. Maps and specifications are inclosed.

Under date of May 14, 1898, the consul-general informs the Department that the contract has been awarded to A. S. Fobes, an American citizen representing an English establishment, as follows:

One-third of the price is to be paid with the order, one-third on shipment, and one-third on delivery.

As the Taku wharf, adds Mr. Goodnow, has only 12 to 13 feet of water during spring tides, it will be necessary to lighter the iron about 15 miles before it reaches the wharf where it is to be placed.

OPEN PORTS IN CHINA.

I inclose a list of the treaty ports and ports of call in China, showing the date of opening the custom-houses, the estimated population, and the total foreign trade in 1897 of each of said localities. A map of China is also inclosed, showing the location of the treaty ports. These have been prepared with great care by Mr. H. G. Squiers, secretary of this legation.

*

* Filed for reference in the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, Department of State.

+ Under this same convention goods are allowed to land at the following places (ports of call) on the Yangtze River: Tatung, Nganching, Hukou, Wusuch, Luchikou, Shashih (made a treaty port by the treaty with Japan, April 17, 1895).

Under the same article the following ports on the West River were also made ports of call: Kungmoon, Kumchuck, Shiuhing, Tahking. CHARLES DENBY,

PEKIN, April 20, 1898.

Minister,

OCCUPATION OF PORT ARTHUR.

PROCLAMATION BY THE CHINESE GENERAL.

Consul Fowler, of Chefoo, under date of April 14, 1898, incloses translation of a proclamation issued by General Sung, who was in charge of Port Arthur up to the time of the occupation by Russia, as follows:

PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY SUNG, JUNIOR GUARDIAN OF THE HEIR APPARENT, EX OFFICIO PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF WAR, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, ETC.

I have had the honor to receive telegraphic instructions from the Tsung-li Yamên to remove to Ying k'ou (Niuchwang), Port Arthur and Ta-lien-wan being leased to Russia and the forts handed over to their control. These are the wishes of my Emperor.

Henceforth they will be open ports and will daily increase in prosperity.

The removal of my troops, however, must not cause alarm, but, on the contrary, you should peaceably pursue your avocations as hitherto and continue to till the fields as of old, each one quietly attending to his own affairs. There is no need to move away. Moreover, Russian officials will be especially careful in their treatment of you.

In all lawsuits you will continue to lay your cases before the Chinchow T'ing for his decision and adjustment, and act in every way as before.

Now that I am leaving you, I deem it right to first issue this proclamation, by which merchants and others are expected to understand that there is no cause for alarm, and I sincerely trust that in all matters you will proceed as usual.

PROCLAMATION BY THE RUSSIAN ADMIRAL.

Minister Denby writes from Pekin, April 15, 1898:

I have the honor to inclose a translation of a proclamation issued by the Russian admiral relating to the Liao Tung Peninsula.

By this proclamation the northern limit of Russian territory is about 30 miles north of Kinchow and the eastern limit is Pietzu-woa.

PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY THE ADMIRAL COMMANDING THE RUSSIAN NAVAL SQUADRON ON THE PACIFIC AND THE RUSSIAN NAVAL AND MILITARY FORCES OF THE LIAO TUNG PENINSULA.

Whereas a telegram has been received from the Czar of Russia to the effect that it is the earnest desire of the Emperor of China to maintain relations of friendship between the two countries, and that every effort should be made to assist each other

It has therefore been agreed that Port Arthur, Ta-lien-wan, and places in the vicinity thereof are to be leased to the Russian Government for the period of twentyfive years. The area of territory so leased extends from Port Arthur north to Pu

Tao-tien and Pietzu-woa. It is important that measures should be adopted to preserve order and maintain peace within the limits of the above-named places.

Acting under instructions, I assumed charge of the above-named places on the 28th of March. The Chinese troops have been withdrawn, and orders have been given by me that the forces under my command are to exercise due vigilance and care to afford protection to the Chinese, to the end that they may carry on their daily pursuits without fear. Important questions that may arise must be presented to me for my consideration and action to be taken thereon. Merchants and traders will be allowed to pursue their respective callings as heretofore. Criminals or disorderly characters (Russian or Chinese) will be dealt with according to the laws of their respective countries. This proclamation is issued for general information. Let every one respect and obey it.

Issued on the 5th of April.

JAPANESE-RUSSIAN PROTOCOL RELATIVE TO KOREA.

I inclose herewith a draft translation of a new protocol negotiated between Japan and Russia, in relation to Korea, on the 25th ultimo, the text of which is published in to-day's Official Gazette.

TOKYO, May 10, 1898.

A. E. BUCK,

Minister.

PROTOCOL.

In accordance with the provisions of Article IV of the protocol signed at Moscow on June 9 (May 28), 1896, by Marshal Marquis Yamagata and Prince Lobanow, Secretary of State, it is hereby agreed by Baron Nissi, His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Baron Rosen, Counselor of State, etc., envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the Emperor of all the Russias, having been duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments:

I. That the Governments of Japan and Russia, recognizing the sovereignty and complete independence of Korea, shall in no way directly interfere with the domestic government of that country.

II. That in order to avoid misunderstandings in the future, whenever either Japan or Russia is applied to by Korea for advice or assistance, neither contracting party shall take any steps toward the appointment of military instructors or financial advisers without previous consultation with the other.

III. That Russia, recognizing the great progress made in commercial and industrial enterprises by Japan in Korea, and the great number of Japanese subjects residing in the settlements, will do nothing to injure the development of the commercial and industrial relations between Japan and Korea.

Done in duplicate at Tokyo, this 25th day of April, 1898.

NISSI.
ROSEN.

SPANISH WAR AND CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT IN

THE

PHILIPPINES.

I submit certain interesting particulars regarding Spanish cruisers and mail steamers, as well as coal deposits, armament, cable, railways, etc., in the Philippines, which I succeeded in obtaining here and supplied to Commodore Dewey previous to his departure from Hongkong.

SPANISH SQUADRON IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Name.

Tons. Guns. Speed.

Remarks.

Do.

10

Although 14 knots is her official speed, this vessel
can only do 12 to 13. She is the best ship the
Spaniards have here; but must have suffered con-
siderable deterioration to her guns, which were
made pretty free use of during bombardment of
Cavite last year.

Flagship; bottom said to be in very defective state
and unable to make a journey to Hongkong.
New protected cruiser, just out from Spain.
New protected cruiser, just out from Spain, but
took nearly three months to come out via canal,
owing to several breakdowns.

Called a cruiser, but really only a gunboat; has

been some years in the Philippines.

The best gunboat the Spanish have.
Gunboat with exceptionally long ram.

Gunboat similar to Duero.

Do.

Old fashioned gunboat.

Transport; formerly merchant steamer.

Transport; very old.

8

For service of hydrographical commission; very old; formerly a coasting steamer.

Besides these, there are four small coasting gunboats built in Manila, about 80 tons each, armed with one gun and a Nordenfeldt, some with two of the latter; also several small launches for river work, armed with either Gatlings or Nordenfeldts.

SPANISH MAIL STEAMERS.

The Spanish steamer Elcano or another boat belonging to the Compañia Maritima leaves Manila for Singapore every twenty-eight days, in connection with French mail steamers returning homeward with mails after arrival of outward steamer.

The Spanish Royal Mail Line from Manila direct to Barcelona, calling at Singapore, Colombo, Aden, and Port Said, also leaves Manila every twenty-eight days. Next dates of departure are May 7,