About August, 1901, the British Consul at Niu-chwang, Mr. A. Hosie, reported that the force then at the disposal of the Tartar General of the Sheng-king Province was limited by the Russian authorities to 6500 men, which meant that over 10,000 men possessing firearms had been let loose. The Chinese police force was insufficient to back the authority of the Governor-General, and constant military expeditions by the Russians were consequently rendered necessary.—_China, No. 2 (1904)_, p. 33. Also see the _British Consular Report_ on Niu-chwang for 1901, pp. 3–4. Footnote 419: Early in March, 1903, Prince Ching negotiated with M. Lessar about the number of Chinese troops that should occupy the country after the withdrawal of the Russians. “The Chinese Government were proposing to send 18,000 men, whilst the Russian Legation considered that 12,000 men would be sufficient.”—_China, No. 2 (1904)_, No. 84 (Townley to Lansdowne). Footnote 420: _China, No. 2 (1904)_, p. 38, already quoted in p. 225, above. Footnote 421: _Ibid._, No. 53 (Lamsdorff’s statement to Scott, on April 23). Footnote 422: _Ibid._, No. 55 (April 15). Footnote 423: _China, No. 2 (1904)_, No. 52 (Lansdowne to Scott, April 30). This conversation had ensued from M. de Staal’s visit to Lord Lansdowne, the purpose of which was, on the part of the Russian Ambassador, to explain to the British Foreign Minister the unreasonableness of the popular allegation that Russia had, in concluding the Agreement of April 8, surrendered to the diplomatic pressure exerted by Great Britain. Footnote 424: _Russia, No. 2 (1904)_, p. 6. Already quoted in p. 98, above. Footnote 425: Cf. the last clause of Article 3. Footnote 426: _China, No. 5 (1901)_, No. 23. Footnote 427: _China, No. 2 (1904)_, No. 63, September 9, 1902 (Hosie to Satow). Footnote 428: Telegraph from Miandonha [?], May 18, 1904. In the _Evening Post_ of a few days later. CHAPTER XIV THE EVACUATION