The herald., 1897-12-23


| tions to this effect were given to Rear
Admiral McNair and Commodore Dewey.
Rear Admiral McNair states that ia
pan dispatched a cruiser to Kiao- Chau
Bay for the purpose of watching the op-
erations of Germany. He also furnishes
clippings from the Japan papers.
| The hippo says that on receipt Of the
telegram reporting the seizure of Kiao-
Chau by the Germans the Minister of
Foreign Affairs at once dispatched in
structions to the japanese Ministers in
Pekin and Berlin and that frequent in
terchange of kilograms is at present
being carried on between the govern
ments and the ministers. 1t also states
rumors are rife that the German Min
lister is making preparations to leave
China. A Pekin dispatch to the Ji il,
dated November 10Th, announced that
| the Chinese government had held a Sc
cret conference with Count Cassini, the
Russian representative at Pelin, with
regard to the occupation of Kiao- Chau
| by the Germans.
| dispatch dated Toxic, November
| 29th, declares that the Admiral of the
French-Asiatic squadron has received a
communication from the Admiral of the
German Asiatic squadron informing
him of the occupation of Kiao- Chau by
German warships and the reason for the
action taken. The last clipping an
nounces that the Chinese officers who
came to witness the Japanese maneu-
| vers have received instructions to return
to their homes in consequence of the
Kiao- -Chau affair. They have therefore,
abandoned their intention of visiting
Toxic and Nagasaki.
| The clippings inclosed by Rear Ad-
miral McNair are considered thoroughly
reliable by department officials, and the
information they contained was the SUBJ
ject of great deal of speculation.
GREAT BRITAIN'S DEMAND
PEKIN, Dec. 22-The Chinese gov
ernment has granted Russia permission
to winter squadron at Port Arthur
Great Britain demands quid pro quo
If concessions have been made to other
powers. 1t has been suggested that the
Japanese and British occupy Wei Hal
Wei jointly. The situation at Kiao Chau
Bey remains unchanged. The Germans
remain there, and the Chinese coun-
ellis are undecided whether it shall be
peace or war with Germany. China re-
CARDS Russia as her only friend, and asks
her advice alone. British influence is
nil, having suffered greatly through the
failure of the loan negotiations. China
is now negotiating a loan from Russia
The latter demands the dismissal of the
British railroad engineers in North
China, and 1t is probable that it will
| threatening it at the present moment"
be granted. The German drill instruct
ors will be dismissed. At the expiration
Of their contracts they will be replaced
by Russians. Russian officers have al
ready been appointed to drill the troops
of North China.
In spite of official denials it is re-
garded as proved that Port Arthur and
Kiao Chau bay were promised to Russia
by secret treaty.
AN ANTI-BRITIsH ARTICLE
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. %. : In q
strongly anti British article today the
Novosti says: I'm consequence of the
pretension of England to compensate
herself for the Russian occupation of
Port Arthur by the acquisition of Port
Hamilton or Lazareff, and in view of
the possibility of the disturbing action
of Japan, Europe stands on the brink of
grave diplomatic complications. 1t is
therefore well to recall that the re-
enforcement of the German squadron
| in the Pacific permits Russia, France
and Germany to effectively prevent a
disturbance of the balance of power be-
tween the three powers on the one hand
and Great Britain and Japan on the
other, such as might be produced by
violent seizures of territory
Tho NOvaotf avnrpaSaS tho hOpo that
the isolation of Great Britain in regard
to the other European powers will par
alyze her action sufficiently to effect the
preservation of peace from the dangers
| threatening it at the present moment"
PRINCE HENRY'S TRIP
PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 22.-The German
warships Deutschland and Gefion.
under command of Prince Henry of
Prussia, started today for Gibraltar.
Prince Henry, it is said, took an au-
tograph letter from Emperor William to
Queen Victoria at Osborne house. and
while in London ascertained that the
British government does not regard the
Occupation of Kiao Chau as incompati-
BILE with English interests.
JAPAN'S RISK
| LONDON, Dec. 22.-The Vienna cor
respondent of the Standard says he has
ascertained that the first news of the
occupation of Port Arthur emanated
from Toxic, fact significant of Japan
| ese vigilance. Discussing Japan's po-
sition the correspondent says: "She can
not declare war aginst either China or
Russia, because if she did the ten large
ironclads that are being built for her
in Europe and America, and which are
nearly finished, would be shut up till
the war was over. She will. therefore,
risk nothing by herself"
| RUSSIA IS RETICENT
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 22.-The
greatest reticence is maintained here in
government circles. The censorship has
forbidden the press to attack Germany
on account of the occupancy of Kiao
Chau.
Emperor Nicholas presided today at a
special meeting of the council at Alex
ander palace including the grand duke
and the chief military and naval author
tiles. The Chinese situation was dis
cussed, and it is rumored that Grand
Duke Alexander Michaelovitch advised
the Immediate strengthening of the Rus
sian squadron in China.
SIGNIFICANT ACTION
LONDON, Dec. 23.-The correspondent
| of the Times at Pekin says: The Chi
nese are provisioning Port Arthur and
will reconstruct the forts there Russia