The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-21
PORT ARTHUR OCCUPANCY
Chinese Minister Says il Will Only
BE Temporary.
POWERS MAY SEIZE CHINESE PORTS
to Assume n PrOtectorate Over
the Yang Use valley.

the Herald from Washington saws Minister
W. U. Ting Fang. the diplomatic repre-
sentative of China in this country, ex-
pressed the belief that the reported occu-
pancy of Port Arthur by Russian squad
ron would prove to be but tcmpo AIRY
convenience to the cars fleet granted by
The Pekin government. He said The Rus
sian squadron in Asiatic waters was grant
cd permission last year to winter at Mao
Chau and the Russian ships remained there
during the winter, but as soon as warm
weather set in they resumed their mahouy
ers in the Pacific ocean.
For the convenience of the Russian clii-
GERS the Chinese government sent inteIpre-
ters to Kiao Chau and made every effort
to make them comfortable.
In view of the German occupancy OF Kiao
Chau it was impossible to permit the Rus
sian ships to return TO that port and the
minister therefcre. believes that the Rus
sian admiral asked and received permission
to winter his ships at Port Arthur.
1t is impossible for Russian ships TO an
Choir at Vladivosto2k during the winter,
owing 10 the ice.
The minister also stated thai 1t was his
opinion that the Germans would eventually
withdraw from Kiao Chdu.
So far as known in Washington, there Is
no intention on the part OF the Chinese
government to seek the exercise of the
good Offices OF this government with
view 10 securing the withdrawal of Ger
many. Minister WI Is anxious that Amer
lean interests shall be extended in China.
TWO or three American syndcates are now
seeking concessions In the celestial king
dom, buc he j. desirious that more shall
reach out for Chinese trade and thus Lro-
mote commercial relations between the
ton pt Tbn
trited States, he saws, has no nlterior mo-
tYus with reference to the empire 1t
does net want Chircse territory AMI the
developments of It's interests in the. celes-
tial kingdom would naturally Increase aud
strengthen the concern of this government
in the welfare of it's Asatlc trends.
II is understood that the minister is
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of suggesting
to his government that the president I've
asked to authorize the employment ly the
chinese Of army and navy officers of the
United States to trail he army and navy
Of China. At present English officers are
employed for the navy and German officers
for the army but the governments which
these gentlemen represent are both grasp
ing for Chinese territory.
The policy vhich Germany is pursuing
in the Pacific is a matter of much spacula-
ton in Washington 1t is generally be-
licved that the emperor has simply leen
Influenced by his desire to secure the
passage by the relchstag Of the LiIi IN in
crease the German navy. 1t was said at
the navy department that Germany is eX-
pending S9,0o0,1GO during the year 1897 9S
for vessels Undo construction. one battle |
ship and Two gunboats have been author |
lied, but work hes not vet been commenced
upon thtm The vessels uuder construc- |
ton include two first class battleships,
one armored cruiser, FIVE protected cru!s-
trs one torpedo boat destroyer and eight |
tornedo boats.
The report that Germany proposes to |
seize Hawaii and Samoa is regarded as
ridiculous by administration officials ecu
other nations in the Hawaiian is'ande If