The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-30

Washington, Dec. 29-The rapid
movement of events in the far east
continues to be an absorbing topic in
diplomatic circles here, particularly at
the embassies and legations of the
powers, which are alingning for an ap-
parent struggle for Chinese territory.
There is no further talk of the United
powers, which are aligning for an ap-
States as a possible factor in the con-
test as a recent understanding at a
cabinet meeting is accepted as removing
this government from the field of con-
troversy.
AT the same time an eminent author
ity on international affairs said today
that a situation might develop when
the United States would be called upon
to go much further than protect Amer
lean interests at the treaty ports in
China. This situation would come, he
said, if the scramble for Chinese terri
tory went to the extent of the eXtinc-
ton of China and the complete absOrp-
ton of the old empire by foreign ma
tons
ANALOGOUS TO POLAND.
Such was the apparent drift of the
present movement, he said and if it
became a reality a condition would
arise similar to the determination of
Poland. ROldDU QdQ eSIaDllSHeQ q pTeCr-
edent in international affairs, he said,
and, following that precedent, if China
was to be absorbed. then it was a ques-
ton which the United States, in COM
mon with all the nations of the world.
must take cOgniZance of. Until this final
movement occurred, however. it was
plain that the United States had no in
terest in the fencing of European ma
lions and Japan for coaling stations and
norris on the ASiatic coast
In the meantime. however, the diplO-
mats are much concerned in the move
ments of their respective governments.
A leading japanese diplomat said to-
day:
JAPAN UNCONCERNED.
Il do not look at the question as in
vOlving the partition of China, and no
event has occurred thus far to indi-
cate that China is about to be divided
among the powers The only tangible
fact is that Germany has occupied
Kiao-Chau bay, and Russia has a fleet
at Port Arthur. But Germany's action
was taken to collect an indemnity for
an indignity to German missionaries,
just as she forced indemnity from
Hayti Beyond this Germany may seek
to establish a naval station at Kiao-
Chau, and thus have a naval base Of
operations on the Pacific. But that
siderable portion of Chinese territory,
and it is yet to be shown that Germany
will take more than a coast port and
such land Immediately adjacent as to
give the port proper facilities. If is
comes to taking territory, the course
of China must not be overlooked.
IMMENSE ARMY.
while China is weak from a mill
tary and naval standpoint, yet she has
an enormous number of men ready to
take the field, while the entire force Of
Germans at KiaO-Chau cannot exceed a
few thousand men. Even a weak ma
ton is strong in defending it's own ter.
ritory. There are reports that Japan
would aid China in an extremity but
there is nothing in that. Japan doubt
less will act alone if there is any rea-
son for acting at all. Thus far, how
ever, L know of no steps that Japan has
taken or cOntemplates toward taking
part in the controversy My impression
is that she will remain Independent and
a neutral observer. Her position will
be much stronger by such a policy than
it would be by an alliance at the outset.
AS an observer, if she sees that the
partition of China is at hand, doubtless
she would have some part to take. but
for the present there is no evidence
I that such an emergency is near.
Another Japanese diplomat said.
SECRET TREATY.
"AI the powers have known for the
last year that a secret treaty was
made last year between Russia and
China by which Russia was to have
the right to winter her feet at Port
Arthur. For that reason the presence
of the Russian fleet at Port Arthur
does not lead other nations to fear that
Russia has begun a movement of ter
ritOriaI aggression on China. On the
contrary, Russia and China are nearer
together than any other two nations in
the present contest, and if China is to
get any outside relief it will come from
Russia 1t is quite plain, from recent
events, that Russia has not got ready
yet to have China partitiOned, and I'M
Ill Russia is ready for that step, it will
not occur. Moreover, there is a mis-
apprehension as to Russian occupation
of Port Arthur. It is not land oc-
cupation, but it is merely a quartering
of the Russian fleet in the outer har-
Dor, VladivOstock being ice-bOund with
out connection with the shore"
A Chinese diplomat said:
GERMANY's PURPOSE.
1.-THE alleged official statements COM
ing from the Chinese legation have
been unwarranted, as the legation has
not received a word from Pekin since
the first notice was sent that a Ger
man force had landed at Kiao- Chau,
without previous notice to the Chinese
government. It is felt, however, that
many OF the reports as to the serious
ness of the situation, particularly those
from Shanghai, are overdrawn. Judg-
ing from the press dispatches, there ap-
pears to be little doubt that the origi-
nal purpose of Germany to enforce an
indemnity has now developed into Sc
curing a naval station at Kiao-C hau.