Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-11-24
KAISER WAS BOLD.
Germany'S Conduct in Chinese
Waters May Cause Internal
tional Trouble.

Washington, d. c., Nov. 19.-Wu Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister, has received
the following official statement from
Picking relative to the seizure Of Kiao isl
and by Germany:
upon the killing of two German mis-
sionaries by bandits in the district of Ku
Yeh, in Shan Tung, a decree was issued
peremptOriy commanding the governor
of Shan Tung to order the high officials
of that province to take Immediate meas
ures for the arrest and punishment of
the offenders. On the 10Th inst. the gov
ernor reported by telegraph the arrest
Of four culprits, and this was communi-
Gated to the German minister.
But German warships had, on the
18th, advanced to Kiao Chau island,
landed troops, and after occupying all the
high ground gave the garrison forty eight
hours to retire. The German minister
tice On the evening of the 18th tele-
gram from the minister superintendent
of the northern ports, giving a report of
this occurrence, occasiOned the greatest
surprise.
China, in view Of the friendly relations
between the two countries, thereupon
ordered the governor of Shan Tung to
keep the garrison under strict control, to
withdraw the troops to positions outside
the limits Of the island, and to enjoin
them not to make any move without ex-
press instructions"
Gives it New Complexion.
This official statement places a new
complexion on the press cables, in that it
indicates that the Chinese government
had already taken active steps for the
punishment Of the murderers Of the two
German missionaries, before the landing
OF the German troops at Kiao Chau and
the occupation of the fort there. The re-
markable thing in connection with Ger
manys summary action is the feet, set
forth in the foregoing cable statement,
that the Tsangli yamen Chinese foreign
office was given no notification that the
seizure of Kiao Chau was contemplated
Such proceeding is said to be fragrant
breach of international comfy, and is in
terpreted in some diplomatic quarters as
evidence that Germany used her griev-
ances as pretext for the occupation Of
the island
1t is believed that possibly Germany's
object is to use the occupation of the
island as lever for commercial trade
concessions from China. In the general
scramble for commercial advantage in
the East Germany thus far has signally
failed. She has absolutely no foothold
on the Chinese coast, whereas England
has concessions at the treaty ports and
trade arrangement which gives her ad-
vantages in Burmah and Thibet. France
has Tonquin and Russia has advantages
in the north Of China.
Russia May Take Hand.
In the event Germany should decline to
relinquish Kiao Chau, which commands
one of the best natural harbors and ports
ON the Chinese coast, she may have not
only China, but Russia to reckon with
By recent treaty between the govern
ments Of China and Russia, the latter
country, in return for pledged support
III case of certain war contingencies, is
to have the use of Port Arthur and Kiao
Chau harbor should the Car become in
volyed in war. Thus, to certain extent,
Russia has an interest in Kiao Chau.
This interest, it is believed, she would not
be slow to protect if Germany should
manifest any Interior designs.
Berlin, Nov. 19.-The German cruiser
Deutschland has been ordered to be com
missiOned for service abroad