The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-30

| as to Russian occupation of Port Ar
| thur. 1t is not a land occupation, but
| is merely a quartertng Of the Russian
| fleet in the outer harbor, Vladivostock
| being icebound without connection
| with the shore"
A Chinese diplomat said: "The alleg-
ed official statements coming from the
| Chinese legation have been unwarrant-
ed, as the legation has not received a
word from Pekin since the first notice
was sent that a German force had
landed at Kiao-Chau without previous
notice to the Chinese government. 1t
is felt, however, that many of the re-
ports as to the seriousness of the situ-
alton, particularly those from Shang-
hai are overdrawn. Judging from the
press dispatches, there appears to be
little doubt that the original purpose Of
Germany to enforce an indemnity has
now developed into securing naval
station at Kiao-Chau, and possibly
more territory, on the ground that
Germany is entitled to a return for
her service during the China-Japan
war. But 1T appears to be overlooked
that Germany has received distinct re-
turns for those services, in the grant
ing Of large concessions, which at the
time of the grant, were considered as
most valuable to Germany AS to the
Russian fleet at Port Arthur, that is
not a surprise. Russian fleet was
wintered at a Chinese port last winter
with the consent of China, as 1t in
volved no sacrifice of territory. What
the outcome will be is difficult to say
but it is felt that an amicable settle,
ment will be made, possibly by the
granting of coast stations, but without
any serious dismemberment Of terri
tory
The German officials here take the
view that there are but two actual
steps on the part of Germany, namely:
the occupation Of Kiao-Chau bay and
the dispatch Of Prince Henry's fleet to
Chinese waters. Beyond this, they say,
all is conjecture as to what Germany
will do, and they convey the idea that
these conjectures as to the absorption
Of territory are unwarranted by any
of the actual circumstances which
have thus far developed That Prince
Henry will extend his field of opera
tions beyond Chinese waters, and will
embrace Samoa and Hawaii is dismis-
sed as absurd, although reports of such
a movement have been current.
The British embassy has not received
a word from the foreign office on the
Eastern situation, but in common with
other diplomats the officials view the
situation as the most interesting one
general disposition to credit the late
reports that a considerable British
fleet is at Port Hamilton, off Corea, and
that Japanese ships are in the same
vicinity. There are some seventeen
British ships on the Asiatic station,
and a good part Of them appear to be
centering about Corea. This, however,
is said to be apart from the general
question of Chinese partition and to
~1.4 OQ
English official who had an influential
position in the administration Of Corean
affairs.
French diplomats say that France is
not likely to take any part in a strug-
gle for Chinese territory, If that event
uality comes, as France already has
secured most extensive possessions in
Southeastern China, notably French
Tonquin. 1t was M. Patenotre, the late
French ambassador at Washington,
who carried through the negotiations
with Ii Hung Chang by which France
secured this foothold on ASiatic soil
Beyond the sending of the French
cruiser Jean Bart to Chinese waters,
it is said that the Chinese situation
does not appear to have aroused
France and the dispatch of this cruiser
is said to have no more significance
than the sending Of the United States
ship Raleigh, which is now on her way
to the Chinese station.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. Horace
Alien, consul general of the United
States at Seoul, Corea, has informed
the state department that the Corean
government on Oct last opened two
ports to foreign trade. The first is
Mokpo, in the southern part Of the
peninsula, and has very rich agri-
cultural back country. 1t is expected
to become an important port of export
and also will be valuable distributing
center for the richest part Of Corea.
The second is Chenampo, at the head
of navigation on the Ta-Tong river,
and will be the port Of entry for the
northern capital, Peng Yang. This
northern country is rich in minerals
and is the center Of the gold mining
industry now being exploited by an
American syndicate. The opening of
these ports has long been desired by
business men. Japan has already ap-
pointed consuls to these ports.
VICTORIA, B. c., Dec 29-The Of
f1cers and passengers Of the steamship
Victoria. which Is just in from the
Orient. say that all is excitement on
the other side of the Pacific. The peo
pie in all walks of life expect that
there will be a clash among the great
bowers over the seizure of different
parts of China. The British flagship
Contuaw, at Hong Kong. has been
ordered to begin work that would de-
tain her in port more than twenty
four hours. Japanese papers are anx-
ious for England to make some move,
but advise Japan to take a prudent
attitude and watch the progress Of
events. The German admiral, in his
proclamation to the residents of the
districts seized by Germany. ad-
vises them to continue their peace
full avocations, and warns them that
any breaches of the law will be pun
ished.
There were at Nagasaki, on Dec. s,
nine Russian warships. two American
cruisers. the Olympia Cn dock) and the
Boston, and the British cruiser PAmor-
tal
LONDON, Dec. pa dispatch from
Pekin says: The proposed arrangement
for a Russian guaranteed 4 per cent
loan of 100000,000 taels Is not yet rati-
fed The situation is disastrous and
the only hope is that England will rem
der financial help, as otherwise
war is the only alternative Sir Claude
has asked few days delay in order
to refer the matter to the home gov
ernment.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The state
department has just received a copy
through United States Minister DENLY,