The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-30
Diplomats Uncertain What the
Situation Will Bring Forth.
WE'RE NOT INTERESTED
Only in the Event That China Is Com
pletely Absorbed Would the United
States Take Hand in Affairs.
Poland a Precedent.

tlnueS TO he an absorbing topic IN dlplO-
matte circles here. particularly at the
embassies and legations of the powers
which are aligning for an apparent
struggle for Chinese territory, There
is no further talk Of the United States
as a possible factor in the contest, as
the recent understanding at cabinet
meeting is accepted as removing this
government from the field of contro-
yersy.
At the same time an eminent author
| ity on International affairs said to-day
that a situation might develop when
the United States would be called upon
to go much farther than protect Ameri-
can 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-
tion of China and the complete absorp-
tion of the old empire by foreign ma
tions. Such was the apparent drift of
the present movement. he said. and If 1t
became "a reality, a condition would
arise similar to the eXtermination of
Poland. Poland had established a pre-
cedent in international affairs, he said.
and, following that precedent if China
was to be absorbed, then it was a ques-
tion which the United States, in COM
mon with the nations of the world, must
take cognizance. Until this final move
ment. however, ii was plain that the
1Hlltd SldltS ildd no INTEREST III the
fencing of European nations and Japan
for coaling stations and ports 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: II do not look at the question as
involving the partition of China and no
event has occurred thus far To indicate
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 Ar
thur. But Germanys 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.- ard thus
| have a naval base of operations on the
| Pacific. But that does not involve the
| taking of any considerable portion of
| Chinese territory, and il is yet to be
shown that Germany will take more
than coast port and such land imme-
| diately adjacent as to give the port
proper facilities. If 1t comes to taking
territory, the course of China must not
| be overlooked. While China is weak
from a military 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 nation is strong in defending its
own territory. There are reports that
Japan would aid China in an extremity.
but there is nothing in that. Japan
doubtless will act alone If there Is any
reason for acting at all. Thus far, how
ever, ] know Of no steps that Japan
has taken or contemplated toward taxi
ing part in the controversy. My inn
preston Is that she viii remain inde-
per dent and neutral observer. Her po-
,,rf1I
policy than it would be by an alliance
at the outset. AS an observer, IL 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 that such an emergency is
near"
Another japanese diplomat said IAN
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 fleet at Port Arthur. For that rea-
son the presence Of the Russian fleet at
Port Arthur does not lead other nations
To fear that Russia has begun a move
ment of territorial aggression on China.
On the contrary, Russia and China are
nearer together than any other two ma.
tions in the present contest. and II
China Is to get any outside relief 1t will
come from Russia. 1t Is quite plain,
from recent events that Russia has not
got ready yet TO have China partitioned.
and until Russia is ready for that step
1t will not occur. Moreover. there Is a
misapprehenson as TO Russian occupa-
tion Of Port Arthur. 1t Is not land
occupation. but II is merely a quarter
ing Of the Russian fleet in the outer har-
Dor, Sladivostoek being ieebound With
out connection with the shore
A Chinese diplomat said THE al
legged official statements coming from
the Chinese legations have been unwar
ranted, as the legation has not received
q word from Pekn since the first no
tice was sent that a German force had
landed at Kao Chau. without previous
notice TO the Chinese government. II Ia
felt. however. that many of the reports
as to the seriousness of the situation,
particularly those from Shanghai. are
overdrawn. Judging from the press
dispatches there appears 10 be little
doubt that the original purpose of Ger
many to enforce an indemnity has now
developed into securing a naval station
at kiao chau and possibly more terri
tory on the ground that Germany is
entitled to a return for her services
during the China-Jananese war. But
II appears u be overlooked that Ger
many has received distinct returns for
thc"e services tn the granting Of large
coneessi rs which. at the time Of tn
grant, were considered as mrst va'uah hle
10 Germany. ss 70 The Russian fleet a.
Port Arthur that IS not a surprise
Russian fleet Was WfntprHd at a Chinese
port last winter. with tho cansawJ Of
China. as II Involved no sacrifice OF ter
ritarg. What tile outcome will be is
difficult - say. hut ii is felt that an
amtHahle settlement vii be- made. pos
sihly hy the granting Of coasts stations.
but without any serious dismember
ment Of territory.
The German officials here take the
view thar there are but two actual