The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-12-23
GERMANY in
CHINESE WATERS
Rear Admiral NcNair's Report Of Her
Occupation of KiaO Chou.
GERMAN MINISTER TO LEAVE
China Confsrs With Russia japanese Are
Spectators Germans Gave Notice
Of Their Intentions.

Washington. December 22-Germany's
occupation Of Chinese territory has been
officially reported by Admiral McNair.
HIS first offieial report concerning the
londing Of marines by Germany at Kiao
Chou has just been received at the navy
department. 1t is dated November 10Th.
and Of course makes no mention OF the
reported occupation OF PORT Arthur. I'm
der date Of November isrh, Rear Admiral
McNair states that uhe following has
been received conceruiug the occupation
OF Kiao Chou:
"a German squadron consisting OF two
men-of-war arrived at Kiao Chou bay on
the 18th. The commander Of the squad
ron landed on the following day i,sOO blue
jackets and ordered General Chang. the
commander Of the Chinese garrison tc
retire beyond the hills within twenty
four hours. commencing from O'Clock
on that day d4th). further informing
General Chalg that the Chinese soldiers
would not be permitted 10 take away any
thing save their rifles and personal st-
fects. The German commander further
more ordered that In uhe event OF the
Chinese garrison ignoring this order II
would be regarded as hostile Gnd the gar
rison Immediately fired upon. Thereupon
General Chang with his forces evacuated
the forts and rerred to the lower part
of Seito."
1t is generally conceded that before oc-
cupying The territory the German CON-
mander informed All the commanding Of
ficers OF foreign squadrons. Rear Ad-
mirI MoNair will be succeeded as COM
mander Of the Asiatic squadron in
few days by Commodore George Dewey.
who left San Francisco December 5th for
Yokohama. where as will hoist his flag.
The government of the United States
has no policy in China other than pro-
tecting American interests. and instruc-
tions to this effect have been given Rear
Admiral McNair and Commodore Dewey.
Admiral McNair states that Japan dis
patched a cruiser 20 Kiao Chou bay for
the purpose OF watching the operations
of the Germans
The Nippo says that on receipt Of the
telegram reporting uhe seizure Of Kiac
Chou bay by the Germans the minister
for foreign affairs at once dispatched in.
Str1ctions TO THE Japanese minister I'm
Peking and that further interchange OF
telegrams Is being carried on between the
government and the ministers. n also
states rumors are rife thar the German
minister is making preparations TO leave
China. A dispatch from Peking.
dated November 18th. announces that the
Chinese government had held secret
conference with Count Cassini. the Rus
sian representative at Peking with re-
gard to the occupation of Kiao Chou by
the Germans. dispatch. dated Toxic.
November 18th, declares that the admiral
Of the French Asiatic squadron has re-
celved communication from the German
admiral informing him OF the occupation
Of Kiao Chou by German warshlps and
the reason for the action.
The last clipping announces that the
Chinese officers who came TO witness the
Japanese maneuvers have received in
structions to return Immediately to their
bones in consequence of the Kiao Chou
affair They have therefore abandoned
their intntion of visrEng Toxic and
Nagasaki
The clippings inclosed by Rear Admiral
NIcNaEr are considered thoroughly re-
liable by department officials and their
contents was the subject Of a great deal
Of speculation. 3