The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-30


East.
WASHINGTON. d, C.. Dec. 2o--rhe
rapid movement of events IN the far
east continues to be an absorbing top
lc In diplomatic circles here, particu-
Iarly at the embassies and legations of
the powers, which are ulIgning for an
apparent struggle for Chinese territory,
There Is no further talk OF The United
States as a possible factor in the con-
test, as the recent understanding at q
cabinet meeting is accepted us remov-
Ing this government from the field Of
controversy. AT the same time, an en-
inent authority on international affairs
said to-day that n situation might de-
velop when the United States would be
called upon to go much further than
protect American interests at the treaty
ports in China. This situation would
come. he said, II the scramble for Chi
nese territory went to the extent OF the
extinction OF China and the complete
absorption OF the old empire by foreign
nations. Such was the apparent drift
OF the present movement, he said, and
II II became reality then a condition
would arise similar to the eXtermina-
ton OF Poland. Poland had establish
ed a precent In international affairs he
said, and following that precedent. II
China was to be absorbed then 1t was q
question which the United States, In
common with ali the cations OF the
world must take cognizance OF. Until
this final movement occurred, however,
Il was plain that the United states had
no interest In the fencing OF European
nations and Japan for coallng stations
and ports on the Asiatic coast.
In the meantime, however, the dipto-
mats are much concerned In the move
ments Of their respective governments,
A leading Japanese diplomat said to-
day: 81 do not look at the question as
involving the partition Of China ana
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-Chnu bay, and Russia has fleet
MT Port Arthur. But Germany's action
was taken to collect an indemnity for
the killing OF German missionaries,
lust as she enforced indemnity from
Hayu. Beyond this Germany mar seek
TO establish n naval station at kiao-
Chau and thus have q naval base OF OPP
ertions on the Pacific. But that does not
involve the taking Of any considerable
portion of Chinese territory, ana 1t 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. II II comes to
taking territory. the course OF China
must not be overlooked While China
10 weak from a military and naval
standpoint, We. she has an enormous
number OF men ready to take the Held.
while the entire force OF Germany at
KIao-Ch cannot exceed few thou
sand men. Even q weak nation is
strong In defending It's own territory.
There are reports that Japan would aid
China tn an extremity, but there H
nothing IN that. Japan doubtless VIII
act alone II there Is any reason for act
ing at all. Thus FAR, however, / know
OF no steps that Japan has taken or
contemplates toward taking part In
the controversy. Ny impression Ia that
she VIII remain an Independent ana
neutral observer Her position VIII be
much stronger by such policy than II
would be by an alliance ut the outset.
AS an observer, n 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"
A Chinese diplomat said: "Thc alleg-
cd oniclal statements coming from the
Chinese legation have been unwnrrant-
ed as the legation has not received
word from peiSln since the first notice
was sent that German force had
landed ut Kiao.ChaH without previous
notice TO the Chinese government II
IS iclt. however, that many OF the re-
ports ns TO the seriousness OF the situ-
alton particularly those from Shanghai
are overdrawn. Judging from the
press dispatches there appears to be
little doubt that the Original purpose OF
Germany to enforce an indemnify has
nov developed Into securing naval
station al Itiao-chnu md possibly more
territory on the ground that Germany
IL entitled 10 return for her service
during the China-Japnn war. But II ap-
pears Ia be overlooked that derlnany
has received distinct returns for those
services In the granting Of large con-
cessiona which at The time Of the grant
we're considered as most valuable TO
Germany What The outcome VIII be Is
Ilfllcuit 10 say, but II In felt that an
amlcablc settlement Will DO made, pos
Bibiy by the nfantng OF coast stations,
hut without any serious ,dlsmember-
ment Of territory"
Tho dermnn officials here take tho
Wow that there arc but two actual steps
on tho party Of Germany namely the
occupation Of Kiao.Chau bny and the
dispatch Of Prince Henry'R fleet TO Chi.
uese waters. Beyond thla they say oil
r. conjecture m 10 whnt Germany viii
do, ANA they convey the idea that these
cohicclufcs an To tho absorption Of tor
fitofg are Hnwaraated BY any Of The
actual circumstances which have thus
flr developed,
The BrIllah embassy has not received
word from the foreign ONCE an 'ho
eastern situation, but In common wllh
other diplomats tho officials vlcw The
situation M the mort interesting dnn
now occupying attention, Tlrto IA a
rrnetnl disposition ~ credit the luic rcs
pofis thnt tunHldethblo British lcot IN
NJ Pnrt Hamilton 0t Cofen, ana thtl
iuffr rutnhnf n jtHaHcfe ghlpa are ~
Ilo same Vicinity There are some Hov
unleou llrlilrh shlpH on lhr hainll' nlns
'lDu nud Il good part w iltm appear To-
hn oUntwlnr nbut Cofol fhlf how
auar a said 10 be|npnrt from the Gen.