The silver lance., 1897-11-26
oEnMAMy.s BAD BREAK.
Gall To Have Violated Internnttonn1 Getty
by gelzlng Chinese Town.


GaIl To Have Violated Internnthonn1 Qpnhey
by selzing Chinese Town.
washington, d. c., Nov. 20.-Mr. WI
Ting Fang. the Chinese minister, has
received the following official state
ment from Pekin relative, to the SELF
ure OF Kiaochau island by Germany:
Upon the killing of two German mis-
sionarics by bandits in the district OF
Ku Yeh, in Shan Tung, decree was
issued. peremptorily commanding the
governor of Shan Tung to order the
high officials of that province TO take
immediate steps for the arrest ana pun
ishment Of the offenders.
On the 18th instant the governor re-
ported by telegraph the arrest OF -FOUR
culprits, and this was communicated to
the German minister. But German
warshfps had, on the 14th, advanced TO
Kiaochau island, landed troops, and,
after occupying all the high ground,
gave the garrison forty-eight hours 70
retire The German minister did not
give the Tsungli Yamen any notice On
the evening Of the 18th telegram re-
ceived from the military superinten-
dent of the northern port, giving re-
port of this occurrence occasioned the
greatest surprise. China, In view OF
the friendly relations between the two
countries, thereupOn ordered the COVER
nor of Shen 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 movement without express
instructions.
This official statement places a new
complexion on the press cables, In that
it Indicates that the Chinese govern
ment had already taken active steps
for the punishment of the 1nurderers
of the two German missionaries before
the landing Of the German troops at
Kiaochau and the occupation Of the
fort there. The remarkable thing In
connection with Germany's action is
the fact that in the foregoing cable
that the Tsungli Yamen Chinese for
eign office) was given no notification
that the seizure of Kiaochau was con-
templated. Such n proceeding is said
to be a fragrant breach Of International
comfy and is interpreted in some dip
lomatic quarters as evidence that Ger
many used her grievance as pretext
for the occupation of the island. 1t is
, believed that possibly Germany's OBJ
ject is to use the occupation Of the is
land for a lever to compel trade rela-
tiOns with China. In the general
scramble for commercial advantage in
the East. Germany thus far has sig
nally failed. She has absolutely no
foothold on the Chinese coast. where
as England has concessions at the
treaty ports and trade arrangement
which gives her advantages in Burmah
and Thibet. In the event Of Germany
declining to relinquish Kiaochau,
which commands a fine port 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
In case of certain war contingencies. is
to have the use Of Port Arthur and
Kia0chau harhor should the Czar be-
come involved in war. Thus to GER
tain extent Russia has an interest in
Kiaochau. This interest. 1t Is believed.
she would not he slow to protect II
Germany should manifest any Interior
designs.