San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-20
CHOPP|NG UP CHINA.
Russia Takes Port Arthur
For The Winter.
GERMANY TAKES KAI0' CHAU
FOR AS LONG AS SHE CAN
HOLD 1T.
China Takes the Matter Very fool
ly And Great Britain Takes
Occasion to Ask For
Her 0wn-0ther
Late News

New York, Dec. 20.-A special to
the Herald from Washington says:
The minister WI Ting Fang, the
diplomatic representative Of China in
this country, expressed the belief that
the reported occupancy of Port Ar
thur by Russian squadron would
prove to be but a temporary conven-
fence to the cars fleet granted by
the Pekin government. He said the
Russian squadron in Asiatic waters
was granted permission last year to
winter at Kiao Chau and the Russian
ships remained there during the win
ter, but as soon as warm weather set
in, they resumed their manoevers in
the Pacific ocean. For the cOnven-
fence of the Russian officers the Chi
neSe government sent interpreters to
KiaO Chau and made every effort to
make them comfortable.
In view of the German occupancy
of KiaO Chau it was impossible to
permit the Russian ships to return to
that port. and the minister therefore
believes that the Russian admiral
asked and received permission to win
ter the ships at Port Arthur. 1t is
impossible for Russian vessels to an
Choir at VladiVostOck during the Win
ter owing to the ice.
The minister also stated that this was
his opinion that the Germans would
eventually withdraw from KiaO Chau.
SO far as is known in Washington,
there is no intention on the part of the
Chinese government to seek the eX-
ercise of the good offices of this gov
eminent with n view to securing the
withdrawal of Germany. Minister
WI is anxious that American interests
shall be extended in China. Two or
three American syndicates are now
seeking concessions in the Celectial
kingdom, but he is desirious that more
shall reach out for Chinese trade
and thus promote commercial rela-
tons between the Pekin and Wash
ington governments. The Unfted
States. ne says, has no Interior mo-
tives with reference to the empire.
1t does not want Chinese territory
and the developments of its interests
i'm the Celestial kingdom would natur-
ally increase and strengthen the con-
Germ of this government in the welfare
of the Asiatic friends.
1t is understood that the minister is
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of sug-
costing to his government that the
president be asked to authorize the
employment by the Chinese of army
and navy officers of the United
States to train the army of China. At
present English officers are employ
ed for the navy and German officers
for the army, but the governments
which these gentlemen represent are
both grasping for Chinese territory.
The policy which Germany Is pursu-
ing in the Pacific is a matter of
much speculation in Washington.
Ii is generally believed that the en-
peror has simply been influenced by
the desire to secure the passage by the
reichstag of the bill to increase the
German navy. 1t is said at the navy
department that Germany is eNpend-
ing SS,0OO,000 during the year 1897
9S for vessels under construction.
One battleship and two gunboats
have been authorized, but the work
has not yet been commenced upon
them. The vessels under construc-
ton include two first-class battle
ships, one armored cruiser, five pro
rected cruisers. one torpedo boat des-
troyer and eight torpedo boats.
The report that Germany proposes
TO seize Hawaii and Samoa is regard
ed as ridiculous by administration OIL
cials. Germany has little interests
as compared to other nations in the
Hawaiian island. 1t is admitted
that her interest in Samoa is large.
The last administration was willing
10 renounce the treaty of June Ia,
1889 between the United States, Great
Britain and Germany, Mr.. Olney in
forming the German ambassador here
that "the treaty is unsafe according to
the United States and is one to which
the interests are regarded to be es-
sentially modified or altogether abro-
gated"
President Mckinley proposes that
the United States shall retain It's
grip on Samoa and will agree to no
proposition which cOntemplates the
turning over of the share of this gov
eminent i'm Samoa TO either Germany
Aa.sW