The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-20
GERMAN BULLDOZING,
No Warrant For the Landing of
Troops in China.
CHINA HAD TAKEN ACTIVE STEPS

To Punish the MurdSrers of German
Missionarles-The Kaiser's Govern
ment Probably Working to Compel
Trade Concessions.
! Washington. Nov. 2o-Mr. WI Ting
Fang. the Chinese minister, has re-
ceived the following official statement
from Pekin relative to the seizure of
Kiaochau Island:
| Upon the killing of two German
missionaries by bandits in the district
or ku-Yeh, in Shantung, decree was
issued peremptorily commanding the
| governor of Shantung to order the high
officials of that province to take i'm
mediate measures for the arrest and
punishment of the offenders. On the
18th inst. the government reported by
telegraph the arrest of four culprits,
and this was communicated to the Ger
man minister.
But German warships had, on the
l4th, advanced to kiaochau island, land
ed troops, and after occupying all the
high ground gave the garrison 4S hours
10 retire. Tho German minister did
not give the tsungli yamen any notice.
On the evening of the 18th a telegram
from the minister superintendent of
the northern ports, giving a report Of
this occurrence, occasioned the great
est surprise. China, in view of the
friendly relations between the two
countries, thereupon ordered the gov
ernor of Slrantung to keep the garrison
under strict control. to withdraw the
troops to positions outside the limits
Of the island, and to cnjoin them not
to make any move without express in
structions"
This official statement places a new
complexion on the press cables in that
1t indicates that the Chinese govern
ment had already taken active steps
for the punishment of murderers of the
Two German missionaries before the
landing of the German troops at kiao-
chau and the occupation of the fort
there. The remarkable thing in con-
necton with Germany's summary ac-
tlon is the fact, set forth in the fore
going cable statement, that the tsungli
Vamen (Chinese foreign oflice) was
given no notification that the seizure
of kiaochau was contemplated.
Such proceeding is said to be fla
grant breach of international comfy,
and is interpreted in some diplomatic
quarters as evidence that Germany |
used her grievances as a pretext for
the occupation of the island. It is be-
lieved that possibly Germany's object |
is to use the occupation of the island |
as lever for compelling trade conces-
sions from China. In the general |
scramble for commercial advantages in \
the east Germany thus far has signally
failed. She has absolutely no foot
hold on the Chinese coast, whereas
England has concessions at the treaty !
ports and trade arrangement which
gives her advantages in Burmah and
Thibet France has Tonquin and Rus
sia has advantages in the north Of
China.
In the event Germany should decline
to relinquish Kiaochau, which COM /
mands one Of the best natural harbors
and ports on the Chinese coast, she may
have not only China, but Russia, to
reckon with. BY a recent treaty be-
tween the governments 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 Kiaochau harbor
should the czar- become involved in
war. Thus, to certain extent, Russia
has an interest in kiaochau. This in
terest. 1t is believed, she would not be
slow to protect If Germany should
manifest any ulterior designs.