The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-24
saIisbury's DipIOmatcs Trying to
Find ont the Real Meaning of Ger
many's and Russia's Movements.
ITALY FINALLY WAKES UP
AND DECIDES TO SEND A FEW WAR
SHIPS TO CHINESE WATERS.
All the European Maritime Powers
Now Casting Longing Eyes to the
Ortent-AnOther Outbreak in Crete.

LONDON. Dec. 24--The situation in the
Orient has not changed, but officials of the
British Foreign Office are trying 10 straight
en- out the tangle in order to find out
where they stand in the general rush
of the powers to dismember China. Lord
Saisburys diplomats have been put to
work at the European capitals to sound
the governments to which they are accredit-
ed but diplomacy works slowly, and in the
meantime Russia and Germany may. have
accomplished their purpose of undermining
British influence in the celestial kingdom.
Italy is the latest power to take hand
I'm the rush toward China, the Italian Gabi-
net having decided to send a squadron to
Chinese waters. Russian and German ships
are already there, and French vessels are
on the way.
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle from
Rome says it is rumored there that, owing
to her obligations to Germany, Italy has de-
clined highlands proposal for common ac-
ton in the far East, including joint occu-
patton of Chusan. According to the same
dispatch, it is asserted that England has
proposed to Russia conference on the
Chinese question with view of avoiding
dangerous rivalries.
The Shanghai correspondent of She Daily
Mail says: 1.-The Chinese government is
helpless. 1t is mobilizing few troops UNI
der the least incapable generals who con-
Quoted the campaign against Japan. The
British fleet is at present at sea-.
The Daily Chronicle this morning says it
has good reason to believe that the govern
ment has decided on watching policy and
will refrain from occupying any Chinese
territory for the present; but it will give its
moral support to Japan and distinct warn
ings to China concerning Englands action
in certain contingencies. 1T is understood"
says the Daily Chronicle, that Japan will
protest in the strongest manner against
Germanys action and diplomatic circles
ridicule the idea of a Russo-German en-
tente concerning China"
Dispatches from Berlin say the press is
evidently deeply interested as to the attitude
Great Britain and the United States are
likely to adopt in the Chinese affair. Every
attempt is being made to create i'll feeling
against England and to represent her as
isolated The official newspapers pretend
that Japan has acquiesced in the German
and Russian moves and will take agrees
sive action. Everything indicates the
anxiety that hinges upon the ultimate
grouping of the powers. Japans action in
Withdrawing her protest with reference to
the course of the United States at Hawaii
is interpreted as showing desire to be
unincumbered abroad and to have her hands
free to deal with the Chinese question"
The Berlinger Tageblatt ridicules the idea
Of an o-Japanese-American alliance,
yet seems to fear it. The Kolnische Zeitung
thinks America will side with Russia. The
National Zeitung of Berlin. says: 1T is
easy to believe that England would well
come active steps on the part of the United
E,1@ o~H To holt hot init cd
States would adopt such policy of friend
ship toward England and of hostility to-
wards Russia contrary to all its traditions,
for the sake of either England or China
The French cruiser Pascal sailed from
Toulon for China yesterday. The Pascal is
a second-clasS cruiser of about 1900 tons
displacement. She carries abouts six four
inch quick-firing guns, ten nine-inch guns,
eight 10.1-inch guns and forty-four one-inch
rapid-fre guns and has a crew of $50 men,
Her speed is estimated at thirty knots.
Japan Awaiting Developments.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 23.-The follow
ing Oriental advices have just been re-
ceived per steamship China from Yoko-
hama, via Honolulu At an extraordinary
meeting of the japanese Cabinet Baron
Nishi, foreign minister, laid before the min
listers all the reports he had received from
the Japanese ministers in foreign coun-
tries relative to the seizure of Kiaochau bay
by Germany 1t was decided, after pro-
longed discussion, not to NEEDLE with the
affairs at the present time, but to await
further developments, since nothing had so
far transpired in Germanys action calcu-
lated to disturb the peace of the far East
and justify the interference of a third
power.
According to the Chinese papers. Viceroy
Chang Chitkung has issued a proclamation
exhorting his people to be more friendly
to foreigners and warning them that any
hostility manifested would be severely
Commenting on the strained relations be-
tween Japan and Russia over Corea, the
Chinese papers report that the japanese
army is full of Russian spies disguised as
Japanese, and that the Russian army is be-
ing tempered with by Japanese emissaries.
who are doing all they can to stir up dis
Commenting on Kiaochau affairs, the
Ashai says that the action of the Germans
in having suddenly seized Kiaochan on the
pretext of the murder of missionaries is
outrageous and that it disturbs the peace
of the far East admits of no discussion.
Japan, being near to the scene of the
trouble, cannot regard the matter lightly.
sued towards the affair must be decided.
The Foreign Office has, therefore given in
structionS to the Japanese ministers in
rious foreign countries 10 make reports
concerning the matter.
Japan is indebted to Germany In many
ways says the Chugai Shogyo. Her mil
ftary organization has been copied after
Germany, and her constitution and local
legislation are founded on the German sys-
TEN. Besides. in framing the laws and
adopting medical science etc, Japan owes
a debt of gratitude to Germany. Lastly
Germany has shown Japan another in
stance OF her kindness. That is the seizure
of Kiaochau bay We need not dwell on the
particulars of her kindness. but the Seizure
of Kiaochau may give Japan the right of a
permanent possession of Wei-Eai-WSL
According 10 the official census jusr com
pieted. the population of Japan for the year
1886 was l.. 761 029 an increase of 437 ,64a over
that of the preceding year.