Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-26
GERMANY AND CHINA.
THE FORMER DOES NOT YET KNOW
WHERE SHE STANDS.
CHRISTMAS AT PALACE IN BERLIN.
The Distribution of Gifts More
Lavish Than Ever Before-Attack
on Won ThieImann for Not De-
cIaring Tariff War on This Country.

everything else. throughout the week. The
government and the Foreign Office con-
tinue reticent, even the occupation of Port
Arthur having failed to elicit any official
statements. with the exception of denial
Of extravagant utterances by the Cologne
Gazette and other usually inspired papers.
The reason for this exceptional taciturnity
lies in the simple fact that Germany her
self does not know where she stands, or
how far the other Powers will permit her
to 60 Germany, Russia, and France are
still negotiating and while there is strong
pressure TO bring about another JOINT ac-
tion of these three Powers in the far East,
equally potent influences are working TO
Illustrate such plans. 1t depends largely
upon the outcome of these negotiations
what instructions Prince Henry Of Prus-
sia will find awaiting him when he ar
rlves at Hong-Kong, early In February.
In the mean time, the mission OF Prince
Henry may be characterized as mainly a
display of spreadeagleism. A prominent
diplomat, in an interview with the corre-
spondent here of the Associated Press,
| said:
"Russia's occupation Of Port Arthur Is
| permanent She thereby secures much-
! desired terminus for the Siberian railway,
which will forthwith be extended from
Vladivostock to Port Arthur, making Rus
sia the undisputed mistress of Manchurla
and the whole of North China. Her inter
| ests in China in no way collide with those
| of France. whose sphere Of action is IN
South China. Between them Is an i'm
mense territory, which may eventually be
| I'm dispute between Great Britain, Ger
many. and Japan. A movement is now on
! foot between Japan and Germany TO ar
| rive at an understanding, as Japan sees
| clearly that this course is the wisest Rus
| sia will not tolerate Japan in Korea, as IL
would unset all the schemes she has been
preparing for the past two years. Ihere-
! fore Germany is the only friend and any
Japan can look for in the coming events
that is. If she knows how to play her
cards and establish basis Of mutual in
| terest, for which, L near there Is coh-
siderable prospect"
| From n missionary, the correspondent
| here of the Associated Press learns that
| the Bay of Kiao-Chau is by no means
| so desirable as at first believed. Part or
| the harbor freezes during three months
| of the winter and ice-breakers are re-
| ouired TO keep il open. The Hinterland
| Is barren and treeless ,and the nature
| of the ground necessitates the erection
| of costly large fortifications in order 10
| hold the bay and adjoining territory
| against attacks. If Germany concluoes
| TO retain it she will have to spend large
| sums of money there.
! HOHENL.OHES BEREAVEMENT.
| Prince Hohenlohe the Imperial Chan-
| ceTlor is much distressed at the sudden
| death of his wife on Thursday last. he
| had spent the previous three Gays at
| her bedside without sleep. and ms octo-
,,enarfan frame has been sreatly en-
| feebled thereby. His physicians are ur-
| gently advising him TO retire from pubic
| life AT any rate temporarily. The re-
| mains of the Princess will be inferred on
| sunday in the family vault at schilllng-
| furst. The body was consecrated on III
| day. in the presence OF the minister's
| military dignitaries. etc, by the Prince
| Rishop of Breslau, DR.. Kopp, in the con-
| eervatory of the Chancellor's palace the
| EMPRESS and the eX-Empress or Germany
| sent floral wreaths.
| At the reconvening of the Reichstag the
| members of the Opposition intenu 70
| make much of the fact that ACCORDING
90 oNiciaI figures lust obtained, the I'M
| ne,.ial Treasury receipts for the current
| ,,eay show n decrease OF 100000 marks
| ;rbev will point out that in view OF inc
| ,aval increase and the reorg0niZatlon Oh
| the field artillery, the large aduluoiiai
/ funds needed can only be raised py hv"
| toxes contrary TO the promises OF the
| government. 80 -,...o =. tho
| rho government will introduce at the
! reconyening of the Prussian Diet VI O,i
| January nth another anti-Socialistic pili'
| hut one not so comprehensive as tne .'1 onv
1
! annlv TO private literatteurs ana unlVeIsi-
ties who will be brought under govern
ment supervision.
THE ROYAL CHRISTMAS.
rbo 1r,neriaI family passed Christmas
| at the new palace. in the usual way; Io
| tuo eldest princes arrived there Oh Ihurs-
| dov from Ploen. The Christmas trees
| and the distribution OF gifts were more
| lavish than ever This part of the cele-
| bration took place in the Shell Hal. Most
| of the gifts were purchased by the EN-
| nress personally, at various Berlin stores.
| They included hundreds OF presents lor
the servants and court officials
At a secret session Of the Municipal
| Council on Tuesday, New-Year's ad-
| dress to the Emperor was adopted, Tor
| the first time I'm many years. The ad-
dress deals largely with national polltics'
| and is couched in patriotic terms Wheh
| referring to the naval increase and the
| recently adopted vigorous foreign policy.
| Voluntary contributions for naval pur-
poses are taking place among the pupils
! of many of the public schools.
Influenza in a severe form has been
| spreading alarmingly in Berlin. There
have been thousands Of cases especially
i'm the weather. districts, and the death
rate is rapidly increasing.
crrcAp pOTrpyTIES
NEGOTIATIONS are proceeding in Berlin
| between Germany and Austria with a
| view to holding an international con-
| ference at Brussels on the subject of the
| abolition of sugar export bounties- France
| has intimated her willingness 10 join in
| the deliberations.
The organ of the Agrarians fiercely at
tacks Baron Won Thielmann, the Minis
fer for Foreign Affairs. for not declaring
a tariff war with the United States. The
| Vossische Zeitung, however. thinks that
| the present moment is not propitious for
| such demand, pointing out that France
and Great Britain alone would profit by
| a tariff war of that kind
| TO fhe intense amaZement OF the suf-
| ferers from the flood the Saxon Govern
| ment has presented a claim for payment
| Ia all villages and individual owners who
| were aided during the floods by the mill
| tary. The village of Plauen, near Dres-
| den. for instance, received bill for 4oS
| MARKS.
| Mr.. Clifton r. Breckenridge, the former
| United States Minister ab St. Petersburg.
| arrived here on Thursday, TO spend the