Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-21

MOT0 <IuOOOdbS Nv dutSO-t li0 IVS-
port That Germany Contenplates
the Seizure of Hawaii and Sc moa
is Pronounced Ridiculous by
Washington Officers = Chinese
Minister WI Ting Fang Believes
Russia's Occupation of Port Ar
thur is Only Temporary.
Washington, December 20.-Minister
WI Ting Fang, the diplomatic repre-
sentative Of China in this country, ex-
pressed the belief that the reported
occupancy of Pert Arthur by Rus
sian squadron would prove to be but
a temporary. convenience to- the Cars
.,tieet granted by the ,Peking govern
naent He said the Russian squadron
iii Asiatic waters was granted per-
mission last. year to winter at KaiQl-
Chou, and the Russian ships remained
there during the winter, but as soon
as warm weather set in they resumed
their maneuyres in the Pacific ocean.
For the convenience of the Russian
officers, the Chinese government sent
Interpreters to Kiaou-Chou and made
every effort to make them comfortable.
In view of the German occupancy Of
KiaOu-Chou it was. impossible to permit
the Russian ships to return to that
pert, and the minister therefore be-
lieves the Russian admiral asked and
received permission to winter his
ships at Port Arthur. 1t is impossible
for Russian vessels to enchor at Vlad-
livestock during the winter, owing to
the ice The minister also stated that
it was his opinion that the Germans
would eventually withdraw from
Kiaou-Chcu.
So far as known in Washington,
there is no intention on the part of
the Chinese government to seek the
exercise OF the good offices Of this
government with a view to securing
the withdrawal Of Germany. Minister
Nu is extremely anxious that the
American interests shall be extended
ito China Two or three American syn
dictates are seeking concessions IN the
celestial kingdom, and he is Geslrous
that more shall reach out for Chinese
trade and thus promote commercial
relations between the Pekin and Wash
AISoCClE .SOF0l illtlCllJS Oull6u
States, he says, has no Interior motive
with reference to the empire. 1t does
not want Chinese territory and the
development of it's interests III the
celestial kingdom would naturally in
crease and strengthen the concern Of
this government in the welfare OF its
.Aelat1c friends. 1t is understood that
the minister is considering the advisa-
~oility OF suggesting to his govern
ment that the President be asked to
authorize the employment by the Chi
nese OF army and navy officers of the
United States to train the army and
navy Of China At present English
, officers are employed for the navy and
German officers for the army, but the
governments which these gentlemen
represent are both grasping for Chi
lese territory.
The policy which Germany is pur-
suing in the Pacific is a matter Of
much speculation in Washington. 1t
is generally believed that the Emperor
mas simply been influenced hy his de-
Sire to Secure the passage oy tne
,Ileiehstag of the bill to increase the
German navy. 1t was said at the Navy
Department that Germany is eXpend-
ing So 100000 during the year 1S97-9S
for vessels under construction. One
battleship and two gunboats have
been authorized, but work has not yet
been commenced upon them. The ves-
ssels under construction include two
flrst-claSs battleahips, one armored
cruiser, five protected cruisers, one
torpedo boat destroyer and eight tor
pedo boats.
The report that Germany proposes to
seize Hawaii and Samoa is regarded as
ridiculous by administration officials.
Germany has little interest as compar-
ed to other nations in the Hawaiian
islands. II is admitted that her inter-
ests in Samoa are large. The last adj
administration was willing to renounce
the treaty of June IA, 1889, between the
United States. Great Britain and Ger
many, Mr.. Olney informing the Ger
man ambassador here that "the treaty
Is unsatisfactory to the United States,
and is one which its interest requires
to be essentially modified or altogether
ebrogated."
President Mckinley proposes that the
United States shall retain it's grip on
Samoa, and will agree to no PROPOSE
ton which contenplates the turning
over of the share Of this government in
Samoa to either Germany or Great
Britain.
The officials of the Chinese embassy
here do not conceal the belief that the
powers are intending to seize Chinese
ports. They dseredit the reports that
Great Britain has been requested to as
ssume a protectorate over the Yang Use