The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-12-29
SITUATION in CHINA.
England Decides Upon = Policy of
Watching Events.

Watcnln8 EVentSs
London, Dec. 24.-The Daily Chron-
icle says it has good reason to believe
that tie government has decided upon
watching policy and will refrain from
occupying any Chinese territory for the
present, but it will give Its moral sup
port to Japan and distinct warnings to
China concerning Englamd's action in
certain contingencies. 1t is understood,
says the Daily Chronicle, that Japan
will protest in the strongest manner
| against Germany's action, and diplo-
matte circles ridicule the idea of Rus
so-German entente concerning China.
The press is evidently deeply inter
ested as to the attitude Great Britain
and the United States are likely to
adopt in the Chinese affair. Every at
tempt is being made to create ill-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 no aggressive action. Everything
indicates the anxiety that hinges upon
the ultimate grouping of the powers.
Japan's action in withdrawing her pro-
test with reference to the course of
the United States at Hawaii is inter-
preted as showing desire to he IN
incumbered abroad and to have her
hands free to deal with the Chinese
question. The Berliner Tageblatt ridi.
cules the idea of an Anglo-Japanese-
American alliance, yet seems to fear it
The Kolniche Zeitung thinks America
will side with Russia.
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle
from Rome says it is rumored there
that owing to her obligations to Ger
many Italy has declined England's pro-
posal for common action in the far east,
including joint occupation Of Chusan.
According to the same dispatch 1t is as
serted that England has proposed to
Russia conference on the Chinese
question with view of avoiding dam
gerous rivalries.
Berlin, Dec. 24.-The National lei
:ung says: It is easy to believe that
England would welcome. active steps
on the part of the United States, but
hard to believe that the United States
would adopt such a policy of friend
ship toward England and of hostility
toward Russia, contrary to all it's ira
ditions, for the sake of either England
or China.
Washington, Dec. 23.-It is under
stood that the authorities here have
been unofficially sounded as to the at
titude of the United States toward the
complications in the far east, with a
view to learning whether American in
terests in China were regarded as suf-
ficient to warrant any active step by
this government. It is we'll understood
that Great Britain would look with
favor ON any active step by the United
States, which would serve as check
for the advances of Germany and Rus
STA.
It is known also that the Chinese au-
thorities would welcome a movement
by the United States, and that this has
been communicated to officials here.
Although these soundings, for they
amount to nothing more as yet, have
not taken official form they have been
sufficient to gain pretty general I'M
Outstanding as to the attitude of this
government.
This, in brief, is that the United
States has no interest in the territorial
extension now going on in China; that
she will not land at any of the coast
ports of China, as Germany and Russia
have done so, and that her only concern
is to guard established American inter-
ests in China These American inter-
ests appear to be much greater than is
generally known. There are the fol-
lowing American treaty ports in China:
Canton, Cheefoo, Chingfang, Chinking,
Foo Chow. Haipiong, Hankow, Hollow,
Ichang, Kewldapg, Lungchow, Mengt-
su, Newchang, Ningpo, Pakhoi, Shang-
hal, Ashshi, Sochow, Swallow, Tfen
Tsin, Wenchown, Wuhu, and three
other ports on the West river of Cam
ton, recently added. At each of these
places there are American settlements,
and an American reservation, within
which Americans may own property
and try their civil and criminal cases
before their own courts, conducted by
American consuls.
Vienna, Dec. 23.-The Deutsche lei
tung says: The United States, which
from it's geographical position, has a
greater interest in the opening up of
China than all European powers to-
gether, cannot possibly consent to its
partition or to division into spheres
of influence without having voice in
the matter. 1t would be great mis-
take to underestimate the strength OF
the United States, and partition of
China would be impossible without
Americas approval and participation.
The European powers will do well to
give timely attention to the just as
pirations and interests of the United
States.
Snoolal MeSaaNA Gaming.