The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-30


pending Partitions of China, at Their
Legations In Washington Express
Themselves as to the Prospsct - Not
Even the Chinese spokesmen is Alarmed
for His Country's Territorial Integrity
Uncle SANS Hands-On Policy.
Washington, Dec. 29-The rapid
movement of events in the far east con-
tinues to be an absorbing topic in dip
| iomatic circles here, particularly at the
embassies and legations OF the powers
when are aligning for an apparent
struggle for Chinese territory.
There is no further talk of the United
States as a possible factor in the con-
| test as the recent understanding at a
! cabinet meeting is accepted as ruling
! this government from the field Of contro-
! versy. At the same time, an eminent
authority on international affairs said
/ today that a situation might develop
| when the United States would be called
on 10 go much further than protest in
al interests at the treaty ports IN
China. This situation would come, he
| said, if the scra nnIole for Chinese terri
! tory went to the extent of the eXtinc-
ton Of China and the complete absorp-
tiun OF the old empire by foreign nations.
Such was the apparent drift of the pres
cnt events, he said, and if ii became
reality then a condition would arise
similar 10 the determination of Poland.
Poland had established a precedent in
international affairs, ne said, and, fol-
lowing that precedent, if China was 10
be absorbed. then it was a question
which the United States, in common
with all the nations Of the world, must
take cognizance Of. Until this final
movement occurred, however, it was
plain that the United States had nc in
terest IN the fencing of European ma
tions and Japan for coaling stations and
ports ON the Asiatic coast.
In the meantime, however, the dfplo-
mats are much concerned in the move |
ments of their respective governments. |
A leading japanese diplomat said to-
day:
81 do not look at the question as in
volving the partition of China and no |
event has occurred thus far to indicate |
that China is about to be divided |
among the powers. The only tangible |
fact is that Germany has occupied Kioa |
Chau bay and Russia mas a fleet at Port |
Arthur. But Germny's action was taken |
to collect an indemnity for an indignity |
10 German missionaries, just as she !
forced indemnity from Hayti. Beyond |
this, Germany may seek to establish a
naval station at Kioa Chau and thus
have a navel base Of operations on the /
Pacific. But that does not involve the 4
taking of any considerable portion Of
Chinese territory and it is yet to be
shown that Germany will take more
than a coast port and such land imne-
diately adjacent as to give the port
proper facilities. If it comes to taking
territory, the course of China must not
be overlooked. While China is weak
from a military and naval standpoint,
Yet she mas an enormous number OF men
ready to take the field, while the entire
force OF Germans at Kiao Chau cannot
exceed a few thousand men. Even a
weak nation is strong in defending its
own territory. There are reports that
Japan would aid China in an extremity
out there is nothing in that. Japan
doubtless will act alone if there is any
reason for acting at all. Thus far. now
ever, l know Of no steps that Japan has
taken or contemplates toward taking
part in the controversy. My impression
is that she will remain Independent and
rE,ol l-g'---
much stronger by -uch a policy than It
would be by an alliance at the outset.
AS an observer, if she sees that the par
ttion OF China IS at hand, doubtless she
would would have some part 70 take, but
for the present there is no evidence that
such an emergency is near
Another japanese diplomat said:
"All the powers have known for the
last year that a social treaty was made
last year between Russia and China, by
which Russi was to nave the right to
winter her fleet ar Port Arthur. For
that reason the presence Of the Russian
fleet at Port Arthur does not lead other
nations to fear that Russia has begun
4 movement of territorial aggression on
China. On the contrary, Russia and
China are nearer together than any 9TH
er two nations in the present contest
and if China is 10 get any outside relief
il viii come from Russia. 1t is quite
plain from recent events that Russia
has not got ready yet 10 have China
pQrtitioned and until Russia IS ready for
that step it will not occur. Moreover,
there ia a misrepresentation as 10 the
Russian occupation of Port Arthur. II I
IS not a land occupation but is merely
4 quarteiing Of the Russian fleet in the
outer harbor, Nladivostock being in con-
nection bound, without connection with
the shore
A Chinese diplomat said:
The alleged official statements COM
ing from the Chinese legation have been
InNarranted. as the legation mas not re-
ceivei q word from Psi<in since the first
notice was .ent ch8t German force :
had landed at Kiao Chau without prsvi-
JIs notice 10 the Chinese government.
L is felt. however. that many OF the re-
ports "a 70 the seriousness Of tae situs-
ton. ParIicUlarly those from Shang Hal.
are overdrawn. Judging from the press
dispatches there appears - be little
doubt that the original purpose Of Ger
naEy to enforce an indemnity has now
developed into securing 4 naval station
II Kiao Chau and possibly more terri .
-c-y. on ne ground that Germany is en-
titled - return Cor her success during !
the Clina-JSpan gar. But ii appears 90
be overlooked thar Germany has receiv-
ed distinct returns for those services, in |