New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-30
PRICE THREE CENTS.
WATCHING EASTERN EVENTS
DIPLOMATS INTENSELY INTERESTED IN
THE MOVEMENTS OF THE POWERS.

DIPLOMATS INTENSELY INTERESTED IN
THE MOVEMENTS OF THE POWERS.
SOME THINK THE UNITED STATES NAY Possihh'
BE DRAWN INTO SCRAMBLE FOR CHINESE
TERRIToRY-rALKs WITH JAPANESE
AND CHINESE OFFICIALS IN
WASHINGTON.
Washington, Dec. 20.-The rapid movement
of events in the far East continues to be an
absorbing topic in diplomatic circles here par.
ticularly at the embassies and legations OF
the Powers, which apparently aiiSning ior
@ struggle for Chinese territory There Is no
further talk Of the United States as possio.s
factor in the contest. as the recent understa"o'
ing at Cabinet meeting is accepted as re-
moving this Government from the neld Oh eo"
troversy. At the same time an author'y u"
International affairs said to-day that a si'ua'
ton might develop in which the United sta'eS
would be called upon to go much further ina"
protect American interests at :he treaty por's
In China.
This situation would come. he said, II the
scramble for Chinese territory went 10 the eA'
tent Of the extinction Of China and the complete
absorption Of the old Empire by foreign ma
tions. Such was the apparent drift OF the pres
condition would arise similar to the extermina-
ton Of Poland Poland had established prece-
dent in international affairs he said. and fo'-
lowing that precedent. IL China was to be abb
sorbed then It was a question which the
United States in common with all the nations
Of the world must take cognzance OF. Untii
this final movement occurred. however. II was
plain that the United States had no interest IN
the fencing of European nations and Japan FOR
coaling stations and ports on the Asatic coast
VIEWS OF JAPANESE DIPLOMATS.
In the mean time, however the diplomats are
much concerned In the movements OF their re-
spective Governments. leading japanese
diplomat said to-day: II do not look at the
question involving 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 Ger
many has occupied Kiao-Chau Bay. and Rus
sia has a fleet at Port Arthur. But Germany's
action taken to collect an indemnity for
an indIgnity to German missionaries. just as
she enforced indemnity from Hayti Beyond
this Germany may seek to establish a naval
station at Kiao-Chau and thus have a naval
base OF operations the Pacific But that does
not Involve the taking Of any considerable por-
ton Of Chinese territory. and it Is yet to DO
shown that Germany will take more than
coast port and such land Immediately adjacent
as to give the port proper facilities.
III it comes to taking territory. the course OF
China must not be overlooked. While China 10
weak from military and naval point Of view.
yet she has an enormous number Of men ready
to take the field. Will, the entire force Of Ger
mans at Kiao-Chau cannot exceed few thou
sand men. Even weak nation is strong In
defending its own territory. There are reports
t1x,sY ~.
there is nothing In that. Jaran doubtless will
act alone II there Is any reason for acting at
ALL Thus far however. know OF no steps that
Japan has taken contemplates toward taking
part IN tho controversy. My impression Is that
she will remain An independent and neutral OBJ
server. Her position will be much stronger by
such policy than 1t would be by an alliance at
the outset As an observer. II she that the
partition Of China at hand. doubtless she
would have some part to take. but for the pres
ent there is nc evidence that such an emergency
Is near"
Another Japanese diplomat said: "All the Pow.
ers have known for the last year that a secret
treaty was made last year between Russia and
China by which Russia was to have the right
to winter her fleet at Port Arthur For that
reason the presence Of the Russian fleet at Port
Arthur does nor lead other nations to fear that
Russia has begun a movement Of territorial
aggression on China. On the contrary, Russia
and China are nearer together than any other
two nations In the present contest. and II China
is to get any outside relief 1t will come from
Russia. 1t is quite plain from recent events that
Russia has not got ready yet to have China
partitioned. and until Russia is ready for that
step 1t will not occu: Moreover, there is a mis-.
apprehension as to tie Russian occupation Of
Port Arthur. 1t is not a land occupation, but Is
nlx-
outer harbor Vladivostock being icebound, with.
out connection with the shore"
REPORTS THOUGHT TO BE EXAGGERArrn
Chinese diplomat said THE alleged official
statements coming from the Chinese Legation
have been unwarranted. as the legation has not
received a word from Peking since the first notice
was sent that German force had landed at
kiao-Chau without previous notice to tho
Chinese Government 1t Is felt. however. that
many OF the reports as to the seriousness OF thu
situation. particularly those from Shanghai ara
overdrawn Judging from the press dispatches
there appears to be little doubt that the original
purpose Of Germany to enforce an indemnity ba.
now developed into securing a naval station AZ
Kiao-Chau and possibly more territory. on rh.
ground that Germany Is entitled to a return for
her service during the war between China and
Japan. But 1t appears to be overlooked thai
--"' -''' '~~N''So o'seiHSt returns Tor those
services. in the granting Of large concessions.
which. at the time Of the grant were considersd
as most valuable to Germany.
"As to the Russian fleet at Port Arthur. that
is not surprise Russian fleet was wintered
at a Chinese port last year with the consent of
China. as 1t involved no sacrifice Of TERRITORY
What the outcome will be is difficult to saw hut
II is felt that an amicable settlement will he
made. possibly bv the granting Of coast stations
but without any serious dismemberment of ter.
ritory"
The German officials here take tho v,sr ....
there are only two actual steps on the part OF
Germany namely. the occupation Of Kiao- Chau
Bay and the dispatch Of Prince Henrys fleet TO
Chinese waters. Beyond this. they saw ali ia
conjecture as to what Germany Will do and thew
convey the idea that these conjectures as to ths
absorption OF territory are unwarranted by any