The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-30
CLOSE WATCH KEPT ON CHINA.
DIPLOMATS ALIVE TO THE sITUA-
TION'S DANGER.


ternatiOnaI Affairs, However,
FOresees Possible Necessity fOr
Action on the Part of the United
States.
Washington, Dec. 29.-The rapid move
ment of events in the far east continues
to be an absorbing topic in diplomatic cir
cles here, particularly at the embassies
and legations of the powers, which are
aligning for an apparent struggle for Chi
nese territory.
There is no further talk of the United
States as a possible factor in the contest,
as recent understanding at a cabinet
meeting is accepted as removing this gov
ernment from the field of controversy. At
the same time an eminent authority on in
ternational affairs said to-day that a sit
uation might be developed when the Uni
ted States will be called on to go much
further than to protect American inter-
ests at the treaty ports in China. This
situation would come, ne said If the
scramble for Chinese territory went TO the
extent of the extinction of China and the
complete absorption of the old empire by
foreign nations. Such was the apparent
drift of the present movement, he said,
and if it became a reality, then condi-
ton would arise similar to that of the ex-
termination of Poland. Po.and has es-
tablished a precedent in international af-
fairs, he said, and following that prece-
dent, if China is to be absorbed, then it
would be a question which the United
States, in common with all the nations of
the world, must take cognizance of. Tn
less this final movement occurred, how
ever, il was plain that the United States
had no interest in the fencing of Euro
pean nations and Japan for coaling sta
tions and ports on the Asiatic coast
In the meantime, however, the diplomats
are much concerned in the movements Of
their respective governments.
A leading japanese diplomat said to-day:
81 do not look at the question as 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 Germany
has occupied Kiao Chou bay and Russia
has a fleet at Port Arthur. But Ger
manys action was taken TO collect an in
demnity for an indignity to German mis-
sionaries just as she forced an indemnify
from Hayti. Beyond this, Germany may
seek to establish a naval station at KaR
operations on the Pacific. But that does
not involve the taking OF any considerable
portion of Chinese territory, and 1t Is yet
TO be shown that Germany will take more
than the coast port and such land ada
cent to it as TO give the port proper IA
cilities. If it comes 10 taking territory,
the choice OF China must not be over
looked. While China is weak from a mill
tary and naval standpoint. yet she has an
enormous number of men ready to take the
field, while the entire force of Germans
at Kiao Chau cannot exceed a few thou
sand men. Even a weak nation is strong
in defending its own territory. There are
reports that Japan will aid China in an
extremity, but there is nothing in that.
Japan will doubtless act alone if there Is
any reason for acting al all. Thus far,
however, I know of no steps that Japan
has taken or contemplates toward taking
part in the controversy. My impression
is that she will remain an Independent
and neutral observer. Her position will
be much stronger by such a policy than
it would be by an alliance at the outset.
As an observer, if she sees that the parti-
ton of China is at hand. doubtless she
would have some part to take, but for
the present there is no evidence that such
an emergency is near"
Another japanese displomat said< "All
the powers have known for a Scar that
sia and China, by which Russia was 10
have the right to winter her fleet a + Port
Arthur. For that reason the presence Of
the Russian feet at Port Arthur does not
lead other nations to fear that Russia has
adopted movement of territorial aggres-
sion on China. On the contrary Russia
and China are nearer together than any
other two nations in the contest, and if
China is TO get any outside relief ii win
come from Russia. It is quite plain from
recent events that Russia has not got
ready yet to agree to see China parti-
toned and until Russia is ready for that
step 1t will not occur. Moreover, there
is misapprehension as to the Russian occu-
patton of Port Arthur. 1t is not a land
occupation. but is merely quarter for
the Russian feet in the outer harbor of
Nladivostock. ice-bound without connec-
tion with the shore
A Chinese diplomat said: "The alleged
official statements coming from the Chi
nese legation have been unwarranted, as
the legation has not received a word from
Pekin since the first notice was sent
that a German force had landed at Kiao
Chou without previous notice TO the Chi.
nese government. 1t is felt here how
ever, that many reports as TO the serious
ness of the situation, particularly those
from Shanghai, are overdrawn. Judging
from the press dispatches there appears
Germany to force an indemnity has now
developed into securing a naval station
at Kiao Chou and possibly more territory
on the ground that Germany is entitled
TO a return for her service during the Chi
nese-Japanese war. But It appears to be
overlooked that Germany has received dis
tinct returns from those services. in the
granting Of large concessions which at the
time Of the grant, were considered al most
valuable to Germany. As to the Russian
feet at Port Arthur, that is not a sur
prise A Russian feet wintered at the
Chinese port last year. with the consent
of China, as It involved no sacrifice OF ter
rtory. What the outcome will be is diff
cut to say but 1t is felt that an amica be
settlement will be made possibly by the
granting of coast stations, but without
any serious dismemberment OF territory. -
The German officials here take the view
that there are but two actual steps on the
part Of Germany, namely, the occupation
of Kiao Chou bay and the dispatch Of
Prince Henrys feet 10 Chinese waters.
Beyond this they say, al Is conjecture
as to what Germany viii do, and they con-
vey the idea that these conjecWres as TO
the absorption Of territory are unwar-
ranted by any OF the actual circumstance
which have thus far developed That
Prince Henry VIII extend his field OF op-