The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-20
RUSSIA READY TO INTERFERE.
William, If He Holds Kafo Chan,
Must Deal With the Gar.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-Wu Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister, has re-
eeived the following official statement
from Picking relative to the seizure OF
Kiao Chan by Germany: Upon the
killing of two German missionaries by
bandits in the district of Ku Yeh, in
Shan Tung, decree was issued per-
emptorily commanding the governor Of
Shan Tung to order the high officials
of that province to take immediate
measures for the arrest and punish
ment of the offenders. The governor
reported by telegraph the arrest Of
four culprits, and this was eommuni-
Gated to the German minister. But
German warships had in the mean
time advanced to Kiao Chan island,
landed troops, and after occupying all
the high ground gave the garrison for
ty-eight hours to retire. The German
minister did not give the Tsungl1
Yamen any notice. On the evening OF
the 18th a telegram from the minister
superintendent of the northern ports,
giving a report of this occurrence, oc-
casioned the greatest surprise. China,
in view of the friendly relations be-
tween the two countries, thereupon or
dered the governor of Shan Tung to
keep the garrison under strict control,
to withdraw the troops to positions
outside the limits of the island, and to
enjoin them not to make any move
without express instructions.
This official statement places a new
complexion on the press cables, in that
it indicates that the Chinese govern
ment had already taken active steps
for the punishment of the murderers OF
the two German missionaries before
the landing of the German troops at
Kaio Chan and the occupation OF the
fort there The remarkable thing in
connection with Germany's summary
action is the fact, set forth in the fore
going cable statement, that the Tsungli
Yamen (Chinee foreign office was
given no notification that the seizure
of Kaio Chan was contemplated. Such
a proceeding is said to be a fragrant
breach of international comfy and is
interpreted in some diplomatic quar-
tiers as evidence that Germany used
her grievances as a preteXt for the oc-
cupation of the island. 1t is believed
that possibly Germany's object is to
use the occupation of the island as
q lever LOT COInpellluS Ildue SOliScS-
sions from China. In the general
scramble for commercial advantage in
the East, Germany thus far has sig
nally failed. She has absolutely no
foothold on the Chinese coast, whereas
England has concessions at the treaty
ports and a trade arrangement which
gives her advantages in Burmah and
Thibet. France has TonQuin, and Rus
STA has advantages in the north of
China In the event Germany should
decline to relinquish Kaio Chan, which
commands one Of the best natural har-
bors and ports on the Chinese coast,
she may have not only China, but
Russia, to reckon with. By recent
treaty between the governments of
China and Russia, the latter country
in return for pledged support in case
of certain war contingencies, is to have
the use of Port Arthur and Kaio Chan
barbor should the car become involved
in war. Thus, to a certain extent,
Russia has an interest in Kaio Chan.
This interest, it is believed she would
not be slow to protect, if Germany
should manifest any Interior designs.