The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
The KRiser's Representatives Charged
with Unvyarranted Haste in TAX
Ing Possession of the Island.
TROUBLE At MONTEVIDEO
ROW IN THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
CAUSES MUCH ALARM.
French Army officers Punished for
Supporting the Demand for a Re-
opening of the Dreyfus Case.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-Mr. WI Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister. has received
the following official statement from Picking
relative to the seizure of Kiaochau island
by Germany:
Upon the killing Of two German mission
aries by bandits in the district of Ku-Yeh
In Shan-Tun, a decree was issued peremp-
tOriIy to the Governor OF Shan-Tung TO or
der the high officials of that province to.
take immediate measures for the arrest and
punishment Of the offenders. On the 18th
inst. the Governor reported by telegraph
the arrest of four culprits and this was
communicated to the German minister. But
German war ships had, on the l4th, ad-
vanced to Kiaochau island, landed troops
and, after occupying all the nigh ground
gave the garrison forty-eight hours 10 re-
tire. The German minister did not give the
Tsungli Yamen any notice. On the evening
of the 18th a telegram from the minister
superintendent Of the northern ports, giving
g report of this occurrence, occasioned the
greatest surprise. China, in view OF the
friendly relations between the two coun-
tries, thereupon ordered the Governor of
snanung 70 KEEP rng freons To ne
sitions outside the limits of the island and
to enjoin them not to make any move with
out express instructions"
This official statement places a new COM
plexion on the press cables in that it indi-
Gates that the Chinese government had al
ready taken active steps for the punishment
sionaries before the landing Of the German
troops at Kiaochau and the occupation of
the fort there The remarkable thing in con-
nection with Germanys Summary action is
the fact, set forth in the foregoing cable
statement, that the Tsungli Yamen (Chi-
nese Foreign Office. was given no notifica-
ton that the seizure was contemplated.
Such a proceeding is said to be fragrant
80 int w md 10
preted in some diplomatic quarters as evil
dence that Germany used her grievances as
a pretext for the occupation of the island.
1t is believed that possibly Germany's OBJ
Ject is to use the occupation of the island
as lever for compelling trade concessions
from China. In the general scramble for
commercial advantage in the East, Ger
many, thus far, has signally failed. She
has absolutely no foothold on the Chinese
coast, whereas England has concessions at
the treaty ports and trade arrangement
which gives her advantages in Burmah and
Thibet. France has Tonquin and Russia has
advantages in the north of China In the
event Germany should decline to relinquish
Kiaochau. which commands one of the best
natural harbors 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 Rus
STA, the latter country. in return for pledged
support in case of certain war contingent
cies, is to have the use of Port Arthur and
fKiaochau narbor should the Gar become
involved in war. Thus to certain extent,
Russia has an interest in Kiaochau. ms
Nterest it is believed, she would not be
dow to protect if Germany should manifest
any Interior designs.
The cablegram received yesterday by the
Navy Department from Admiral McNair,
commanding the United States squadron on
the China station, announces that he mas
been informed by the German admiral on
the station that German forces have been
la1ded at Kiaochau bay, on the southern
side of the Shan Tung promontory, pend
m1rder of two German missionaries" The
significance of the dispatch lies in the i'm
plication that the occupation is temporary
and not permanent.