The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-24
BRITISH POLICY IN CHINA.
ENGLAND W0N,T OCCUPY ANF TER
RIToRY JUST TET,

nat she Will Tell China How she will Act In
Certain Rvents-AIse That She VIII Give
her Neral suppert % Sapan-lt IL snia
Japan viii Protest Against GermanS's Ac.
tion-Europe wonders what We wall Do
Even Italy Intends to send warships.
Special Gable Ds,patshss to TEE SUE.
LONDON, Dec. 23.-1he Chronicie says IL has
good reason to believe that the Government has
decided upon q course Of action In view Of
the Russian and German policy In China.
Great Britain will not occupy. at any rate
for the present, any Chinese territory,
but Sir Claude NJ. Macdonald, the Brit
ish Minister. will convey to the Chinese
Government very distinct intimations concern
ing British action in certain contingencies. aud
also the information that the moral support Of
Great Britain will be given to Japan. 1t is I'M
derstood that Japan will protest In the strongest
manner against Germany's action.
The Chronicle adds that the members OF the
diplomatic circles laugh at the notion that Cor
many 10 acting In accord with Russia,
A despatch from Shanghai to the Daily Mail
says that the opinion is held by we'll Informed
men there that tho Russian fleet 10 merely
embarrassing at Port Arthur, and that no
serious occupation Of that place is intended.
ln0 DTltlbn noOb ID uoW ~ beo- ShAhSoO
Government 10 helpless, but is mobilizing q few
troops under tho least incapable Generals who
were engaged in the late war with Japan.
BERLIN, Dec. 23.-The newspapers here are
keenly curious to learn the attitude of Great
Britain, the United States. and Japan on the Chi
nese question. The Cologne Gdsehc thinks 1t
probable thet the United States will side with
Russia, England remaining splondidly isolated.
The Tdgeblatt. on the other hand, seems to fear
an observation-disclosures alliance. 1t there
| fore holsters It's courage by pooh.poohing such q
combination.
The National Zeituno finds 1t easy to believe
that England would welcome active steps by
the United States against Russian and German
progress IN China. but says 1t 10 difficult to
| think that the United States would adopt q
| policy of friendship to England and hostility to
| Russia, which would be contrary to all tradi-
tions.
The semi-oflcial papers generally declare that
Japan will not take aggressive steps, but will
| acquiesce in the Russian occupation Of Port
| Arthur, as 1t acauiesced in the German occupa-
ton Of Kiao Chou bay. As an Offset to this. q
| rumor is current that the large japanese squad
! ron which left Nagasaki on Wednesday steamed
to Shanghai, where 1t met the British squadron.
and thence proceeded to Wei Hal Wei. The
source Of this rumor. however. is somewhat
shady.
In the absence of authentic direct news the
papers build deductions on the dispatches re-
ceived from Washington and London, and con
clude that neither the United States. England,
nor Japan will regard the occupation Of Kiao
Chou Bay Of any moment compared with the
Russian occupation of Port Arthur. Some
of the papers SEQ in the withdrawal OF
Japan's protest against the annexation OF
Hawaii by tho United States proof that she
wishes to DO unincumbered. with the view to
demanding explanations from Russia. 1t Is
added that Japan intends to address Russia on
the subject.
PARIS, Dec. 23.-In addition to the cruiser
Jean Bart, which has already sailed from Brest
for China, the cruiser Pascal sailed to-day from
Toulon, under orders to proceed to Chinese
waters.
ROME, Dec. 23.-rhe Cabinet at o meeting
held to-day decided to send Q squadron Of war
ships to Chinese waters.