The record-union., 1897-12-23
Stands on the Brink Of Grave bIplo-
matte Complications.
Vigorous and Significant Language OF a
Russian Journal.
British Influence in China waning
The Latter Asks Advice OF
Russia Alone, Regarding the
Gar as Her Only Friend-W ASH
ington Officials Being Sonnd-
ed As to the Eastern Compihca-
tious.

T1OuS.
ST PETERSBURG, Dec. I'm d
strongly anti-British article to-day tie
"Novosti' says:
In CONSEQUENCE of the pretension OF
England to compensate herselI lof the
P,,ssian occupation of Port Arthur py
the ACQUISITION of Port Hamilton OF
Iazareff. and in view of the posslolnty
of the disturbing action OF Japan Eu-
1ope stands on the brink of grave olP-
lomdtic complications. 1T Is therefore
we'll TO recall that the reintorceineIltS
Of the German squadron in the IA
cific permits Russia, France and Ger
many to effectively prevent dlsturp-
ance of the balance of power between
the three powers on the one hand, anu
Great Britain and Japan on the o'aeI'
such as might be produced by violent
seizures of territory.
The sNovosti' expresses the nope
that the isolation of Great Britain III
regard to the other European powers
will "paralyze her action suf1lclefltly
to permit the preservation OF peace
from the dangers threatening 1t at the
present moment.
The greatest reticence is maintained
here in Government circles. The CEN
sorship has forbidden the press to at
tack Germany on account of the occu-
pancy of Kiaochau-
Fmneror Nicholas presided to-day at
a special meeting of the council at
Alexander Palace, including the Grand
Duke and the chief military and naval
authorities. The Chinese situation
was discussed. and it is rumored that
Grand Duke Alexander MichaeloVitch
advised the immediate Strengthening Oh
the Russian squadron in China.
BRITISH INFLUENCE NIL.
PEKIN, Dec. 22.-The Chinese Gov
Iernmant has granted Russia permls-
sion to winter a squadron at Port Ar
thur. Great Britain demands qua
pro quo, if concessions have been made
to other powers. 1t has been suggested
that the japanese and British occupy
Wei Hal Wei Jointly.
The situation at Kiaochau Bay re-
mains unchanged The Germans re-
main unyielding, and the Chinese coun-
ellis are divided as to whether it should
be peace or war with Germany. China
regards Russia as her only friend, and
asks her advice alone.
In spite of official denials, it is re-
garded as proved that Port Arthur and
Kiaochau Bay We're promised to Rus
sia by a secret treaty. British in
fluence is nil, having suffered greatly
through the failure of the loan negotia-
tions. China is now negotiating a loan
from Russia. The latter demands the
dismissal Of the British railroad cngi-
neers in North China, and it is prob
able that it will be granted. The Ger
man drill instructors viii be dismissed.
At the expiration of their contracts
they viii be replaced by Russians.
Russian officers have already been ap
pointed to drill the troops of North
China
ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-It is un-
derstood authorities here have been
unoficially sounded as to the attitude
of the United States toward the COM
plications in the far East. with a view
to learning whether American interests
in China were regarded as sufficient to
warrant any active step by this Gov
ernmept From what sources the in
uuiries have come is not disclosed. If
from Great Britain, ii must have come
through Colonel Hay. the American
ambassador, as the British officials
here have received no instructions as
10 the Chinese situation. It is We'll un-
derstood. however, that Great Britain
would look with favor on any active
step by the United States which would
serve as a check for the advances Of
Germany and Russia.
The British interests in China are ten
times greater than those of Germany.
Russia and the United States. and yet,
with Germany and Russia firmly To-
Gated on Chinese soil. Great Britain
is left in a sort of cul de sac. 1t is
known also that the Chinese authori-
ties would welcome a movement by
the United States. and that this has
been communicated to officials here.
Although these sounds, for they
amount to nothing more as yet, have
not taken Official form, they have been
sufficient to gain a pretty general un-
ders.anGing as to the attitude of this
Government. This, in brief. is that the
United States has no interest in the
territorial extension now going on in
China, that she viii not land at any
of the coast ports of China, as Germa-
ny and Russia have done, and that her
N''-t Nf-t4sa4ttNA ettttt3l - ~ Veiid FStstt-
llShcd American interests in China
These American interests appear to
be niuch greater than is generally
known. There are the following Amer
lean treaty ports in China: Canton,
Chez Foo, Ching King. Foo Chow.
Ploag, Nankow. Hoi How, Oichang.
Kew kiang Lung Chow, Mengstu, New
Chang, Ningpo PAX Hoi. Shanghai.
Ashshe. So Chow, Swatow. Tien Tsin
Wenchow, Wuhu and three other ports
on the west river of Canton, recently
added.
Al each Of these places there are
American settlements and an American
reservation. within which Americans
may own property and try their civil
and criminal cases before their own
courts. conducted by American Consuls.
Some of these American settlements
are qnito extensive. At Shanghai. lust
outside the walls Of the city. the loca-
tion occupies a wide sweep Of land. At
these points, also. the eommercial in
teresis of the United States are large.
and are constantly growing. They are
the centers, TOO, for the American mis-