Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-22
Situation in the Orient Daily Becomes
More Critical.
OMNIBUS SIGNS OF TROUBLE AHEAD
Partition of China is the Bone Of
Contention.
ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS

dispatch to the New York Herald from
London yesterday says:
According to special dispatch from
Shanghai, the British squadron will make
g demonstration at Che-Foo, on the north
coast of the Shang-Tung promontory. as a
warning, it is supposed, that Great Britain
intends to oppose the division of China
withou: consulting her.
1t is reported there that Russia has offer
ed China loan to pay off the Japanese
war indemnity, and it is believed, says the
dispatch. that Japan and England are act
ing in concert to preserve China from dis
Indignation, favoring the idea of a protec-
torate over central China, with a capital at
Marking
1t is rumored also, the dispatch alleges.
that large Russian military force is COM
ing overland from Siberia.
German-Chinese Commission.
German-Chnese commission has been
arranged, according to a dispatch from
Shanghai to the Daily Mail, to settle the
boundaries of the occupied district at Kioa
Chou, and it is evident, therefore, that the
occupation will be permanent
The same dispatch says il is rumored in
Shanghai that the British intend to occupy
Ia-Licn-W Wan, south of Port Arthur, in
order to guard the Gulf of Pe-chi-Li.
Another dispatch from Shanghai says the
German admiral commanding at kiao Chou
bay refuses to admit newspaper men within.
the German lines. There have been no fur
Their developments at Kiao Chou. All is
quiet there.
French Cruiser for China.
special dispatch from Brest says the
French cruiser Jean Bart has been ordered
to proceed Immediately to China
A dispatch from Berlin says: The Co
ioSne Gazette maintains the accuracy of its
statement yesterday that the Russian occu-
patton of Port Arthur was connected with
the visit there of the British warship
Daphne about a week ago. AS a proof ii
points out that there was neither Russian
ships nor Russian consul at Port Arthur
at the time the Daphne visited the harbor.
and it argues that Russia could only have
learned of the visit through Chinas COM
plant.
The Daily Nails correspondent at Toxic
says there is no excitement there over the
news from Port Arthur. The press is calm
and the public is Indifferent.
Japan Needs Money.
Oriental advces from Japan say that
Russia is stirring up sentiment in Corea
favorable to her'elf.
The JapaneTe prime minister states that
the government may need thirty or forty
millions TO-. foreign emergencies in view Of
The Japanese chief justice. who was
elected from his office by the police. de-
cares that japanese government officials
who were involved in state scandals had
removed him TO cover their miSdeedS.
Russia'S seizure of the Corean finances
and customs is claimed TO be unconstitu-
tional by members of the Corean govern
n ent.
Russia Strengthening VladiVoStocI<.
Travellers from Asia bring news that The
Russian garrison at Nladivostock has been
largely reinforced during the last six
ronths
Great activity is manifested in building
the railroad from st. Petersburg to Nladi-
vostock, but the work is of such magni-
tude that it cannot be completed before the
expiration of the year 1900. The road is
&C instructed for a distance of 200 yerst.;
west of VlIdivostock and for a long dis
lance east of Irkutsk. but the intervening
space is a rough and mountainous coun-
try, presenting many obstacles to the rapid
construction of the line.
1t may be possible next year to bring
troops by land from St. Petersburg 10 the
Pacific ocean, but in the event of an i'm
mediate conflict with Japan Russia must
rely en- the troops now stationed at Vladi-
vostock and such reinforcements as can be
brought thither by water transportation.
Japan's army is well disciplined. 1t is
estimated that Japan can place 2W.uo
men in the vicinity of Port Arthur within
very short time.
A dispatch from San Francisco says:
The belief that hostilities cannot be far of
is streng hened by the fact that agents OF
the Russian empire have recently made eX
tensive purchases of army supplies IN the
United States for the garrison in Nladi
vostock. Gable messages from Nladivos-
took via ST. Petersburg were received in
this city few days ago inviting several
firms to bid on an immense quantity of
provisions.
A local grocery house received a cable
from NladivoStock two weeks ago inviting
bids upon loo tons of groceries, princi-
pally canned fruits and meats, for the use
OF the Russian garrison there. and order
has also been placed for several ship loads
OF flour, TO be delivered at some point in
Asia to be designated by Russian agents
as soon as possible, probably Port Arthur.
1t is known here also that a Chicago
packing house recently delivered to Rus
sian agents 10000 tons of barreled beef
part of which is said TO have been rejected
as not up to contract.