The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-30

Inc t'i iNni'hN ta ~ i''tiNNN ~ eNfN'N"
20 Lo a mastcrful exhibition Of typical
Chia,so statcsmanahip in view Of the
existing critical condition Of affairs In the
Celestial Empire.
THE DECREE.
The decree reads as follows:
According o the Chun Chiu (spring ana
autumn annals 10 has been stated that
au eclipse OF ihe sun on the first day Of
the year botokcns an impending calamity.
hence tho sovereign Of every Dynasty.
which has preceded ug. has always made
10 a point whenever an eclipse OF the
sun is prOcnosticated. 10 undergo self
abascmcnt ana humble themselves before
He9vcn. i'm order 90 avert the wrath from
above
We further command that the ccremo-
mics of congratulation usually held on New
Years Day in the Taiho Throne Han, be
curialcd, and only ordinary obeisances
b. made. the place being changed 10 the
Chion Using Throne Hall, instead OF the
Taio Ho Throne Hall.
"The banquet usually given 10 the I'm
pcrial Clausmen on New Years Day must
also be stopped. and when the eclipse oc-
cars let AN members of the court wear
sober garments and assemble in the IN
uer palace before the altar set up TO
Heaven to pray for forbearahco and mer-
~ 20 the country at large. This is so far
as shall concern ourselves TO show our
desire 10 prCpitiate High Heaven.
Az ABSORBING IOBIC.
WASHINGTON. >. c. Dec. Z-lhe
rapid movements of events IN the iar
lcast continue TO be an absorbing topic
in diplomatic circles here particularly at
the embassies and legations OF the POW
crs which are interested in an apparent
struggle for Chinese territory. The
United states will not be factor IN the
contest as the recent Cabinet decision is
looked upon al removing her from the
field Of controversy.
If the scramble FOR Chinese territory
went as far as the complete absorption
of the old Empire by foreign nations. me
United states would in that event he call
ed upon T. DO more than protect the IN
Scrosts OF American citizens in China
Then a condition would arise similar TO
tho determination OF Poland. Poland had
established "a precedent I'm international
affairs said a prominent diplomat, and
following that precedent If China was 10
bc absorbed then ii would be "a question
with the United States in common with
all the nations OF the world. Until This
nnal movement occurred, however. 1t
was plain that the United states had no
interest In the fencing of European ma
tions and Japan for coaling stations and
ports on the Aslastic coast.
In The meantime. however. the diplo-
mats are much concerned in the move
ments OF their respective governments.
A JAPENEsE VIEW.
leading japanese diplomat SAID to-
day.
Il do not look at the question as in
volvrg the partition of China and mo
event has occurred thus far 20 indicate
that China is about To- be divided amone
the powers The only tangible fact is that
Germany has occupied Kiao Chau Bay
and Russia has fleet at Port Arthur.
But Germany action was taken 10 coi-
lect am indemnity for an lndisrKt TO
German miss ssionaTies just as she enforced
indemnity from Ilayt. Beyond this Ger
many may seek TO establish "a naval sta-
fion at kiao Chau and thus have a naval
base of operations on the Pacific. But
that does not involve the taking OF any
considerable portion of Chinese territory
ANA 8. is yet 10 be shown that Germany
viii take more ihan "a coast port and
such land Immediately adjacent as 10 give
tac port proper faciliiioe.
"lf Il comes to taking territory the
course of China must not be overlooked.
While China is veal. from a military and
naval standpoint vet she has an cnor-
nous number of men ready To- take the
field while the entire force Of Germans
at kiao Chou cannot exceed few thous-
and men. Even "a weak nation Is strong
IN defending IT'S own territory.
There are reports that Japan would aid
China in au extremity but there Is moth
ing in that. japan doubtless will act |
alone if there is amy reason for rc.iog at
an. Thus far however know q |
steps that Japan has taken or coItst1- |
t.N. 90 f.I
Ner~N. My Impression Is tnat she will rc- |
main an independent a0t neutral ohscrv-
er. Her position will bc much stronger |
bv such policy than ID would De nN an al- |
lance at the outset. As am observer. if |
she secs that the partition of China is at |
hand douhtl' she would have some part !
20 take. For tho present there is no tyi- |
dence that such am emergency is near"
CHlNA'S STANDPOINT.
A Chinese diplomat said
The alleged official statements coming !
from the Chinese Legation have been un-
warranted. as the Legation has not Zee |
Ce.yod "a word from lekin since the first |
notice was sent that a German force had
landed az kiao chou without previous
notice 10 the Chinese government 10 is
felt however that many OF tho reports
a. TO tho seriousness OF the situation. par. |
ticularly those from Shanghai are over !
drawn. Judging from the press dispatches
there appears 10 bee little doubt tnat the |
on indemnity has now developed into SEE |
curing "a naval station az kiao chou and |
possibly more territory. on the ground |
that Germany IS entitled 20 return !
for her service during the Chino-Japa- |
ncsc war. But 30 appears to Dc overlook |
al that Germany he's received distinct re- |
turns for this service Ia the ~~an .ng OF I
large concessions which. at the time OF |
The eraut were considered as most yalua- |
bic fo Germany
Tho German officials here take tho view |
that there are but two actual steps on the |
part OF Germany. namely. the occupation |
OF l<iao Chou Bay and the dispatch Of |
Prince Henrys fleet 90 Chinese waters. /
BEYOND this they say an IS conjecture |
a. 10 what Germany will do. and they /
convey tine i1ca that these coniccturcs as /
20 the absorption of territory are unwar- /
ranfcd ly amy of the actual circumstances |
which have thus far dcVelonsd. That !
Prince Henry viii extend his field of on l
e~atiors beyond Chinese waters and will |
embrace Samoa and Hawaii is dismissed
ag absurd. although rcnorts OF such a
movement have been current.
FRENCH FLAG BOISTED.
SHANGHAI. Dec. 2i.--ft is renorted
hsre that the admiral Of the French acc,
llrt hoiStcd the French rag on Hai-Nap
fetrd 1hotwceu the China sea and the
GuE Of Toncuin) The Chinese offered
no opposition
Daiiv Mail from Singapore confirms thc
report Of The seizure OF Hai-Nan Island
rs IN. French.
.Hai-Aan Tsland Is or the south coast
Of China and separates the Gulf OF Ton