The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-28
THE CHINESE QUESTION
OCCUPYING PUBLIC ATTENTION
OF EUROPE AT PRESENT.

Does NOT Know where Ii STANDS HOW
Far the Other Powers Will Allow Her 10
Go-POrt Arthur An Expensive Port to
Mainta1n-Japan and Germany to Arrive
at An Understanding-Christ Among
the Royalties
Copyright by The Associated Press)
Berlin, December 25.-Chna has oc-
cupied public opinion to the exclusive
of everything. throughout the week.
The government and the foreign office
continue reticent, even the occupation
of Port Arthur having failed to elicit
any official statements, with the excep-
ton Of a denial Of the extravagant
utterances Of The Cologne Gazette and
other usually inspired papers. The rea-
son for this exceptional taciturnity lies
in the simple fact that Germany her
self does not know where she stands,
or how far the other powers will per-
init her to go. Germany, Russia and
France was still negotiating, and while
there is strong pressure to bring about
another joint action of these three
powers in the far east, equally potent
influences are at work to Illustrate such
plans. II depends largely upon the
outcome Of these negotiations as to
what instructions Prince Henry of
Prussia will find awaiting him when he
arrives at Hong Kong early in Febru-
ary. In the meanwhile the mission of
Prince Henry may be characterized as
mainly a display Of spread -eagleism
A prominent diplomat, in an inter-
will cOrrpSDOnOGnt
THE Associated Press said: 'RuSSia'S
OCCUPATION of Port Arthur is perma-
nent She thereby secures much de-
sired trminus for the Siberian rail
road which will forthwith be extended
from VladivOstOck to Port Artnur,
making Russia the undiSputed mistress
nf Manchuria and the whole OF north
China Her interests in China IN no
way collide with those Of France,
whose sphere of action is in south
China. Between them is an immense
territory which may eventually be dis
puted between Great Britain, Germany
and Japan A movement is now on
foot between Japan and Germany to
arrive at an understanding, as Japan
sees clearly that this course Is WlseSt.
Russia Will not tolerate Japan in COrea,
as it would upset all the schemes she
has been preparing for the past two
wears Therefore, Germany is the only
friend and ally Japan can look for IN
THE coming events. That is, II she
knows how to play her cards and estab-
fish q basis Of mutual interests, TOT
which I hear there is considerable pros
pect."
From a missionary the correspon-
dent here of the Associated oPress
gearrs that the bay of Kiao Chou is by
no means so valuable as at first be-
1ieved. Part of the har'bor freezes dur
ing three months of winter ana Ice
breakers are required to keep 1t open.
The Hinterland is barren and treesless
and the nature of the ground neceSSl-
tates the erection of costly large 1ortl-
tications in order to hold the bay ana
adjoining territory against attacks. III
Germany concludes to retain it she Will
have to spend large sums of money.
Prince HOhenlOhe, the Imperial chan-
rellor. is much distressed at the sudden
death of his wife, on Tuesday last. he
spent the previous three days at her
bedside, without sleep and This octoSe-
marian frame has been greatly en-
fepbIed thereby. His physicians are
urgently advising him to retire from
public life, at amy rate temporarily; but
the emperor relies upon Prince Hohen-
lOhe's patriotism to remain in ONCE III
the present critical times Ine REMAINS
of the princess will be inferred on Sun
day i'm the family vault at Schllllngs-
fuerest. The body was consecrateo on
FRIDAY, in the presence of the MINIS
ters military dignitaries. etc. by the
prince Bishop of Breslau, DR.. Kopp, in
,rhe conservatory of the chancellor's
nalace The empress and the eX-em-
press of Germany sent floral wreaths.
At the reconvenng Cf the reichstag.
the members of the opposition lntenu
to make much of the fact that. accord
ing to official figures just obtained the
fmperal treasury receipts fo- the cur
rent year show a decrease OF 2oooo,ooo
marks. They will point out that in
view of the naval increase and the re-
organization of the field artillery the
large additional funds needed can only
be raised by new taxes contrary TO the
promises Of the government.
The government will introduce at the
raconyening Of the Prussian diet on
January 11th another anti-Socialistic
bill, but not so comprehensive as the
one rejected last summer. 1t Will mere
lv apply to private lecturers and uni
versities. who will be brought under
government supervision.
The two eldest princes arrived mere
on Tuesday from Ploen. The Christ
mas trees and the distribution of gifts
were more lavish than ever. This part
of the celebration took place in the
Shell hall Most OF the gifts were pur-
L
chased by the empress personally at
various Berlin stores. They include
hundreds of presents for the servants
and court officials.
At a. secret session of tine municipal
council, on Tuesday, a new years ad-
dress to the emperor was adopted, Tor
the first time in many years. The ad-
dress deals largely with national poll
tics and is couched in patriotic terms
when referring to the naval Increase
and the recently adopted vigorous for
eign policy.
Voluntary collections, for naval pur-
poses are taking place @mong the puplls
of many of the public schools.
Influenza in a severe form has been
spreading alarmingly in Berlin. There
have been thousands of cases, especial
Nv in the wealthier districts and the
death rate is rapidly increasing.
Negotiations are proceedings in Ber-
lin between Germany and Austria with
the view to hold an international con-