The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-30

aid China IL an extremity. but there Is
nothing Ia that Japan doubtless will act
alone { there Is any reason for acting at
steps that Japan has taken or consem-
plates toward taking part In the cou.ro-
versy. My impression Is that she VIII
server. Her position viii be much
stronger by such policy than II would
he by an alliance As an observer. II she
secs. that The partition Of China Is al
part 10 take, but for the present there
is no evidence that such an emergency is
near"
Another japanese diplomat said:
"An the powers have known for the
last year that a secret treaty was adopt
ed last year between Russia and China
by which Russia was 10 have the right 10
winter her feet at Port Arthur. For
that reason the presence Of the Russian
feet az Port Arthur does rot lead other
nations 10 fear that Russia has begun a
movement of territorial aggression on
China On the contrary, Russia and
other two nations in the present contest,
and IL China is 10 get any outside relief
ii viii come from Russia. II Is quite
plain. from recent events. that Russia
has not got ready yet to have China par
;itsonsd ard until Russia is ready 70:
that step. il Will not occur. Moreover.
there is q Misrepresentation as TO Rus
sian occupation at Port Arthur. IL Is
quartsring OF the Russian feet IN the
outer harbor. SladivoStok being Ice
bound. without connection with the
shore
\ Chinese diplomat said:
The alleged official statements coming
from the Chinese legations have been un-
warranted as the legation has not re-
ceived a word from Peking since the first
landed a k:aochai. without previous no.
tee 10 the CnineSe government 1t IS felt.
however. that many Of the reports as 10
the seriousness Of the situation, partica-
larry those from Shanghai are overdra wn.
Judging from the press dispatches. there
appears TO be little doubt that the original
purpose OF Germany 10 enforce an indem-
niiy has now developed in securing z naval
station al kiaochau, and possibly mora
territory, on the ground that Germany
IS entitled TO return for her services
during the ChineSe-Japan war. But i1
appears 10 be overlooked that Germany
has received distinct returns for those
services, in the granting OF large conces-
sions. which at the time OF the grant were
considered as most valuable 10 Germany.
As 10 the Russian fleet at Port Arthur.
that is not a surprise. Russian feet
was wintered at Chinese port last win
ter. with the consent of China, as IL in
VOWED no sacrifice of territory.
What the outcExne Will be Is difficult to
say. but II IS felt that an amieable settle
ment viii ne made. possibly by the grant,
ing Of coast stations, but without any
serious dismefnberment Of territory.
The German officials here take the view
that there are but two actual steps on the
part of Germany. namely. the occupation
OF kiaochau bay and the dispatch OF
Prince Henry's feet TO Chinese waters.
Beyond this. they say. all Is conjecture
10 what Germany viii do. That Prince
Henry Will extend his field of operations
beyond Chinese waters and will embrace
Samoa and Hawaii is dismissed as ab-
surd, although reports Of such move
ment have been current.