The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-30

Poland. Poland had esta blished a pre-
eedent IN international affairs he said,
and. following that precedent, If China
was to be absorbed, then It WAS n ques-
ton which the United States, IN com
mon with all the nations Of the world,
must take eogntzance Of. Until this
final movement occurred. however, It
was plain the United States had no IN
terest IN the fencing Of European ma
lions. and Japan for coaling stations
and ports on the Asiatic coast.
In the meantime, the diplomats are
much concerned In the movements Of
their respective Governments. A lead
ing Japanese diplomat said to-day: Il
90 not look at the question as Involving
the partition Of China, and no event has
occurred thus far to indicate that Chi
IA Is about to be divided among the
bowers. The only tangible fact is that
Germany has occupied Kiao Chau Bay,
and Russia has fleet at Port Arthur.
But Germany's action was taken TO col
iect an indemnity for an indigntty to
German missionaries, just as she forced
indemnity from Hayti
Beyond this Germany may seek to
and thus have a base OF operations on
the Pacific. That does not involve the
taking Of any considerable portion of
\ Chinese territory, and 1t is yet to be
= shown that Germany will take more
than a. coast port and such land imme-
diately adjacent as to give the port
proper facilities If It comes to taking
territory; the course of China must not
10 &
from q military and naval standpoint,
yet she has an enormous number of
men ready to take the field, while the
entire force of Germans at Kiao Chau
cannot exceed a few thousand men
Even a weak nation Is strong in de-
Tending its own territory. There are
reports that Japan would aid China In
an extremity, but there is nothing in
that. Japan doubtless VIII act alone if
there is any reason for acting at all
Thus far, however. know of no steps
that Japan has taken or contemplates
toward taking part in the controversy
Ny impression is that she Will remain
INDEPENDENT and a neutral observer.
Her position will be much stronger by
such a policy than it would be by an
alliance AS an observer, if she sees
doubtless she would have some part to
take, but for the present there is NO
evidence that such an emergency is
near
Another Japanese diplomat said: "All
the powers have known for months
that a secret treaty was made last
year between Russia and China, by
which Russia was to have the right to
AIf1a
that reason the presence OF the Rus
sian feet at Port Arthur does not lead
other nations to fear Russia has begun
q movement Of territorial aggression
on China. On the contrary, Russia
and China are nearer together than any
other two nations IN the present con-
test, and If China is to get any out
side relief IT VIII come from Russia.
Tt is quite plain, from recent events,
that Russia has not got ready yet to
have Chine. partftioned, and until Rus
gfa is ready for that step, it will not oc-
cur. Moreover, there is q uisappre-
henston as 10 Russian occupation Of
Port Arthur It is not land occupa-
ton, but merely a quartering Of the
Russian feet in the outer harbor.
VIadivostok being ice-bound, without
A Chinese diplomat said: 1.-The al
legged statements coming from the Chi
nese legations have been unwarranted
as the legation has not received word
from Picking since the first notice was
sent that a German force had landed
at Kiao-Chau without previous no
tee to the Chinese Government. It Is
felt, however, that many Of the re-
ports as to the seriousness OF the stu
alton, particularly those from Shang-
hal, are overdrawn. Judging from the
press dispatches, there appears to be
little doubt that the original purpose
of Germany to enforce an indemnity
has now developed into securing ma
val station at Kiao-Chau and pos
sibIy more territory on the ground
that Germany is entitled to return
for her services during the China-Ja-
y pan war But it appears to be over
Hooked that Germany has received
Adistinct returns for those services in
y the granting OF large concessions
which at the time of the grant were
considered as most valuable to Ger
many. AS to the Russian fleet al
Port Arthur, that is not a surprise. "A
Russian feet was wintered at Chi
nese port last winter with the consent
of China. as IT involved no sacrifice OF
territory. What the outcome VIII De
is difficult to say, but 1t is felt that ar
amtcable settlement viii be made, pos
4ibly by the granting Of COAST spa