The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-12-21
WI TING FANG TALKS.

Believes Russian Occupation OF Port Ar
thur Is Only Temporary. /,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-Minister WI
Ting Fang, the diplomatic representa-
tive OF China in this country, expressed
the belief that the reported occupancy
of Port Arthur by a Russian squadron
would prove to be but a temporary con.
venience to the cars fleet granted by
the Pekin government. He said the
Russian squadron in Asiatic waters
was granted permission last winter at
Kiao Chou, and the Russian ships re.
manned there during the winter, but as
o as WARM weather set in they re.
ruined their maneuvers in the Pacific
ocean. For the convenience Of the
Russian officers the Chinese govern.
ment sent interpreters to Kiao Chou
and made every effort to make them
comfortable.
In view OF the German occupancy of
Kiao Chou it was impossible to permit
the Russian ships to return to that
port, and the minister therefore believes
that the Russian admiral asked and re.
'eived permission to winter his ships at
Port Arthur. 1t is impossible for Rus
owing to the ice.
The minister also stated that it was
his opinion that the Germans would
eventually withdraw from kiao Chou.
So far as known in Washington, there
is no intention on the part of the Chi
nese government to seek the exercise of
the good offices of this government with
a view to securing the withdrawal of
Germany.
Would Extend American Interests.
Minister WI is extremely anxious
that American interests shall be ex.
tended in China. Two or three Ameri-
can syndicates are now seeking conces.
sions in the Celestial Kingdom, but be
is DESTROYS that more shall reach out for
Chinese trade, and thus promote com.
mercial relations between Pekin and
Washington governments. The United
States, he says, has no Interior motives
with reference to the empire. 1t does
not want Chinese territory and the de.
velopment of its interests in the Celes.
tial Kingdom would naturally increase
and strengthen the concern of this gov.
eminent in the welfare of it's Asiatic
friends. 1t is understood that the min
lister is considering the advisability Of
suggesting to his government that the
president be asked to authorize the en-
ployment by Chinese of army and naval
officers of the United States to train the
army and navy Of China. At present
English officers are employed for the
navy and German officers for the army,
but the governments which these gen..
tleman represent are both grasping for
Chinese territory.
Consider the Report Ridiculous.
The report that Germany proposes to
seize Hawaii and Samoa is regarded as
ridiculous by administration officials.
Germany has little interest, as com.
pared to other nations, in the Hawaiian
Islands. 1t is admitted that her inter-
ests in Samoa are large. The last ad.
ministration was willing to denounce
the treaty of June IA, 1889, between the
United States, Great Britain and Ger.
many. Mr.. Olney informing the Ger.
man ambassador here that 1.-The treaty
is unsatisfactory to the United States
and is one which its interests require to
be essentially modified or altogether
abrogated." President Mckinley pro.
poses that that the United States shall
retain its grip on Samoa and will agree
to no proposition which contemplates
the turning over of the share of this
government in Samoa to either Ger.
many or Great Britain.