The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-25
ONLY FOR THE WINTER.
Russia's Occupancy of Port Arthur Not
Permanent,

Washington, ID. c., Dee. 2O.-Ministcr
Wa Ting Fang, the diplomatic repre-
sentative of China in this country, eN-
pressed the belief that the reported occu-
pancy of Port Arthur ty Russian
squadron would prove to be but a tenn
polafE convenience to the Cars fleet
granted by the Pekin government. He
said the Russian squadron III Asiatic wa
tcrs was granted permission last winter
ut MAO Chou and the Russian ships re-
manned there during the winter but as
soon as warm weather set i'll they re-
Suned their maneuvers in the Pacific
| ocean. For the convenience of the Rus
sian officers the Chinese government sent
interpreters to kiao Chou and made ey-
cry effort TO make them comfortable.
In view of the German occupancy of
NlGo Chou. 1t was impossible To permit
the RUSSIAN ships TO return to that port
and the minister. therefore, believes that
tn" Russian admiral asked and received
PERMISSION to winter his ships at Port
Arthur. 1t is impossible for Russian
vessels to anchor at Nladivostock during
the winter owing to the ice.
Inc munster also stated that il was his
oplnlon that the Germans would cvrntu-
ally Withdraw from kiao Chou SO far
as known III Washington, there is no in
t"ntinn on the part of the Chinese GOV
eminent to seek the exercise of the good
Offices OF this government with a view to
v.
Minister WI is extremely anxious tnat
American interests shall be extended in
China Two or three American synii-
Gates are now seeking concessions i'll the
Celestial kingdom. but he is desrous hat
more shall reach out for Chinese trade
and thus promote commercial relations
between the Pekin and Washington GOV
crnmentS.
The United States. he says. has 10 ul-
terror motives with reference to the eln
rirC. 1t does not want Chinese territory
and the development of its interests i'll
the Celestial Kingdom would naturally IN
crca>" and strengthen the concern Of this
government in the welfare of its ASidric
friends. 1t is understood that the minis
ter is considering tire advisa bility of Sug-
gesting to his government that the Pres
dent be asked to authorize the employ
mcnt by the 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 Senf!"-
men represent are both grasping for Chi
u"Sr territory.
The policy which Germany is pursuing
in the Pacific * a matter of much Spccu-
latiun in Washington. 1t is generally be
leved that the Emperor has simply been
influence ed by his desire to secure the pas
sage bv the Rcichstag of the bin to in
the navy department that Germany Is eN-
pcnding $9W0,0po during the year 1897
9S for vessels under construction. One
hattlnship and two gunboats have been au-
thor:zcd. hut work has not yet been COM
mcnccd upon them. The vessels under
construction include two hrst-clasS battle
ships. one armored cruiser, five protected
cruisers. one torpedo boat destroyer and
eight tOrpCu0 boats.
The report that Germany proposes TO
seize Hawaii and Samoa is regarded as
ridiculous 10y administrative officials.
Grrmanv has little interest, as compared
10 other nations. in the Hawaiian isl
ands. 1t is admitted that her interests in
Samoa are large. The last adminiStrs
ron was willing to denounce the treaty
nf June Il. 1889, between the United
States. Great Britain and Germany.
Mr.. Olncv informing the German am
hasSador that ''the treaty is unsatiSfaC
tory to the United States. and is one
which its interests require to be essen
TALLY modified or altogether ahrOgated."
President Mckinley proposes that the
United States shall retain its grip on
Samoa and VIII agree to no proposition
which contemplates the turning over of
the share of this government in Samoa TO
either Germany or Great Britain.