The Portland daily press., 1897-12-23
SOUNDING THE AMERICANS.
England and China Would Welcome Our
Intervention.

Washington, December GAIT is IN
derstood that the authorities have been
unofficially sounded as to the attitude of
the United States towards the complica-
tions in the far east with view to learn
ing whether American interests In Chlna
We're regarded as sufficient to warrant any
active step by this government.
From what sources the inquiries nave
com is not disclosed. If from Great Brl-
tHin it must have come through Colonel
Hay, the Am rican ambassador at Lon
don, as the British officials here have re-.
ceived no instructions as to the Chinese
situation.
1t is well understood, however, that
Great Britain would look with favor on
any active steps by the United States
which would serve as a check for the
advances of Germany and Russia. The
British interests in China are ten times
greater than those of Germany, Russia
and the United States and yet with Ger
many and Russia firmly located on Chi
nose soil, Great Britain is left in q sort of
cul de sac.
1t is known also that the Chinese
authorities would welcome movement
by the United States, and that this has
been communicated to officials here.
Although these soundings, for they
amount to nothing more rs yet, have not
taken official form, they have been sufI.
Gent to gain a pretty general under
standing as to the attitude of this govern
nIent.
This in brief is that the United States
has no interest in territorial extension
now going on in China; that she will
land at any of the coast ports of China.
as Germany and Russia have done; and
that her only concern is to guard estiab-
lished American interests in China.
These American interests appear to
be much greater than is generally known.
AT the treaty ports there are American
settlements and an American reservation
within which Americans may own prop
erty and try their civil and criminal cases
before their own courts, conducted by
American consuls. Some of these Ameri-
can settlements are quite extensive.
Al these points the ceremonial interests
of the United States are large and are
constantly growing.
ON BRINK OF TROUBLE.
ST. Petersburg. December 22--In a
strongly anti-British article today, the
NoVoSti says:
I'm consequence of the pretension OF
England to compensate herself for the
Russian occupation of Port Arthur by
the acquisition of Port Hamilton or
Lazaroff and in view of the possibility of
tn disturbing action of Japan, Europe
stands on the brink of grave diplomatic
complications. 1t is therefore we'll to re-
call the reinforcement of the German
squadron in the Pacific permits Russia,
France and Germany to effectively pre-
vent a disturbance of the balance of
power
RUSSIA CHINA'S ONLY FRIEND.
Pekin, December 22.-The Chinese
government has granted Russia permits
sion 10 winter squadron at Port Arthur.
Great Britain demands guild proquo
if concessions have been made to other
powers. Is has been suggested that the
Japanese and British occupy Wei Hal
Wei jointly. The situation at Kiao
Chou bay Is unchanged.
Germany remains unyielding and the
Chinese counsels are divided as to whether
| it should be peace or war with Germany
| China regards Russia as her only friend,
and is asking her advice alone.