The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-12-21
Occupancy Of Port Arthur But
Temporary Measure.
TO WINTER IN vLADIvosTocK
Is Impossible os Account Of ce-AuIious to
have Americas Interests E1-
tssdsd in China.

New York, December 2-A special to
the Herald from washington Gays:
Minister WI Ying Fang, the diplomatic
representative Of China in this eOunary.
expressed the opinion that the reported
occupancy Of Port Arthur by a Ruasian
squadron would prove to be but a ternpor-
airy convenience to the czar's feet granted
by the Peking government He said the
I Russian squadron in Asiatic waters was
granted permission last year to winter
at Kiao Chou and the Russian ships re
mained there during the winter, but AZ
soon as warm weather set IN they re-
sumed d5eir maneTers in the Pacific
ocean For the convenience Of the Rus
sian officers the Chinese government sent
, interpreters 10 Kiao Chou ana made
every effort to make them comfortable
In view OF the German occupancy OF
Kiao Chou It was impossible, 10 permit
Russian ships to return to that port. and
the minister therefore believes the Rus
sian admiral asked and received pernIs-
sion to winter his ships at Port Arthur.
It is said the Russian vessels cannot
winter at vladivostock during the winter.
owing 10 the fee. The minister said ne
thought the Germars woaiid eventually
retire from Kiao Chou So far as knows
in Russia there Is no intention on the
part Of the Chinese government to seek
the exercise OF the good Offices OF this
government with q view OF securing the
Withdrawal Of Germany
Minister WI Is extremely anxious that
Amsricaa interests shall be extended in
China. Two or three American syndt
Gates are noS seeking concessions in the
Celestial kingdom. but he is desirous that
more shall reach ont for Chinese trade.
and thus promote commercial relations
between the Picking and Washington gov
ermpents. The Unted States. he says.
has no Interior motives with reference
, to the empire. II does not want Chinese
territory and the Developments OF its In
terests would naturally Increase the con
cern Of this government in the welfare
of its associate friends.
It is understood the minister Is consid-
ering the aSivisabflity OF suggesting to his
government that the president be asked
to authorize the employment by the Chi
nese OF army and navy officers OF the
United States to train the army and navy
of China. AT present English officers ara
employed for the navy and German Of
ficers for the army, but the governments
which these gentlemen represent are both
grasping for Chinese territory. The pol
lev which Germany Is pursuing in the
Pacific is a matter Of much speculation
in Washington. 1t is genera1ly believed
! the emperor has been simply moved by
his desire to urge the reichstag to pass
the bill for the German navy It was
said at the navy department that Ger
many is expending 100000 during 1Ss7-ss
for vessels under contsrnetion. One bat
tle-ship and two gunboats have been au-
thorized but work has not yet been COM
llnencei upon theGi.
! The vessels under construction incluee
two frst-elass battle ships, one amored
cruiser. five protected cruisers. one tor
pedo boat destroyer and eight torpedo
boats The report that Germany pro
poses TO seize Hawaii and Samoa Is re
garded as ridiculous by administration
officials. Germany has little interest as
compared with other nations in the Ha-
I waiian islands. It is admitted that her
interest IN Samoa is large. The last ad-
lministration was willing to denounce the
treaty of 1889. between the United States,
Great Britain and Germany Mr. olney
Informed the German ambassador here
that "the treaty Is unfavorable to the
United States and is one which should
be modified or abrogated altogether"