Willmar tribune., 1898-01-04
TAE CZAR'S LATEST MOVE
Russian Troops Now Occupy Kin
Chau, an Important Port, and
Can Defy the World.
The MOVE IS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.
RusSin's Ruler Is Now in Practical
Possession of Corea-Fhe Situation
in the Orient IL Fraught with Dam
ger-Value of the Position Take1,
-Amcricn Ii Interested.

-Amcricn IL Interested.
London. Dec. 28.-Russia has made
another grab of Chinese territory, and
evidently is intent upon forcing the
hand of Great Britain in regard to parti-
ton. News comes that the czar's forces
have occupied Kin-Chau, lying north of
Port Arthur. This places them little
nearer Peking, and gives them CON-
mand of another important strategic
position in the Gulf of Lau-Tung. The
incident has intensified the interest in
oriental affairs, and is taken to mean
that the car is intrenching himself in
the Flowery kingdom. It is also taken
as signifying that an understanding ex-
lists with Germany and possibly with
France.
It is expected, however, that when
the French cruisers get into Chinese
waters seizures will be made, and that
Britain will then be compelled to grab
territory in an attempt to preserve the
balance of power in the Yellow sea.
Action is likewise awaited on the
part of Japan, whose indemnity is like
]y to remain unpaid should all the pow
crs appropriate the Chinese littoral.
It is conceded that the situation is
more fraught with danger than at any
time since the German occupation of
Kiao-Chau bay.
Value of the Position.
San Francisco, Dec. 29.-Ei I. Shep-
pard, who has recently returned from
I, !, 1E ~
ton, commenting upon the reported oc-
cupation of Kin-Chau by Russia, said,
Monday: "Kin-Chau is an important
walled city (not an open port), at the
head of the Gulf of Lau Tung, and it
commands the mouth of the river Yaloo,
where the great naval battle between
the japanese and Chinese was fought,
and the other important rivers which
flow into the gulf. It is about equi-
distant between the mouth of the Yaloo
river and the terminus of the great wall
of China. It commands the railway sys-
tenn recently constructed from Ten
Tsin to the capital of Manchuria, and is
of preeminent Importance as stra-
tegic position. The seizure of this port
shows that Russia has practically taken
possession of Corea, Manchuria and the
Gulf of Lau Tung, and possesses sig
rificance which will cause consterna-
ton among the diplomats in the old
world. It's situation is such that it's
possession practically places Russia in
a position to defy the world.
We Are Interested.
Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Nor
gan, of Alabama, Of the. committee on
foreign relations, said that it would be
| impossible for the United States to re-
main complacent should European ma.
tions undertake the dismemberment OF
China. Senator Morgan said:
1.-THE German occupation of part OF
| other parts by various European nations is
! an effort to complete a Gordon of offense to
| American commerce from Vladivostok tt
| Marseilles or to Liverpool. That Gordon i:
! 6OO, ,0OO, 900 Of people who have direct trade
! and intercourse with the Pacific ocean
J There Is a great deal in the Chinese prob.
! lem that vitality interests Americans and
| which seems to demand immediate consid.
| Grafton from the state department and
| congress-"
Britain to Take a Hand.
London, Dec. ga special dispa tch
from Shanghai says the British feet
| has anchored at Port Hamilton. The
| dispatch further says that report is
current at Chee Foo to the effect that
the japanese fleet has also arrived at
Port Hamilton.
Port Hamilton is a small island south
of Corea and not far from the Quelpart
! island.
France Takes a Slice.
London, Dec. 3O.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Singapore confirms the
report of the seizure of Hai-Nan island
Ey the French. Hai-Nan island is of
the south coast Of China and separates
the Gulf of Tonquin from the China
sea. 1t has an estimated area of H., ,0OO
square miles and population of 1,00O,-
| 600 Chinese, exclusive of wild tribes in
the interior.