The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-11
JOHN BULLS CONSOLATION
he SAYS KIAO CHOU Is IA VERY
UNDEsIRABLE LOCATION

Efforts to Draw the United States Into the
Eastern Quarrel-Ensiand To Allow No
Exclusive Concessions by China Russia
and France Fearing an Angso-Japanese
Allisnce-Ac,ivltyi in British Advance Up
Ethe Siie-re Reopen the May brick Case
copyrighted by the Associated Press)
London. January s.-The disclosure OF
the details and terms of the acQuisi-
ton of kiao-Chou bay by Germany mo-
mentarily scared the British public.
which. however, now regards Germany's
move with all the more equanimity as In
the opinion OF persons intimately ac-
quainted with China. Kiao-Chou bay is
of little commercial value and Will only
be a series OF huge expense for the Ger
man Jamesoners." II the harbor had
been commercially valuable il is pointed
out, il would long ago have been made
a treaty port, but it is to be complete
ly overshadowed by the close proximity
of fiourishing Che Foo. The province of
Shan-Tung, it is added, is entirely agri-
cultural and hardly able TO support its
population, while the strategic value of
Kiao-Chou bay can be inferred by the
fact Of Russia, in spite of the Cassini
treaty. allowing Germany to occupy 1t.
Altogether, Kiao-Chou bay Is not likely
to prove a bed of roses.
A conclusive illustration of the atti-
tude of the British government is fur
niShed by the presence of warShips OF
Great Britain at Cemulpo and at Port
Arthur, and it is likely to be further de-
monStrated by the sending of ships to
kiao-Chou bay.
In well-informed circles it is asserted
that it is not likely Great Britain will
formally protest against the lease of
x inn Eh.aa h.axr
fine herself to the significant hint given
in the movements of her fleet, that she
intends to claim an equal share of all
China's concessions in regard 10 all sea-
ports Leased or looted" as being addi-
tional treaty ports.
AS a leading diplomat remarked to a
representative of the Associated Press:
The statesmen of Berlin and st. Peters
burg must be strangely unobservant IL
they imagine that either Great Britain
the United States or Japan will allow
them the monopoly of the plums."
The Spectator revels in the statement
that the United States is inclined to sup
port the British demand that no exclu-
sive privileges be granted TO any indi-
viduai power in China, and says: Moth
ing short of a direct menace of aggres-
sion would tempt any combination of
continental powers TO face the whole
Anglo-SaXon race united and resolved 1t
is amusing to notice Russia and France
counting Japan. Both of them are in
deadly fear of her forming an offensive
and defensive alliance with Great Bri-
tain. AS a matter of fact, there are
I things much more unlikely than the
eventual alliance of Great Britain China
and Japan, ands>the contingency would
acquire still more probability should
Great Britain, as 1T now seems certain,
guaranteed a Chinese loan"
suggestive piece of news is that
Japan has purchased two cruisers of 5000
tons each, which have been building in
England for China.
Ut is not believed the Chinese loan, If
completed, Will effect the market for sill
yer. AS the money is required to pay
the Japanese war indemnity and would
not be sent to China, silver could not be
utilized.
The official statement that the military
tactics in Egypt are purely defensive is
not credited. The greatest activity is
manifested in all quarters. Immense sup
plies of ammunition and food are being
forwarded to the front and it is whisper
| ed in military circles that this means
that the ministers desire to meet par
| lament with Khartoum in their hands
| so that a triumph in Africa may offset
| the blunders in India. Even with the
| lfvelfest effort, however, the time inter-
| vening will hardly suffice for a coup in
| the SOudan.
A letter has been received from a Brit
| ish officer serving in the Soudan who
| says since July the Deverishes have kill
| ed over 1900 of the Jaalin tribe and he
| adds that the women and children home
| less and starving number 5000. They
have dragged themselves to Berber. he
| continues, where We have scarcely ,suf-
| fcient food for own people" Con-
| tlnulng, the officer writes: "A charity
| committee Of the officers has been form
ed and is doing good work with the $500
| subscribed. But the refugees are in
| creasing in number"
The Statist expresses the opinion that
the fact that a resolution has been in
troduced in congress to pay the interest
| on the United States debt either in gold
or silver indicates that there is little
chance of any reform OF the currency by
| the present congress, lin spite of Secre-
tary Cages confidence" and regrets that
l under the circumstances, it is obliged &c
| continue cautioning Britishers agains,
investing in America until the currency
| question is settled.
The foreign trade of Great Britain dur.
| ing 1897 was the largest in history. The
| exports imports and re-exports amount
ed to G145. Az. 900. The increase was en-
| tirely on imports and re-exports. the de.
cline in exports amounting to s5. 900.
| The case OF Mrs. Florence Maybrck
| will perhaps be re-opened shortly in an.
| other form.
| The Swedes seem inclined to take ad.
| vantage OF Russian pre-occupation in the
| far east to reopen hostilities with Nor.
! way. When the relations between the
| two countries were strained in 1896 Il
became evident that Rissia was inclined
to aid Norway, in exchange for tessior
| If Finmark, including the port of Ham
| merfest.
The appointment Of ex-King Milan a.
| comma ander-in-chief of the Servian army
i mas caused sensation. In well-inform
| ed circles the opinion Is expressed tha
| the appointment was necessary as tn.
| SerVIan army, which has great admira
tion for the former king. is assuming
an Independent attitude. The course Of
| AFFAIRS in Seryia indicates that King Al.
| exander may ere long retire in favor o
| his father