The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-01-01

coneernea In the Dlshzoa-
WksHMsfoS. Dec s9-The rapid
movement ofeyents in the far east com
tinues 70 be IN absorbing topic in Dip
lcmatic circles here, particularly st
the embassies and Legations of the
powers which are aligning for an APP
parent struggle for Chinese territory.
There is no further talk OF the United
States as q possible factor in the con-
test as the recent understanding at .
cabinet meeting is accepted as remov-
ing this government from the field Of
CONTROVERSY, At the same time. an
eminent authority on international
affairs is quoted as saying that
q situation might deyelope when
the United States would be called upon
to go much further than protect Amer
lean interests at the treaty ports in
China This situation would come. he
said, if the scramble for Chinese terri
tory went to the extent of the extine-
tion of China and the complete absorb
ton of the old empire By foreign ma
items. Such was the apparent drift of
the present movement. he said, and IL
It became a reality then q condition
would arise similar to the extermiua-
tion of Poland. Poland had estab-
lished a precedent in International af-
fairs. he said. and following that pre-
cedent, If China was to be absorbed.
then it was q question which the
United States, in common with all the
nations of the world, must take cogni-
zance of. Until this final movement
occurred, however, it was plain that
the United States had no interest Ia
the fencing Of European nations and
Japan for coaling stations and ports
on the Asiatic coast.
In the meantime. however, the dip
lomats are much concerned in the
movements of their respective govern
ments. A leading Japanese diplomat
said yesterday:
Il do not look at the question IS in
volving the partition OF China. and no
event has occurred thus far to indicate
that China is about. to be divided
among the powers. The only tangible
fact is that Germany has occupied
Kioa-Chsu bay, and that Russia
has a feet at Port Arthur. But
Germany's action was taken TO coll
lect an indemnity for an indignity to
German missionaries. just Us she en-
forced indemnity from Hayti. Beyond
this Germany may seek to establish a
naval station at KioalChau, and thus
have q naval base of operations on the
Pacific. But that does not involve the
taking of any considerable portion of
Chinese territory, and it is yet to be
shown that Germany will take more
than a coast port and suchNaud imme-
diately adjacent a to give the port
proper facilities. II it comes to taking
territory, the course of China must not
be overlooked. While China is weak
from q military and naval standpoint,
yet, she has an enormous number Of
men ready to take the field, while the
entire force Of Germans at Kioa-Chau
cannot exceed q few thousands. Even
o weak nation is strong in defending
its own territory. There are reports
that Japan would aid China in an ex-
tremity, but there is nothing in that
Japan doubtless will act alone il there
is any eason for acting at all. Thus
far, however, ! know of no steps that
Japan has taken or contemplates to-
ward taking part in the controversy.
Ny impression is that she will remain
independent and q neutral observer.
Her position will be much stronger by
such q policy than IL would be by an
alliance at the outset As an observer.
Il she sees hat the partition of China
is at hand, doubtless she would have
some part 20 take, but for the present
there is no evidence that such an emer-
geney is near"
A Chinese diplomat said:
.The alleged official statements conn
ing from the Chinese legation have
been u~nwarranted, as the legation has
not received q word from Pekin since
the first notice was sent that q Ger
man force had landed 81 Kioa-Chau,
without previous notice TO the Chinese
government. 1t is felt however. hat
many OF the reports as 20 the serious
ness of the situation particularly those
from Shanghai, are overdrawn- Judg-
ing from the press dispatches, there
appears 70 be little doubt that the orig
inatpurpose of Germany 70 enfofce an
Indemnity has now developed into
securing Q naval station st Kioe-chsu
and possibly more territory on the
ground that Germany Is entitled
IN raturn for her earvica