Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-09
ENGLISH DISCOVER THAT KIAO-
CHOU HAS LITTLE VALUE.
PROFESS GREAT EQUANIMITY.
BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS SPHINX
LIKE AS EVER.
Very Evidently Intends to Claim an
Equal Share In Every Grab That
Is Made-Talk of Il British
Chinese-Japanese
Alliance.

London, Jan. S~.-(Copyrighted. 1898. by
the Associated PreSs.) The disclosure Of the
details and terms of the acquisition OF
kiao-Chou bay by Germany momentarily
scared the British public, which. however.
now regards Germany's move wial all the
more equanimity, as, in the opinion OF
persons intimately acquainted with China
Kiao-Chou bay is of little commercial value
and will only be a source of huge expense
for the German Jamesoners.' II the har-
Dor had been commercially valuable. it is
pointed out, it would long ago have been Il
treaty port, but it is said to be completely
overshadowed by the close proximity of
f1ourishing Che Foo. The province Of Shan
Tung, it is added, is entirely agricultural,
and hardly able to support its population.
while the strategic value of kiao-Chou
bay can be inferred by the fact that Rus
| STA, in spite of the Cassini treaty, allow
ing Germany to occupy it. Altogether,
Kiao-Chou bay is not likely to prove a bed
of roses.
The British government maintains a
Sphynx-like reserve regarding Chinese af-
fairs, and there are no further revelations
of her intentions since the statement made
by the Manchester Guardian on January 8.
and cabled to the Associated Press at that
time, which was unQueStionably the Of
fetal view of the situation.
A conclusive illustration of the attitude of
the British government is furnished by the
presence of warships of Great Britain at
Chemulpo and Port Arthur, and it is likely
to be further demonstrated by the sending
of ships to kiao-Chau bay.
In well informed circles. it is asserted
that it is 10 likely that Great Britain will
formally protest against the lease Of kiao-
Chou bay to Germany. but will contine her.
self to the significant hint given in the
movements of her fleet that she intends to
claim an equal share Of all China's con-
cessions in regard to all seaports ceased
or looted as being additional treaty ports.
AS a leading diplomat remarked to a rep
resentative of the Associated Press: "The
statesmen of Berlin and st. Petersburg
must be ~strenuously unobservant If they
imagine that either Great Britain, the
United States or Japan will allow them a
monopoly of the plums."
The Spectator reveals that the United
States is inclined to support the British
demand that no exclusive privileges be
granted to any individual power in China,
and says: Nothing short of 4 direct men,
ace of aggression would tempt any combi-
ration of Continental powers to face the
whole Anglo-Saxon race. united and re-
solved"
1t is amusing to notice Russia ana
France counting Japan. Both of them are
in deadly fear of her forming offensive
and defensive lliances with Great Brit
ain.
AS a matter of fact, there are things
much more unlikely than the eventual al
lance, of Great Britain, China and Japan.
and the contingency would acquire still
mere probability should Great Britain, as it
now seems certain. guarantee a Chinese
loan. At the present moment. so far as
Great Britain is concerned, the loan is the
kernel of the whole question.
A suggestive piece of news is that Japan
has purchased two cruisers of 5000 tons
each. which have been building in England
for China
1t is not believed the Chinese loan. If
completed, will affect the market for silver.
AS the money is required to pay the Jap
anese war indemnity. and would not be
sent to China. silver could not be utilized.