The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-09
HHRBoR CANNOT BE CLOSED
BRITAIN INSISTS ON OPENING ALL
"LEAsED AND LOOTEDr PORTS.
Russia, France and Germany Trying
China-Japanese Alliance.


Copyright. 1858, by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Jan. S.-The disclosure of the
details and terms of the acquisition of
Kiaochau bay by Germany momentarily
scared the British public, which. however.
now regards Germany's move with all the
more equanimity as, in the opinion of per-
sons intimately acquainted with China
Kiaochau bay is of little commercial value
and will only be a source of huge expense
for the German Jamesoners." If the har-
bcr had been commercially valuable, 1t is
pointed out it would long ago have been
made a treaty port; but 1t is said to be com
pletely overshadowed by the close proximity
of f1ourishing Che-Foo The province OF
Shan-Tung, it is added, is entirely sgrieul-
tural and hardly able to support ITS popu-
lation, while the strategic value Of Kiao-
chau bay can be inferred by the fact of
Russia, in spite of the Cassini treaty, allow
ing Germany to occupy it. Altogether,
Kiaochau bay is not likely to prove bed
of roses.
The British government maintains a
sphinxlike reserve regarding Chinese af-
fairs, and there are no further revelations
of her intentions since the state nent made
by the Manchester Guardian on Jan. 3,
which was unquestionably the official view
of the situation. A conclusive illustration
OF the attitude of the British government
IS furnished by the presence of war ships
of Great Britain at Chemulpo and Port Ar
thur, and it is likely TO be further Demon
strated by The sending of ships TO Kiaochau
bay.
In well-informed circles it is asserted that
1t is not likely Great Britain will formally
protest against the lease of Kidochau bay
to Germany, but will confine herself to the
significant hint given in the movements of
her feet that she intends to claim an equal
share of all China's concessions in regard
to all seaports, leased or looted as being
additional treaty ports. AS a leading diplo-
mat remarked: THE statesmen of Berlin
and ST. Petersburg must be strangely unob-
servant if 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 exclusive
privileges be granted to any individual pow
er in China, and says: Nothing short of
a direct menace of aggression 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
fear of her forming an offensive and de-
fensive alliance with Great Britain. AS
matter Of fact, there are things much more
unlikely than the eventual alliance of Great
Britain, China and Japan and the contin-
gency would acquire still more probability
should great Britain, as it now seems
certain guarantee a Chinese loan. AT the
present so far as Great Britain is con-
cerned, 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 Chile. 1t is not believed the
Chinese loan, if completed, will affect the
market for silver. AS the money is required
to pay the Japanese war indemnity and
would not be sent to China, silver could not
be utilized.
rumor was in circulation this afternoon,
emanating from the dock yards at Ports
mouth, that flying squadron of British
ships was to be formed for service in Chi
nese waters. The rumor, however, proved
to be unfounded.
A dispatch from Peking says the Chinese
universally resent the governments conces-
sions to Germany.
The Russian military adviser, Col. Mar
inoff. engaged by China, has arrived at
Picking with two subalterns
The French second-class cruiser Pascal
OF about 1900 tons, sailed from Toulon to-
day to reinforce the French fleet in Chi
nese waters.