The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-09
her Ships IN EVIDENCE At CHINESE PORTS
France and Russia Fear an Alliance Be-
tween England and Japan.


Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press)
London, Jan. s. 1898.
The disclosure of the details and
terms Of the acquisition of Kiao Chou
Bay by Germany momentarily scared
the British public. which, however,
now regurds Germany's move with all
the more equanimity as, in the opn-
Ion of persons intimately acquainted
with China, Kiao Chou Bay is of little
commercial value and will only be q
series Of huge expense for the Ger
man Jamesoners" II the harbor had
been commercially valuable, it is
pointed out, 1t would long ago have
been made q treaty port; but 1t is said
to be completely overshadowed by the
close proximity of flourishing 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 IIuo Chou
Bay can be inferred by the fact Of
Russia, III spite of the Cassini treaty,
allowing Germany TO occupy 1t. AL
together. Kiao Chou Bay is not likely
TO prove Il bed of roses
The British Government maintains n
sphinX-l!ke reserve regarding Chinese
affairs, end there are no further re-
Telat!ons OF her intentions since the
statement made by the Manchcs ter
Guardian on Jenuary 3D., and cabled
to the Associated Press at that time.
which was unquestlonab!y the official
view of the situation.
a conclusive illustration OF the ntti-
tude of the British Government as fur
niShed by the presence OF war ships
OF Great Britain at Chcmulpo and
Port Arthur. and it is likely to be
further demonstrated by the sending
OF ships to Iiao Chou Bay.
In we'll, informed circles il Is asserted
that 1t is not likely Great Britain will
formally protest against the lease of
Kiao Chou Bay to Germany, but will
confine herself to the significant hint
given in the movements OF her fleet
that she intends to claim an equal
share of all Chnu's concessions In re-
gard to all scapor:S leased or looted
as being additional treaty ports
The Spectator revcls in the state
ment that the United States is inclin-
ed to support the British demand that
no exclusive privileges be granted to
any individual power in China, and
says: Nothing short of q 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 counting Japan. Both of them
are in deadly fear of he. forming an
offensive and defensive 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 CON
ttngency would acquire still more prob
ability should Great Britain, rs II now
3 seems certain, guarantee a Chinese loan
AT the present moment, so far as Great
EUtan Is concerned. the loan is the
kernel of the whole question.
u suggestive piece of news is that ia.
1t.n has purchased two cruisers of
9'OuO'rons each, which have been build
ing in England for China.
The official statement that the militia
ry tactics in EGYPT arc purely defensive
is not credited. The greatest activity
Is manifested in all quarters Immense
supplies of ammunition ana food are
being forwarded to the front, and 1t is
whispered in military circles that this
means that the ministers desire TO
meet Parliament with Khartoum in
their hands, so that a triumph in AZ
rlca may offset the blunders in India
Even with the livelicst effort. however
the time intervening will hardly suf-
nee Tor coup IN the Soudan. The
Anglo Egyptian force consists of is. .0oG
Egyptians. three battallons of British
troops and the Nile gunboats, all com
manded by the Sirdar. Sir Herbert
kitchener. The latter refuses to allow
the war correspondents to 80 beyond the
head of the railway
The statlst expresses the opinion that
the fact that resolution has been in
troduced IN Congress to pay the inter
est on the United States debt either in
gold or silver Indicates that there IS
httle chance of my reform of the cur
rency by the present Congress, in spi;e
Of Secretary Cages confidence. and re-
gret that under the circumstances It is
obliged to continue cautioning British
ers against investing in America until
the currency question is settled.
The foreign trade of Great Britain
during 1897 was the largest in It's his
tory. Her total exports. imports and
re-eXports amounted to G7454 00O
G3.722,l15,ooO. The increase was en-.