The age-herald., 1898-01-09
GERMAN CONQUEST
 OF LITTLE VALUE KiaO Chau Bay Not Likely to Prove a Bed
 of Roses. TIE BRITISH GOVERNMENT Still Maintains a SphynK-Like Reserve Concerning Chinese Situation. RUSSIA AND FRANCE COURTING JAPAN Both of the Former in Deadly Fear That She Will Form an Offensive and Defensive
 Alliance With Great Britain.
 The Chinese Loan.
RUSSIA AND FRANCE COURTING JAPAN

details of the terms of the acquisition of Kiao Chou 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, Kiao Chau bay is of little commercial value, and will only be a source of huge expense for the "German Jamesoners." If the harbor had been commercially valuable, it is pointed out, it would long ago have been made treaty port; but it is said to be completely overshadowed by the close proximity of fourshing Che Foo. The province of Shan Tung, it is added, is en- tirely agricultural and hardly able to sup port it's population, while the strategic value of Kiao Chau bay can be inferred by the fact of Russia, in spite of the Casini treaty, allowing Germany to occupy it. AL together, Kiao Chau bay is not likely to prove 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 Jan. 5, and cabled to the Associated Press at that time, which was unquestionaby the official view of the situation. A conclusive Illus tration of the attitude of the British gov ernment is furnished by the presence or warships of Great Britain at Chemulpo and Port Arthur, and it is likely to be further demonstrated by sending of ships to kiao bay.
 Will Not Formally Protest In well informed circles it is asserted that it is not likely Great Britain will formally protest against the lease of Kiao <s-. l., ,4 xxI onyafn mo self ts the significant hint given in the movements of her fleet that she intends to claim an equal share of all China's con sessions in regard to all seaports, "leased or looted," as being additional treaty ports. As a leading diplomat remarked to rep resentative of the Associated Press "The statesmen of Berlin and St. Peters, burg must be strangely unobservant 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 support the British demand that no exclusive priv ileges be granted to any individual power in China, and says:
 'sNothing short of a direct menace or az gression would tempt any combination of
 
 Saxon race united and resolved. 1t is amusing to notice Russi and France co,,rting Japan Both of them are in deadly fear of her forming an offensive and de- fensiye 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 cer- tain guarantee a Chinese loan. At the present moment, so far as Great Britain is concerned. the loan is the kernel of the whole question.
 Suggestive Piece of News
 A suggestive piece of news is that Japan has purchased two cruisers of 9.0j0 tons ach. which have been building in England for Chii.
 If is not believed if the Chinese loan is completed it will affect the market for sil- 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 manifest ed in all quarters. Immense supplies Of ammunition and food are being forwarded to the front, and it is whispered in military circles that this means that the ministers desire to meet parliament with Khartoum in their hands, so that triumph in Africa may offset the blunders in India. Even with the liveliest efforts, however, the time intervening will hardly suffice for coup in the Soudan The Anglo-Egyptian force consists of 1S,000 Egyptians, three battal- ions of British troops and the Nile gum boats all commanded by the Sirdar, Sir | Herbert Kitchener. The latter refuses to allow the war correspondent to go beyond the head of the railway.
 A letter has been received from British officer serving in the Soudan, who says that since July the Dervishes have killed over 2,OOO of the Jaalin tribe, and he adds that the women and children who are homeless and starving number 5000 souls.
 The Statist expresses the opinion that the fact that a resolution has been intro- | duced in congress to pay 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 con- gress.
 "In spite of Secretary Gage's confidence. we regret that under the circumstances | we are obliged to continue cautioning Brit ishers against investing in America until | the question is settled"
 The Statist further says: Under ordi- | nary circumstances we should like much l of our savings invested in the United | States, where majority of the citizens are l our kin and whom we desire to see prosper ous."
 The statist admits that the present pros