The record-union., 1898-01-16
Conversations Solely Relative to the Pres
emit Situation in China.
The Kaiser Anxious as Regards
the Future Steps to be Taken
Japan-The Gar Of Russia,
in Personal Letter to the EN-
peror, Explains His Intentions
and Plans Regarding Man
churia and North China.

BERLIN, Jan. 15.-(Copyrighted,
1898, by the Associated Press. )-Twice
during the past week Emperor William
called unannounced at the Russian EN-
bassy and had long conversations va
Count Won Osten-Sacken, the Russian
ambassador. 1t is learned on good au-
thority that the conversations were
solely on the Far Eastern question The
Emperor is uncertain as to Japans
future steps in regard to China and
Corea, and Count Won Osten-Sacken,
on the strength of recent ST. Petersburg
information, was able to enlighten his
majesty fully on the subject.
The entente with Russia continues
undisturbed. The Gar, in n lengthy
personal letter, explained to Emperor
William shortly after the seizure of
Port Arthur Russia's Intentions and
plans regarding Manchuria and North
China
The correspondent of the Associated
Press learns that the whole of Trans
Caucasia, including the big province Of
Turkestan, will shortly be placed under
the control of Governor General
probably a Russian Grand Duke, who
will have practically unlimited military
administrative power. 1t is believed
that by such measure the welfare Of
the population of 2o,000O00 souls in
habiting territory separated from the
central Government by thousands of
miles can better be assured.
The changed rela tons between China
and Germany are strikingly shown in
the fact that the new Chinese Embas-
sador. who has just arrived, is ac-
credited to Berlin only. and not to sew
eral courts, as heretofore, and his corps
Of Secretaries has been increased from
six to thirty. The existing CONNER
cial treaty with China will be re-
tanned.
The Colonial Office is preparing a
civil administration for Kiaochau, and
the German Consul, Stebel, at Shang-
hal. is organizing provisional admin
istration. The first reports are anx-
iously awaited. 1t is intended that the
customs and internal service officials
at Kiaochau shall be Germans versed
in both Chinese and English, so that the
commercial interests of the port may
be better promoted.
The bill asking for appropriations for
the expenses of the Chinese expedition
cannot be presented until the next
Reichstag meets.
Austria and Germany have intimated
their willingness to attend the proposed
conference to discuss the abolition of
sugar bounties France is also showing
an inclination to join, SO a near meet
ing is proba able. The export of sugar
TO the United States has suffered enor-
mously through the Dingley tariff. In
fact, 1t has almost stopped. During
the last quarter of 1897 only S2I 600
worth of sugar was shipped from Ham,
burg, the principal sugar port of Ger
many.
The Agrarian press has started a
campaign against American wines. A
higher duty on American wines is de-
manded, on the ground that these
wines, especially those from California,
are directly competing with German
wines in the latter's market.
The "Deutsche Vein Zeitung," the
organ of the German winters, asserts
that there is no such competition, as
according to- the publication, the Cali
fornia wines, with their greater per-
centage of alcohol and acids. compete
in Germany only with Spanish, Ital-
ian and south of France wines.