Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-09
BRITAIN AND CHINA.
T<TAO-CHAU LIKELY TO BE OF
LITTLE VALUE TO GERMANY.
SEAPORTS LEASED OR LOOTED
John bull VIII Claim nn Equal
Share I'm NIL Chinese Concessions
Uncle Sans Sympathy Appreciated.
Currency Reform-Etc.
Copyrighted. 1898. by the Associated


| OF klao -Chau Bay by Germany mo-
mentarily scared tho British public.
which, however, now regards Germany's
move with all the more equanlmity as,
In the opinion OF persons intimately ac-
quainted with China. Kiao-Chau Bay is
OF little commercial value, and will only
be a source Of huge expense for the Ger
man Jamesoners." If the harbor had been
commercially valuable, it is pointed out,
II would long ago have been made a
treaty port; but it is said to be complete
| ly overshadowed by the close proximity
Of flourishing Che-Foo. The province OF
| Shan-Tung, it is added, is entirely agri-
cultural, and hardly able to support its
| population, while the strategic value Of
tho port can be inferred from the fact
| that Russia, in spite of the Cassini treaty,
! allowed Germany to occupy It. Alto
| gether, Kiao-Chau Bay Is not likely to
| prove bed Of roses.
The British Government maintaias a
| sphynx-lke reserve regarding Chinese af-
| fairs, and there are no further revelations
| OF her intentions since the statement
made by the Manchester Guardian, on
January Sd, and cabled to the Associated
Press at that time, which was unques-
tionably the official 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 1t is
likely to be further demonstrated by the
sending Of ships to Kiao-Chau Bay.
In well-informed circles it is asserted
that II is not likely that Great Britain
Will formally protest against lease Of
kiao-Chau Bay TO Germany, but will con-
fine herself to the significant hint, given
in the movements of her feet, that she
intends to claim an equal share of ali
China's concessions in regard to seaports
leased or looted" as being additional
treaty ports.
UNCLE SANS ATTITUDE.
As a leading diplomat remarked to a
representative of the Associated Press:
THE statesmen Of Berlin and st. Peters
burg must be strangely unobservant IL
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 ex-
elusive privileges be granted to any in
dividual Power in China, and says: mo
thing short of direct menace Of agrees
sion 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 her forming an
offensive and defensive alliance with
Great Britain. AS q matter OF fact, there
are things much more likely than the
eventual alliance of Great Britain China,
and Japan, and the contingency is still
greater that Great Britain will guaran-
tee a Chinese loan.
At the moment, the Chinese loan IS the
kernel Of the whole nut. II is not be-
lieyed the Chinese loan, IL completed will
affect the market for silver as the money
is required TO pay the Japanese war
indemnity, and would not be sent 10
China. Silver could not be utilized.
IN THE SOUDAN.
The official statement that military
tactics in the Soudan are purely defensive
is not credited. The greatest activity is
manifested in all quarters. Immense sup
plies of ammunition and food are being
forwarded to the front, and it is whisper
ed i'm military circles that this means
that the ministers desire to meet Par.ia-
ment with Khartoum in their hands, so
that a triumph in Africa may Offset
blunders in India.
Even with the liveliest effort however,
the time Intervening will hardly suffice
for "coup" in the Soudan. The Anglo
Egyptian force consists OF 1900 Egypt |
ians, three battalions of Ihitish troops, |
and the Nile gunboats, all commanded by |
the Srdar, Sir Herbert Kitchener. The |
latter refuses to allow the war CORES |
pondents to go beyond the head Of the |
A letter has been received from a |
British officer serving in the Soudan, who |
SAYS that since July the Dervishes have |
killed over 1000 Of the Jaalin tribe, and |
he adds that the women and children who |
are homeless and starving number 5000. |
They have ragged themselves TO Berber, |
he continues, where we have scarcely |
sufficient food for our own people"
Continuing, the officer writes: "a |
charity committee of the officers has been |
formed and is doing good work with the
$500 @15OO subscribed. But the refugees
are increasing in number"
CURRENCY REFORM IN AMERICA.
The Statist expresses the opinion that
the fact that a resolution has been in
troduced in Congress TO pay the interest
on the United states debt either in gold
Dr. silver indicates that there is little
chance of any reform Of the currency,
''in spite OF Secretary Cages confidence"
and expresses regret that under the cir
it is obliged to continue
,autioning investors against investing in
United States securities until the cur
rency question is settled.
The foreign trade of Great Britain dur
ng 1897 was the largest in history The
otal exports, imports, and re-exports
amounted 10 Cts, $1,000 (SS,722 ,ll5000). The
Increase was entirely or imports and re-
exports, the decline in exports amounting
% e5,7s9 600 (S2S, 5000. The growth of
he imports is almost entirely due TO the
luge purchases OF produce In the United
States, amounting TO f1l4600000 Cs573 ,OO0.-
oO. The greatest quantity of the ex-
ports were textiles
THE MAVERICK CASE.
The case Of Mrs. Florence Maybrick
Will perhaps be reopened shortly in an
)ther form.
Important evidence in favor of Mrs.
Edith May Carew has been discovered,
md an inluentially signed petition 10
he Queen asking for her retrial in Eng
and is preparing.
The Swedes seem inclined 10 take adj
'antage of Russian preoccupation in the
ar East to reopen hostiiities with Nor
way. When the relations between the
wo countries were strained in 1896 it
,ecame evident that Russia was inclined
o aid Norway, in exchange for the ces-
ion OF Finmark, including the port OF
SERVIA.
The appointment OF ex-King Milan as
ommander-in-chief of the Servian army
as capgal a sensation In Well-infOrmed |