The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-27
CIVFLIX4NG THEM.


tory more instructive to the student Of
current events in the Orient than the
story Of Geqmany's means of securing a
foothold in the Flowery Kingdom.
1t was not until 1897 that that nation
succeeded in accomplishing her purpose,
which she had fully foreshadowed for a
year before through the speeches and
! declarati of her foreign minister The
occupation Of Kiao Chou by Germany
was evidently accomplished, If not with
the active cooperation Of Russia, at least
with her clear assent and approval. 1t
was a year or over before that event
that the statement was made in the
Reichstag by responsible repre-
sentative of the ministry, that Russia and
Germany would act in concert in China.
The murder of the two German mission
aries was the immediate pretext for the
occupation Of what has been described
as the finest bay in China, a harbor in
which it is said the entire naval force
| of the world could maneuver with ease.
| Considering the extent of the concessions,
| railway and mining, which accompanied
the seizure Of Germany's present Chinese
port, it will be surprising If, before the
lease which she has secured has ex-
pired, Germany is not in full control Of
the entire province Of Shantung, in which
Kiao Chou is located.
Shortly after the German seizure. the
imperial secretary Of state, in disclaim-
ing any intention to promote or partici-
pate in the partition Of China, used Ian
guage which in It's almost brutal frank
ness may now be read with much interest,
and which explains a great deal regarding
the real position of Europe toward the
unfortunate nation which now appears to
be in its death throes The following is
a selection taken from the speech of Herr
Won Buelow on that occasion:
"AIl we have done is to provide that,
come what may, We ourselves snail not
go empty-handed. The traveller cannot
decide when the train Is to start, but
he can make sure not to miss it, when
1t does start. The devil takes the hind
most. But we do not desire-and l beg
| to impress this point on you've do not
| desire a partition Of China, and do not
! believe that there is an immediate pros
! pect of such division. But, in any case
| (and here, 1 think, | can best enumerate
the advantages secured to US by the oc-
| cHpation of the port as we'll as the rea-
sons which induced it,, in any case, 1 say,
| we have secured in Kiao Chou STRAIT
| egical and political position which as
SUI es us a decisive influence on the fu-
ture of the far East From this strong
position we can look with complacency
on the development Of affairs. We have
SnPh large GIlher0 of action and S3Ipl
important tasks before US that we have
no occasion to grudge other nations the
concessions made to them. German
diplomacy will pursue it's way in the
East, as everywhere else, calmly, firm
ly and peacefully. We will never play
the part of mischief maker, nor will we
play that of Cinderella"
There Is no misunderstanding language
like this. I'VE have such a large sphere
Of action and such important tasks be-
fore us . " 1t surely would not
tasks referred to if the empire had gone
"empty- handed The train had started,
but the German had not missed it. He
had found a comfortable compartment,
notwithstanding that he had not really
thought seriously Of entering upon his
journey until it had pulled out.
Americans can look on, not without
pity but certainl-- with a sense of SUI
periority, while this rifing of a nations
possessions is in progress The leases"
which are so popular with the Powers
are but a poor pretext The Chinese ma
ton will be non-existent long before they
have expired, if the lessees can have
their way. But at least as long as they
subsst it must be the care of this ma
ton to see that they are not used to the
destruction or disadvantage of America
rights or interests.