The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-02-24
GERMAAy'S COLONIES.
Baron Speck Won Sternburg
Talks About Kiao-Chow.
Steamship Lines Established and
Building of Railroads Undertaken.
Great Value to United States of the
Philippine Islands - British and
French Ports In China.

Philippine Islands - British and
French Ports In China.
Philadelphia, Feb. 23.-Baron Speck
Won Sternberg, the German ambassa-
dor to the United States, upon whom
the University of Pennsylvania yester
cay conferred the degree of doctor of
laws, was the principal speaker at the
regular monthly meeting of the Ameri.
can Academy of Political and Social
Science at the New Century drawing
room last night. His subject was
The Germans as Colonizers." He
was later rendered a reception by
members of the academy.
Baron Won Sternburg, after refer
rlng at length to the part taken BY
German immigrants "in elevating the
United States to its present great
ness concluded as follows:
Time is too short for me to dwell
on the history and development Of
Germanys colonies in Africa and in
the Pacific, but | think it may he of
interest to you to hear a few words
about her Chinese possession, Kiao
Chow, since the eyes of the world are
turned towards the backgrounds IN
the Far East, where the greatest po-
ltical and social problems which ever
confronted the statesman and the dip
lomatist, dormant for centuries are
now riDe for solution.
Future Chinese Trade.
That the time was rapidly approach
ing was keenly felt by all students of
the Far East long ago. The powers OF
the world also foresaw long ago that
to have a voice in the pending great
councils OF nations which should de
eide on the fate and future of China.
they above all would need naval
strongholds. And to reap the advant-
ages of the great coming trade of the
Far East, they would need harbors
and trade emporiums. Without this
backing they knew that they would be
forced to the rear, thus permitting
the more powerful to reap the stipend
Gus advantages which the future of
China has in store
England already possessed Hong
Kong in the south, to which she added
after the China-Japan war in 1891 the
harbor and naval base of Wei Hal Wei
in Shantung Russia gained after the
same war the famous naval strong
hold of Port Arthur and the port of
1alien Wan, where within a few years
has sprung up one of the finest cities
and trade emporiums in the Far East
The Spanish war brought to the
United States the Philippine islands,
with excellent harbors, most valuable |
both for strategical and commercial |
purposes.
The already great value of these is.
lands on China's eastern flank will be |
enormously enhanced after the open.
ing of the Panama canal They will |
be the great Eastern trade emporium |
of the United States from where will |
radiate her commerce. feeding a Chi |
nese coast line of about 1000 miles, |
studded with rich harbors, most of |
them in the infancy of their develop |
ment. The strategical position of |
Subig bay and other harbors Is ap- |
parent even to the layman
France, as we know, controls large
portion of the southern frontier of |
China bordering on her vast Indo-Chi-
nese possessions. Japans strategical |
and commercial position is known to
you all
When Germany procured the har.
Dor of Kiao Chow from the Chinese |
government in 1899 her first step was
to open it to the trade of the world |
The laws and regulations governing |
trade and commerce and settlements
there are considered the most liberal |
ever framed for a colony, the only
close restrictions being those relating
to public health.
Regular steamship lines were soon
established and the building of rail
roads taken in hand so as to tap the
various resources of Shantung, es-
pecially its coal deposits. The Ger
man government has strictly adhered
to the principle Of placing the CON
structiOn Of railroads into private
hands, bids being open to all nations.
United States Prevented Chaos.
Grave fear and alarm was expressed
by all concerned in the steadily grow
ing trade of the Far East when tho
war clouds out there were threatening
to burst. 1t was the far-seeing eye Of
the Washington government whica
saved China from chaos and dismem
berment during the Boxer troubles Of
1900.
New flames again threatened to arise
from the still smoldering ashes. But
in the right moment we again see the
same watchful government rise and in
yite the powers of the world to act in
concert so as to preserve the integ-
rity of China and to prevent a con
Gagration the limit of which no hui
man mind would be able to foretell.
Through this strong and able stroke
not only the powers at peace but also
those engaged in war will reap great
benefits, and it is to be hoped that the
vast and increasing Chinese trade
will develop undisturbed
Seth Low In Rome.
Rome Feb. 23.-All the Americans
In Rome about GOO pathnrnd weston.