Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-08-26

the north of Sarrebourg, passing by
Morhange to Define.
THE situation in Luxembourg is
unchanged. as is also that in Belgium.
In Lorraine the day was less fortu-
nate for US. Our advanced troops
found themselves faced by exception
ally strong positions. They were
forced by counter attack to fall back
in body. which is solidly established
on the Seille and along the canal from
the Marine to the Rhine"
No advices from Berlin concerning
these engagements have been received.
Ka.oer to Spurn Japan?
The japanese ultimatum demanding
the evacuation of Kiaochow has been
the subject OF much comment by the
German press.
The Norddeutsche Algemeine Zeit-
ing believes that Germany will reply
with a polite yet definite refusal
Count Ernst Won Reventlow, the
naval expert, publishes an article In
the Tages Zeitung, showing that
Japan's policy has been prepared for
long time He counts how NJ. Sugi-
mura, the former Japanese ambassa-
dor at Berlin, who was friendly toward
the Germans and had always directed
his efforts toward a rapproachement
between Germany and Japan, at the
time of his departure from Berlin, said
to Count Won Reventlow that he had
been suddenly ordered to return from
Berlin when on leave.
The ambassador added this signifi-
cant remark: L will go and l will
never return to Berlin"
Nations in Negotiations.
The character of the answer of Ger
many to the Japanese ultimatum to
relinquish Kiaochow, it was learned at
Washington, depends upon the out
come of secret negotiations in which
the United States, China, Japan and
Germany are participating.
The developments in the last As
hours, it transpires, are the following:
1. Germany has sounded China on
the proposal to restore Kiaochow to
the Oriental republic before the ex-
Japanese ultimatum.
2 Japan has conveyed to China a
warning not to accede to the German
proposal and also an implied threat
to declare war upon China if that gov
eminent interferes in any way in the
affair
3. China has sought the advice of
the United States upon the question
of accepting the restoration of Kiao-
chow by Germany and has been in
formed that the American govern
ment. in order to observe a strict neu-
sion of opinion
t. As a result of Germany's move
to circumvent her intentions to seize
and hold Kiaochow, Japan has admit
ted that it is actuated chiefly by the
motive of revenge on the kaiser for
cheating the island empire of Chinese
territory 20 years ago.
). Japan has renewed its pledges
to the Wilson administration to do
nothing antagonistic to American in
teTests in the Orient, but the assur-
ances are not without cautious quail
fications-
Conferred With Bryan.
This information was obtained from
a high official source. 1t is represent
ed as explaining in part the call made
upon Secretary of State Bryan by Chi
nese Minister Shah and Yung Kwai,
the secretary of the Chinese legation.
The Chinese officials, it is stated, &C
quainted Mr.. Bryan with the desire of
Germany to restore KiaOchow to their
Governm ent and to cancel the 99-year
lease on this territory.
If the United States should approve
The direct restoration OF Kiaochow by
Germany TO China, Japan would en-
counter considerable difficulty in JUS
tifying in the eyes of the world for
chile Intervention to prevent the
carrying out of the plan. Japanese of
ficials admit virtually that such would
be the case.
American Opinion Valued.
American opinion is a more power
full force in the Orient than the people
of this country generally realize. This
is due to the reputation for fair deal
ing with the nations of the Orient,
which the United States has won,
chiefly in the last generation.
Indications are not lacking that
Japan has clearly foreseen the posi-
bilities OF these moves.
The confidence Of the administra-