New Britain herald., 1915-12-28
CHINA ENMESHED
 IN EUROPEAN WAR
Charges and COunter-Charges Made By Germans and Allies

(correspondence of The Associated Prsa) Shanghai Nov. 20.-Foreign con- sessions in China have been centers of never-ending trouble since the begin ring of tn European war. As the re- suit of activities of various belliger- eEts in these settlements charges and counter charges have been made con-
 corning the violation of China's neu- trality. China is so enmeshed in European treaties that it is always extremely difficult to determine her actual status with reference to the European powers. Practically every foreign concession was created under different conditions, and the commer-
 cial treaties between China and the
 various powers are so varied that
 few diplomatists can harmonic them.
 Newspapers under German control
 ct the treaty ports are constantly
 charging that China is violating her
 neutrality by permitting shoes and
 ether supplies to be shipped from
 Shanghai for the use of the Russian army. They are also voicing protests against the shipment of supplies for the French and English armies.
 Denounce German Activities.
 On the other hand, the English and
 French press are loud in denouncia- tion of German activities which are permitted to continue on Chinese soil under leas to foreign powers.
 The latest ground for complaint of this sort was supplied by the cap- ture of the Japanese steamer Iro which a French cruiser took into Saigon under charge of carrying arms and ammunition for munitists in India 1 A passenger on board this steamer without passport admitted his German nationality, and is reported to be a | former member of the German con- sular service in China. This steamer | sailed from Shanghai, and is alleged | to have carried ammunition cases | and arms which were thrown over | board when the French cruiser gave | chase.
 Arsenal to Store Supplies.
 It has even been charged that the German social club in Shanghai is used as an arsenal for the storage of | supplies to be used in promoting sedition among the colonies of Ger enemies in the Far East
 On the Shameen island at Canton much of the British concession has passed into the hands of German owners. The presence of these Ger mans is so distasteful to the British hat they endeavored to find a means to expel them. This plan was vetoed, . however, by Sir Edward Grey, the British minister. of foreign affairs It was argued by the British residents ,n Shameen that the English subjects had no right to transfer their holdings 10 the subjects of another nation. China leased this island to the British CT one hundred years. Many Eng ishmen now owning property on the sIand argued that leases there could oe held only by the British subjects, l md that a transfer of leases to the l Germans was in violation of the treaty between Great Britain and China.
 Supporting Gernany's Cause.
 Another cause for irritation has , 'een the circulation of literature sup ,orting Germany's cause by Major a German officer em- ,loyed by President Yuan Shi-kai as 2 adviser. French and English ewspapers are clamoring loudly for he dismissal of Major Dinkelmann by ( he president, and insist that Presi- ent Yuan Shi-kai should not main i ain a German officer on a princely diary when he is directing 8 cam aign against powers friendly to nina. z. ay poured into the rooms of a lodg-