The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-09-30
BY WILHELM HoHENzoLLERN

BY WILHELM HOHENZOLLERN
When l, with Holman, met the
Chancellor, in order to discuss the
Russian claim to Kiao-chau, the
Prince listened to the reading of it
with his little ironical smile, and re-
marked that he had been unable to
find any jurist at the Foreign Office
who could tell him anything about this
wonderful claim; was the navy in
position to do so? Admiral Holman
declared that he, in all his experience
on foreign service, had never heard of
it; that it was nonsense and an in
vention of Muravieff, whose only mo-
tive was unwillingness to have some
other nation settle on the shores of
the bay. / advised that Privy Coun-
cilor of the Admiral Perels one of the
most famous living experts on interna-
tional maritime law and an acknowl-
edged authority in this domain be ask
ed to deliver an opinion, in order to
clarity the question. This was done.
The opinion tore Muravieffs conten-
ton to pieces, corroborated that of
Holman, and completely did away
with the legend about the right of
first anchorage"
Months elapsed: my August, 1897,
visit to Peterof was imminent. In
agreement with the Prince, my uncle,
decided to discuss the entire matter
in person and frankly with the Gar,
and, if possible, put an end to, Mura-
vseff'S notes and eyasions. The talk
took place at Peterhof. The Gar stat
ed that he had no interest in the ter
ritory south of the Tientsin-Peking
line, which meant that there was no
reason why he should place obstacles
in our path in Shantung: that his in
terest was concentrated upon the ter
ritory on the Yalu, around Port Ar
thur, etc, now that the English had
made difficulties for him at. Mokpo:
that he would in fact, be pleased if
Germany should locate herself in fut-
ure on the other side of the Gulf of
Chih-li as Russia's welcome neighbor.
Afterward | had a talk with Mura-
vieff. He employed all his arts, wrig-
gled back and forth in his statements,
and finally brought up his famous
right of first anchorage" That was
all l wanted. | now passed to the Of
fensive myself, striking out at him
squarely with the opinion delivered by
Perels. When | had told him, finally
as the Gar desired, the result of the
conservations between US two sover-
eigns, the diplomat was even more en-
barrassed, lost his assumed calm, and
capitulated
Thus was the soil prepared, political
ly speaking. In the Autumn came the
news from Bishop Anez of the murder
OF the two German Catholic mission
aries in Shantung The entire German
Catholic world, particularly the colo
malls" in the Centrist Party, demanded
energetic measures. The Chancellor
proposed to me immediate intervent-
ion. While was engaged in the Win
ter hunting at Lotalingen, l consulted
with him, in one of the little towers
of the castle there, as to what steps
were to be taken. The Prince propos-
ed to intrust Prince Henry of Prus-
STA, who was present, with the COM
mand of the squadron that was to be
sent out to reinforce the East Asiatic
Division. | informed my brother of
this in the presence of the Chancellor,
whereat the Prince and the other gen.
tlemen present were highly pleased.
The Chancellor sent the news to the
Foreign office and to the new Secre-
tary of State for Foreign Affairs, Herr
Won Bulow, who was away on a jour
ney.
Kiao-Chau was occupied in Novem-
ber 1897. In December of that year
Prince Henry sailed, on board the
Deutchland, with his squadron to East
ern Asia, where he later took over the
command of the entire East Asiatic
Division. On the 9Th of March, 1898
the agreement with China concerning
Kiao-Chau was signed. At the same
time, Mr.. Chamberlain in London
brought up before the Japanese Ambas
sador, Baron Kato, the idea of the con
clusion of an Anglo-Japanese alliance
In order to bar Russia's advances insthe
East
Quest for coaIIns SeAtbaUEH
One will naturally i1fauire why, IN
the discussion of our andacious move
there is no mention of England, since
therein. Ffelfl4tnAffes however, had
InsOfdeR tOrsnee BET the fnaeessity for Ger
.sn eoalfEg stations. had intended tc
I'd. lease 81, buy some in agreement
ID EnglaAd,t 70 far as might be pos
lfiIe IN view of the fact that my un
e eeChancellor, was, as a member
~ the Hohenlohe family, related tC
EN- Victoria, known to her person
for years and highly esteemed by
I'll hoped that this might tend t.
Aifftate the negotiations which were
Altered into with the English Govern
k1ent for the above-noted purpose. My
Mbpe was disappointed. The negotia
lions dragged along without any pros
tpect Of successful termination.
4 took occasion. therefore. at the be
hest Of the Chancellor, to discuss the
.1sttef with the English Ambassador
kkk Berlin. I complained Of the treat
xlent received from the English Gov
&efnment, which everywhere opposed
German wishes, even such as were jus
afied. The Ambassador agreed frank
~ with this, and expressed his aston
Alshment at England's failure to NEE
&Germany halfway, and at English
ashortsightedness, since, when young
45sing nation like Germany, whose de
WVelopment, after all. was not to be pre-
vented, turned directly to England il
dfder to acquire territory with he
Rdnsent, instead of going straigh
Ahead or allying itself with other ma
lions, it was certainly more than Eng
land could reasonably ask.
Moreover he added that, since Enc
and already owned almost all tn
e NofId. she could certainly find plac