[180]. Herr von Richthofen, now the Foreign Minister of Germany, and the greatest authority on Chinese geology, wrote an article in the Kolonialzeitung of January 6, 1898, describing the mineral resources of the province, and concluding that the Power which possessed Kiao-chau would control the coal supply in northern Chinese waters. See China, No. 1 (1898), p. 21. The same authority had shown years ago the advantageous position of Kiao-chau.
It will also be remembered that during the Chinese-Japanese war, war-vessels of several Powers were temporarily anchored here, so that the superb position of the port was familiar to every one.
[181]. “Considering that there has never been any disagreement existing between China and Germany, and that the German Government came to the assistance of China in securing the evacuation of the Liao-tung Peninsula by the Japanese for which she has never been recompensed; and further, as England, France, and Russia have taken maritime ports in the East, and as Germany has no port as a rendezvous for her vessels and for a coaling station, her position is not equal to the other great Powers.”—The Tsung-li Yamên’s memorial to the Throne, translated in Mr. Denby’s dispatch of March 9, 1898 (U. S. 55th Congress, 3d Session, House Documents, vol. i, p. 189). The same sentiment may have prompted the Tsung-li Yamên to make the offers stated in the text.
[182]. China, No. 1 (1898), No. 25.
[183]. U. S. 55th Congress, 3d Session, House Documents, vol. i. p. 189.
[184]. China, No. 1 (1899), p. 67.
[185]. Tokushu Jōyaku, p. 355.
[186]. China, No. 1 (1898), No. 3.
[187]. Ibid.
[188]. Ibid., No. 2. Cf. House Documents, op. cit., pp. 187–189, a memorial of the Yamên to the Throne.