Paris, July 17. though the Ottoman Government still fails to communicate to France its intention to transfer the protection of Turkish subjects in Chive to Germany, there is no longer any doubt that the transfer in question has actually taken place. While the number of Ottoman subjects in China is not large and the individual Turks not persons of any Particular importance, this incident is, nevertheless, considered decidedly signi-Scant. It is looked upon ax one more illustration of the sort of tutelage which Germany is gradually endeavouring to acquire over the whole Massalman world—a tendency which deserves the careful consideration of all States having Mohammerian subjects. This tendency is served by the constant desire of Abdal Hamid to confirm his owa influence and power as Khalif over the most distant branches of Islam.
According to information from a well informed quarter, Abdul Hamid has utterly manifested special interest in hina. In November,'1906, he received wih special honours a Chinese Museala matti, who had come all the wey from Peklog to pay homage t" the Khalif. In September of the following year the Sultan himself sent " rissian to Pekin, comprising two theologisos and an inspector of primary schools, The latter was still in Peking in March of the present year, where he wus endeavouring to organize a school for the Mussultian inhabitants. This Ouoman tnission is said to have been in touch with the German Legation at Peking. One of its members wus looked upon as a Pan-Islamic agent, having been in communication with the late Mustapha Kamel Pasha, the Egyptian Nationalist.
In un article wntitlod "The Strength of Islam in the Service of Germany." the "Jouroal" says that this matter is not one to be neglected. Although there are few Turks in China, there are some eighty million Mussulmans there, whose numbers are constantly increasing. The progress of Mohawmedanism in China is, it says, one of the most important factors in ite evolution. What a force, exclaims the Journal," to be placed at the service of the Power whose prestige will be enhanced by the delegation of the Khalif, the head of Islam! It ix not the first time, it adds, that Germany shows with what ill she takes advantage of great moral influences for promoting the most material of policies, THE route's ovmnsiont.
Paris, July 21. I have received information this evening that an explanation is expected from Constantinople, within the next day or two, as to the transfer of the Protectorate over Ottoman subjects in China from France to Germany, a1-.|nownced some ten days ago. Your telegram from Peking on the same subject published in The Times" of this morning gives special interest to this intelligence. When the fact became known it was from the Porte itself thet the French authorities expected complementary details. The German Gorernment, in secking to obtain the Protectorate over Ottoman subjects in the Chinese Empire, was only pursuing the general policy it has inaugurated for some time past of obtaining the Protectorate over Turkish subjects, wherever it is entrusted to a foreign Power, and also the special policy it has of late years adopted wards Tarkey. Indeed, I way mention
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.