Among the travellers who left Shanghai for Peking on the 15th instant was one who, for the previous week, hid figured in the Astor House hotel list under the modest denomination of Mr. V. Heintze.""
His arrival in Shanghai was no less modest than his deportment during his stay here—for came as a simple supercargo on board—the Norwegian tramp steamer Christian Bors, arriving from Seattle January 9.
Now it is a curious fact that his native Germany this retiring: visitor writes himself "von Heintz and in Peking he blossoms out as his Imperial Germanic Majesty' Minister to the Hepublic of China, in pi of the late Baron von Haxthinsen who died recently after an operation in Germany.
And many people will ack, Why this extraordinary scereey WI the sacrifice of the cherished '"von"" for the inglorious "Vt Why no obsequious welcome in the "Ostasiatixcher Lloyd"t Why the supercargo ship and the tramp steamer Diplomatic representatives are not contraband of war and Shanghai is neutral territory. except as otherwise used by Herr von Heintze's compatriots.
'A Ship that was Stopped.
Among the ship's company of the Christian Bors were two who have recently gained some notoriety in San Francisco under the names of Williams" and "Hall." Some time before the Christian Bors was due to leave Seattle, these two had been interesting themselves in the cargo of the str, Olson and Mahony, destined for Valparaiso. This, by just before the Scharnwith Vice-Admiral Sturdee off the Talk lind'. Before the Olson and Mahony cleared, the Federal authorities became very much interested in her ton also. in Williams" and But the latter would seem to be no less retiring of disposition than "V. Heintze."" Shunning the bright light of Californian day, they sought, through an agent, for a ship to take them ta Seattle, whence they count-making China. So they es: caped while the Federal authorities cleared out the coren of the Olson and Mahony and advertised for the owners of Who, again rather curiously, are said to have been most reluctant to come forward to claim their property.
An Active Quartette.
Williams" and "Hall" mean-wi lo had gained Seattle and the Christian Bors in safety, and ultimo ately arrived in Shanghai. They saw a great deal of "Mr, V. Heintze" on board, and expect to see another man, named Bohme, who has also been interested in several curious cargoes leaving South Amer-jean ports for unknown destinations. He is at present, we believe, in Manchuria but "Mr. V. Heintze" and Messrs, Williams"
"Hall" look forward to seeing him in the near future.
To drop persiflage, no three men have been more active upon the American coasts in shipping contra band to the now extinct Germ cruisers than " Williams, "Hall" ant Koline. They are all first class ice men; and if ster to Peking ig suspected of having been playing the same game, can he be surprised. considering the company, the ship the charac which he made ry into China?
During Herr von Heintze's stay in hai he visited one or two of the Chinese authorities, but infor ally of course. An ex-super eat could do no otherwise. The Minis ter to Peking is not born until his credentials are presented.
The Good Work Azainst Britain.
But it would be interest know what use the new Minister proposes to make of his suite, Williams," "Hall" and Bohme. For the German cruisers are at the bottom of the sea, and Tsingtao has fallen and the Chinese are fully aware of the rottenness of German stories of perpetual victory. Still, few clover men, who are ready to assume any character that the agencies of the moment require. may do a lot to poison the minds of the Chinese against Great Britain, they cannot rehabilitate wan prestige; and in that good work there are plenty to help, some Consuls, it may even be Commission ers of Customs.
It would further be interesting to know what China will think of a ter who thinks so little of the dignity of his position at her capital that he travels to her shores as a supercargo on a tramp
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.