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Following the occupation of KiaoChau and the surrounding Chinese territory by Germany comes the announcement that Kussia has taken possession of Port Arthur, and novv it is said that Great Britain's Asiatic squadron has sailed to make a grab of Quelpaert island, which is 60 miles south oí Korea and in the entrance to the Yellow sea. The French govern ment has dispatched the cruiser Jean Bartto Chinese waters and evidently intends to be prepared jet a chance at a part of the prize. The London and continental papers are busily discussing the lipartition of China" which shows that all of these moves are generally regarded as of great importance, and in this connection it is said that discussion of the Russian occupation of Port Arthur took up the whole time of a recent meeting of the British cabinet. Telegrams from all the continental capitals show that Russia's step at Port Arthur is regarded as tautamount to a permanent occupation and a reply to Germany's action. Japan is of course deeply interested as she abandoned Port Arthur principally to please Rftssia. Previous to the war between China and Japan, Port Arthur was the largest naval station possessed by the Chinese, and was strongly fortified. Japan was very anxious to hold Port Arthur permanently, but Russia objected very strongly, and threatened to back up her objection by force. Russia's great anxiety to possess Port Arthur is due to the fact that the harbor is free from ice all the winter, which is notthe case with Vladivostock, the present headquarters of the Russian fleet in the far east. It is proposed to connect Port Arthur with the Russian railroad now being built through Manchuria, which will in turn connect with the great Trans-Siberia railroad. The general belief that Japan will be greatly provoked and popular indignation aroused by this aetion of Russia is borne out by the report that the Japanese squadron has sailed from Nagasaki for the Chinese coast. The comment of the European press on the state of affairs is of great interest The Novoe Vremya of St. Petersburg pretends that Japan has no cause for complaint, "since China is only giving the same shelter to Russian ships as Japan had hitherto so kindly afforded." This view is not held in Berlin, where the papers are already talking of the possibility of Prince Henry, of Prussia, who has comrrvand of the Germán squadron just sent to Chinese waters, having to shake his mailed tist at Japan, which is supposed to be secretly backed up by England. Some of the Berlin papers express anxiety, but most of them welcome the news from Port Arthur as justifying the Germán position at Kiao-Chau, f not as actual evidence that Russia and Germany are acting together. The Parisian papers, without pretending to be deceived by Russia's innocent explanations, are pleased with the action of the ally of France. The burden of Viennese comment is, what will England do? The London Globe says: "Russia and Germany now have the two most important strategical positions in northern China, and Great Britain, whose commercial interests there are 10 times greater, must be content with the crumbs from the St. Petersburg and Berlin tables." The Pall Mali Gazette says: "Of course, the partition of the coast, which is bound to come, will not be confined to Russia and Germany. Every naval state in the world is actively concerned in the disturbance of the equilibrium in the far east, Great, Britain, France and Japan especially. The tame aequiescence with these seizures is not worthy of our past and is fatal to our future. We may remark that we shall not be without sympathizers, as the Japanese will most joyfully back any scheme to redress the bitter humiliation they have suffered at the hands of Russia." The Standard, the Daily Telegraph and other London papers strongly urge the government to protect England's interests in China. It is said that high officials in the Chinese court have advised the emperor, in view of further complications, to remove the court to Nankin, the "southern capital." It is also reported that overtures have been made to England to exercise proteetion over the Yang Tse valley and the West river, and that numerous rumors are current regarding the activity of the British squadron in Chinese waters. An unconfirmed report is current that, part of the British far eastcru squadron will be stationed at Wei-HaiWei this winter, which indicates that Great Britain is working in harmony with Japan. The latter still holds Wei-Hai-Wei, pending the payment of the war indemnity due from China. Caro has a co-ope rati ve bu tter f actory. While piloting a heavy train up the Merchants' bridge incline at St. Louis, Mo., an engine of the Terminal railroad jumped the track and plunged to the ground below. Fireman Al Pensinger was crushed to a pulp, and Engineer McCullough and another railroad man were seriously injured. The British ship Roby arrived at San Diego, Cal., with five sailors and the captain of the sloop Ranger, who had been drifting about for seven days in an open boat without foocl, drink or shelter, their vcssel having been wrecked in a storm. They ere nearly dead when the Roby plckcd them up.