Asia 741
255 GERMANY/700 AFGHANISTANMID#4283
Started in September 2001. See the narrative in the 2 United States of America/700
Afghanistan dyad dispute list.
255 GERMANY/710 CHINA
MID#43
Dispute Number: 43
Date(s): November 14, 1897 to March 6, 1898
Participants: 255 Germany/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In the mid-1890s, Germany wanted a land grant in China for a coaling
station, preferably with a harbor. In 1895, it asked China for such a land grant, but
China declined, fearing that other European powers would ask for similar agreements.
Germany did not press the matter initially because it did not know what part of China
it wanted for its coaling station. However, by the end of 1896, Germany chose Kia-
ochow for the grant and, in January 1897, asked China again for a lease to the area.
China again refused, leading Germany to consider taking the area by force.
The pretext for the use of force came when news arrived in Germany that two
German priests were murdered in the area. Germany responded immediately by
dispatching a naval fleet to Kiaochow. The naval garrison acted quickly, routing the
Chinese forces in the area and seizing the port. It further added to the display by rais-
ing the German flag and ordering a 21-gun salute for the Kaiser. It is worth noting that
the German government had never before heard of the two priests before they served
as the pretext for the naval assault.
China quickly looked for a settlement and hoped that an offer of another island in
lieu of Kiaochow, plus assurances of making Kiaochow a free port, would suffice.
The Germans refused. China ultimately accepted German demands on March 6, 1898.
China leased Kiaochow to Germany for a period of 99 years and made important con-
cessions regarding mining rights and railways in Shantung. Consistent with China’s
fears in 1895, other European powers followed suit. By the time of the Boxer Upris-
ing, China had conceded to similar demands from Russia, France, and Britain.
Coding changes: Settlement changed from Negotiated.
MID#31
Started in May 1900. See the narrative in the 200 United Kingdom/710 China dyad
dispute list.