the month the governor of Shantung telegraphed that he had arrested four
of the culprits.

Germany, however, went right ahead in her own way, without paying any
heed to the efforts China was making to appease her; and to the intense
surprise of the world, simultaneously with the news of the arrests came
word that Germany had seized one of the Chinese harbors in the Yellow
Sea.

The Yellow Sea is on the east of China, and is formed by the peninsula
of Korea. Shantung, where the missionaries were killed, is a province
bordering on the Yellow Sea, and the fortified bay captured by the
Germans is called Kiao Chou, and is an excellent harbor on the Shantung
Coast, with the town of Kiao lying at its head.

This harbor was guarded by three forts, which were manned by fifteen
hundred Chinese soldiers.

Without word or warning the German admiral entered the bay, steamed up
opposite the forts, and ranged his ships in line of battle. He then sent
word to the Chinese commander that the three forts must be vacated
within three hours or he would bombard them.

The Chinese commander made no answer, so the German admiral proceeded to
land a force of men to take possession of the place.

The Chinamen watched the proceedings without making any demonstration,
and allowed the Germans to land six hundred soldiers and several guns
without making an effort to prevent them.