The shameful deed was at first attributed to pirates, but later it was
found that it had been planned by the governor of the province in
revenge for some old grievance.

Following this outrage came news that the captain of a German gunboat
had been attacked by a Chinese mob, which also insulted the German flag
by throwing stones at it.

The Government was extremely angry at this, and immediately demanded an
explanation from China.

The Chinese Government expressed its sorrow for the occurrence, and sent
orders to the governor of Shantung to arrest and punish the offenders.

Germany was informed of the action taken by the Chinese Government,
which, it is said, used all possible diligence and haste to bring the
offenders to justice; so much diligence, in fact, that on the 15th of
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.

As soon, however, as the force began to march upon the forts, the
Chinese became panic-stricken, and fled helter-skelter to the hills.

The Germans marched into the forts in good order, and took possession of
them without striking a blow. They then hauled down the Chinese flag and
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