The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-07
FOREIGN.
France and China Steadily Drifting
Into War.
Volcanic Eruptiens Felt in Several Parts
Of Europe.
Ceremonies at the Unwilling of the
Lafayette Statue.

LONDON, Sept. Ga private letter from Pc
kin says that the Ii Hung Chang are really in
favor of peaceable solution of the difficulty
with France, while the intriguers who sur
round the throne are urgent in their cry for
war. Prince Kung, one Of the Conservative
members of the government, expresses the
opinion that war will be the signal for num-
Der Of outbreaks in the empire The empress
is reported to be even fearful for the perma-
nence of the dynasty, and is inclined to favor
such measures as shall secure peace.
The Standards Hong Kong dispatch says
the people OF China seem TO have little fear OF
the result of war with France, and believe
that with their new armaments and the vastly
improved discipline OF their forces the nation
is far better able to cope with foreign enemy
than it was in the war OF 1860. A Chinese pa
per urges that immediate action be taken to
prevent the annexation by the French Of any
portion of the Chinese territory, and expresses
Indignation that such an attempt shonld have
been made at a time when China was at peace
with France.
A large number OF Chinese who have been
employed on board French vessels have desert
ed, and captains find great difficulty in OBJ
tanning hands,
The Times prints dispatch from Hong
Kong, which states that advices received there
from Haiphong announce that the French
Admiral will blockade the ports OF Canton and
Pakoi unless the Chinese troops are Withdrawn
from the Tonquin frontier. IL is stated that
Chinese merchants are leaving Canton be-
cause their letters are open and they distrust
the Canton mandarins.
China Turns 10 England.
The correspondent of the Exchange Tele-
graph Company at Paris says that, il the nego-
tiations between tho Marquis Tseng and NJ.
Challemel. Lacour fail, China will be willing
to accept the good offices of EDgland,i with q
viey to a peaceful solution of athe question at
issue between the French and Chinese govern
ments. The same correspondent says the
French government has declared that, upon
his arrival in Paris, the Marquis Tseng, the
Chinese ambassador, will be asked TO explain
the reasons for the movement OF Chinese
troops to the Tonquin frontier. The ministry
is seriously weighing the prospect of war
with China, which event is now considered by
no means impossible
The Standards Hong Kong dispatch says
troops continue to arrive from the north.
Large amount of bullion are on the way from
Canton, it is supposed for war expenses.
The Times ON the Situation.
The Times in an editorial today says that
France is steadily drifting into war with
China. The latter is vulnerable only in those
ports which occupy quasi international posi-
ton, and any blow struck there would be felt
throughout Europe.
Troops Arriving at Canton.
PARIS Sept. GA dispatch from Hong
Kong says no Chinese men-of-war have ar
rived there from the north. Three Chinese
transports reached Pakoi fortnight ago with
750 regulars and 1870 militia, who arrived at
Canton Saturday on board merchant steam
er. A large quantity of supplies and proVi-
sions are being collected and stored at Canton.
The Volcanic Erapfions.
LONDON, Sept. Ga despatch from Amster-
dam says that the fact that the Dutch con-
troler at Katimbong. Sumatra, was saved, to-
geter with his family, indicates that the de-
struction in that quarter by the volcanic erup-
tions was not absolute. One European book
keeper and two natives were the only persons
whose lives were saved at Merak, where not a
building was left standing. At Fandjong
/ Prick, 58 miles distant, the sea suddenly rose
eight feet and then fell ten feet, causing wide
spread devastation in that region. The float
ing dock, which went ashore at Tanjougkaik,
has been loated with very slight damage. In
view of the fact that the Nederland Steams hip
Company's steamer Princess Amelia arrived
at Batavia today, and that the Rotterdam
Lloyd's steamer Batavia arrived yesterday, it
is believed that the Sunda Straits are still nav
igable with proper caution.
Germany Friendly 10 France.
The North German Gazette, in an editorial
article, says that in all questions pertaining to
its foreign policy since the last war the gov
ernment of Germany has strictly observed to-
ward France a benevolent attitude, and is pre-
pared to observe the same attitude in the fu-
ture whenever France sees fit to assert her in
terests in legitimate manner.
dwelling n Lafayette Statue.
PARIS, Sept. 6.-The unveiling of the statue
of Lafayette took place today at Lepuy in the
presence of an immense crowd of people, de-
spite the severe rain storm. Among the dis
tinguished persons present were Mr. Morton,
United States Minister to France, Mr.. Sar-
gent, United States Minister to Germany,
Gen. Colomb and Col. Lichtenstein, who rep
represented President Grevy, and Gen. Vinel-
lermot, who represented Gen. Thibaudin,
Minister of the Interior. NJ. Morel, president
of the Lafayette Memorial Court, performed
the ceremonies of unveling the statue.
Earthquake in Europe.
BERLIN, Sept. 6.-Several shocks of earth.
quake were felt at Dusseldorf Tuesday night
but no damage ensued. Shocks were also felt
on the island Ischia at the same time, which
created some alarm bnt did no damage
Foreign Notes.
The September meeting at Croydon, Eng
opened today. The race for the Croydon
handicap was won by j. r. Keenes 3-year old
bay colt Boero.
Owing to rumors that the Invncibles are
responsible for the death of Marwood an in
quest will be held.
A correspondent who has Just retarned from
tour through the heart of Zululand reports
that the natives are on the eve of war of
mutual determination.
Sir Henry Morse, Governor of Newfound-
sn III.