The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-07
ENGLISH BLOCKADE RUNNERS.
Fleet Vessels Fitting Ost for Chisese waters
New Rumors Of - sasatioa.


LONDON, Dec. e.-For several days It has
been persistently rumored that blockade rum
ming BY speculative English merchants was to
DO attempted In Chinese waters. These rumors
have to-day boon confirmed by the discovery
that several fast steamers are loading both here
and at Liverpool. ostensibly for China, but
with tho hardly disguised intention OF defying
tho present blockade Of Formosa by tho French.
Tho French Government has been we'll in
formed OF all these preparations BY its agents.
and to-day large portion of the Partisan
press comes out In strong denunciation OF the
dlatory course pursued by the British au-
thoritics in allowing such overt acts to proceed
without interruption. Some papers instance
the Alabama case. and insist that England. II
she desires to avoid repetition OF the bumil-
iatlon which she suffered at Geneva. should Mt
once forbid the departure from her shores of
vessels loaded with contraband goods, and
whose destination and cargoes are menace
to nation with which she is Mt peace. On the
other hand. some conspicuous French jour
pals appear to be delighted at ~ prospect OF II
ing would please Thorn better, they saw than to
see the time Of Admiral Courbcts fleet occu-
loaded with rich cargoes, but also in an on.
gsgemen, with the whole Chinese. armada.
which they pretend to treat with good
:, Mr.. Gadstone's Ministry is undoubtedly
tions Of these London and liverpool ship
owners. but it is exceedingly doubtful II any
of formal declaration of war between tho two
semi. belligerents. The sympathy Of the Eng.
this alone. in the present complex political
eituation. ts "A potent factor to prevent any but
prohibit the sailing OF blockade runners. "
sh r4m Srs OF the Ieoppbinr Of ang
Wpo"sfaae as a ssssG de pspsr
Lord Granville British, Minister for Foreign
containing bp hae oil nm yvl tnI
China is willing to treat Tor peace. This story
asserts asserts that tho c,2nt"n!a Of the paper ,abso-
cnuso of the manifest desire OF China to secure
peace at once through Eneiish ediation, but
M Marquis ~s'1 rso %h "hA hm n'fi ss p sae
70 hs good Of snd to
garry on to succe ssinlissue tho negotiations
FRANCE. The MEMORIAL declares that no sooner
had Earl Granville made himself acquainted
than he made haste to secure from the Chinese
Ambassador an endorsement OF its authen-
he at once sSugh. out II. Wadd Iii ste ro The
French Minister to London. and made him
TSs NH mnS' Er9f Washington
wns almost ss%cksd NJ tho sudden and extraor,
whole subject Of English, mediation TO an alb
T ;nrt tsrmnn'iSn by s snnbhing the Rfh, Hon
TO the powers for an adjustment Of the Egyp-
tian financial question. But. it ia further as
from his surprise no resolved that it was his
duty to proceed at once Ia Paris and make his
Government acquainted with the now situa-
ton. and he has accordingly arranged to do so.
cred quite extraordinary by tho London poll
ticians and in British diplomatic circles they
are received with increduity.
The Marquis TsonG this evening. when asked
by reporter for an expression of opinion con-
corning the above statements. politely declined
this evening said TINT all he could say was that
British mediation was not only stu possible.
put mat England was perfectly willing to use
her friendly offices as mediator the moment
vice concerning the Chinese dispute.
n consequence OF the Fore IN Office having
ordered tho Gorernment OF Hong Kong to r0-
fuse to allow the French fleet to take on coal or
has asked for an explanation. He reminds
Earl Granville. Foreign Secretary. Of State.
that under tho arrangement for the French
blockade OF tormosn France reirained from
searching neutral ships on the h!gh seas. on
the condition that England should not pre-
vent the French feet from revctuallinE at any
point. 1t is reported that Earl Granville holds
that this agreement stipulated tho enforce
inent OF the Foreign Enlistment act at Hong
Kong inclusive OF tho interdict against coaling.
The MISUNDERSTANDING in this matter ID WIDEN
ing the breach between England and France.
- n letter from Monsignor ChouSse, Bishop OF
kwnnE Iung. is published in the Lyons Ms
ssions CutoiIQ,tes, The Bishop charges tho
the Catholic missio
ROME. Dec. 6-The Vatican has sent IN in
formal communication to the British Foreign
Ofice ask ing that English influence be used in
stop tho persecution of Catholics which is now
going on in that country.