The record-union., 1894-11-21
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

Empress of China arrived to-day, bring
ing Yokohama advices to November 9th.
Some excitement has been created in
Yokohama by the detention of the Occi-
dental and Oriental steamer Gaelic on her
outward voyage TO Hongkong, in order
that a search for contraband goods might
be made by the Japanese authorities. On
the evening of November 4th two tor
pedo boats took positions on either side
Of the Gaelic and were presently followed
by guard ship containing detachment
OF marines. \ group of Custom house
officials went aboard and asked permis-
sion to examine the cargo, explaining
that they had received information that
contraband wares had been shipped al
San Francisco.
Captain Hearne protested against the
search, but otherwise offered no opposi-
tion The proceedings were conducted
with periect courtesy on both sides.
After martial inspection the business
was postponed for the night, but was
next day resumed, when the ship was
allowed to go on her way. According 10
general report two of the passengers were
known to be naval experts, and the pos
SCISSORS of some secret engine OF destruc-
tion which was believed to be hidden in
was found, however.
During the greater part of November
9th the subject was under discussion by
MIR. Howard, the steamship agent. and
the British Minister ana Consul. 1t was
understood that no dissatisfaction was
caused by the action OF the authorities,
who asserted that it was of vital import
ance that they guard against the particu-
lar danger involved in this case.
While the examination at Yokohama
was drawing to a close. Intelligence was
received that the suspected travellers had
transferred themselves and their belong
lngs to the French mail steamer Sydney
and were on the way to Shanghai by
way of Kobe. In obedience TO kilograms
sent to the latter port permission to
search the ship was obtained from the
French Consul and the discovery made
that a passenger calling himself John
Brown, and claiming TO be an American,
was bound for China under contract with
the authorities OF the empire to destroy
the Japanese navy within eight weeks
from the time OF his arrival. He pro-
. 1esses to have discovered an explosive Of
! tremendous power, which he declared he
had first offered 10 the Japanese but as
his proposal was contemptuOusly refused
he turned To the other belligerent, and
sought employment from the Chinese
Legation at Washington. Receiving suf-
1icient encouragement tor his purposes,
he started at once for the East, accompa-
MED by an American assistant, registered
as George HoWie," and a Chinese inter-
prefer furnished him by the legation.
How the Japanese were warned of this
transaction has not been discovered, but
their apprehenSlons were awakened to
such an extent that they determined at all
hazards to prevent the further progress
OF the party. The arrested men are under
close guardianship in Toxic.
1t is understood that the French Minis
ter in Toxic protests earnestly against
the action OF the Japanese IN this case, and
that he has telegraphed home for special
instructions. Japan will contend in de-
tense that the persons detained had en-
tered into an agreement with the Chinese
Government officials by which they un-
dertook to conduct hostile operations of
great magnitude and Importance against
both the Japanese navy and mercantile
marine, and the French representa-
tives here stationed were not authorized
to interrupt them In their Journey to the
seat of war, it became necessary, as a
measure OF selt-protection, to have re-
course to belligerent rights. japan will
claim that a seizure OF this description,
namely, OF individuals in active service
OF all enemy proceeding on neutral YES
sells to the enemy's country, is justified
by recognized principles of International
law.
The ship itself was not seized because
the Captain was believed to be ignorant of
the character OF the individuals arrested.
There is no question that the parties ar
rested were IN the service of China. They
bore letters to Lii Hung Chang from the
Envoy at Washington, and also a formal
contract promising to pay -, 600, 900 for
the destruction of the Japanese navy and
specified sum for every merchant ship
destroyed. 1t appears that Sl00,0 900 have
already been paid on account.
The Japanese officials enphatically as
hot 10 mo A.
ance with the methods laid down for such
contingencies by the highest interna-
tional authorities, the process having
been executed with due caution and dis
cretion by an officer OF the Imperial navy
Some doubts are entertained as to the
nationality of Brown and Howie. They
declare themselves English by birth, but
Americans by naturalization, one or both
served until recently in the Brazilian
navy.
The japanese public receives with grim
complacence the semi-authoritative state
ment sent out from England to account
for Admiral Freemantje's display OF the
sesrchlight on the occasion of the Japan
ese advance upon Wei -Hai-Wei. The
alleged explanation is that the Admiral S
purpose WAS TO reveal the nationality OF
his ships, and prevent all attack upon
tham by mistake. But the original an
swer to the charge of giving warning TO
the Chinese defenders was an emphatic
denial that any searchlights were used,
counled with an assertion that it was al
ready daylight when the approach of the
Japanese fleet was discovered, so that it
maltered nothing whether lights were
shown or not The general belief is that
Admiral Freemantle acted as partisan OF
China. and is not much shaken by this
latest effort to shield MIN.
The Corean Prince has started for home,
after ENJOYING the round of entertain
ments offered him by various Govern
ment officials. While in Toxic he naively
attempted a few diplomatic coquetries
with some of the foreign Ministers, ap-
parently unconscious that the game might
prove dangerous ii carried too lar. In
experience led him TO unofhclaliy over
step the boundary of etiquette, but these
inuiscretions were leniently overlooked,
and his harmless by-play OF international
intrigue WAS permitted to-proceed With
out interruption. The circumstances In
which his country is placed are considered
as emitting him to good deal OF indui-
gence.
A notable act of justice is recorded to
the credit of the Chinese. Shortly after
the war had begun Japanese ship. the
Teukyo, sailed into the port of Iadu, on
the Peiho River, III ignorance OF the TACT