Evening journal., 1894-11-21
Two Americans Arrested.

VICTORIA, i. O., Nov. 81 The steam
ship Empress Of China arrived at noon
with Yokohama advices to tho 9th inst
Some excitement has boon created in Yo-
kohama by the detention OF the o. and
o. steamship Gaelic on her outward voy-
age TO Hongkong by the Japanese author
tiles On the evening OF Nov. two tor
pedo boats took possession of the north
side Of the Gaelic and were presently fol-
lowed by guardship containing detaoh-
ment Of marines. A group Of custom
house officers Of 10 went on board and
asked permission to examine the cargo
explaining that they had received infor-
nation that oontraband wares had been
shipped at san Francisco
Captain Pearne protested against the
search, but otherwise offered no resist
ance. When the investigation was com
pleted, tho ship was allowed to go ON her
way.
According to the general report, two Of
the passengers were known to be naval
experts and the possessors Of some secret
engine of destruction which was in their
baggage Nothing liable to seizure was
found, however.
During the greater portion OF Nov
the subject was under discussion by Mr.
Howard, the steamship agent, and the
British minister and consul. 1t was IN
derstood that no dissatisfaction was caus-
ed by the action of the authorities. While
the examination at Yokohama was draw
ing to close intelligence was received
that the suspected travellers had transfer
red themselves and their belongings 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 tho French consul,
and the discovery was soon made that
passenger calling himself John Brown.
an acknowledged alias, and claiming to
be an American, was bound for China
under contract with the authorities Of
that empire to destroy the Japanese
navy within eight weeks from the time
Of his arrival +"
He professed to have discovered an ex-
plosive of tremendous power which, he
declared, he had first offered TO Japan,
but as his proposal was contemptuously
refused he turned to the other belligerent
and sought employment from the Chinese
legation at Washington. Receiving sufIi.
cient encouragement for his purpose he
started at once to the east, accompanied by
an American assistant registered as
George HOWE and a Chinese interpreter
furnished him by the legation.
How the japanese were warned of this
transaction has not yot been discovered,
but they determined at all hazards to pre-
vent further progress of the party.
That they underworld to do this with
careful regard to the requirements of in
ternational law is doubted by nobody,
but whether they have succeeded in this
particular is a question warmly discussed
by foreign residents
The arrested men are under close
guardianship in Kobe. The affair con
Germs more or less directly three western
nations-the United States, Franco and
England-and it is already under consid-
Grafton by the diplomatic agents of the
respective governments. It is understood
that the French minister in Tokyo pro.
tested earnestly against the action of tho
Japanese in this case and that he has toll
egraphed home for instructions.