The herald., 1894-11-21
WAR CORRESPONDENCE oE.

WAR CORBEsPONDENCE.
Detention of the GalIic - Arrest of
Moore-Notes.
VICTORIA, B. c., Nov. 20.-The steamer
Empress OF China arrived today. bring
ing Yokohama advices to November 9th
as follows:
DETENTION OF THE GAELIC.
Some excitement has been created in
Yokohama by the detention of the Ori-
en- tai and Occidental steamer Gaelic on
her outward voyage to Hong Kong. in
order that search for contraband gocds
might be made by the Japanese authori-
ties. On the evening OF November 4th
two torpedo boats took positions on
either side of the Gaelic and were pres
emily followed by gusrdship containing
a detachment OF marines. A group of
custom house officers went aboard and
asked permission to examine the
cargo, explaining that they had
received information that contra
band wares had been shipped at
San Francisco. Captain Hearne pro-
tested against the search, but otherwise
offered no opposition. The proceedings
were conducted with perfect courtesy on
both sides. After partial inspection
the busnesB was postponed tor the
night, but WAS resumed next day, when
the ship was allowed to go on her way.
According TO general report, two OF the
passengers were known to be naval ex-
perts and the poseessors of some secret
engine OF destruction, which was be.
leved to be hidden in their baggage.
Nothing liable to seizure WAS found
however.
During the greater Fart of November
9TH the subject WAS under discussion by
Mr.. Howard, the steamship agent, and
the British minister and consul. 1t was
understood that no Dissatisfaction was
caused by the action of the authorities,
who asserted that it WAS OF vital impor-
tance that they guard against the par
ticular danger involved in this case.
THE SUSPECTS CAPTURED.
While the examination at Yokohama
was drawing to close, intelligence was
received that the suspected travellers
had transferred themselves or their be-
longings to the French mail steamer
Sydney and were on the way to Shang-
hal by way OF Kobe. In obedience to
kilograms sent to the latter port permits
sion to search the ship was obtained
from the French consul, and the diecov-
cry was soon made that @ passenger call
ing 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 timo of his
arrival. He Processes to have discovered
an explosive of tremendous power,
which he declared he had first offered to
the Japanese, but as his proposal was
contemptuously refused he turned to the
other beligerent and sought employ
ment from the Chinese legation ct
Washington.
Receiving sufficient encourage for
his purposes, he started at once for ths
east, accompanied by an American as
sistant, registered as George Howie, and
a Chinese interpreter furnished him by
the legation. How the Japanese were
warned OF this transaction has not been
discovered, but their apprehensions
were awakened to such an extent that
they determined at all hazards to pre-
vent further progress of the party. The
arrested men are under close guardian
chip in Kobe.
A FRENCH PROTEST..
1t ia understood that the French min
lister in Toxic protests earnestly agains,
the action OF the Japanese in this case
and that he has telegraphed home TO,
special instructions. Japan will con-
tend, in defense, that the persona de-
tanned had entered into an agreement
with Chinese government officials by
which they undertook TO conduct hostile
operations OF great magnitude and i'm
portance against both the Japanese
navy and mercantile marine. end as the
French Representatives here stationed
were not authorized TO interrupt them
in their journey TO the seat OF war, il
became necessary. as q measure oil self
protection, to have recourse to belliger
ent rights. japan will claim that 6
seizure of this description, namely, oil
individuals in actual service of an enc
my, is justified by recognized principles
of international law. The ship itsel
was not eezed because the captain Was be
lieved to be ignorant of the character o
the individuals arrested.
SERVANTS OF CHINA.
1nCI0 W GS EiO GuS5tluA bDab bio va
ties arrested were in the service O
China. They bore letters to Ii Hune
Chang from the envoy at Washington
and also formal contract promising tt
pay 81 ,000, ,0G0 for the destruction of thI
Japanese navy, and specified sum 10
every merchant ship destroyed. It ap
pears that 100000 had already beer
paid on account. The Japanese official
emphatically assert that the seizure wa
made In accordance with the method
laid down for such Coatingencies by th
highest international authorities, tn
process having been executed with du
caution and discretion by an officer o
the imperial navy.
Some doubts are entertained as to tht
nationality Of Brown and Howie. The
declare Themselves English by birth
but Americana by naturalization one 0
both served recently in the Brazilian
navy.
JAPANESE FOREIGN LOAN.
Much attention is gvsn by the Japan
zee press to the subject OF foreign loan
and the question as to its expedienoy
earnestly debated in financial circles
Tne governments is at present strongl
oppoaed to the idea OF borrowing frol
abroad. and its policy of independence
is supported by the leading newspaper
and by the most important financial in
stitution in the empire-the Bank c
Japan. The manufacturing class ala
believes in relying upon domestic re
sources for the requisite supplies, Th