Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-11-21
Two Americans Arrested.

VICTORIA, B. C., Nov. 2I-The steam ship Empress of China arrived at noon with Yokohama advices to the 9th inst Some excitement has been 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 detach- mont of marines. \ 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 contraband wares had been shipped at San Francisco.
 Captain Pearne protested against the search. but otherwise offered no resist nncc. When the investigation was com, pieted. the ship was allowed to go on her way.
 According to tho general report, two of the passengers were known to be naval experts and the posseSsorS of some secret engine of destruction which was in thoir baggage. Nothing liable to seizure was found, however.
 During the greater portion of Nov. j the subject was under discussion by Mir Howard. the steamship agent. and the British minister and consul. It was un- derstood that no dissatisfaction was caus ed by the action of tho authorities While tho examination at Yokohama was draw ing to n close intelligence was received that the suspected travellers had transfer rcd themselves and their belongings to the French mail steamer sydney and were on the way to Shanghai by way of Kobe
 In obedience to telcgrams sent to the latter port permission to search the ship was obtained from the French consul, and the discovery was soon made that Q passenger calling himself John Brown. an acknowledged alias. and claiming to be an American. bound for Chtna 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 plosivc of tremendous power, which, he declared. he had first offered to Japan, but as his proposal was contemptuously refused he turned to tho other belligerent and sought employment from tho Chinese legation at Washington. Receiving stuff. cient encouragement for his purpose, ho started at once to the east. accompanied by i an American assistant registered as | George Howie and n Chinese interpreter | furnished him by the legation.
 How the Japanese were warned of this transaction has not yet been discovered but they determined at all hazards to pre- vent further progress of the party. l That they endcavOred to do this with
 careful regard to the requirements of in ] ternational law is doubted by nobody
 but whether they have succeeded in this l particular Is a question warmly discussed | by foreign residents
 The arrested men arc under close l guardianship in Kobe The affair con | cerns moro or less directly three western l nations-the United States, Franco and England-and it Is already under consid
 sration by the diplomatic agents of the 1 respective governments. It is understood
 that the French minister in Tokyo pro.
 tested earnestly against the action of the ! Japanese in this case and that he has tel 1 Ngraphed home for instructions