The herald., 1897-12-29


scouncillor of State and Agent OF the
Ministry Of Finance of the Imperial
Russian Government" and an inscrip.
tion in Chinese which read: "Superin-
tendent Of the Finances in Corea."
1t seems that the Gear induced or COM
PEELED the Corean Ambassador at St
Petersburg to enter into a contract with
Mr. A,exieff to manage the Corean fin"
ances without consulting any Of the
authorities at Seoul. The day after the
arrival of Mr.. Alexieff at Seoul, he called
upon the Minister Of Finance, exhibited
his contract and announced that he was
ready to enter upon his duties. Mr.. PAX
explained that the government was al
ready enjoying the services of McLevy
Brown and that the Corean Ambassa-
dor at st. Petersburg had no authority
or right to interfere with the Finance
Department. The Russian Minister re-
sponded that If the Minister of Finance
questioned the validity of the contract
1t would be considered reflection upon
his sovereign. After a show of resist
ance by Corea and repeated threats by
the Russian government, Mr.. Brown
was dismissed and Mr.. Alexieff installed
In his stead. Then followed Mr.. Browns
appeal to London and the sending of a
fleet.
CHINESE ALARM
PEKIN, Dec. 2S.-Tha German Gues-
ton is unsettled. China's difficulty is
increased, owing TO the uncertainty of
the position of the powers. Germany's
withdrawal from Kiao Chau Bay is
conditional upon her finding a suitable
harbor elsewhere. Chna's officials are
alarmed at the present situation. The
government appears to be utterly power
less. No answer has been received from
Russia concerning the proposed loan.
There are calamitous fore6odings con-
nected with the suns eclipse on the Chi
nese new years day.
NAVAL MOVEMENT
LONDON, Dec. 2S.-The Globe this
afternoon says a private telegram has
reached London last evening, announc-
ing that over twenty British warships
have arrived at Port Hamilton. An
other dispatch says that a report is cur
rent at Chez Foo to the effect that the
Japanese fleet has also arrived at Port
Hemilton.
Port Hamilton is a small island south
of Korea and not far from Quelpart
island.
The Paris correspondent of the Morn
ing Post says: Russia has been long ne
gotiating to raise a Chinese loan of
e6,000,000 in France to pay the indem-
nifty and secure the Japanese evacuation
of Wei Hal Wei. The negotiations were
broken off owing to Frances insisting
that the Bank of France should issue the
loan and Russia desiring that the Russo
Chinese bank should take the lead. A
certain GOODNESS now exists between
France and Russia.
AN INDIRECT EFFECT
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-"Affairs in |
China and the East" said Senator Gull
lom. "have put an entirely different |
complexion upon Hawaiis prospects for
annexation. Since Congress adjourned |
for the holidays there has been marked
change of sentiment concerning Hawaii,
and 1t would not surprise me If the pend
ing treaty should be ratified by the ne
cessary two-thirds Of the Senate. 1t
would be the height of folly to let such
an opportunity slip by as Hawaii pres
ents to the United States at such a crit
ical time. Here is most desirable piece
of property, only awaiting for a nod |
AIOlA OuClC Odlh " UcCOIIlG his OWN
without firing q gun or precipitating |
any trouble. AS soon as Congress meets |
we will get at the treaty, and my i'm
preston is that q number of Senators
who have hitherto been counted against |
ratification Of the treaty will be found |
on our side. 1t has always been my |
opinion that we ought to have Hawaii |
and I am confirmed in this belief more
than ever by the recent course Of events
In the Orient
AN AUSTRIAN PROPHECY
VIENNA, Dec. 2S.-The Neues Weiner
Tageblatt claims that Count Goluchow-
ski, the Austro- Hungarian foreign min
lister. foretold everything in the famous
speech appealing to Europe to unite |
against America. 1t adds: 'Vhere is
plenty Of room for all, and If England
will fight with the European powers |
against those dangerous rivals, the
United States and Japan, the proof of |
what United Europe is capable of will
be given in eastern Asia"