The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-29
And Its Savage Roar, Mingled with
the Barking of Japan's 'sWar Dogs
May Soon he Heard.
PORT HAMILTON OCCUPIED
THIRTY CIR MORE BRITISH AND
JAPANESE SHIPS OFF THE ISLAND.
Allied Fleets Now In Command of the
yellow Sea-War Sentiment i'm Ja-
pan-ResignatiOn of Cabinet.


Special Cable Lottery
LONDON, Dec 29-Though the British
! lion has not yet begun to roar in the Orient
there is every indication that it's voice will
soon be heard. 1t has turned on those who
were hunting it and is stealthily approach
ing them. In plain words. Great Britain
has awaked from her seeming lethargy and
is now playing what may prove to be the
| most desperate game of her life. Her su-
premacy as the first nation of the world Is
at stake. That she will maintain her pres
| tige in China against the new dreibund--
Russia, Germany and France-no one here
| doubts, for she has already checkmated
Russia in Corea, and is now in a position
| to make it extremely hot for all her oppon-
ents if they persist in their avowed de-
| termination to destroy British influence in
| China. 1t was reported here yesterday-and
| the report has not been denied-that twenty
war ships of the British fleet stationed in
| Chinese and Japanese waters had arrived
| at Port Hamilton, an island off the south
| coast of Corea, and would make that place
| their rendezvous. 1t was also stated Il at
| thirty Japanese war vessels were near
| Port Hamilton, and would act in concert
| with the British ships whenever necessary.
The Importance of this move cannot be
| overestimated. By making Port Hamilton
| their naval station, Britain and Japan are
{ within swift striking distance of the Shame
| Tung peninsula and Kioachau bay. the ter
ritory grabbed by Germany The British and
| Japanese fleets will also be able to COM
| mand the Yellow sea and the Strait OF
| Corea, through which all Russian, German
and French ships must pass to reach the
| Gulf of Pe-Che-Lee or the Liao-rong gulf.
| The gulf of Liao-Tong is where Russia is
now operating, having just seized the inn
| portant city of Kinchau. The Cars fleet
is thus imprisoned. for none of his vessels
| can pass around Corea from Vladivostock
| without being seen by the British or Japan
| ese fleet. Port Hamilton is near the larger
| island of Quaelpaert, which may also be
| taken possession of by the British and Jap
anese They are, however, already we'll
supplied with naval stations, having Wei
| Hai-Wei and Tailen bay. The latter belongs
| to Corea, but it was reported a few days
| ago that 1t would be used by Britain and
| Japan il deemed necessary. for ~endez-
| vous. 1t will thus be seen that John Bun,
though seemingly little tardy, has made
himself master Of the situation In the
Orient.
Later advices indicate that only part OF
the Japanese war fleet is at Port Hamilton.
but it is certain that every ship of the navy
| special dispatch from Shanghai, dated yes
terday (Tuesday), says: 1T is reported that
a Japanese fleet of over twenty war ships
| is waiting near Goto island, outside Naga-
| saki, fully equipped for war, and only
| awaiting instructions. This includes the
| Yashima and the Full, two of the finest
vessels in the Japanese navy, and the Chen
| Yuen. that was captured from China. The
| Japanese fleet, it is understood, is acting
| in close touch with the British squadron
| under Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Butler,
| commander-in-chief on the China station.
| Japan will certainly oppose a permanent
Russian occupation of Port Arthur. The
| sudden dissolution of the Japanese Diet was
| owing to the war spirit. 1t is expected that
| the Japanese fleet will attempt 20 prevent
| the landing of reinforcements from Odessa
| for the protection of the Russian trans
asiatic railway in Manchuria.
| 1t is conceded here that it was master
| stroke of policy which secured to Great
| Britain the friendship of Japan. While the
| Japanese navy is not SO strong some of
| the European powers, the fact that 1t is
| close to the coming battle ground is of great
| advantage. All told, Japan has 1913 war
| ships. This includes armored and unarmored
cruisers, gunboats, training ships and tor
| pedo boats Many of the vessels are equipped
with the best guns made
| According to advices from Picking, the
! Chinese government is paralyzed, and is
either unwilling or unable to help h, self.
no effort is being made to drive the Ger
mans out of Shang-Tung province. China
| thinks she is now isolated and at the mercy
! of all the European powers. Germ1ny's
| withdrawal from Kiaochau bay, it is said,
| at Peking is conditional on her finding an
other naval station but it is not believed
| here that Germany has any intention of sur
rendering her stolen territory. On the other
hand it is thought another port will be
| seized if the opportunity arrives. No an-
swer has been received at Peking from Rus
sa concerning the proposed loan. There
are calamtous forbodings among the super
+, stitous Chinese in regard to the sun eclipse
| ON New Years day
! The Paris correspondent of the Morning
| Post says: Russia has long been negotia-
ting to raise Chinese loan of 900
in France to pay the indemnity and secure
! the japanese evacuation of Wei-Has-Wei.
The negotiations were broken off, owing to
France insisting that the Bank of France
| should issue the loan and Russia desiring
| that the Russo-Chinese Bank should take
| the lead. certain GOODNESS row exists be-
| tween France and Russia"
The Neues Wiener Tageblatt of Vienna
claims that Count Goluchowskl. the Aus
tro-Hungarian foreign minister, foretoId
| everything in the famous speech appealing
| to Europe to unite against America. II
| adds: There 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 will be given In
| eastern ASIA"
H-
IN RUSSzA'S CLUTCHES.