Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-31
TIE CRISIS N TIE EAST.
british naval Reserves to Pc
Modified, Ii Is Said.


Modified, IL Is Said.
LONDON. December S0.--A news agency
announces that the British naval reserves
will be modified.
According to estimates. the reserve torce
Of the British navy numbers 'Jbout 2S'OOo'
OF this number it is calculated that al
least 1900 men would be required in case
of war. 10 complete the manning of the
yrarships of Great Britain. which are un-
derstood 10 require a complement OF llO-
go men whereas only 10000 are actually
iD service. The naval reserve problem mas
long been discussed by British authorities,
and the general opinion appears 10 De thdt
the number of men available IS far shoII
OF the number that would be required IN
case OF war.
In addition TO the men in the naval re-
serve. Great Britain has a large reserve
fleet. and a number OF reserve merchaht
cruisers including such vessels as the
Campania, Lucania Etruria, Umbria, Ma
jestic. Teutonic, etc.
no REQUISITION RECEIVED
LONDON. December 30.-The officials OF
the Canadian Pacific railroad here say
they have no knowledge or the bIl'iSil
admiralty having requsiuoned three ol
the Frupress steamships belonging 10 the
dispatch from Shanghai. and they believe
the statement 10 be without foundation.
SUPPRESSION OF BROWN.
PEKIN. December 9O.-The supersession
Of J. McLeavy Brown. the British super
intendent Of the Korean customs, is at
uresent engaging the attention of the
british Government. With the view OF
unfolding his rights four British warships
are understood 70 be of Chemulpo
OCCUPATION OF HAI-NAN DOUBTED.
PARIS December SO.-The officials oil
the French Ministry Of Marine regard the
reported occupation of the Island OF hal-
N4n OFF the south coast Of CHINA. by the
French fleet in those waters, as DelnS an
Invention During the day there was IS
sued a semi-ofiiclal contradiction OF the
report that the French rag had Deeii
h0.-ted over the Island Of Hai-Nan.
40 INFORMATION AT NEW YORK
NEW YORK. December So.-Regardlng
the rumor that the British Govern
las decided 20 call into active service
her naval reserve feet Bruce lsihay'
agent OF the White Star Line. when seen
late to-day. said he had no oihcial Vi
other information on the subject.
AZ the Office Of the British Consul sur
uriea was expressed at the report, mas
much as Great Britain has sufhciehl
naval force TO cope with any emergency
that might arise I'm the East, without can
ing 20 her aid the services OF the haNai
reserve. The British Consul here has 10
official information on the subject
BRITAIN TO RESIST.
CHICAGO December CA special from
Minneapolis says: Advices from Ottawa
indicate that the British Government Is
preparing 10 actively resist the Russian
occupation Of Port Arthur and Russian
influence in Korea; also. that the CO.
operation Of the japanese fleet with that
OF Great Britain Is a weli-setted fact.
Information has been received from an
inside source that the ottawa Govern
ment thirty days ago notified the Ca
madam Pacific officials 10 be In readiness
for the immediate TRANSFORMATION from
Montreal 10 Vancouver and Esquimault
of $3.50 men the contingent consisting OF
engineers. paInners and deck officers.
According 10 Information at hand. the
road has prepared for handling 10000 men,
FIVE trains being held In readiness for This
service The officers included In the first
contingent are intended 10 reinforce the
Japanese feet. which Is said 10 be very
short IN engineering talent and deficient
In glnnery.
The dispatch adds that secret agree
ment has been concluded between Great
Britain and japan, by the terms OF
which the Russian pretenslons In Korea
are TO be overcome and Russian aggran-
element in Asia permanently checked.
FORCE NOT FOR JAPAN.
Captain Ronald Rolf. n. n. qetired)
on inspection service. just returned from
ths West. and on his way 70 England