Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-12-30
FRENCH TAKE HAl-NAU.
Other Advices from the Far East
Japan Prepares for War.

Japan t'repuTco lOr NtNT.
Shanghai, Dec. 30.-It is reported
here that the admiral of the French
feet has hoisted the French flag on
Hai-Nan island. The Chinese offered
no opposition.
London, Dec. 3o.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Singapore confirms the
report of the seizure of Hai-Nan island
by the French. Hai-Nan island is off
the south coast of China and separates
the gulf of Tonquin from the China
| sea. 1t has an estimated area of $4,000
square miles and a population of 1,00O,-
900 Chinese, exclusive of wild tribes in
| the interior.
| London, Dec. 80. - The Tagliche
Rundschau, on what it alleges to be the
'best authority in London" declares
| that Russia and China have been ne
gotiating for many months; that China
consented last October to temporary
Russian occupation of Port Arthur;
and that England, hearing of this, de-
manded q cession of the islands at Hong
Kong, a strip of coast opposite Kow-
{, Loon and the mouth of the river Cam
ton; but, knowing that France also
wanted compensation, England sug-
| gested that she should take HGi-Nan
| island.
| Paris, Dec. 30.-The French press is
beginning to protest loudly against
| French inaction in the far east and the
alleged subserviency of the government
| to Russia.
Berlin, Dec. 30.-According to the
Neueste Nachrichten, of Leipsic, Prince
Bismarck disclaims all responsibility
/ for Germany's policy in China, but he
sapproves it and wishes it executed with
energy, on the assumption that it inn
plies an entente with Russia.
| London, Dec. 29.-The Globe says a
private telegram reached London an
nouncing that over 20 British war ships
| have arrived at Port Hamilton. Port
Hamilton is small island south Of
Corea, and not far from the Quelpart
island.
London, Dec. 31.-The Daily Graphic
asserts ION authority" that the British
squadron was definitely instructed to
assemble off Chemulpo to support a
strong British expostulation with Co
rea on the dismissal of McLeavy Brown,
British superintendent of Corean Gus
| toms, who, under the advice of the Brit
ish consul, has twice returned the no.
tice of dismissal served upon him.
With regard to Port Arthur, the Daily
Graphic asserts that there is every
reason to believe the Russians will adj
here to their pledge to evacuate at the
end of the winter, and there is there
fore no ground for complaint on the
part of England. Neither does the gov
eminent regard the occupation of Kiao-
1 Chau as calling for action, because Brit
Y ish interests are not threatened. Ac-
cording to the Daily Graphic both the
foreign Office and the admiralty agreed
upon this point.
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Shanghai says: A British feet of eight
ships and four torpedo boats has ar
rived at Chemulpo (the port of SeouD.
1t is reported that there are two jap
anese cruisers in the Yang-tse-K iang
river. Japan is working night and day
preparing for war. 1t is believed that
the British and japanese fleets are in
close touch.
A letter from Kobe says: Military
maneuvers of great magnitude were eX-
ecuted in Japan last month for the first
time since the war with China"