The record-union., 1897-12-31
THE LATEST GRAB.

French, say the latest reports, have
seized the Island of Hainan off the
Chinese south coast. The territory
taken has an area Of $1,000 equare
miles and 100000 Chinese population,
exclusive of some unsubdued tribes in
the mountainous interior. The terrific
ry seized is about the size Of the State
Of Maryland.
Hainan lies nearly across the mouth
Of the great Gulf of Tong King, or Ton
quin, and is southeast from the Prov
ince of Tonquin, ceded to the French
in 1884 and 150 miles distant. Due
west is the coast Of Anam, 100 miles
distant, over which a French protec-
torate was established in 1885, at which
time the French endeavored to take
Rainan but were unable to do SO be-
cause of the protest of Germany and
England on the appeal of China.
Immediately on the south of Anam
lies French Cochin China. Thus, be-
side Hainan, 1,400 miles and more Of
coast line, Cochin China and Chinese
territory on the mainland, are now un-
der the French thumb and embraces the
provinces of Tong King on the north,
abuttfng upon the south boundary of
the Chinese Empire, and the States of
Anam and French Cochin China. With
the seizure Of Hainan France thus be-
comes possessed of more territory in
the Chinese Orient than any other ma
ton, territory nearly as large as the
whole of France.
Hainan on its northeast coast is sep
arated from the great Chinese State of
kwang Tung by the Straits of Lin
chau, only ten or tewlve miles in width
1t is on the coast of this great State,
perhaps the NOSE important Of all In
China, that Hongkong. the English
island and city is located, and of which
State also Canton is the capital and
chief 0ity. HenskOug isl but cay
and half off by st) )amer + fm Hairj an
northeasstwarcly UP the ChsAese ccds
It looks now very much aslf there has
been for some months an agreement
among the great powers, Japan being
alone left out, by which the partition
Of the coast of China and of Corea was
settled upon. If this is a correct con-
cluston, there may be no war, and ia
pan will be compelled to take whatever
medicine has been prescribed for her.
However, Japanese and Chinese Of
fctals and diplomats alike assume that
the occupation Of Port Arthur by the
Russians Is but a water occupation,
temporary and in accordance with an
open treaty authorizing Russia to win
ter her fleets in the bay. That Gerna-
ny has not made permanent seizure Of
any Chinese territory. but has tempo
rarily occupied only. pending settlement
OF the indemnity for the murder of two
German missionaries
That no nation Is desirous of joining
In garae OF Chinese partition. but all
involved are simply fencing to secure
naval and coaling stations. That China
ts not powerless but possesses an enor-
NOUS land force that can successfully
defend the Empire against the few
tho cusands OF men It would be possible
for Russia or Germany to send to the
Chinese coast.
no assault has been made upon any
Of her rights, and she does not believe
that any is contemplated. But II II
comes TO warlike Involvement, she would
become the natural ally of China TO
aid her in resisting foreign encroach-
n1ent. That so far as control of Corea
by Russia is concerned, Japan long ago
OF portion of the east coast of Co.
rea, under treaty made for that pur-
pose. but she would consider any fur
fher occupation a cenace to the pater-
nal power she claims to exercise over
Corea, which 1t is confessed is irritat-
ang to a very large party Of Coreans.
In all this theorizing we do not place
much faith. The movements now In
progress, II they indicate anything
whatever. point TO concerted action be-
tween Russia, Germany and France to
occupy permanently large and i'm
poTtant sections OF the Chinese coast,
and 10 exercise over them supreme au-
thority, while the evidences all point
TO the domination OF Corea by Russia
regardless of any paternal claims Of
Japan
1t Is impossible to tell at this time
just what the attitude Of England Will
be. The belief that she is seeking new
possessions in China is not warranted
10y anything that has yet developed.
The order Of her fleets to japanese wa
ters and the calling upon the Canadian
line OF Pacific steamers to furnish
transports for British troops. may int
dicate either intention 10 interfere with
the plans OF Russia and Germany and
10 ally herself with Japan, or the mean
ing may be that she proposes TO oceu-
py more territory herself; or still an
other Interpretation may be given to
her movements. namely, that she is
taking precautionary steps only, with