The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-12-31
FOREIGN
Land GRADERS.
The Admiral Of the French Fleet
SeizeS Hai-Nan Island.
HE PLANTS HIS FLAG THERE-THE
CHINESE AUTHORITIES OFFER
:. NO RESIST ANCE-THE ISLAND IS
1 OFF THE SOUTH COAST OF
CHINA AND HAS a POPULATION
OF ONE MILLION CHINESE.

Shanghai, Dee. 30.--It is reported here
that the admiral of the French feet has
hoisted the French flag on Hai-Nan Is.
land, between the China sea and the Gulf
OF Tonquin. The Chinese offered no on
position.
London. Dec. 3O-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Singapore confirms the
report of the seizure OF Hai-Nan Island
by the French
Hal Nan Island is Off the south coast
of China and separates the Gulf of Ton
quiu from the China sea. 1t has an esti
mated area of l2,OUO square miles and a
population of million Chinese. exclusive
Of wild tribes in the Interior. Some of
the mountains in the centre rise above
the snow line. 1t has several large riy-
ers. The coasts are generally rocky, but
the west coast is low and the south coast
has some good harbors. Timber is a
principal product. This is sens to An
nam. Siam and Singapore. Other exports
are rice, sugar, WAX, pearls, coral, salt
and little gold and silver. Its capital
is kiong Choo. populous city on it's
north coast.
According to d special dispatch from
Shanghai, the British admiralty has re-
questioned three of the Empress steam
ships, belonging to the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company.
"A u'sp"lcu from feklnS says: Th9 pro-
posed arrangement for a Russian puaran-
teed per cent. lean of 100000, 900 taels
is not yet ratified. The situation is dis
astIous. and the only hope is that Eng
land Will render financial help. as other
wise war is the only alternative.
Sir Ciaud Macdonald. the British am
oassador, has asked few days delay in
order to refer the matter to the home
government.
Paris, Dec. 30.-The French press is
beginning to protest loudly against
French inaction IN the far East and the
alleged subservency of the governments
to Russia.
Berlin, Dec 30. -Accordinp tn tho
Neueste Nachrichten, of Leipsio, Prince
bismarck disclaims all iesponsitiiity for
Germany's policy in China, nut he ap-
proves it and wishes it executed with en-
ergy, on the assumption that it implies
IN entieute with Russia.
The Tagliche Rundschau. on what it
alleges to be the "best authority in Lon
don," declares that Russia and China
have been negotiating for many months:
that China consented last October TO a
temporary Russian occupation of PORT
Arthur. and that England, hearing of
this, demanded n cession of the islaniis Mt
Hong Kong, strip of coast opposite
NOW Loon ana the mouth of the river
Canton, but. knowing that France also
wanted compensation, England suggested
that she should take Hai-Na Island.
Victoria, b. G., Dec 30 The officers
and passengers of the steam ship Victoria.
which is just in from the Orient. say that
all Is excitement on the other side Ut the
Paciiic. The people in all walks of life
expect that there will be Il clash among
the great powers over the seizure of
different ports of China
The British flagship Contuaw, at Hong
Kong, has been ordered to begin no work
that would detain her in port more than
twenty four hours.
Japanese papers are anxious for Eng
land TO make some move. but advise ia
pan to take prudent attitude and watch
the progress of events.
Rome, Dec. 30-The ministers OF for
eign affairs. finance and commerce con-
ferred yesterday regarding the measure
to be adopted to develop the commercial
relations CT Italy with China