The herald., 1897-12-26
ORIENTAL
TROUBLES
Don't Scare England Even
Little Bit
WHEN THE GRAB GAME BEGINS
THE LIONS PAW WILL NOT BE
FOUND IDLE
Some Interesting Statistics From
Monte Carlo-The Christmas
Across the Water-Notes
WHEN THE GRAB GAME BEGINS
THE LIONS PAW WILL NOT BE
FOUND IDLE

LONDON, Dec. 25.-(Copyright. 1879
In we'll informed circles the general
impression prevails that the scare in the
newspapers and among the public in
regard to the far east Is at least prema-
ture While the members of the gov
ernment are reticent, they are
evidently sincere in discaiming
the least alarm. The impression
gathered in ministerial quarters is
that Great Britain is carefully watch
ing events, biding her time, and that she
certainly will not fail to act promptly
and vigorously at the proper moment.
1t is estimated in quarters usually well
posted on such matters that Germany
either has, or wishes to have, an under
standing on the subject with Great
Britain. This view is strongly borne
out by Prince Henry's visit to Queen
Victoria at Osborne, by his subsequent
trip to London and by the autograph let
ter which the prince is said to have taken
to her majesty from Emperor William,
letc., of which confirmation is forthcom-
ling. The emperor's letter to the queen
is regarded as being a distinctly con-
ciliatory step on the part of Germany.
But there Is no doubt Great Britain is
quietly preparing for all eventualities.
Should it become clear that Germany
and Russia have really commenced
game of grab, Great Britain will be pre-
pared to assert her claims for a division
of the spoils.
At the Chinese embassy the view pre-
walls that there is some understanding
between Great Britain and Germany.
The impression seems to have arisen
that the proceedings took Great Britain
by surprise. This is impossible, for since
her intervention in Chinese-Japanese
affairs it has been known that Germany
has only been waiting favorable op-
tportunity to obtain a foothold in China
and at various times it has been reported
that Lappa, Quemoy and Annoy had
been secured, while year ago German
ships surveyed Kiao Chau bay, all of
which was known at the British foreign
office.
The reception Of the German squadron
at Portsmouth, the facilities which the
ships were afforded, and will be af-
forded at all the British coal depots on
their way to Hong Kong point to the
That Russia does not expect trouble is
shown in the fact that she has not one
battleship in the far east. But, of
course, if Russia does not leave Port Ar
thur in the spring her stay there may
lead to other grabbing.
The British government, however, is
apparently not borrowing trouble. From
a trading point of view it is pointed out
that when, in the event of the opening of
three new foreign ports they will prob
ably be as little harmful to Shanghai as
Boston and Philadelphia are to New
York.
SEALING QUESTIONS
The Times editorial expressing sat
isfaction at the Bering settlement and
protesting against the 'loose insinua-
tions of bad faith on the part of the
United States government, which have
been thoughtlessly and unqualifiedly
made in England" and Japan's with
drawal from the attitude she had as
sumed in Hawaii, are taken as indica-
| tions of desire for an Anglo-Japanese-
| American alliance.
MONTE CARLO FIGURES
The alleged attempt of the Prince of
Monaco to "bleed" the Casino company
has led to the publication of pamphlet
by a group of shareholders full of in
teresting reading. While everybody is
aware that the casino contributes large
ly to it's revenues, few people know
that besides the subsidy of the prince
the establishment keeps up the Judges,
police, lighting, water. postoffice, clergy
and charitable institutions. Last sea-
sons expenditures of them, principally
apart from the maintenance of the
casino, which was GS34, ,O0O amounted to
G13O,OOO, of which sum the prince had
E5O,0Oo, the courts, police, etc, 100000;
clergymen and schools, $4,000; char
tiles, 10000; prizes for sports, ELL 900.
and the postoffice and losses, $4,000.
The dividends on shares absorbed
9576,000, making a total revenue of
f1,54O, 900 which the fools of the world''
left at the Monte Carlo gambling table.
An interesting item is press subyen-
tions, 825,000."
The pamphlet says that it is absolute
ly necessary to expend a large sum in
securing the good will of the continental
press, and it Is said that over half the
stories of suicide are only bids upon the
part Of the Riviera newspapers for a
share of the DOODLE"
1t appears that the Prince of Monaco
attended recent meeting of the share
holders, and offered to renew the con-
cession for fifty years, the terms being
gradual increase of his personal sub
sidy until the sum reaches 100000 an
nually; new port to be built at the cost
of E32O,OO0 an opera house to be built
costing GS0,000, and various other items
making total of e19O,OOO annually. AL
though the prince has signed the new
concession, it remains to be seen whether
the forthcoming meeting Of the share
holders will approve of accepting these
exorbitant terms.
UNPROFITABLE CRIME
Paris police statistics lust published