The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-31
UNITED STATES AND JAPAN
DECLARED TO BE THE DANGER
GUS RIVALS OF EUROPE:

Against Them on the Eastern Question.
England aud Japan Massing Their War
ships in Chinese Waters China's .Diffi
culties iacreasing-German and Russian
of Her Territory-Coolness
Between iiussia and France
Pekin, December 28.-The German
Guilty is increased, owing to the uncer-
tainty OF the attitude of the powers.
Germany's withdrawal from Kiao-Cnou
bay is said to be conditional upon her
finding a suitable naval station else
where. China is becoming alarmed at
the present situation. The government
appears to be utterly powerless No
answer has been received from Russia
concerning the proposed loan. There
are calamitous forebodings connected
with the suns relapse on the Chinese
New Years day.
London, December 2S.-The Globe
this afternoon says a private telegram
reached London last evening, announc-
ing that oven twenty British warships
have arrived at Port Hamilton.
"a SpSCIdl oiopdtShl llOLl Ciiol iidl
says the British fleet has anchored at
Port Hamilton. The dispatch further
says that a report is current at Chez
Foo to the effect that the Japanese
fleet has also arrived at Port Hamil-
ton.
Yokohama, December 28.-Owing to
the failure of the premier, Marquis
SaigO, to reconstruct the cabinet, all
fha Y1nv,,HnrC Of that hnIxy bopo
signed. The newspapers demand the
formation Of a very strong ministery
capable of coping with the situation in
the east.
London, December ga dispatch
to The Times from Kobe, japanese,
says the dissolution of the diet has
greatly angered the political parties.
1T is probable that the Marquis Ito,
former premier, and Count Okuma, a
former foreign minister, viii form q
coalition ministry, with a vigorous
foreign policy. The military party is
eager for action; extraordinary actiYi-
ty prevails at the military and naval
depGts and warships are assembling at
Nagasaki.
A special dispatch from Shanghai,
dated Tuesday says: 1t is reported
that a Japanese fleet Of over twenty
warships is waiting near Cato island,
outside Nagasaki, fully equipped for
war and only awaiting Instructions.
This includes the Yashima and the
Fuji, two of the finest vessels in the
Japanese navy, and The Chen Yuen,
that was captured from China. The
Japanese fleet, it is understood, is act
ing in close touch with the British
squadron under Vice Admiral Sir
Alexander Butler, commandments
IN the Chinese station. Japan will
certainly oppose a permanent Russian
occupation of Port Arthur. The sud-
den dissolution of the Japanese diet
was owing to the war spirit. Ut is ex-
pected that the Japanese fleet will at
tempt to prevent the landing of REIN
forcements from Odessa for the pro-
lection of the Russian trans-Asiatic
railway in Manchuria.
The Paris correspondent of The
Morning Post says: Russia has long
been negotiating to raise a Chinese
loan of S. 600, 600 in France to pay the
indemnity and Secur the Japanese
evacuation of Wei-Hai-Wei. The ne
gotiations were broken off, owing to
France insisting that the Bank of
France should issue the loan, and Rus
STA desiring that the Itusso-Chinese
bank should take the lead. A certain
GOODNESS now exists etwee France
and Russia.
Vienna, December 2S.-The Neues
Wiener T~Nageblatt claims that Count
G~oluchowski, the Austro-Hungarian
foreign minister, foretOld everything in
the famous speech appealing to Europe
to unite against America. 1t adds:
There is plenty Of room. for all, and if
England will fight with the European
powers against those dangerous rivals,
the United States and Japan, the proof
of what united Europe is capable will
be given in eastern Asia"