The herald., 1897-12-30

vices during tue CHlHa-J dPon "oA' DuS
1T appears to be overlooked that Ger
many has received distinct returns for
those services, in the granting of large
concessions, which at the time OF the
grant, were considered as most valuable
to Germany. AS to the Russian fleet
at Port Arthur, that is not surprise. A
Russian fleet was wintered at Chinese
port last winter, with the consent of
China, as it involved no sacrifice Of ter
ritory. What the outcome will be is diff
ficult to say, but it is felt that an ami
cable settlement will be made, possibly
by the granting of coast stations, but
without any serious dismemberment Of
territarx."
The German officials here take the
view that there are but two actual steps
on the part of Germany, namely, the oc
cupation of Kiao Chau bay and the dis
patch of Prince Henry's feet to Chinese
waters. Beyond this, they say, all is
conjecture as to what Germany will do.
That Prince Henry will extend his field
of operations beyond Chinese waters
and will embrace Samoa and Hawaii is
dismissed as absurd. although reports
Of such a movement have been current.
A CRASH EXPECTED
VICTORIA, B. c., Dec. 29.-Advices
by the steamer Victoria from the Orient
reflect the excitement caused by the
massing Of the fleets of the European
nations. A crash among the great pow
ers over the seizure of Chinese ports is
everywhere anticipated.
The British flagship Century at Hong
kong has been ordered to begin no work
that would detain her in port longer than
twenty-four hours. Japanese papers are
anxious for England to make some move
but they advise Japan to take prudent
attitude and simply watch the progress
of events. The German admiral, In
proclamation to the residents of the dis
tricts seized by Germany, advises them
to continue their peaceful avocations
and warns them that any breaches OF the
law will be punished.
There were at Nagasaki on December
8th, 1897, nine Russian warships, two
American cruisers (the Olympia, in dock.
and the Boston) and the British cruiser
Lamertal.
Nine of the Chinese bandits who took
part in the murder Of Chinese priests at
Yenchaufu, which gave Germany
cause for the seizure Of Kiao Chau bay,
have been apprehended and much of the
plunder recovered.
A FINANCIAL CRISIS
LONDON, Dec. ga dispatch from
Pekin says: The proposed arrange
ment for a Russian guaranteed per
cent loan of 100000, 900 taels is not rati-
fed. The situation is disastrous and
the only hope is that England will rem
der financial help. as otherwise war is
the only alternative. Sir Claude Mac
Donald, the British ambassador, has
asked few days delay in order to refer
the matter to the home government.
The Tagelisch Rundschau on what it
alleges to be the "best authority in Lon
dom" 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 cession of the islands
at Hong Kong, strip of coast over op-
posite Kow Loon and mouth of the river
Canton, but, knowing that France also
wanted compensation, England suggest
ed that she should take Hal Nan island.
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Singapore confirms the report Of the
seizure OF Hal Nan island by the French.
Hal Nan island is of the south coast
Of China and separates the Gulf of Ton
quin from the China sea- 1t has an es-
timated area Of $4,000 square miles and
population OF million Chinese. ex-
elusive Of wild tribes in the interior.
STEAMERS TAKEN
LONDON. Dec. s0.-According to a
special dispatch from Shanghai. the
British admiralty has requisitioned
three Of the Empress steamships. be-
longing to the Canadian Pacific Railway
company.
ACTION DEMANDED
PARIS. Dec. 20. 1.-The French press IL
beginning to protest loudly against
French inaction In the farseast and the