The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-31
CRUISERS NOW AT cHEMULPo.
REINSTATEMENT OF BRITISH Gus
TOMS OFFICER DEMANDED.

Two Japanese Cruisers Reported to
BE in the Yang Use Txiang River.
The British and Japanese Fleets
Believed to BE in Close Touch.
Japan Working Night and Day
Preparing for War-Seizure of Hal
Nan Island Officially Denied by
France-Mnrquis Ito Forming
New Cabinet for Japan.
London, Dec. 81, a. ma dispatch to
the Daily Mail from Shanghai, dated yes
terday Thursday. says:
"A British fleet of eight ships and four
torpedo boats has arrived at Chemulpo
(the port of SeouD.
1T is reported that there are two Japa-
nese cruisers in the Yang Use Kiang river.
Japan is working night and day preparing
for war. II is believed that the British
and japanese fleets are in close touch
a dispatch to the Daily Mail from To-
kio says Marquis Ito is forming cabinet.
According to a dispatch to the same
paper from Nagasaki, dated yesterday
CThursday), it is believed Marquis Ito will
aim to maintain peaceful attitude.
The Daily Mail has received kilograms
from Hong Kong and Tonquin, denying the
report of the French occupation of the
island of Hal Nan, but it regards it as
morally certain that Hal Nan was occu-
pied about fortnight ago when Port Ar
thur was occupied by the Russians, the
coincidence forcing the suspicion that
France and Russia were acting in con-
cert.
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from Sing
apore, dated yesterday Thursday, says:
1.-THE news that the French had occupied
Hal Nan Island was brought here from
Saigon Capital of French Cochin China)
on Tuesday by the French mail boat Ern-
est Simon. Before the latter left Saigon
on the 25th, q French cruiser arrived there
with either Admiral Bodoliero, or letters
from him to the French government of
Saigon. The Ernest Simon delayed for an
hour at Saigon in order TO take the gov
ernor's dispatch relating to the hosting of
the flag on the island of Hal Nan TO the
French government.
THE cause of the delay was known only
to a few officers on board the Ernest ST.
mon, but inadvertently the secret was i'm.
parted to a French officer here (Singapore),
who, not being bound to secrecy, let the
matter out. 1t is beliVed the French hold
IGG tGlGBTdpl OlAGG at IlOi-tAOW kI1dA
Nam, and control communication between
Saigan and Hong Kong. The cable be-
tween Hong Kong (Tonquin) and Saigon
is broken and under repairs, therefore, 1t
is impossible for Admiral BedOllere to
telegraph the news of the seizure to Sal
gon.
Admiral Bedolliere with the warships
Bayard and Dekartes left Hong Kong on
Dec. II. He called at Hal Nan on Dec.
IA and attended a meeting of the citizens
committee about that date when the seiz-
ure of the island was decided on.
The Daily Graphic asserts ION author
ity'' that the British squadron was def
nitely instructed to assemble off Chemulpo
to support strong British expostulation
with Korea on the dismissal of McLeavy
Brown British superintendent of Korean
customs), who, until the advice of the
British consul, has twice returned notice
of dismissal served on him.
With regard to Port Arthur, the Daily
Graphic asserts that there is every reason
to believe the Russians win adhere to
their pledge to evacuate at the end of the
winter, and there is therefore no ground
for complaint on the part of England.
Neither does the government regard the
occupation of Kiao Chou as calling for ac-
tion, because British interests are not
threatened. According to the Daily
Graphic, both the foreign office and adm-
rally are agreed upon this point
letter from Kobe says: military
manoeuvres of great magnitude were eX-
ecuted in Japan last month for the first
time since the war with China"
special dispatch from Shanghai says
that communications are constantly pass
ing between the British and Japanese Off
clas and it is understood the Japanese
ministers are trying to effect a reap
proachment with England on the basis of
joint guarantee of reform in the Chinese
administration.
Pekin, Dec. 9O.-The suppression of ].
McLeavy Brown, the British superintend-
ent of Korean customs, is at present en-
gaging the attention of the British gov
ernment. With the view of upholding his
rights, four British war vessels are under
stood to be off Chemulpo.
uAI NAr Nnn, sEruun