Evening star., 1898-11-02
Diverts England's Attention by Late
Aggressions in China.
VARLlKE PREPARATIONS FOLLOW
Report That Major Marchand is to
Be withdrawn.
S E NJ L OF F CT AL NOTE

WEI-HAI-WEI, November 2-Al the
British warships here, the first-class battle
ship Centurion, the first-class cruiser Mar
cissus, the second-class cruiser Hermione
the torpedo boat destroyer Whiting. the
torpedo boat destroyer Fame, The torpedo
boat destroyer Handy and the first-class
gunboat Peacock, have cleared for action
end are ready for sea at an hours notice
The first-class battle ship Victorious and
the ffrst-class cruiser Undaunted at Chez
Foo are coaling to their full capacity.
The greatest secrecy is maintained as 10
the meaning of these warlike preparations
but there is no doubt important instructions
are expected at any moment.
A large Russian fleet is assembled at Port
Arthur.
Regarded Seriously in London.
LONDON, November THE dispatch
fl ON Wei-Hai-Wei announcing the war
preparations of the British naval authori-
ties there is regarded here as being of
grave Importance, coupled with the Anglo
French war preparations. 1t is surIaisei /
that Russia, profiting by the present strain
ed relations between Great Britain and
France, has decided to push forward her
aims in the far east by forcibly seizing the
valuable treaty port of New Chwang, which
A dispatch from London to the Associated
Press on October 20 said a cable message
had been received there from Shanghai as
follows: "A Russian regiment occupied the
town of Niu Chwang province OF 1eao-
Tong, and the forts at the mouth of the
river Liaou on October l5, thus securing
complete possession of Niu Chwang. The
native troops hed without making any op-
position under orders from the Empress
Dowager and Ii Hung Chang.
British gunboat was in the river at
the time. Its non-resistance is regarded
the virtual British abandonment of the
whole of Manchuria to the Russians, and
gives Russia an invaluable strategic posi-
ton. Great Britain is certain TO lose the
Niu Chwang trade, Of which it has had
~ per cent
Mai. Marchnnd to Withdraw.
/ BERLIN, November 2.-Prices opened
firm on the boerse today, due to the state
ment OF the Daily Graphic of London that
Major Marchand is to return to Fashoda
and then TO Withdraw his expedition i'll
the direction of the upper UbanGhi river
north of the Congo, thus evacuating Fash
pda and the five posts established by him
east of the frontier indicated in the Anglo
German agreement.
g +. 4 Semi-Oficial Note.
LONDON, November "A semi-official
note issued this evening relative to the
reports Of settlement OF the Fashoaa
question. says:
The matter is substantially in the same
position as when the blue book and yell
low book were published. 1t is not antici-
pated that France will take further action
until Major Marchand's arrival at Cairo on
Thursday, when explanations will be forth
coming as TO his reasons for leaving Fa-
ShoGa.
Activity in EsIuimauIt.
VANCOUVER Il. c.. November 2.-Ad-
niral Pallison's secretary, who had left
here for an up-country point. has been
urgently telcgraphed TO return to Esqui-
mault at once. Ali is excitement in naval
circles. The Scotsmen of Vancouver recog-
niZing the gravity of the situation offer to
raise a regiment ard place ii at the dis
posal of the government for service either
at home abroad