The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-01-04

of the recent curious decree issued by the
Emperor OF China to fend off the wrath
of providence as indicated in the eclipse
predicted for new years day. The docH-
ment is pronounced by experts TO be a
masterful exhibition Of typical Chinese
craftsmanship, in view Of the existing
critical condition of affairs iii the celeS-
tial Empire. The decree reads as fol
lows:
According TO the Chun Chiu (spring
and autumn annals). it has been stated
that an e~cli,<e Of the sun on the first
day Of the wear betokens an impending
calamity, heace the sovereign Of every
dynasty VIII i has preceded Us have IL
ways made Il a point, whenever an
eclipse of TIE sun is prognOsticated, 70
undergo self basement and hunbi"
themselves lgtore heaven in order 10
avert the wrath from above.
1--WE furth"r command the ceremonies
Of co~ngratuIat'on, usually held on New
Years day in the Tais Ho Throne Hall.
he curtailed and only ordinary o~heisances
be made. TIE lace being changed to the
CHEN Using Throne Hall instead Of the
Taio Ho Throne Hall. The banquet
usually given to the imperial clansmen
on New Years day must also be stopped
and when the eclipse occurs let all mem
hers of the court wear sober garments
and assemble in the inner palace before
the altar set up to heaven TO pray for
forbearance and mercy to the country
at large. This is so far as shall con-
Germ ourselves to show our desire to
propitiate high heaven"
\ CLASH IS EXPECTED.
Victoria. b. c., Dee. 29.-The officers
-1 - 4I, -, ,.-1fn- W
toria. which is just in from the Orient.
say that all is excitement on the other
side of the Pacific. The people in all
walks Of life expect that there will be
a clash among the great powers over
the seizure of different ports of China.
The British flagship ContHaw, at Hong
Kong, has been ordered to begin no
work that would detain her in port more
than tWenty-four hours.
japanese papers are anxious for Eng
land to make some move, but advise
Japan to take a prudent attitude and
watch the progress of events.
The German admiral in his proclama-
ton to the residents of the districts
seized by Germany, advises them to con-
tinue their peaceful ayocations and
warns them that any breaches Of the law
Will be punished.
There were at NagaSaki, on December
8, nine Russian warships, two Ameri-
can cruisers, the Olympia Gin docl0 and
the Boston, and the British cruiser
L'Amortal.
FRENCH PRESS PROTEST..
Paris, Dec. 29.-The French press is
beginning to protest loudly against
French i~nactien in the far east and the
alleged subserviency of the government
To Russia.
THE FRENCH FLAG HOISTED.
Shanghai. Dec. 29.-It is reported
here that the admiral of the French fleet
has hoIsted the French flag on Hai-Nan
Island between the China sea and the
gulf of Tonquin.)
The Chinese offered no opposition.
THE REPORT CONFIRMED.
London, Dec. pa despatch to
the Daily Mail from Singapore confirms
the report Of the seizure of Hai-Nan Is
land by the French.
Hai-Nan Island is off the south coast
of China and separates the gulf of Ton
ouin from the China sen 1t haze an eS;
timated area of 1000 square mics ana
a population Of a million Chinese, eXcil-
sive of wild tribes in the interior. Some
of the mountains in the centre rise above
the snow line. It has several large riv-
ers. The coasts are generally rocky;
but the west coast is low and the south
coast has some good harbors. Timper is
a principal product. This is but to An
nam. Siam and Singapore. Other eX-
ports are rice. sugar, wax. pearls, coral,
salt and a little gold and silver.
It's capital is Kiong-ChoO, a p0pulous
city on its north coast.
RUSSIA-CHINESE AGREEMENT.
Berlin. Dee. 29.-The TagIiche Rund-
schau, on what it alleges to be the
best authority in London" declares
that Russia and China have been negO-
tiating for many months; that China
consented last October to a temporary
Russian occupation of Port Arthur; and
that England hearing of this, demanded
a cession of the islands at Hong Kong,
a strip of coast opposite Kow-LOOn, and
the mo,th of the river Canton; but
knowing that France also wanted COM
pensation, England suggested that she
would take Hai-Nan Island.
BISMARCK APPROVES.
Berlin, Dee. 29.-According to the
Neueste Nachrichten of Leipslc, Prince
Bismarck disclaims all responsibility fol-
Germany's policy in China, but he ap
proves it and wishes it executed witt
! enrgy. on the assumption that 1t implies
an entente with Russia.