The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-01-01
cHoPPINo UP CHINA.
naf-Nan Island In sefzcd ny France
without Opposition.

Shanghai. Dec. 30.--It is reported
here that the admiral of the French
feet has hoisted the French flag on
Hai-Nan island. The Chinese offered
no opposition.
London, Dec. 30.-A dispatch 10 the
Daily Mail from Singapore confirms the
report Of the seizure Of Hai-Nan island
by the French. Hai-Nan island is oil
the south coast of China and separates
the Gulf Of Tonquin from the China
sea. II has an estimated area OF 10000
square miles and population OF l,0OO,-
600 Chinese, exclusive of wild tribes in
the interior.
London, Dec. 30. - The Tagliche
Rundschau, on what il alleges 10 be the
"best authority in London" declares
that Russia aud China have been me-
gotiating for many months; that China
consented last October TO a temporary
Russian occupation OF Port Arthur;
and that England, hearing OF this. de-
manded n cession Of the islands at Hong
Kong. a strip OF coast opposite Kow-
Loon and the mouth OF the river Can
ton; but. knowing that France also
wanted compensation, England sug-
gested that she should take Mailman is
land.
Paris. Dec. 30.-The French press is
beginning to protest loudly against
French inaction in the far east and the
alleged subseryiency Of the government
10 Russia.
Berlin, Dec. 30.--According TO the
Neueste Nachrichten. of Leipsic, Prince
Bismarck disclaims all responsibility
for Germany's policy in China. but he
approves II and wishes il executed with
energy, on the assumption that II inn
plies an entente with Russia.
Washington, Dec. 30. The rapid
movement Of events in the far east con-
tinues to be an absorbing topic in dip
lomatic circles here, particularly al the
embassies and legations Of the powers
which are aligning for an apparent
struggle for Chinese territory. There
is no further talk OF the United States
as a possible factor in the contest. as
the recent understanding AT n cabinet
meeting is accepted as removing this
government from the field OF contro-
versy At the same time. an eminent
authority on international affairs said
Wednesday that a situation might de-
velop when the United States would be
called upon 10 go much further than
protect American interests at the
treaty ports in China. This situation
would come, he said, il the scramble
for Chinese territory went TO the cx-
tent OF the extinction Of China and the
complete absorption of the old empire
by foreign nations. Such was the np-
parent drift OF the present movement,
he said, and IL il becomes a reality
then n condition would arise similar 10
the determination of Poland. Poland
had established the precedent in in
ternational affairs, he said, and. follow
ing that precedent, II China was To be
absorbed then II was n question which
the United States, i'm common with all
the nations Of the world, must take
cognizance of. Until this final move
ment occurred. however. il was plain
that the United States had no interest
in the fencing of European nations and
Japan for coaling stations and ports on
the Asiatic coast. In the meantime,
however, the diplomats are much con
cerned in the movements OF their re-
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