CHINESE QUESTION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 230, 4 January 1898, Page 2

CHINESE QUESTION.

Shanghai, December 1. It is stated that the French have occupied the island of Hainan, off the coast of China. It is reported that the owners of the Empress line of steamships, runmug between Vancouver, China, and Japan, have received a requisition from the British Admiralty authorities, desiring their steamships to be kept in readiness in caso of emergency. January 1. The Chinese Government recently hinted at raising a Eussian loan if the Hong Kong Bank insisted on the Customs being placed under foreign control, and also proposed, in return for the loan, to appoint a Eussian official as successor to Sir Eobert Hart, Superintendent of Customs. The Chineso Government has now decided to postpone the lean, pending Great Britain's reply to tli9se proposals. Ottawa, December 30. The Canadian Pacific Eailway authorities say they are not aware «f tho reported requisition that their Empress line of steamers should bo kept in readiness in case of emergency. London, December 31. A Eeuter's telegram from Paris states that the French officials are ignorant of the seizure of Hainan. The Daily Mail states that the French occupied Hainan simultaneously with the occupation of Port Arthur, seizing the wires of Hoihow, the chief port of the island, in order to prevent communication with Hongs koug. January 1. Mr McLeary Brown and M. Alexiff, tho Eussian nominee for his position, have arrived at a compromise, and have agreed to work together. Many newspapers comment upon tho menacing international situation at the opening of the new year. Singapore, December 31. Eight British warships, with four torpedo boats, have arrived at Chemulpo, in Corea, in order to prevent the dismissal of Mr J. McLeary Brown, tho Superintendent of Corean Customs, at the instigation of Bussia. Hong Kong, January I. Great activity is being displayed in the Naval yards here, and the movements of the British fleet now in Port Hamilton are being kept secret.