April 2, 1898.]J
1
Seoul, 18th March.
M. Alexieff has returned the portfolio of his office to-day.
The Russian military instructors are prepar- ing to leave Seoul for Port Arthur.
The salaries of the Russian officers in Korea
for the unexpired term of their engagement, which altogether amounted to 33,000 yen, are reported to have been paid by the Korean Government on the 21st March.
MR. DE SPEYER RECALLED.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE “DAILY PRESS,”]
Shanghai, 27th March.
Mr. de Speyer, the Russian Minister to Korea, has been recalled, his appointment having bean cancelled.
[Mr. de Speyer has for several months past been the Minister to Korea. Recently he made an offer to the Korean Government to with. draw the Russian financial adviser and military instructors, and the offer was accepted. Possibly his recall is due to dissatisfaction on the part of the Russian Foreign Office with his conduct in that matter.]
RUSSIA AT PORT ARTHUR,
WITHDRAWAL OF THE CHINESE.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DAILY PRESS.]
Shanghai, 29th March.
Two thousand Russians are reported to have landed at Port Arthur.
The Chinese have withdrawn to Kinchow. The Russians are controlling the telegraphs. Colonel Wogack, the Russian Military At- tache at Peking, and the Tientsin Agent of the Russo-Chinese Bank have gone to Port Arthur to arrange the finances for the garri-
son.
THE FLEET GOING NORTH,
An order has been issued for the British flest at present in the harbour, to leave for the North. The order bas naturally given rise to considerable speculation and all sorts of rumours have been afloat in the colony, but no one knows the real motive which has induced Admiral Seymour to give what: to be alarming instructions. The Naval Yard was open on Sunday and the greatest activity prevails.
251
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE FRENCH. DEMANDS O× CHINA. | algo handsomely furnished and prettily set off
with flags.
The N. C. Daily News publishes the following version of the French demands on China, which in some respects differs from that telegraphed by Reuter :-
1.-An undertaking that the three Southern provinces, Yunnan, Kwangsi, and Kwangtong shall not be alienated to any other Power.
2.-A lease of Kwangchau Bay (on the south coast of China, about 200 miles W.8.W. of Hongkong) on the same terms as those on which Germany bas acquired Kiaochau Bay.
3. The right to build a railway from Laokai (in Tonkin) to Yunnanfu.
4. An undertaking that the head of the Im- perial Chinese Post shall be a Frenchman.
IN HONOUR OF PRINCE HENRY.
GRAND BALL AT THE CITY HALL,
On Tuesday night, 29th March, the civil com- munity of Hongkong gave a ball at the City Hall in honour of H. R. H. Prince Henry of Prussia. The whole of the building was set apart for the purposes of the function and nothing better in the way of brilliant decorations and illuminations could have been attempted The building was converted into a magnificent palace of brightness and splendour; the excellence of the display equalled if it did not sclipse anything seen in connection with previous similar occasions, and the hundreds of people who were present, con- sisting of private residents and British and foreign naval and military representatives, will bo slow to forget the beauty and gorgeousness of the whole scene.
The fountain, flanked by four lions, in front of the City Hall was a blaze of vari-coloured lights and it looked perfectly lovely. The central figure and the lions had been painted white, and amidst the soft diffusing rays of electric light the cold, marble-like figures stood out boldly and grandly. From each lion's mouth was strung
a streamer of evergreens which reached to the head of the mermaid, and on each streamer prettily glittered numerous small electric lights which shot out like stars and disclosed to view
various coloured flowers with which the streamers were studded. And then, in the shell cup which the mermaid supports, lay a globe of electric light which intensified the graceful beauty of the whole illumination. Immediately over the entrance to the building was the letter “ H," which was enclosed in a naval design surmounted by a crown.
The theatre, where supper was served, was entirely changed from its usual aspect. The dress circle and the pit were utilized for the occasion, and flags, evergreens, paintings, and electric lights were used in the decoration of the place. The stage, where the leading table was placed, was exquisite in its appearance. The table was in the shape of a horse shoe, and in the semi-circle thus formed was placed a representation of the German eagle surrounded by beautiful plants. The stage was entirely arranged by Mr. Brough's staff and under Mr. Brough's personal supervision, and nothing could have been prettier than the result of his efforts. The stage was carpeted and the scene which was chosen was in happy harmony with the decora tions. The whole of the interior of the building was very beautiful indeed, and, whether one looked from the dress circle or from the stage the view was exceptionally fine.
It must be remembered that these magni- ficient decorations were carried out at very short notice and under somewhat disadvantageous circumstances, and so all those who took an active part in the work must be heartily con- gratulated upon the highly meritorious result of their labours. Monday morning was & particularly trying time. There was stacked in the halls an immense quantity of bunting belonging to H.M.S. Edgar and Rainbow, and just as preparations were being made to use it for decorative purposes a couple of Jack Tars hurried in and carried the whole of it away again as the ships had suddenly received orders to go North. But, thanks to energetic members of the Decoration Committee, there was plenty of bunting forthcoming from other sources, but the change in the first arrangements caused a rather serious delay, In carrying out the decorations the Dock Company and the naval and military services gave every assistance in
their power.
Mr. E. W. Mitchell, the Hon. Secretary, de- serves every praise for the excellent manner in which he carried out his arduous duties.
His Excellency the Acting Governor arrived a few minutes before nine o'clock and the Prince arrived shortly afterwards. His Royal High- ness, who was wearing a short mess jacket without epaulettes, was received at the entrance by Sir John Carrington and the other members of the Reception Committee, and conducted to the St. George's Hall, The
national anthem appears
The Edgar and Rainbow left on the 29th and the torpedo-boat destroyers Hart and Handy on
the 30th.
On the 31st H.M.S. Centurion, with Admiral Sir E. Seymour on board, the Archer, and the torpedo-boat destroyers, Whiting and Fame, left the harbour for the North. The Immortalite is likely to follow in a few days.
Shortly after eleven o'clock H.M.S. Victorious arrived from Singapore and the usual salutes were fired. The Victorious is a magnificent
was
vessel and the finest in Far Eastern waters. She
built at Chatham. Her length is 390 feet and her breadth 75 feet, her displacement is 14,900, indicated horse power 12,000, and she draws 27 feet 6 in. of water. Her armour-plating is of Har. veyised steel, 9 inches thick, extending along 216 feet of the middle of her length, and from 5 in. to 6 in. below the normal water-line to 9 feet 6 inches above it. The armament of the Victorious consists of four breech-loading 12-in. wire guns, twelve 6-in. quick-firing guns, sixteen 12-pounder quick-firing guns. The four fighting tops of the ship are each armed with three 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns, the shelter deck forward with two 12-pounder boat and fieldguns, and the boat deck and bridge with eight 45 Maxim guns. The ship is also fitted with four submerged tubes for 18-in. torpedoes, and one stern-tube above water. Her speed is 17 knots and she carries 790 tons of poa).
was played as His Royal Highness entered the room, and this over, dancing was immediately proceeded with, the first set of the opening lancers being com- posed as follows:-The Prince and Mrs. Black; the Acting Governor and Lady Carrington Admiral Seymour and Mrs. Bell-Irving; Sir John Carrington and Mrs. Holland; Commo- dore Holland and Mrs. Von Loeper; Hon. C. P. Chater and Mrs. Wise; Hon. J. J. Bell- Irving, and Mrs. Jackson; Mr. T. Jackson and Mrs. May.
Regiment:-
The interior of the building was almost dazzling in its brightness. The pillars on either side of the entrance hall were gracefully wrapped in strings of banyan leaves, and palms and other foliage were neatly disposed about the hall, and Welsback burners illumined every thing around. The staircase was also pro- fusely decorated with plants. On the first landing was the word "Willkommen" in letters of gold, over it was the Royal Standard, on the left was the British ensign, and on the right
The following programme of music was sup- the German ensign. On the floor was an applied by the band of the King's Own Lancaster propriate assortment of ship's gear, the sight of which must have pleased the sailor Prince. One of the articles was a buoy bearing the words Prince Heinrich," and amongst other things were anchors, a compass, buoys, rope, &c., the sides being set off with a 7-pounder and smaller guns which peeped from a mass of beautiful plants. Surmounting the whole was a large crown, which was a very fine feature of the display. The crown was worked in the German colours and also in gold, and it was lighted by means of electric lamps which shone out with most striking brilliancy. The general decorations extended to the top of the staircase and were very effective and amply sufficient.
1.-Lancers 2.-Valse 3.-Valse... 4.-Polka 5.-Valse ... 6.-Lancers... 7.-Valse...
8.-Washington Post... 9.-Valse 10.-Polka
1.-Valse 2.--Valse 3.-Valse
The ball rooms also presented an exceedingly pretty appearance. The St. George's and St. | 11.-Valse..... Andrew's Halls were used for the purposes of 12.-Lancers... dancing, and each
a
Her Majesty's" Da und Du ...Dolores See me Dance Chantilly Gondoliers
Love's Old Sweet Song
***
SUPPER DANCES,
...
room was treated in 13.-Barn Dance most tasteful manner, the prominent feature 14.-Valse 15.-Valse being the German colours, which entirely sur- rounded the walls. Flags and banners and 16.-Valze various devices, together with a very judicious 17.-Polka... and pretty display of electric light, tended to make the entire surroundings picturesque in the
On her arrival in the harbour divers made an inspection of the ship's bottom and on receiving their report the Naval authorities decided that there was no necessity for the vessel to dook.extreme. She is coaling and will leave either to-day or Monday.
The drawing room was luxuriously fitted and nicely decorated, and the refreshment room was
18.
Valse and Gallop...
Memories Bonne Bouche
Moreska Reverie
The Mikado
...Les Serenes Duke of Fife Happy Darkies A Maid of Kent
Thine Alone *. Fantazië Off. We Go Toreador Vivat
When supper was announced His Excellency the Asting Governor invited the Prince, as the ball was given in his honour, to lead the way