THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6065, 31 December 1897, Page 2

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

FRENCH OCCUPATION OP HAINAN. BRITISH PRECAUTION. - United Pvees Association— By Electric Teleerapli— Copyright. Received Dec. 31, 9.15 mm. SHANGHAI, Dec. 30. It is stated that the French have ! rccupied the L-land oE Hainan, off the coast of China. [The island of Hainan, which separates 1 the Gulf of Tonquin from the China Sea, has an area of 12,000 square miles, and a population of about a million Chinese, in 1 addition to wild tribes in the interior. Some of the central mountains rise above the snow line. There are several good harbours in the generally rooky coast, and timber is one of the principal products. The capital, Kiong-Choo, on the north coast, is ii populous city.J * It is reported that the owners of the Empress line of steamships running between Vane uver, China and Japan have received a requisition from the British Admiralty authorities desiring their steamships to be kept in readiness for any emergency. Ueceived Dec. 31. 10.15 n.in. OTTAWA, Dec. 30. The Canadian Pacific Railway authorities say that they are not aware of the reported requisition that their Empress line of steamers should be■kept in readiness . in case of-emer-gency.;,,; '. •.- ' ' - -