French cabinet ordered merchant ship destined to the Far East to be armed according to the Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch handelsblad dated 9 October 1894

An item reported that as a result of the latest events the French cabinet ordered that the largest ships of French shipping companies active in the Far East area were to be armed as was contracted. On 9th September left the Polynesien towards Australia armed with 4 heavy guns and 10 Hotchkiss guns and 300 projectiles. After arrival at Noumea was she to unload her war equipment which would be stored as a reserve if wanted. The same precautions were taken for other ships destined towards China and Madagascar. (1)

Note
1. Probably the war between China and Japan in 1894-1895.