190
some
.
gard for him and his health and his comfort than for the advantage of the English sailors who compete with him, and who wish to drive him from the trade between England and India. Our contemporary then enters on a tirade against factory legislation and legis- lation for the regulation of mines, and says the conclusion of the whole matter is, that whether mines, factories, or steamships are in question all attempts to introduce a me- chanical and artificial uniformity between English and Indian legislation need to be resisted, as they have in nearly every case proved to be attempts to create an analogy in rules and restraints where there is no analogy of conditions. The Rangoon Gazette follows suit and says that what makes the proposal all the more objectionable is that the practical effect of its adoption would be to lead owners to substitute European for lascar crews; it turns out to be yet another instanc: of the pseudo-philanthropy now so often erinced by England in the welfare of the natives of India-a philanthropy which, under cover of protecting natives of India, really secures a gain to
English industry, The objections raised by our
To contemporaries do not appear very con. vincing. If it is deemed necessary to provide a certain amount of breathing space for European sailors, why should less be re- quired for Indians? Similar considerations apply to factory and mine legislation, which might be deemed to be even more necessary in India than in England, the people being less advanced in education and general intel- ligence and therefore less able to take care of themselves. It is easy to sneer philanthropy, but sneers do not carry conviction, and it is somewhat humiliating to find prominent English journals in India systematically opposing all measures aimed at raising the condition of the labour ing classes. It is no doubt the fact that self- interest plays a prominent part in any re- commendation Lancashire, for instance, may make in reference to factory legislation in India, or the Seamen's Union in reference to the accommodation of lascar crews, but it is a legitimate and justifiable self-interest. The necessity of such legislation having been recognised in England all who are affected by it have a right to ask that so far as local circumstances permit similar legislation should be made universal throughout the Empire, so that competition may be fair, instead of the industries of one' portion receiving an unfair advantage by being exempted from the regulations to which those of other portions of the Rupire are subjected.
REVIEWS.
at
Not so Black as they Painted Her, and Other Stories. By "LULU. Hongkong and shang- hai :-Walter W. Brewer.
This is a collection of pleasantly told short stories, several of which have previously appeared in the columns of the Daily Press and in other local journals. One or two of them have a local setting and we have heard it suggested that sojne of the characters are identifiable. There is nothing very sensational either in plot or treat- ment in any of the tales, but they are all interest- ing and are told in an easy and agreeable style. Unfortunately the proof reading has been very imperfectly done and the general get up of the book is not in its favouri The title page (we do not refer to the cover) might find a place in a collection of curiosities of typography; the title is not even accorded the dignity of capitals. Journal of the China Branch of the Royal Ariatio Society. Vol. XXVIII. No. 1. Shanghai, Hongkong, Yokohama, and Sluga- pore-Kelly & Walsh, Limited. IN October, 1890, the China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society distributed a circular requesting information on the very interesting topic of the routes and means of carriage existing
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND n various parts of China and the facilities offer ing for the transport of pissengers and mer. chandise. A large number of papers were received in answer to the circular and the result is embodied in the number of the Journal before tion is of sp cial interest at the present moment, us, which has just been issued. The compila- particularly the latter portion of it dealing with the communications in Shantung and Shing- king, the seat of the war. It is probable that one of the results of the war will be the opening up of China generally, or a large portion of it, to foreign intercourse, and a knowledge of the trade routes and means of conveyance will then become of practical importance. Several maps are given illustrating the Si-ngan Plain, Shop-si Pre- vinc, the roads from Chungking to Yuunan fu. from Teng yust to Yunnan, from Yunnan tu to Lackai, and from Maug-tze to Posé, the Province of Shantung, and the road from Port Arthur to Newchwang.
Another paper contained in the present num History and Literature," by Mr. James Scott. of ber of the Journal is "Stray Notes on Korean H.B.M's Consular Service. Most people who visit Korea come away with vivid impressions of the filth of the natives and the corruption and oppression which characterise the adminis- tration. The race does not as a rule excite admiration or sympathy, but they have done so in the case of Mr. Scott, who in his concluding paragraph says:-"I beg to add my tribute to the kindly courteous treatment that I have received from all classes during a nine years' re- sidence in the country. I acknowledge to a strong liking and sympathy for the people, and my best wishes will ever go with them for their future welfare and prosperity,” Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan. Vol. XXII. Part 2. Yokohama, Shangbai. Hongkong, and Singapore: Kelly & Walsh, Limited.
is
THERE are three valuable papers included in the present number of the Transactions, one "On a possible origin of the water- wheel," by Mr. J. Troup; another ba The system in Japan," by Mr. F. H. Trevithick, history and development of the railway M.1.C.E.; and the third, ou The population. of Japan in the Tokugawa period," by Mr. Garrett Droppers. Mr. Trevithick's paper peculiarly opportune at a time when the indus- trial development and military position of Japan are attracting so much attention. The mileage of the lines already open to traffic is 1,932; & the projected railways have a mileage of 1,853. fu ther 675 miles are under construction; and
The importance of the lines from an industrial point of view is self-evident, and their military importance is no less, as is shown in the conclud- ing paragraph of Mr. Trevithick's paper. Eng. land and Japan, he says, are very similar in size and population. An interesting problem was described as follows:- worked out in Englanil nine years ago which is
14
The problem was the assumption that an in- vading force numbering 150.000 men had com-
menced to disembark on the coast between South- end and Shoeburyness (north of the month of the river Thames), and that hostile vessels were simultaneously ascending the Blackwater river. Instructions were supposed to have been issued by telegraph for the concentration of six Army Corps, numbering about 130.000 men, in the neighbourhood of Chelmsford, to repel the in vader, three Corps being brought up as rapidly as possible, and the whole within 48 hours. Particulars were given as to where the troops were stationed all over the country, and the number of men quartered at each plac. It was assumed, of course, that the ordinary traffic would be, for the time being, entirely suspended. Tables were made out showing, in the most com- plete detail the number of traius required and all particulars of starting, route to be travelled, the hour of arrival, and time allowel for refreshments and other purposes. The total number of trains employed was 515; the speed was about 25 miles an hour, exclusive of stoppages, the trains fol- lowing one another on the same lines at intervals of fifteen minutes, and the last train was timed to arrive at Chelmsford within 45 hours and 50 minutes of the hour at which the order was supposed to have been given by telegraph. Thus it is evident that railways have revolutionised the conditions of modern warfare."
If China, had possessed a railway system cor- responding in any degree to that of Japan the
|
[March 14, 1895
present war would have been conducted under very different conditions, and it my be assumed that one of the immediate results of the war will be the inauguration of an active policy of rail. way construction.
The Tourist's Guide to Canton, the West River,
and Macro. By R. C. HURLEY. Hougkong : Noronha & Co.
MR. HURLEY'S Guide will be found invaluable. to the visitor to Canton, All the principal sights are described and information given as to how best to see them, interesting pro- grammes being arranged for visits of varying duration, so that the most may be made of the time at the visitor's disposal. With this book in his band the visitor will be able to keep a check on his native guide and to save much of the time usually wasted by the latter's attempts at verbal descriptions. Hints are also given as to the curios that may be picked up, their prices, and the shops in which to look for disposal a short but interesting trip on the Si- them. For those who have a few weeks at their kiang or West River has bon arranged. Macao is also carefully described. Plans both of Can- ton and Macao are given and a useful map of the West River. The compilation and get пр of the book do credit bath to the author and the publishers, and the Guide will no doubt be in large demand. It is surprising what a number of residents of Hongkong have never paid a visit to the interesting city of Canton, and to these a perusal of Mr. Hurly's book may be recom- mended. The trip may be made for a very! moderate expenditure of time and money and the visitor will be well repaid.
REUTER'S WAR TELEGRAMS.
•
LONDON, 6th March. The Chinese warships captured by the Japa-] nese have arrived at Yokohama.
Weihaiwei after destroying the forts.
The Japanese have abandoned Shantung and
The Third and Fifth Japanese Divisions have effected a junction near Lino Yang, a city about 50 miles south of Moukden.
LONDON, 7th March. accepted by Japan, has started for that country Li Hung-chang, whose credentials have been
via Tientsin.
Japan notifies her intention of occupying Newchwang.
The Third Japanese Division has occupied An shong-cheng unopposed.
LONDON, 8th Marob. Newchwang has been captured by the Japa nese tr ops after thirteen hours' desperate street fighting. 1,900 Chinese were killed and 500 taken prisoners. The Japauess loss was 200. The Chinese have fled to Yinkow.
London, 11th March. The Japanese have captured Yinkow (? Ying- tsu), together with the Coast forts. The Chi- nese fled to Thien-chuang-tai, which city was also attacked and captured after three hours force fighting. The Chinese loss was 2,000 and the Japanese 96.
The First and Second Army Corps have effected a junction at Yinkow.
Japanese guards protect the for ign sattle- ment at Yinkow.
Japau has requested that Li Hung:obang's departure on the peace negotiations mission be postponed for a week.
다.
The Amoy correspondent of the Mercury writes-Another great event in the business of this port took place, when on the 13th of last month the first tank-steamer arrived from Hong- kong with 192.378 gallous of Russian kerosine oil in balk. It was the German steamer Sabine Rickmers. She anchored for several days in the Outer Harbour, as the proper formalities and the permission to land oil in bulk had not been obtained beforehand. The two tanks for the storage of the kerosine oil, pumping machinery, and the necessary godowns were built on the site of Bellamy Dock, which had been filled in. The two tanks will hold about 900 tons. On the 19th Feb. the Sabine Rickmers left again for Hongkong, it taking about 7 hours to pump her oil into the tanks. The tanks were put up and the whole business is owned by the same com- pany that owns the tanks is Shanghai, Swatow, and other places in the East. Messrs. Lapraik, Cass & Co. are Managing agents.