June 26, 1895,|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
481
o'clock and billeted in different parts of the set- A DIARY OF RECENT EVENTS IN that 500 Japanese were three miles off and would
tlement.
Utter confusion prevails and the steamers Whampoa, Wenchow, and Bygdo are all detained owing to the scarcity of boats and coolies to work cargo. It is hop d that actual danger is now past, but, of course, there will be further trouble when the Japanese arrive. The fort fired at a Japanese cruiser last week, without taking effect, and it appears certain that Liu is determined to oppose the invading force when they come to take possession.
All ladies and children are on board the steamer Bygdo in the roadstead.
ANPING, 18th June. Matters are in statu quo, and it is thought that the naval demonstration has had the desired effect, and that Liu will be careful not to make further trouble, The Marines and Bluejackets are a splendid lot of men and every possible precaution is being taken to repulse a sudden attack of the Black Flags. Ugly rumours are in the air as to the difficulty of financing, and it is believed that Liu will ran short of money, unless he is supported by the wealthy people, who have already subscribed largely and are now beginning to hang back.
ANPING, 19th June.
The position is practically unchanged. Every precaution is being taken against a sud- den attack on the settlement. The Spartan, Rainbow, and Redbi east are all cleared for action with their guns bearing on the forts.
Lin's finances, it is reported, are weakening. There is a very anti-foreign feeling amongst his troops. It would appear certain that the present condi- tion of affairs cannot possibly last, and if the Japanese do not arrive soon, it may be necessary
for the British forces to take the initiative..
(FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT. |
Amoy, 18th June. The steamer Bygdo, which has just arrived from Anping, bronght sixteen cabin passengers, mostly ladies, and about a hundred and fifty deck passengers. There were no signs of the approach of the Japanese when the Bygdo left. Accord- ing to a Tamani letter, they were to have started overland to Tainanfu on the 14th inst.
A Japanese man-of-war was fired at a few days ago by the fort at a place called Tang-kang, the vessel replying with four shots, which killed over ten people. The remainder of the garrison abandoned the fort and fled towards the interior. This fort was not garrisoned by the Black Flags, but by natives.
By telegram received by the Naval Authorities from Formosa on 'I buraday morning via Amoy, the situation in. Anping remains unchanged. H.M.S. Redbreast having coaled at Amoy was to return to Anping yesterday evening.
Several missionary ladies left Tainanfoo in the Bygdo and lauded at Amoy, while the daughters of Dr. Myers, of Tainanfoo, left that port in H.M.S. Tweed Many refugee soldiers also left in the Bygdo and were con- veyed to Amoy,
EVENTS IN NORTH FORMOSA.
[FROM AN AMOY CORRESPONDENT.]
AMOY, 14th June. After taking possession of the forts at Tamani the Japanese blew up the torpedoes, one after the other. The sight was rather a fine one, columns of water being raised to a great height. After each explosion there was a rush of hun- dreds of sampans to the spot to pick up the dead or stunned fish.
ļ
NORTH FORMOSA.
FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
TWATUTIA, 8th June.
The Japanese force got possession of Kelung May 31st. The forts at Kelung offered hardly any resistance to the landing party, but the Cantonese stationed on the ridge at the back of Kelang fought well and stood their ground till the storming party came within 50 metres. Then they fled, and passing through Taipehfoo and Twatutia with hardly a stop arrived at Hobé, where they await shipment to the main land.
The Japanese have lost no time in advancing, and are now in possession of Taipeh and Hobe, and with detachments at outlying towns. All the wires are cut, and some of the railway torn up. so communication is difficult.
The following extract from a Twatutia diary may be of some general interest
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TWATUTIA DIARY.
be in at daylight. The Japanese, it appears, were ignorant of the state of affairs here, and would not have been in for two days had they not been communicated withi
June 7-At daylight 500 Japanese marched into Taipehfoo, followed at ten o'clock by some 1,000 more. They were very tired, and being rigged in thick winter clothes suffered much from the heat, but they lost no time in restoring town under police order and putting the supervision.
Meanwhile, theri were lively times in Hobé, where most of the retreating soldiers had ac- cumulated. The Governor was supposed to be on board the German steamer Arthur, also the ils. 30,000, which the Haikwan with some soldiery thought should be applied to pay their arrears. The Arthur was well peppered with rifles, and the forts threatened to fire on any steamer attempting to leave, and did fire on launches taking cargo to outside steamers, Finally the south fort shelled the Arthur, hitting her thrice, killing and wounding nine med. The German gun-ressel Iltis replied, and with three well placed shells killed some fifteen Chinese, and silenced the fort. Then the soldiers in the other forts were paid to give up the breech pieces of their guns, which they did, and then proceeded to loot the forts, one of which blow The soldiery are giving UP, killing a lot of men. much trouble, clamouring for food and passage to the maioland, while there are no steamers to take them; many have given up their arms and are quartered in the Douglas B. S. Co.'s com pound and other places, and if only transports would come to take them away the episode would
be over.
June 4-It was surmised by foreigners that the Governor was to attempt escape to the Ger. man steamer Arthur at Hobé. This steamer had orders to have steam for daylight. That night his Excellency gave his bodyguard $100 each, and about 2 a.m. came down with a few atten- dants and got into launch at Tait's jetty.
June 5.-At 3 a.m., or an hour afterwards, the yamen burst into flames, a grand sight from our roofs, with a continuons roar of flames and splutter of exploding cartridges. From 4 a.m. to 8 u.m. a continuous stream of soldiers passed along our Bund from Taipeb and from the rail- way depot, the latter from the front at Kelung. These were Anhwei, Canton, and local meo. They had just looted the Treasury of $900,000,
Our gallant defenders, the German sailors These was some murder and mech fighting and under Lieutenant Timme, and the British ma- stealing among themselves, aud one soldier rines under Captain Shubrik, hid organized such with $500 who got a little detached from his a perfect system of defence, and were so untiring pals was killed and robbed by our local looters and energetic in patrol work, that any serious just at the Club steps. The soldiers seemed attack on foreign property was hardly to be quite cowed as against foreigners, who wore, feared; our danger was fire, and our escape from however, quite prepared for them bad they this invincible enemy is entirely due to the pre- been of another miud. About 4,000 passed sence of the foreign force, who, although perhap1 With disappointed at not having a fight, deserve our along the Bund, and got boats to Hobé. the departure of all officials, followed by the praise and thanks for preventive work that has soldiers the innings of the looters began and saved many lives and much valuable property.
The Japanese bave already sent detachments the first victim was the arsepal, which took several thousand men all day to empty. A more towards Hobé and down south, where the railway heterogeneous lot of spoil was never seen, Gat.line has been taken up. The Chinese accept tings, Krupps, Manser rifles, Winchesters, cart them with the greatest apathy, and are only ridges, iron, copper, tin, bits of machinery of all surprised at the diminutive stature of their con sizes and shapes came streaming through the querors. Indeed, after our object lesson in town, and the market for Krupp mountain anarchy, the government of the devil himself guns fell to $2 and for Winchesters to 20 cents.
was sure of a gracious reception It was impossible for foreigners to interfere with this; their attitude all through was to de- fend foreign property, certainly not to take up cudgels on behalf of a Government that had deserted their post in the most dastardly manner and given up life and property to all the perils of anarchy. Towards night the looters retired, BEFORE THE HON. W. M. GOODMAN (ACTING wearied out, but killing and robbing went ou in the streets, and towards midnight a lurid glow and horrid sulphureous smell showed that the powder factory was on fire. Fearing the same might happen to the powder magazine, the marines spent part of the night in the open.
>>
SUPREME COURT.
21st June.
IN BANKRUPTCY.
CHIEF JUSTICE).
✩
IN THE MATTER OF CHAN YAN U. EX PARTE CHU U AND OTHERS, CREDITORS.
His Lordship said-This in an application under sect. 19 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance No. June 6-At 6 am. we were startled by a 20 of 1891. The Court is asked to adjudicate the severe explosion, and a brown column of smoke debtor Chan Yan U bankrupt on the ground that 500 feet high appeared in the direction of the a receiving order was made and that the creditors powder magazine. This was the end of that at the adjourned first meeting by resolution re- structure; some 100 or more Chinese were killed; solved that the debtor be adjudicated bankrupt. but there must have been less powder in store The receiving order was made on 17th May and than we thought, as a few broken windows com- it was then stated by Mr. Ewens, the solicitor prises the damage to Twatutia itself. This morn- who applied for it, that the assets would be ing the looters turned their attention to the saw sufficient to pay a dividend of 50 per cent. It About 7,000 odd soldiers have already returned mills, building yard, and railway plant, gutting seems, since the receiving order was made, the to Amoy and it is estimated that there are 19,000 everything. Messrs. Ohly, Thompson, and debtor having obtained protection from an eze. These do Davidson started along the Relung line to look cation creditor had got all he wanted and has more at Tamsui, awaiting steamers. not seem to have participated in the looting of for the Japanese army. Meanwhile news spread rendered no assistance whatever and has foru- Taipehfu. Perhaps they were not on the spot. that during the night some thousands of Foo-ished no statement of his affairs, although The official receiver, or arrived too late.. At all events, they are said chow, Canton, and local desperadoes had or requested to do so.
moreover, has filed an affidavit that he to be all penniless and unable to pay their pass-ganized an attack on the foreign hongs, and age from the island. The Japanese are feeding as it was likely enough they might are the believes the debtor has abscoaded with a view of them and have decided to employ a few trans-back streets everybody was on the alert; the avoiding examination in respect of his affairs.. that the ma- In these circumstances I avail myself of the ports to convey them to the nearest-ports, Foo. Band was cleared of boats so chow and Haitan Island being mentioned as the crine enn on the launch could have free play, power conferred by section 24 of the Bankruptcy the marines and sailors patrolled the city at Ordinance to issue a warrant for the arrest of places to which they are to be sent.
short intervals, and all the hongs kept watchful | the debtor and the seizure of any books, papers, guard. Of course rifles were in great supply. money, and goods in his possession, to be safely and the Chinese blazed away all night to show kept until such time as the Court may order... the enemy they were ready; perhaps a few shots I am afraid it will turn out that these were fired by the enemy, but they never appeared. proceedings in Bankruptcy have been taken with At midnight the party who went in search of a view to defeat a judgment creditor rather the Japanese returned with the welcome news than to carry out the true intent of the
The Atlantic left Singapore on the 14th of Marob and arrived at the Woosung Spit Bnoy on the 16th inst., after a passage of 94 days. She ran short of water on the way up and put into Amoy.