July 4, 1895.1
SHOOTING MATCH.
A shooting match took place on Saturday be. tween three representatives of the Willard Opers Company and three members of the Royal Artillery Sergeants' mess at the miniature 200 yards range, which resulted in a defeat of the Willard Company, who are apparently not so good at shooting as at cricket. "Scores:—
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Sergeant-Major Severn Bergeant Major Spencer... Sergeant Brown
WILLARD COMPANY
Fearnley
Mr. Munro stanja*
30
28 28
Total 86
88818 $2918
23
Total 61
CORRESPONDENCE.
| We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our Correspondents.]
METEOR.
A. E. 8.
THE DHOBY HORROR IN
SINGAPORE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.”
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
laundries, and it would bring the dhoby class under sanitary supervision, which is sadly needed. Yours faithfully,
R. C. WILCOX.
Hongkong, 1st July, 1895.
18
THE JAPANESE MÕNETARY SYSTEM INVESTIGATION COUNCIL.
The labours of the Monetary System Investi. gation Council, which was organized by Im- perial Ordinance No. 113 of October, 1893, VICEROY AND REBEL.
were brought to a conclusion on the 12th inst. The first point on which a decision was taken had Reliable information from Nanking tells us reference to the cause of recent fluctuations in that the famous ex-President Tang of the For- the relative values of gold and silver and the mosan Republic is now in that city. He was on general results of those fluctuations. On this the 24th June received in audience by the point it was agreed that the views recommended Viceroy and made a report of his daring exploits by the Special Committee be adopted. What and hairbreadth escape from the Japanese at those views are, we are not informed by any of Kelung, "whence all but he had fed." He the vernacular papers reporting the proceedings. was upbraided by the Viceroy for having de- The next point related to the effects of the re- serted his post, and was urged by the cent fluctuations in exchange upon the economis valiant Chang to return at once to assist Liu, condition of Japan. On this point the Council the leader of the Black Flags, who has recently was divided into two equal sections; one section gained several very signal victories over the regarding the recent fluctuations in exchange as Japanese! The Viceroy is still doing all he can beneficial to Japan, on account of the great im- to encourage the rebels in Formosa, but failed petus given to the export trade of the country; to impress the ex-President with a desire to while the other section argued that the impetus speedily return to the island. The question is, given to the export trade was not a blessing, but will the Japanese hold the Government of Chins a disaster in disguise. The third and the inst responsible for this rebellion in Formoss, that point demanding a decision covered extensive has been encouraged and carried on at the in-ground :-) -Whether or not there is a necessity stigation of such men as Chang Chih-tung P China Gazette,
RUMOURED RAILWAY CONOES. SIONS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.”
for modifying the present monetary system of DEAR SIB.-Some of your readers might be
Japan in consequence of fluctuations in exchange, and if there be such necessity, what standard of interested to know that about 10.15 p.m. last night, a brillant fireball was seen traversing the
money should be adopted and in what manner should the charge be effected? In the course of sir: eastwards from the south. It lasted for
the discussion on these topics, it was discovered about five seconds and presented a really beauti- ful sight. In appearance it resembled one of
that opinions were greatly divided as to the stan- The rejection of the Russian guaranteed loan dard money suited to Japan; some advocating a those rockets commonly burned at sea, only it was, it seems, not solely due to the awakening gold standard, others a silver standard; others i was two or three times larger. It produced no of the Government at Peking to the risks it bimetallic system; others a mixed system, in noise whatever bat omitted a very faint green was ronning in accepting the terms offered. which a gold standard would be used in foreign light with a red train behind, which disappeared We commented the other day on the haste with transactions and a silver standard in domestic; soon as the fireball itself was out of sight. It which Mr. Hayashi hurried off to Peking and his while a few advocated the postponement of all crossed the air probably at a height of 30 or 40 rejection of the suggestions offered to him by action on this matter until a uniform standard miles and, in my estimation, with a velocity of their Excellencies Li and Wang that he should have been adopted in the principal conn- about 30 miles per second. Hnadreds of minor should tarry to listen to their blandishments. tries of the world. Amid these multifarious meteors may be seen every night, but the appear-M. Hayashi had other important matters to views, the advocates of a bimetallio system, seem ance of a fireball is a rare occurrence and very press, and not the least was to express the dis- to have been most numerous. The Asahi Shin- much appreciated by those who are fortunate approval of his Government of the proposed bun says that bimetallism had eight p snough to observe it.-Tours very truly, mortgage of the Chinese revenues to a hostile porters out of the Committee of seventeen, power. Mr. Hayashi arrived, it will be noticed, and the eight included Messrs. Shoda and Hongkong, 27th June, 1895.
only in the nick of time, the fate of the Empire Taguchi. Gold moonmetallism also had power practically resting on the refusal of China. The ful supporters, the number of its advocates- time fixed for the signature was Thursday, the being reckoned at six. The decision Inally 20th June, but on various pretexts it was delayed arrived at
was that there is no neces till the 23rd, when, on the arrival of Mr. Hay-sity for the present to make any change in SIB, The statement you reproduced in ashi, he submitted the pretest of his Government. the monetary system of the country. The re- Saturday's issue from the Singapore Free Press In other directions the joint, influence of the port of the Conference is to be compiled by Mr. as to the conditions under which the laundry three Governments has been used to push for Hayakawa, and will be submitted for the approval work is carried on in that colony is certainly ward concessions. We have already spoken of of the Council before presentation to the Govern enough to sicken the least fastidious person, the manner in which railway concessions in the ment.--Japan Mail. and should arouse the interest of all Europeans north have been urged on behalf of the Ger- in this colony, where the conditions are only too man and French Governments. We have not similar. If any lady, mother of a family, would been averse from railways, but on the contrary only visit a so-called laundry in Hongkong and have repeatedly shown how to their absence see the filth and squalor amid which her own the Chinese have largely to attribute their and children's clothes were being “got up" she recent disasters. Railways undertaken as pri- would feel that any effort could not be too great vate concessions and railways undertaken by to secure some improvement in this matter, a foreign Government within the territories of The Government have built ten laundries, another State stand on a very different footing. clean, light, well ventilated, well supplied with The French, as we have pointed out, have been water, and for these they ask. I believe, only the seeking to take advantage of recent troubles to nominal rent of ten dollars a month. Yet seven advance their frontier into Southern China; of these landries are still vacant, more than two the Chinese Government, cajoled by the offer years after completion. Mr. McCallum, in his of the loans which have been discussed on the recent report, I notice, puts down the obstinate Paris Bourse, have been listening, it seems, opposition to the use of these buildings partly to the voice of the charmer. The French to the tacit support of employers.
Government has been urging forward the If by this he means that the residents do not construction of its own lines in Tangking, insist upon their clothes being washed in the and has, it is stated on good authority, already publio laundries, then I suppose he is more or made a convention with China, authorising it to foss correct. But can the public so insist? It continue these lines indefinitely into Chinese could, only be done by concerted action, aud who territory. It is stated that amongst the lines will take the initiative in such a movement ? contemplated is one from the frontier to Wnchow Surely it would be much easier for the Govern. in Kwangsi Province. As we have stated, there ment to take proper steps to fill their is every reason for applanding the introduction laundries. They were erected in the in- of railways, but the concession by China to H. E. Ito.-England will observe neutrality. terests of sanitation and the public health, another Government of the right of building a H. E. Li,-But if not P and it is as much the duty of the Sani- railway within her territories is not only a dis-H. E. Ito-China is affected-not necessarily tary Board to see that the laundry work is tinot breach of treaty engagements, but is a England. sonducted under proper conditions as to preveut concession contrary to the practice of nations H. E. Li.—Hardly that, for you will be near the overcrowding of lodging houses. More Mercury.
the British colony of Hongkong. especially is this the case when they have gone to the expense of erecting premises specially A Japanese paper says the fitting up of the adapted for the purpose. The matter is perfectly armament and machinery on board the Suma | II. simple. Let the Government first prohibit the Kan, which was launched at Yokosuka in March washermen from polluting the streams by wash-last, is making good progress, and the work is H. ing in them except by special licence and under expected to be finished in October next.
Her sapervision, and then exempt from payment of sister-ship, the Akashi Kan, will be launched at licence fee such as become tenants of the public no distant date. A despatch-boat, which is be- | H. laundries. This measure would very soon, Iing constructed at Kure, will be completed in Imagine, lead to a healthy demand for the empty the near future,
THE VICEROY LI ON ENGLAND'S INTEREST IN FORMOSA.
The Peking and Tientsin Times is publishing a report of the verbal discussions during the peace negotiations at Shimonoseki, translated from the original Chinese records and officially revised. The following an interesting ex- tract:-
II. E. Ito.-We are about to attack Formoss,
What are the people there like? H. E. Li-They are emigrants from Swatow and Chang Ch'üan on the mainland--bold and hardy.
H.
E. Ito.-There are aborigines, too. H. E. Li.-Yes, six-tenths are savages, the rest
colonists. Your Excellency said that Japan. will attack Formosa. This explains your objection to the armistice. England will hardly approve of this move. You have furnished a case to point the moral of my argument about prejudice to the interests. of other countries.
H. E. Ito. The war is confined to our coun-
tries, no others will suffer.
E. Li.-It is said that England is averse to
another Power taking Formosa.
E. Ito.-If China should present Formoša to another Power the gift would be received with thanks.
*
E. Li-Formosa has been made a provincë of China and cannot be coded away. Twenty years ago when His Excellency the Japanese