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that all the powers would share equally with herself. That experience, we fee, has effectually taught the statesmen of this empire that egoism is the one safe principal of inter. national dealings now-a-days, and even had they any shadow of right to include in the new com- mercial treaty a clause exempting raw cotton from heavy transit dues en route for Shanghai, they would scarcely negotiate in such a sense. What assurance Furopean and American pro- - jectors of Shanghai mills have as to supplies of cotton we do not. If they can procure the raw material at a reasonable price, so can the Japa- nese, for the latter now enjoy most-favoured- nation treatment in China. But certainly before sinking large sums of money in buildings and machinery, it seems prudent to ascertain definitely whether the difficulty about transit dues can be overcome. The Japanese projectors | lose nothing by suspending their enterprise at this stage. The machinery ordered from Eng. land can be set up in Kiushu, where there is ample room for another factory, and the land acquired in Shanghai can be sold for more than it cost.
JAPANESE COMPANIES AND
FOREIGN INVESTORS.
Nothing could more forcibly illustrate the altered temper of the Japanese nation towards foreigners than the action taken on the 13th March by the House of Representatives with regard to the Industrial Encouragement Bank BiH. The measure is of considerable magui tude. Its import was fully set forth in our columus (Jan. 17th) at the time of the Bill's introduction in the Lower House. We need only explain, therefore, that the Bank is to be a joint stock institution, having for its object the furnishing of accommodation to agriculturists and manufacturers, and that its capital is to be ten million yen, in fifty thousand shares of two hundred ven cach. When the House came to read the Bill a second time, an influential member (Mr. Kawashima Jun) pointed out that whereas, in the regulations of the Bank of Japan, a provision appeared interdicting the purchase of shares by for eigners, no such provision had been inserted in the constitution of the Industrial Bank, and it would consequently be possible for foreigners not only to acquire the shares, but even to obtain control of the Bank. Four years ago, when the Strict-enforcement" movement was at its height, could there have been any doubt as to the Representatives' attitude towards such a question ? We think not. They would certainly have amended the Bill. in the sense suggested by Mr. Kawashima. Indeed, the tendency of the Diet in past years was always to exclude foreigners from any direct share in Japanese enterprises, and of course that tendency was immensely accentuated at the time when people cried out for strict en- forcement of the treaties, and even for the introduction of a law penalizing any covert assistance lent by Japanese subjects towards the acquisition of fixed property by foreigners. We have often analysed the sentiment mistaken by superficial observers for anti-foreign feeling in Japan, and have insisted that it was nothing more than a somewhat morbid desire of self- assertion; a species of not unnatural protest against the de-haut-en-bas treatment extended to the Japanese generally by Occidentals. Our readers may also remember that, according to our view, the strict-enforcement agitation itself pro- duced an antidote to that feeling, inasmuch as the doctrine, by finding a prominent place in the platform of the extreme wing of the Opposition, naturally became a point of attack to the mode rates, and thus, for the first time since 1886, a great political party-the Liberals (Jiyu-to) stood forward as champions of unrestricted foreign intercourse. Again, when Japan was winning her victories over China, and when certain writers were predicting that the nation would become so "stuck up as to render for eign residence intolerable, we foretold precisely the opposite result, our conviction being, first, that, as a general rule, the Japanese would take their Ruccess modestly and quietly; and secondly, that the consciousness of having won a title to Occidental respect would soothe their morbid anxiety to prove themselves worthy of something better than supercilious
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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patronage. We think that we may claim the credit of having judged correctly, and that the attitude of the House of Representatives on Saturday goes far to confirm our views. In reply to Mr. Kamashima's proposal, the Vice- Minister of Finance, in his capacity of Govern ment Delegate, stood up and boldly declared that the time was past for exclusive legislation against foreigners. It had been prudent, doubtless, said Baron Tajiri, to interdict foreign ownership of the Bank of Japan's shares at the epoch (1882) of that institution's establishment, but since then the country had progressed so far that to exclude foreigners from an enter- prise like that under consideration by the Honse was no longer desirable or possible. The House dividend on the question, 86 voting against, and 77 for, the interdict proposed by Mr. Kawashima. It will be agreed, we imagine, that such a vote is a most healthy sign of the temper of the time. The Japanese are learning to see that they should encourage, instead of deterring, the investment of foreign capital in the country.—Japan Mail.
HONGKONG.
The weather has been warm during the past week and it seems as if the summer were about to set in in earnest. At the Police Court on Thursday Mr. J. D. Humphreys was fined for riding in a prohibited place, and in the afternoon an important meeting of the Sanitary Board was held. Ou Friday a very successful concert was given by the Philharmonic Society On Saturday night a concert was given at the Clab Germania, and the same evening the mem. bers of the Hongkong Football Club held their annual dinner. During the week the shareholders in the following companies met-China Sugar Refining Company, Limited, Luzon Sugar Refining Company, Limited, and the China and Manila Steamship Company. Limited. By this mail Li Hung-chang is proceeding to Russia. He did not land in Hongkong. although invited by His Excellency the Governor to luncheon.
The flagship Centurion went into dock at Hunghom on the 26th March..
H.M.S. Narcissus returned to port on the 26th March and the German gunboat Iltis arrived from Pakhoi.
It is notified in the Gazette that the Queen's exequatur has been issued empowering Mr. L. Vincent to act as Consul for Belgium at Hongkong.
3.
H.M.S. Algerine and Phonic are to be sent out for service on this station. It is believed they are intended to replace the obsolete gun- boats Esk and Tweed,
It is notified in the Gazette that Dr. W. Knappe has been recognised as in charge of the German Consulate during the absence of Mr. L. vou Loeper, the Consul.
At the Magistracy on Monday thirty-nine charges of being out late at night without a light or pass were dealt with. In every case bat one, which was dismissed, a fine of $1 was imposed.
At a meeting of the Field Battery of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps held on Saturday afternoon Mr. D. Macdonald, of the Kowloon Dock Detachment, was unanimously elected a Lieutenant.
A German seaman named John Thunen was fined $5 at the Police Court on the 27th March for beharing in a disorderly manner at the Sailors' Home and assaulting the watchman early yes- terday morning.
.on
A Government notification was issued Friday to the effect that from the 36th March the constant system of water supply will be again introduced and maintained until further notice in the public mains throughout the city.
From Japan papers we learn that the City of Rio de Janeiro had had to burn some of her woodwork to enable her to reach. Honolulu; while the City of Peking is reported to have reached Yokohama with only 15 tons of coal on board.
Three privates in the Hongkong Regiment were each fined $5 at the Magistracy on Monday for gambling at Taikoktsui. They were playing po taai with some Chinese gamblers, and when the police put in an appearance the Chinese bolted and the Indians were arrested.
[April 1, 1896.
The Ordinance to provide for the recognition in the colony of probates and letters of administration granted in British possessions has been approved by Her Majesty.
On Monday afternoon a sale of Crown land. at Yaumati took place. The lot is Kowloon marine lot No. 39 and contains 199,500 square feet. The annual Crown rent is $1,397. The upset price was $19,950 and it was knocked. down for $20,000 to Messrs. Leigh and Orange.
On Saturday an Indian policeman saw a China- man stealing wood within the Taipingshan area, and he chased the thief into a house. Unfor- tunately, however, the constable fell as he was running down some steps and he seriously hurt his back. He was taken to the hospital, where he is detained. The thief got away.
A sentence of three months' imprisonment was passed upon Juan Baretto, a seaman on the Energia, at the Police Court on the 27th March for cutting and wounding a fireman named Gaston. The prisoner and another man quarrelled and were about to fight when prosecutor asked them not to: Prisoner replied by pulling out a knife and stabbing the peacemaker on the left side of his body,
He had been
Telegraphic intelligence has been received of the death at San Francisco of Mr. Andrew Johnston. Mr. Johnston left Hongkong in the P. M. steamer China on the 8th February last, suffering severely from sprue resident in the colony for twenty-two years and as a consulting engineer and Lloyd's Surveyor was well known. He took a keen interest in the In- stitution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, of which he was for some time the Secretary.
A special session of Justices was held at the Magistracy on Monday afternoon to consider an application for a transfer of a licence. The ap- plicant was Mr. R. C. Harley, of the Grill Room, and he asked for his licence to sell intoxicating liquors to be transferred to Ng The police objected to the transfer on the Pak To. Mr. Mounsey made the application. ground that a European manager was a neces- sity in a place used by Europeans. The Magis- trates-Messrs. T. Sercombe Smith, E. W. Mitchell, and A. Shelton Hooper-refused the application.
At a regular meeting of the United Mark Lodge, No. 419, E.C., held on Wednesday night, Bro. W. M. B. Arthur, S.W., was installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year, and afterwards appointed his officers as follows:- S.W., Bro. T. Spafford; J.W., Bro. G. JW. King; M.O., Bro. W. H. E. Smith; 8.0., Bro. D. Hall; J.O., Bro. H. G. Baker; Treasurer, Bro. J. R. Grimble; Reg. of Marks, Bro. G. W. Watling; Hon. Secretary, Bro. W. J. Solly; S.D., Rro. H. E. A. Hoile; J.D., Bro. J. Lochead; D.C., Bro. A. G. Dymond; Stew- ard, Bro. C. Rae; I.G., Bro. J. R. Craik; and Tyler, Bro. J. Maxwell.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. P. B. Schmacker, lately a partner in the firm of Messrs. Carlowitz and Co., with which he had been connected for over twenty years. Mr. Schmucker was making a visit to Japan, in- tending afterwards to return to Europe. Both in business and social relations the deceased gentleman was esteemed by all who knew him and his death at the early age of forty-four will be deeply regretted by his numerous friends at Shanghai and Hongkong. Mr. Schmacker made a hobby of conchology, and his collection of shells was, we believe, one of the finest private collections in existence.
A very impudent robbery was perpetrated at noon on the 26th March in Bonham Road, the victim being an English lady named Mrs. Brown, who resides in Richmond Terrace, and who, we understand, only lately arrived in the colony. She was wearing a considerable amount of jewellery at the time, one of the articles being. a gold watch, and while walking along Bonham Road two men, Chinese, went up to her and one suddenly snatched her watch and both bolted and quickly got out of sight. Forta- nately we rarely hear of these daylight robberies from European ladies and it is to be hoped that in this case the thieves will be speedily caught. We have to acknowledge receipt of a pamphlet entitled Medical Missions," by Dr. Kerr, pub- lished by the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, Philadelphia. It is an eloquent justification of medical missions and a plea for their efficient support.
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