press, order has been restored phor trade resumed. It is perhaps fair to surmise that the Japanese autho- rities were led to believe this themselves, since they were willing to grant passports to foreig- nors. What the real condition of affairs is will be gathered from the following notes, written by a foreigner connected with the camphor business, who had the courage to make personal investigation as soon as his Consul could obtain the requisite pass from the authorities at Tai-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
would not be possible for me to go outside, the fortifications, and that as soon as order could be restored merchants would be notified and business in camphor recommenced Under these circumstances it was, of course, useless for me to remain and I decided to return to Anping at once I found all the furniture in our hong smashed and several boxes of camphor missing. The commanding officer afforded me every assistance in protecting the house and the camphor stored there, and I made preparations to start. During my short stay at Hoonim I found that one street had been burnt by the rebels. Nearly every house, ex- cepting the foreign hongs, is occupied by sol- diers. About two hundred Chinese, of the lowest coolie class, have returned, but the inhabitants of this once flourishing town are camping in the surrounding mountains. These unfortunate people, men, women, and children, are without shelter, with of course little or no food. My journey back was accomplished with comparative ease, but it was most difficult to obtain food for my men, and at Hoonim even it was almost impossible to get. them anything to eat.
Provided with a passport I started from Anping on the morning of the 6th September, taking with me my Chinese servant, twelve load carriers, five chair coolies, and provisions for one month. That same evening I reached Sinis, where I rested for the night. Avoiding Kagee I arrived in the evening of the 7th at Taniau, a rather large village situated a little to the west of the military road. Here I was informed that the gendarmes had suddenly left the place about two months ago. The village being hidden in a bamboo grove, neither the Japanese force nor rebels entered the place dur- ing the late disturbances, but the inhabitants were afraid that the rebels might come down from the hills at any moment with the object of looting, as they are reported to be in want of funds in order to carry on the rebellion. I left this place at an early hour on the 8th, and at 7.30 a.m. reached Toapohuah, where I was stopped by a Japanese sentry. On exhibiting my passport I was allowed to pass. Toapohnah, formerly a large and important village, is now entirely in ruins, having been burnt by, the Japanese. Some thirty Chinese have returned and are living in the rains, but the inhabitants are in the mountains, being afraid to return. At 9.30 am. I stopped at another important village called Talibu, where a few gendarmes are stationed. This place is also in ruins and entirely deserted by the people. I was told that from these two villages four to five thousand inhabitants escaped to the hills and are now afraid to venture back. At 11.45 am. I reached Tanlak, a flourishing market town when I passed through it about two months ago. Now the place is in absolute ruin; a few Chinese of the lowest class have ventured to return. The yamen where the Japan- ese officials used to reside was burnt by the rebels, but the other houses in the town were destroyed by the Japanese when they recaptured the place. A few hundred soldiers are garrisoned here and all the roads by which the town is approached are fortified and closely guarded. At noon I called at the Prefecture and was most politely received by the sub-Prefect, who was, however, reluctant to allow me to proceed to my destina- ́tion, Hoonim, on,the ground that Taulak was the last place on this road considered safe for travellers. After some delay he decided to let me proceed, taking the precaution, however, to give, me a guard. We started at 2.45 p.m. On the road to Hoonim we passed three big villages, - Kiukiongnah, Sialinpan, and Nalai. All these places were partially destroyed and entirely deserted. This is the district where the atrocities were committed by the Japanese soldiers, and I tried to get information from the few people who were about, but all seemed to be too much afraid to speak. At Sialinpan, however, I was told by an old woman, who had been an eyewitness and whose husband was killed at the time, that Then the Japanese entered the place they ordered the people to boil rice for them. After finishing their meal the soldiers said toxia (thank you) and then commenced an indis- oriminate slaughter of the people. About 150 were killed, and the village destroyed. The same cruelties appear to have been committed at all the villages and hamlets east of the road leading to the foot of the mountain range
|
Anping, 17th September.
Copies of repo general meeti test against laid on the t
Resolved to have further cop to forward them Foreign Office, Bri Telegraph
East, to the principa
30 1898
Cermany
of Canada, United States, Aust and other Continental countries, to all t Foreign Consuls &
IMPORT DUTIES IN CHINAS
Copy of a letter addressed by the Shanghai Branch to the Hongkong Branch of the . Association, dated 4th Sept., in refer the above question, had
by the Hon. Secretary, it bein intention to send copies of the mi ceedings to the Chamber The arrived; but it was decided to write the readiness of the Chamber the Shanghai Chamber and the Ching tion in this matter.
100%
THE OPENING OF THE WEST RIVER Read letter from Sir Claude MacDonald's dated 4th Sept., acknowledging recei The compradore reported in my last as having Chamber's letter of the 4th August been arrested at Hoonim has been released by if any progress had been made in the the military authorities. Some of the camphor, tions with the Chinese Governmen Eo long detained at Chipchip and Hoonim, is on opening of the West River, in which its way to Anping, but it seems absolutely im-cellency states that negotiations are possible to make fresh contracts, and business progress in London. ip this article may now be considered as at an end, for the time being, as far as South Formosa is concerned.
(Correspondence).
THE CHAMBER'S REPRESENTATIVE IN
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Disquieting rumours are current as to the
Colonial Secretary's Office, intention of the rebels, and the position of the
*22nd August, 1896. - - unfortunate refugees becomes more distressing
Sir, I am directed to remind you the every day. Foreign intervention is undoubted- ly the only remedy, and it is to be hoped that Hon. T. H. Whitehead's term of appointment as a member of the Legislative Council of this the Japanese Government will generously come forward and entertain such proposals as maycolony expires on the 19th proximo, and to an lead to the return of the many thousands now inquire what are the wishes of the Cham
Commerce with respect to the appointmen captivity.
a member of the Chamber to Legislative Council. I have the honour to sir, your most obedient servant,
THE HONGKONG GENERAL CHAM-
BER OF COMMERCE.
At a monthly meeting of the Committee held at the Chamber Rooms, on the 24th September, Present--Messrs. A. McConachie (Chairman). J. J. Bell-Irving, N. J. Ede, T. Jackson, St. C. Michaelsen, N. A Siebs, T. H. Whitehead, and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary),.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
THE COMMITTEE.
Read letter from Mr. G. B. Dodwell, dated 21st September, announcing his departure from the colopy and tendering his resignation.
It was resolved to defer filling vacancy to next meeting.
NOMINATION OF MEMBER FOR SEAT AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Correspondence in connection with the re- nomination of Mr. T. H. Whitehead for ap- pointment to the Legislative Council laid on table.
NEW MEMBERS.
-
Messrs. Wieler & Co., Hartigan, Stedman & Rennie, M. S. Sassoon & Co., Harvie & Co., The Yokohama Specie Bank, Limited, Mr. H. L. Dennys, and Mr. W. Danby were elected members of the Chamber.
-
of
che
(Signed). J. H. STEWART LOCKHART
Colonial Secretary. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
28th August, 1896
Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 22nd inst, remind. ing the Chamber that the term of the Hon. T. H. Whitehead's appointment as a member of the Legislative Council expires on the proximo, and asking to be informed wishes of the Chamber of Commerce with to the appointment.
I am instructed to thank you for minder, and to say the same cour adopted on previous occasions will be when the result will be promptly com to the Government.I have the honour sir, your most obedient servant,
19th
the
R. CHATTEETON WIL
Secretary To Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart Colonial
Secretary.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
19th September, 1896 Sir, I have the honour to advise the information of His Excelle THE INCREASE IN TELEGRAPH RATES. Governor, that, at a Special General Read letters from M. Rolland, President of the Chamber, held to-day at 11:15 am Saigon Chamber, dated 1st September, acknow- Thomas Henderson Whitehead, Ma lodging Chamber's letter of 7th August, and the Chartered Bank of India. Au promising to keep Chamber advised of any China, was again selected as their developments in Indo-China. Also letter from the seat in the I Singapore Chamber, dated 28th August, so-vacant by the expiry knowledging receipt of Chamber's letter of 14th appointment.
I now bag to hand idem enclosing copy of protest. Also letter from Shanghai Chamber, dated 4th September, in connection with the owning receipt of Chamber's letter of 14th August and copy of protest, and enclosing copies of further correspondence on the subject.
Atp.m. I was about, are li distant from Hoonim, and it was so dark that my coolies could not proceed. I therefore went alone to Hoonim toprocure torches.. Eventually the whole party of us got into the town. Read letter from Acting Manager, Joint I found the door of our hong barricaded, but Telegraph Companies, dated 16th Sept., regard- succeeded in forcing an entrance. On the 9thing the acceptance of Chinese telegrams at at 8 a.m. I called upon the officer in command of the garrison, who was very polite and kind. strongly advised me to withdraw at once, could not guarantee my safety owing to the threatening attitu the rebels; Hoonima
ng surrounded.
ordon of sentries, it
A copy of th
meetings
A list of the members
meeting
The nam
画
half rates. A formal acknowledgment had been I have the >] sent on the 17th Sept. It was considered un-obedient servant. necessary to further reply to the letter at pre- Bent Opinion was adverse to the explanation in the Telegraph Companies letter, which was Hon. regarded as unsatisfactory.
Beoretary
MOCONAOHIR
Colonial