October 28, 1896.
panies,
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
informed that these differential freights sponsibility and incur the risks involved in it possesses some little plausibility Dr. are also charged by British steamship com- interference míny plead justification for YERZIN, in his investigations in Hongkong, and that this has caused more such a course. Between the Japanese and found that the bacillus of the plague had injury British trade than any foreign the natives of the Philippines there exist its habitat in the soil. It may be that this competition, which indeed it has built up racial affinities and the Japanese Govern- micro-organism is present in the soil every- and fostered. Of course there is nothing ment might plead the same right to inter- where and at all times, but requires a pecu- absolutely new in this, for it has been said fere for the protection of the Philippinos liar meteorological condition for the exer often enough before, but it obtains added that the Christian nations of Europe elaineise of its morbific influence upon ma weight from the statement being made on the to possess in regard to the affairs of Turkey. When the plague made its first appearance authority of a Minister. It is to be hoped Sir It would be a startling circumstance to see a in Hongkong the prolonged drought was CLAUDE MACDONALD, the Consuls, and all pagan nation interfering for the protection of thought by some to be responsible public men who have the opportunity will the subjects of a Christian Government, but for it, whereas the monsoon in India this steadily continue to urge this matter on the such interference has now come within the year has been characterized by an attention of the Government and the public, bounds of possibility. Japan has been cre- abnormally heavy rainfall, so that if for, even if they have nothing new to say, dited with a desire to annex the Philippines, meteorological conditions have anything to by much speaking they may at last com- and there can be no doubt that the addition do with the matter it would seem that it is mand a hearing and induce action. What of those rich islands to the Empire of not mere dryness or dampness that is the direction that action should take has yet to the Rising Sun would afford much grati- determining factor. be indicated. The shipowners cannot be fication to the Japanese nation. Japan
In his presidential address to the British expected to reduce their rates in a burst of has bound herself by treaty, however, to Association Sir JOSEPH LISTER spoke of oof patriotisin, their business being to make all recognise the Bashee Channel as demarcat- PASTEUR's investigation of micro-organisms. they can for themselves and their share-ing her sphere of influence from that "It was at that period a prevalent notion, holders, but it is clear that there is some-
of Spain, and there is no reason to suppose even among many eminent naturalists, thing vicious in a. system by which the that any intention exists on her part to go "that such humble and minute beings greatest maritime nation of the world | behind that agreement, unless good "originated de novo in decomposing organic places its shipping at the disposal occasion should arise for such a course, "substances, the doctrine of spontaneous of foreigners on more favourable terms than in which case she would denounce the treaty
generation, which had been chased succes- those accorded to nationals. Shipowners openly. If she aimed at annexation, how-
sively from various positions which it once themselves preserve a discreet silence in the ever, she would doubtless encounter opposi-
occupied among creatures visible to the matter, which may be taken as an admission | tion from various European Powers, which, "naked eye, having taken its last refuge of the truth of all that is alleged against at present at all events, she would not be "where the objects of study were of such them, an admission that by combination prepared to disregard. Armed intervention “minuteness that their habits and history they have secured the whip hand and is, therefore, in the present instance, im- were correspondingly difficult to trace. intend to keep it as long as they probable, but Spain by her unwise action PASTEUR, however, showed that, as he ex- can, just 0.3 the cable companies is opening the door for diplomatic re-pressed it, "la génération spontanée est une mean to do in respect of telegraphic rates. presentations, which may pave the way chimère," and that the humblest and How combinations of this kind are to be for stronger measures at some future minutest living organisms can only originate met is one of the problems of modern trade. time. Also the present course of events by parentage from beings like themselves. As regards telegraphic communication we may incline Japan, in the event of The idea of the spontaneous generation of may hope in time to obtain relief by Govern- the rebels growing strong enough to establish the plague bacillus either in filthy drains or ment taking over the business or establish- anything like settled government in the elsewhere must therefore be dismissed, and ing alternative lines, but Government will territory held by them, to accord to them the cause of the bacillus suddenly becom not take over the shipping business. The recognition as belligerents, which would ing active as a producer of disease in man question is whether anything could be done be in various ways an · advantage must be sought elsewhere. Here, however, by legislation in restraint of combination, to them. In any case, and however
we touch wholly unknown country. Sir but that way leads to great difficulties and doubtful this forecast of the probable atti- JOSEPH LISTER'S address gives an interest unknown dangers.
tude of Japan may be, certain it is that if ing account of the wonderful progress made. the alleged use of torture by the Spanish in combatting the morbific attacks of micro- Government in the Philippines is established organisms on the human being, but as as an incontrovertible fact it will be attended regards the life history of these organisms by its Nemesis. Torture is not a thing to be and the conditions determining their attacks tolerated by the civilized world in the upon the human race the scientific world. present day and the Government that appears to be still in complete ignorance. practices it must either reform its methods One thing, however, has been demonstrated or go under.
by experience, namely, that the attacks of the plague bacillus fail upon subjects living wholesome lives under good sanitary condi tions and succeed only upon those living in unhealthy surroundings or whose system has been weakened by other disease.
?
PLAGUE AT BOMBAY,
"
ALLEGED TORTURE AT MANILA. The correspondence of Mr. J. W. DAVID- SON which we have recently published gives a very painful picture of the position of affairs in the Philippines. The most strik- ing feature is the torturing of the prisoners ́taken by the Spanish. It appears almost incredible that at the end of the nineteenth century the instruments of torture of the Various theories have been advanced to Inquisition days should be resurrected and account for the introduction of the plague brought into actual use. The statement into Bombay. According to some, it has makes the blood boil, and we would fain been introduced in some mysterious way When the plague made its first appear hope that the Manila Government may be from Hongkong, according to others the ance in Hongkong' it was prédicted able to give some contradiction to an allega filthy condition of the drains is responsible that it would run its course the tion of conduct that must strike the whole for it, and others again say it is due to the world over, not because Hongkong was to civilised world as abominable. Unfortu- peculiar character of the monsoon this year. prove itself a centre of infection, but because nately however, the statement appears The theory that the contagion has been the cause of the disease had become active; : too categorical to admit of contradiction; conveyed by steamer from Hongkong it was a mere hap that Hongkong was one it rests not only on the assertions of possible appears untenable, other ports with of the earliest places affected. The un- opponents of Spanish rule, but it is said the which this colony is in much closer con- fortunate outbreak of the disease at Bombay Spaniards themselves admit and justify the nection not having been affected in any would seem to lend probability to the fulfil- practice. If that be so, it may be taken as way, Singapore and Bangkok for instance. ment of the prediction alluded to. If the the certam handwriting on the wall foretell Nor does the theory of the filthy condition theory upon which that prediction is ing the ultimate downfall of Spanish rule. of the drains suffice to account for the intro-founded be correct, quarantine regulations Even if the present rebellion be suppressed duction of the disease, though it might con- a task which it now appears will not be tribute to its virulence when once the in- easy of accomplishment-the memory of troduction had been effected. If plague these cruelties will dwell with the natives, could be set down as the direct consequence will intensify the hatred they bear towards of filthy drains we should expect to find their rulers, and will predispose them to the consequence following the cause make another blow for liberty at the first wherever, the latter existed, whereas there favourable opportunity. The use of are filthy drains in innumerable towns suggests another danger and cities in which the plague has to Spanish rule, namely, that of foreign not made its appearance in modern intervention. Where the laws of humanity times. The third theory, namely, that are grossly outraged by a Government any the disease is due to the peculiar character other Government prepared to assume the re- of the monsoon, is clearly a mere guess, but
will do little to stop the incursion of the enemy, for wherever it is not opposed by ant effective rampart of sanitation, there the disease, according to this theory, will make its appearances In view of the standard of sanitation now attained in Europe and America we may hope, even if the theory be correct, that the white races will for the most part escape The theory, how rests only on conjecture, and it is ther unnecessary as yet to take a very glo view even, as regards the spread of th disease in Asia, notwithstanding the case of