78
THE PACIFIC CABLE.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
February 3, 1807
been
to direct attention in a very marked man--foreigners, but it would hav ner to the handsome profits reaped by the if Ministers and Consuls had Telegraph Companies, and thus increased to their nationals and invited the chances of that very opposition they observe it. This would certainly were so desirous of averting. It cannot be preferable to allowing the though doubted that the attention of the Japanese unintentional disregard of it to form the was thus specially attracted to the field left subject of acrimonious comme open to enterprise.
native journals, for it appe word was required to secure Mr. MERCK, a professional vio who had announced an to be given with the assistance of amateurs, at once postponed it when the matter was brought to his notice, and an organ recital which was to have been given at Union Church was also postponed. At the same time it must be admitted that the exces to which, according to Western ideas, the Japanese carry-ceremonial observances may cause some friction when foreigners come under Japanese law. The Japan Mail says:
The question of laying a cable across the Pacific from some point on the west coast of North America to Japan and Eastern A
Asia is still under very careful consideration not only in the United States, the Dominion of Canada, and Great Britain, but also in the land of the Rising It is of course impossible to say on what Sun. In the latter country a Commission data the Japanese Commission of Investiga- has recently been sitting to investigate the tion have based their estimates of the cost question and to collect information. They of laying and working a cable across the estimate the cost of laying a telegraphic Pacific, but if they can feel confidence cable from Japan via Hawaii to San in these figures the temptation to under- Francisco at $13,680,000, including two take the enterprise is certainly very great. steamers. The gross receipts per annum The estimate of the cost of laying the are estimated at $1,674,000, and the ex- cable might be made approximately, penditure at $999,000. The Pacific Cable and probably pretty fairly, by an Commission sitting in London is still at expert. When, however, we come to the work, but its deliberations are conducted estimate of the gross receipts for telegrams, in such secrecy that nothing is known as this, we take it, would be far more difficult to what is likely to be the result. Accord- and uncertain. But whatever the receipts "It has come to our knowledge that a ing to a Canadian press despatch the reports might be at first they would surely grow Japanese policeman, hearing the sounds of the doings of the Conference, which had steadily every year, and if a Government "of a violin in a foreign house on the "Yokohama Bluff a few days ago, knocked previously been issued by the Colonial undertook the work they could do so in the Office, have been stopped owing to the desire practical certainty that if unremunerative "at the door and asked that the playing of the existing companies to hinder the at the outset the line would soon pay a good "should cease." Our contemporary adds project. The same authority states that the profit on the working as the population of that the policeman" had no competence to Canadian delegates had been instructed the Western States of the American Union "take such a step. The inmates of the to make it a sine qua non of Canada's and the Canadian Dominion grew and as "house might have sent him about his support that the cable shall not touch on trade in the Far East with those great coun- business, might even have procured for foreign soil, not even at the Hawaiian tries--now in its infancy-developed. Of" him a reprimand. But they did not. Islands. What special views the Austra-course the line first laid will enjoy the best "They treated the constable himself with lian delegates take we are unable to chance of proving a paying speculation. civility and his request with respect. say, but the Australian Colonies aud Communication with the Far East does not "That is an example of the spirit by which New Zealand are very anxious to have enter into the project now being discussed foreigners are really animated."
We are cable communication, over a British line, by the Conference sitting in London, which not so certain of the assertion made with Canada. A scheme for laying a cable is concerned only with communication be- the last sentence. Many foreigners would from San Francisco first to the Hawaiian tween Canada and Australia, but if Hawaii be inclined to resent interference with Islands and thence to Hongkong via Luzon, were made a station on that line it would them in their own houses, more especially is now before the United States Congress, naturally be made the starting point for when the order issued by the Emperor and the people of California are pressing for any line that may in the future be laid to referred only, according to our contem- this to be inaugurated with all the influence connect with the Far East, and this latter porary's statement, to professional perform they can muster.
line would then constitute a valuable ances. Assuming that such an incident feeder for the first. It appears to occurred after the abolition of extraterri- us therefore that a line from Vancouver toriality and that a foreigner was thus to Honolulu, and thence in two sections, brought into conflict with the police, dis- one to New Zealand and Australia, and agreeable discussions might ensue. the other to Japan and Hongkong, would matters of this kind, however, we must trust prove the most feasible and useful from a to the good sense of the Japanese Govern- financial and commercial point of view. ment and of the foreign communities to But let us have the cable and we shall not prevent any small friction that may arise on greatly care from whence it starts on the such points becoming excessive. American side or where it touches en route:
1
FOREIGN ENTERTAINMENTS AND THE MOURNING FOR THE EMPRESS DOWAGER OF JAPAN.
It will thus be seen that there are at the moment rival projects for supplying the great want of direct telegraphic com- munication between Eastern Asia and the American Continent. That one of them will before long emerge into the domain of accomplished fact there can be small reason to doubt. The present system is not only roundabout and tedious, but it constitutes an expensive monopoly which will not long be tolerated in America, whatever may be the case in Eastern Asia. The Joint Telegraph Companies occupy an exceptionally strong position, and will naturally do all they can to retain it. They have been able, owing to the high rates maintained, not only to pay substantial A Japanese vernacular paper the other day dividends but to build up large reserve indulged in intemperate animadversions on funds. The Great Northern Telegraph foreigners because a musical entertainment Company in particular has done well in this had been advertised to take place during respect, having accumulated a reserve the period of mourning for the late Empress of nearly a million sterling, and their £10 Dowager. "This," we are told," is not the shares are now quoted on the stock market "first occasion on which foreigners have at £25 per share. The Companies have un- "shown their want of any sense of shame by questionably maintained a good and efficient “taking advantage of their extraterritorial service and in numerous ways have studied "privileges to commit lawless acts," and the interests of their constituents. The the question is asked, "How is it that recent reduction made in rates to southern "Ministers and Consuls suffer such things countries, to India, to Africa, Australasia, to go on with impunity?" If the Nippon's and elsewhere, and the promised reduction language had been less violent the views in the rates from Europe in July next show expressed could hardly be controverted. In that they are not unmindful of public opin- any country, whether foreigners live under ion, which demands a cheaper rate for a system of extraterritoriality or not, it is telegraphic means of communication. The unbecoming that they should wound the increase in their rates to Europe and feelings of the natives by indulging in public America on the 1st August last, immediately festivities or gaieties during a period of on the conclusion of the Telegraph Conven- national mourning. The Emperor of Japan tion at Peking in July, was certainly un- had ordered that all professional perform fortunate, as it drew public attention most ances of music, dancing, or theatricals prominently to the high cost of telegraphing, should cease through the whole country
ad awoke an agitation against the monopoly for a period of fifteen days. created by that convention. It also served der was of course not obligatory
This or
16
THE ADMINISTRATION OF FORMOSA...
A
In
Mr. DAVIDSON in his last letter from Formosa refers to the necessity which exists
exists in the island for a large force of military and civil police to ensure peace and protect those of the people who are inclined towards quiet and industrious conduct. It appears that the rebellion has at last been suppressed and what is now chiefly required to promote the prosperity and progress of the country is the efficient policing of the island, both in town and country districts, to prevent the ex-rebels and other lawless characters preying on the law abiding. population. With an efficient police force public confidence would soon be re and Japan would begin to find her new dependency a profitable one instead of a financial burden. General Noor, it appears, has asked for a large augmentation of the police force, but as yet the ing been sanctioned. It is to be hoped that the wise administration of Formosa will obstructed by red tape at Tokyo, though having regard to the frequent obstructi our own Colonial Office of the British Crown colonies much
pect that hilar kind should be in the case of the Japanese
has not
be
by