THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
of preserving Hongkong and Singapore | from possible capture in the event of attack by a foreign Power. This addition to the British army is very small, and is intended. purely for defensive purposes; it is in no sense meant as a defiance to other countries or even as an answer to the increase in Continental armies. But the numerous colonies and dependencies of Great Britain are so widely scattered and so inadequately protected that it is high time steps were taken to at least remedy their defenceless condition, which under some circumstances would assurely invite attack.
probably has a proper appreciation of their value. But whatever may be the views of Japanese Ministers as regards the future, they certainly do not entertain any present designs on the Philippines. They have Formosa on their hands, and find the island more troublesome to govern than they anti- cipated. Moreover they have no wish to arouse any hostile feeling among the Western Powers, and it is well understood that any attempt to oust Spain from the Philippines would be resisted. Not that the Western Powers have any love for Spain, and still less for her methods of administration, but they are not prepared to see another Power set in her place, and least of all an Asiatic Power. The contingency of Japanese in- tervention being therefore so remote, the chances of effecting a pacification of the islands seen fairly hopeful. A great deal depends on the Colonial authorities, how- ever, and not a little on the behaviour of the army. If the authorities make wise and timely concessions to the natives and declare an amnesty to those who lay down their arms, and if clemency be shown to those taken prisoners, it is probable that the insurrection may perish of inanition Harsh measures and savage treatment of the vanquished may, on the other hand, deepen discontent into irreconcilable hatred.
JAPAN'S COMMERCIAL
EXPANSIÓN.
We have
Secretary with
are excin
census taken on: are exclusive of ments,the census are given for
co
[February 11, 1897.
CE Europeans and othe
non Chin
Victoria The Peak Villages in
Hongkong.. British Kow-
loca..... Harbour, Stone- cutters, &o...
Chir
Colonial
1891
3,546 2,946 5,492 111,626 44,171 185,797 236 185 421 552100 $1,652
141 -26 167 18,065 3,327 11,302
307 137 444 18,983 7,314 26,297
15 3- -18
Total... 4,245 3,297 7,642-140,31 Floating Popul.
9 450 [436]
4,686 3,306 7,992 161,427 66,963 228,390 Total of all nationalities 236,382, exclusive of
1891...
Europeans and other
Chinese.
non-Chinese..
The Contemporary Review for January con- tains an article on "The Commercial Ex- pansion of Japan," by Mr. H. TENNANT, the Mercantile Mar. 441 editor of the Japan Gazette. Mr. TENNANT gives a review of the progress of Japan and of the difficulties now confronting the country and naval establisliments. owing to her increased expenditure on arma- ments, and though there is not much that is novel in his treatment of the subject his con- clusions are sound and business like. He is especially impressed with the fact that the Hongkong........ commercial expansion of Japan is nothing of which Western nations need be afraid. "The truism that large producers must also "be large consumers so strongly exemplified "in the case of America, despite the formid-
66
#C
f(
""
Kowloon
Malo.
Temale.
Total.
Total... 3,471 2,391 5,862 Floating Popul. Mercantile Mar. 991 25 1,016
113,281 44,069 157,300 14,499 5,498 (19,997
127,780 49,567 177,297 20,335 11,700 32,035 1,044 ***** 19 - 1,063
Total 4,462 2,116 6,878 149,109 61,286 210,395 Total of all nationalities 217,273, exclusive of --military and naval establishments.
HONGKONG INDIAN FAMINE
५ RELIEF FUND. PEANUT
SUBSCRIPTION LISTS TO BE ISSUED On the 1st February a private meeting of the Committee appointed by his Excellency the Governor to raise an Indian Famine Relief
Fand in Hongkong was held at Government Buildings. His Honour Sir John Carrington (Chief Justice) presided. The Committee con- sists of the following gentlemen Mr T. Sercombe Smith (Acting Puisne Judge), Hon J. H. Stewart Lockhart (Colonial Secretary) Hon. E. R. Belilios, Hon. C. P. Chater, Hon Ho Kai, Họn. Wei A Yuk, Hồn J. Le Ball Irving, Hon. T. H. Whitehead, Messrs. J. J. Francis, Q.C., E. W. Mitchell, A. McConachie, St. C. Michaelsen, A. Coxon, N. A. Siebs, A, G. Romano, Ho Amei, J. 8. Van Buren, A. J. Raymond, T. Jackson, J. Y. V. Vernon, H. N. Mody. Li Sing, D. Gillies, and D. R. Crawford. Sir John Carington, after a few remarks, read the following telegram which his Excel- lency the Governor forwarded to the Viceroy of India on the 25th inste
THE INCREASE OF THE ARMY AND THE PROTECTION OF THE COALING STATIONS. The increase to the Army indicated by Lord LANSDOWNE in a recent speech, a sum-
able tariffs and unlimited natural resources mary of which has been supplied by Reuter, would appear to have been necessitated, in "of the United States, applies with much great part at any rate, by the wants of the
greater force to Japan, whose capa- Coaling Stations. It had already been an-
city for producing is necessarily limited." nounced that a large sum would be asked for in the Estimates for fortifying the Coaling In fact, he says, what English manufacturers Stations, and this addition to the army is have to fear is not so much Japan's success as evidently required for the purpose of rein- Japan's failure. The chance of failure, how- forcing the garrisons of those stations. ever, is, we take it, remote, but Mr. TENNANT Thus, two battalions are to be added to points out the danger arising from excessive the Guards and one to the Cameron national expenditure and also that one of Highlanders, and Lord LANSDOWNE says the chief advantages claimed for Japan, that that three battalions of the Guards will then of cheap labour, is more illusory than real. be available for service in the Mediterranean, We should be inclined to dispute his one of which will proceed to Gibraltar this dictum that "it requires at least two Japa-
Another West India Regiment is to nese to do the work of one European,' year. be raised, and this no doubt is intended to since that must obviously depend upon the strengthen the forces in Jamaica or the kind of work and the training of the work- West Coast of Africa, where there is likely mau. Industrial organisation will gradu- to be need for troops for some time to ally eradicate habits that interfere with the come. The Malta Fencibles are to be efficiency of labour, and there is abundant increased by another battery, of course for evidence that the Japanese are not constitu- service in that island, as the Maltese troops tionally incapable of sustained exertion and are never employed away from their native application both physical and mental. But country. The new field battery of artillery with the increased efficiency of labour and is probably designed for service in British increased taxation must come a rise in South Africa, and the 8,500 garrison and here we find ourselves on common ground artillery are required to man the fortifications with Mr. TENNANT. The Finance Depart in Hongkong and other colonies, the garrisons ment, we are told, recently instituted of which are insufficient for the purpose.vestigation into the cost of living and found These at least are the conclusions which that whereas in 1872 a family consisting of strike the lay mind; it is possible that they five members of the lower middle class could may not be all absolutely correct; but we subsist on 70 yen a year, in 1893 the cost of imagine they cannot be very wide of the living had risen to 180 yen a year. The mark. At all events we hope we are not miserable pittance paid to labourers is next mistaken, for it cannot be pretended that examined, and the conclusion is arrived at this colony, for instance, is in a position to that the present condition of affairs in that repel an attack either by land or sea. The respect cannot long continue, since the price employment of three battalions of Guards of necessaries steadily rises, and the end will in the Mediterranean will also set at liberty be either increased wages or a succession of three regiments of the line for service else strikes, which would handicap Japan in where, and it is reasonable to suppose that her competition for the Chinese market.
dustrious poor will Japan cannot escape a struggle between
SATTA of all classes and " capital and labour any more than other
urgent appeal "manufacturing countries can, and when it will be deeply "occurs it will be found that the only nd-whic “vantage Japan possesses over Europe Francis "will disappear."
man of Com
of them is destined for Hongkong, which must be securely garrisoned, what- happens to stations nearer a base or ote from the Mother country. It is to note that the War Office last alive to the grave importance
£6.
0
wages,
an in-
"To the Viceroy of India from the Governor. Would a small contribution from Honkong to the Famine Fund be acceptable? ROBINSON On the same day the following reply received
"From the Viceroy to the Governor, Hong- ong: The Famine Fund Committee will thankfully accept any contribution.
Sir John Carrington also read the following. telegram from the Central Committee in Cal. his cellency the cutta which Governor
for
the Vernon, Renter s.
"From Central Con Hongkong. The Car Famine Fund, Calout cordial co operatio for private bene system. Ar enormous. Distress sure unavoidable