224
method. He examined the ores of various places he saw and he found them not at all inferior to those of Germany. Those which contained coal were found to be very convenient of situation, and if opened according to the Western method the advantages would be great and speedy. Already have I written on these matters to the Yamên Ministers and they mast be acquainted with them.
The idea of opening mines is to cause wealth to circulate. If you do not well calculate how these enterprises should be carried out the money will be spent in vain; while y u wish for advantages, you obtain nothing but injury. Formerly, in erecting the ironworks in Hupe. H.E. Chang Chih-tung,, did not calculate the expense of smelting the iron when the works were opened. To smelt the iron requires coal, but the coal was very distant, the expenses were several wans (several tens of thousands of taels) which, with the cost of apparatus and including all expenses, was about the sama
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE ACCIDENTAL POISONING
CASH AT SHANGHAI.
[September 15, 1897.
and don't go wandering about in foreign parts, This is a popular and practical exposition of the value of a gold standard worth quite as much as more long-winded effusions to be seen In the meantime, the price of elsewhere.
things is up!
The Moralist, gazing with gloomy eye over the multitudinous notices to this effect to be seen in the advertising columns of this journal, discovers that the following are the principal commodities of which the values have become suddenly appreciated:
1. Gas.
2. Photographs.
3. Everything else.
Some people have got as much of the first two commodities as they require, and others can do without them. Its the third item which hits the general public, and a very nasty little blow it is.
"The inmates of one of our leading hotels were
In the German Court at Shanghai on the 6th September, before Mr. A. Zimmermann, Vice Consul, Count A. von Butler, Messrs. G. Lembke, F. Lemke, and G. Melchers, Assessors, Mr. Voelkel, of Messrs Voelkel and Schroeder (Pi armacie de l't. niou), who had by some mis- take given strychinine instead of santonine to Mr. J. Chambers' child, which mistake proved fatal, was charged under Article XXII of 15th May, 1871. The charge having been read, Mr. Voelkel acknowledged having made up the prescription, and said he could not account for the mistake. Evidence was then given, the house boy who took the prescription from Dr. witnesses being Mr. Chambers, the father; his Zedelius; the house coolie who obtained the medicine from Mr. Voelkel; Dr. Scholvein, the analytical chemist; and Dr. Zedelius, who more surprised than gratified to find large uttended the child. The Court read the foliow- | printed cards lying about on the tables, yester- y evening, inforining them that the price of as buying English iron. This nudertaking ixing report by Mr. Frank Brown. Government
Analyst, Hongkong, on the coutents of the two whiskies and sodas and all liquors" would be like riding the tiger. There is, danger both bottles sent to him for analysis, viz., bottles increased. This notification looks as if it had in keeping one's seat on the animal as well as in dismounting." There seemed to be no good marked A, the powder originally made up by been drafted by the Attorney-General. Nothing Mr. Voelkel and analysed by Dr. Scholvien ; can be more comprehensive than the statement methods until there appeared ou the scene*
and bottle marked B containing a powder sub-concerning what liquors are to be affected by Sheng Ching ching, who has undertaken to manage the business, and who is becoming a subsequently made up by Mr. Voelkel Results this new enactment, while there is a certain vagueness 89 to the extent of the extra stitute of another "in riding the tiger," Great show couclusively that strychniue nitrate
is present in the smull bottle marked charge to be levied, which reminds honours and promotion have been bestowed
A to the
ordinances and of
certain оцн part of very forcibly of upon him- he has been made an official of Metro-
other legislative machinery with which we are politan rank and Taik any z-Lirector of the strychnine nitrate to nine parts of sugar
of milk. Examination of contents of large all familiar. In the meantime, the inhabitants Court of Sacrifical Ceremonies-aud Director
bottle marked B:-The powder did not dissolve of the Hotel d'Afrique are in some doubt as to General of Railways. This is like opening the
what they may have to pay for their refresh- prison cage to invite people to come and occupy completely in water; the soluble portion had a
sweet taste; when tested by a solution of potus.ments. If the spirited proprietors are just it; but neither Chinese nor foreigners will buy sium periodide and by Meyers Re-agent no going to charge what they damwell please." shares from him; both denounce him and no
alkaloid was indicated; the powder reduced the whisky and soda of daily life may stand one has confidence in his conduct of affairs. He Fehling's solution, showing the presence of
them in anything from a dollar upwards, a thing is riding the tiger and looking about in all
which spells ruin. But it is pleasant to observe directions without the least prospect of help; sugar of milk; the ansoluble portion of the
that these excellent people are showing a ten- he entertains the idea of feeding the tiger by powder answered to the test for santonine; the
santonine was found to be present to the extent dency to order large glasses of fair cold water cutting up the people. Belgium is a small
of one part of santonine to nine parts of sugar for their dinner, a course highly to be com- country with wealth, but it has very little trade
mended. of milk." Mr. Voelkel was asked whether he with China and there is no great friendship be-
wished to make any statement, to which he ween the two countries. How is it that it can
replied that the evidence was quite conclusive, but he could not imagine how he gave strychi- nine for santonine. The t'ourt sentenced him to four weeks' imprisonment.
suddenly lend China such a large sum of money? The French, really, are the masters in this business, and the Russians help them, and so Shêng has been able to arrange his loan with Belgium. This matter is now settled, but China's danger is ever present. For instance, the Russian railway is to communicate with Manchuria and French railways will connect with Lungchou. France has had her eye The North upon Hankow for many years.
and South are very distant but they are opposite each other. Their object is to obtain the central portion of Chius. At present the money and name are Belgian, but really it is France and Russia who are assisting in its com pletion. These two countries now possess all the advantages of this plau and leave China only one chance. When the time ar- rives and they see China occupied elsewhere, then will be their opportunity. Among the ten thousand countries of the world there is not one which gives to a single person the supreme power. For example, one man now has the control of your steamship company. the telegraphs, cotton mills, ironworks and such like, with the control also of relations with foreign countries. There is great danger in giving all this into the hands of one man to manage. He will control China's trunk line, which will be like giving the tiger wings, i.e., he will be irresistable; whether there is injury or advantage in this the country will probably not recognise just at present. He knows | that armed with such powers he is bound to win. What his heart wishes, that he ac.
complishes. Afterwards, if affairs should
become unmanageable, or if the conditions should be changed, and if things turn out to be 'not agreeable to him, what is there to prevent him from letting loose the tiger to eat up the people? I do not know what virtues or what talents he possesses that the country should believe in him and use him to this extent. I am not a Westerner of high repute; my heart, however, is with China, and because I have been discussing the question of the mines, 1 naturally thought of these things. It is, of course, not my place thus to speak, but I felt constrained to do so. I pray therefore that you will excuse my presumption.-N. C. Daily News
exteut
THE ENGINEERS' STRIKE AT SINGAPORE,
me
It is rumoured that, consequent on the fall in exchange and so, His Ex-11-oy is going to pat up the price of any site that may be selected for the New Town Hall.
on
This fall of the dollar, however, is a very serious matter, especially as it is a fall that is going to continue. In the long run perhaps, it does not matter very much. Prices, salaries, and charges will re-adjust themselves, if taken over Singapore, 6th August. a sufficiently long period of years. But that is poor consolation to the man whose in- The Engineers' strike may now be said to be
come is not sufficient to carry him practically at an end. Nine engineers arrived from Calcutta by the steamship Zweena yester. for the time being, nor is it certain that prices day, but we are informed that an arrangement and wages will re-adjust themselves with suffi. was been come to with the Engineers' Associa-cient quickness to be of much use to such a man. tion by which the Association are to send back such as do not wish to remain here. It was understood that an attempt was to be made to replace Mr. Nicholson, the chief, and Mr. Taylor, the second engineer, on board the S. S. S. Co.'s steamer Malacca, but the Association were determined to stand by their members, and this morning they blocked three of Messrs. Wee Bin's boats, the Teresa, Butavier and the Mc Alister. We understand that this point has also been conceded, and that all the ships leaving o-day are signing on engineers at the increased rates of pay.-Free Press.
**
THE ELUSIVE DOLLAR.
The Moralist" writes in the Straits Times: The dollar is a cheerful coin and no mistake! Owing to the withdrawal of several millions of the Japanese variety of the dollar, the Banks say they have no money, and, if they have no cash, who can reasonably be expected to have any? In the meantime, the extreme variety of
the dollar maintains the rate of exchange at the noble sum of 1/10, which is, it appears, more than the thing is worth. Directly any adequate supply of dollars comes to hand, their value will drop, and they will hardly be worth having. In the meantime, as there are none of them to be had, their value does not particularly matter to those who can't get them. It is a right merry situation! Oh! for the land of the £. s. d. ! the humble shilling is now actually worth 44d., but, as twenty of " thick 'an," it does them still go to
matter to the British | not particularly
public as long as they stay at home
24
|
Much sympathy as I have with the salaried ser- vant, I have equally great sympathy with the employer who finds not merely that the dollars he earne by way of profit are less valuable dollars, but also that he is earning a lesser number of dollars, and that the accumulated savings of past years are depreciating as quick- ly as his income.
Apart, however, from the fall of the dollar although incidentally aggravated by that fall, there is the general question of a revision of the style of living among the Europeans who are not rich. The scale of living for Europeans in the East is still based upon the old idea that every European has a large income. It is an exploded idea. The extension of industries has called into existence in the East, within the last twenty years, a vast crowd of Europeans who cannot have large incomes Whether that is good or bad, I am not prepared to discuss. I take the fact as it is. For these Europeans, there must come a general alteration in the scale of living, with the alternative that, if that does not take place, these Europeans must leave the East and go home,
The Bangkok Tramway Co, seems to be a very flourishing concern. At the half yearly meeting held the other day the question was discussed whether the dividend should be 84 per cent. for the half-year, as recommended in the report, or 6 per cent. The profits were sufficient to pay the higher amount, but most of the money had been spent in new machinery, new station, etc., so that it would be necessary. to borrow in order to pay the dividend. The decision was in favour of 6 per cent.