December 2, 1897.]
We have no idea who these can be, unless they be a couple of officers of the Hongkong garrison. The last officers of the Rifle Brigade to visit that coast in search of sport were Lts. Boden and Blewitt, but these gentlemen_re- turned to Singapore some time ago
The Resident of Labuan immediately on hearing the news of Mat Salleh's raid on Ambong. started for that place with police assistance. Singapore Free Press.
THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY AT FOOCHOW AND CONSUL FRANDON.
The following address has been presented to M. Frandon by the Portuguese community at Foochow :-
Foochow, 13th November, 1897.
To Ernest Frandon, Esquire. Consul for France,
Consul for Portugal, Foochow. Sir, Having come to our knowledge that a malevolent individual under the pseudonyme W.H.K. has circulated a pamphlet Right versus Might" containing entirely false and malicious accusatious against you regarding your conduct as consul for Portugal,
We, the undersigned, members of the Portu- guese community at this port, address you this to express to you our sincero regret. Availing ourselves of the opportnuity, we beg to testify our high appreciation and esteem towards you, and to convey to you, Sir, our most hearty thanks for the many invaluable services which you have gratuitously rendered to us while pro- teoting our interests with utmost zeal.
For the courteous manner you have accorded to each and every one of us, for the many kind nesses and friendly considerations that several of our nationals have received at your hauds, you have earned our best respect and gratitude.
We shall always watch with pleasure your well merited promotion to a higher rank in the administration of your Government and sincerely trust that for the many services you have rendered to us and our compatriots, you will also receive due recognition and neknow- ledgement from the Government of His Most Faithful Majesty.
Wishing you all prosperity and long life we remain, sir, your most obedient servants, (Signed) CLODOALDO MARIA D'ALMEIDA,
EPIGMENIO FRANCISCO D'ALMEIDA, ANTONIO NOGUIRA MENDES MODESTO MARIA OZORIO, IGNACIO PIRES PEREIRA, ABILIO ALBERTO DO ROZARIO.
FORMOSA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Tamsui, 20th November. The tea season in Formosa has closed.
The
total production runs about 450,000 half-chests, which is about the same as last year. The duty question in America disturbed the market con. siderably and it is reported that there have been some heavy losses in consequence. Japanese as yet have made no serious attempt to enter the tea business either as planters, packers, or exporters, with the single exception of one company which packed some 12,000 half-chests and exported via Kelung and Japan some 800 half-chests to America. The Japanese Govern. ment rendered great assistance in officially endorsing a movement made by the merchants to prevent the export of impure teas. It has been the custom of an occasional unscrupulous Chinese dealer to import inferior Amoy teas, mix them with Formosas, and then export the product as pure Formosa oolong, also to add extraneous matter to Formosas. But the Go-
vernment has now invested a committee con-
sisting of three foreign merchants and four Chinese merchants with the authority to con- fiscate and burn all such teas found on the market, while the salesman of the same will be fined a sum double the amount he has named as the value of the teas. Several seizures of sparious teas were made during the season and it is quite reasonable to believe that there will be but few attempts made to dispose of false goods on this market during the coming season. Previous to the arrival of the Japanese, the Chinese mandarins at Taipeh commenced the construction of a wooden steamer at Twatutia
491
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. with the iden of allaying the suspicions of the Chinese authorities at Peking, who were unable that Japanese merchants should be permitted home from geisha sprees, nor does he believe to understand why it was that the Formosan returns were debited a large amount, year after
to partake of Government funds without full value received, He is outspoken against dis- year, for a ship-building yard which built no honesty and reckless dissipation. Both exist ships. Without the assistance of foreigners in Formosa and it is not possible that he should the bull was built, and according to popular re-oppose them without making enemies. port the mandarins, who desired to make amends for the long non-productiveness of their es- tablishment, were especially anxions to produce a swift craft and ordered that she be fitted with twin screws, with the idea that if one screw would drive the ship at a certain speed, two screws would double it and convert their vessel into a regular scorcher. Foreign engineers were then invited to inspect the craft and bid for placing the machinery. Two gentlemen from rival establishments in Hongkong and Shanghai accordingly visited the island and after examining the hull put in their estimates, in which it appeared that they could promise no more than five knots speed. This created con- who had evidently reported that their offspring siderable consternation among the mandarins,
travagant offers, pleadings, prayers were alike would "makee walk at a very rapid gait. Ex- of no avail. The engineers were agreed that five knots was the maximum speed to be obtained ingly returned without having obtained the and the Chinese being dissatisfied, they accord- order.
craft by the Chinese until stopped by the ar
Work, however, was coutiuned on the rival of the Japanese. A few weeks ago the vessel was put up at auction and sold for some 30,000 yen had been expended on the hull by 3,500 yen. It has been estimat: d that at least
the Chinese builder. The vessel was launched a few days ago and is to be taken to Hongkong in a few weeks.
The Japanese officials are at present in a query as to the advisability of applying the the island consist of Chinese and aborigines new treaties to Formosa. The inhabitants of
with a few thousand Japanese and a handful of foreigners. The direct application of the code compiled for civilized nations would work great injury to the Chinese here and no doubt result in continual disorders. In commercial affairs, transfers of land, and other civil matters, it is absolutely necessary that the former cus- toms of the Chinese be taken in consideration and that the new order of things be not en- forced upon them before they are able to under- stand them. It might be well that a special code suited to the conditions of the island be framed, but with less than three years' ex- perience the Japanese are not yet sufficiently
w
The Goverment are at present erecting a very large laboratory fitted with all modern ap- pliances and machinery for the preparation of opium. It does not appear, as has been sometimes reported, that the sale of opium is to be con- sidered as a Government source of revenue; the income thus derived is only expected to be suf- ficient to cover theGovernment expenses incurred in controlling the purchasing, manufacturing, and sale. So for the Government expenditures along this line have been greater than the in- come. It is the desire of the Government to first obtain complete control of the drug through- out the Chinese portion of the island and then restrict its sale by issuing licences only to those that the next generation will to a large extent admitted to its use. It is hoped in this way
suggested that the Government gradually in- be freed from the opium habit It has been
crease the price, thus decreasing the consump- tion. But such would only be partially effective, frequently attempted, would be prevalent and as smuggling of opium, which is now not
with the lengthy coast line it would be difficult health of the Chinese in the island has not yet to prevent. That opinm is essential to the good.
been proven. The Hakkas, the strongest and opium smokers, and while it would no doubt healthiest of all Chinese in the island, are rarely
create great disorder in the island to prohibit the smoking of opium to all, the Government is to be commended for, their desire to lessen its consumption.
CANTON NOTES.
FROM THE
CHUNG NGOI SAN PO”| The four robbers who ransacked a nunnery named Po-Hing-um, in Ku-yan lane, as re- ported some time ago, and were arrested after- wards in a bouse in the neighbourhood, were decapitated in Tin-isz-ma-tau under the pretence of engaging the nuns to go on the 25th instant. The woman who knocked at the door
also arrested and was sentenced to death by to her house to hold a mourning service was
strangulation.
Several days ago a raid was made on the onam by a band of Yamen runners led by a fantan gambling houses in Sai-kwan and
All the gambling houses were kept by the head Weiyuen who was sent by the Provincial Judge.
of the runners.
familiar with the condition of the Chinese to know just what is required. A prominent official informs me that it is very evident that the time has not yet arrived when the inhabit-lukougs or tipao, who gave information to the ants can to their own advantage be placed gamblers as soon as the order was given, so that under the laws and regulations which the
all the gamblers had escaped before the arrival treaties will place in force in Japan, and it is
No one was arrested. Forty- not unlikely that the Powers will be asked to houses were sealed up. It is only child's play for seven houses which were known to be gambling take into consideration the present condition the Government to seal up gambling houses, for of affairs and enter into a supplementary they can all be opened again not long after- treaty applying to Formosa. This is to be but a temporary agreement, as I un-
wards by the expenditure of some yamen derstand it, in which foreigners will be money," ie., the giving of money to the clerks or granted the same rights and privileges as
others in the yamen who are able by some means, are contained in the new treaties, but that so
to obtain permission from the officer for the far as the native subjects and Japanese are
re-opening of them. concerned the old conditions will prevail.
The opposition to Lieut. General Barou Nogi as Governor-General appears to have subsided. By foreigners who admire his many excellent qualities his retirement from office would be looked upon as a calamity to the island. The frequent exchange of officials and shifts of policy to which the island has been subjected have kept Formosa in an unsettled condition and now with the establishment of the adminis- trative reforms and the appointment of new officials it is to be sincerely hoped that the Cabinet and the Diet will keep their bands off for a sufficiently long period to permit of the present administration being given a fair trial.
Many of the Japanese merchants are especi- ally opposed to Governor Nogi and it is sup- posed that they are responsible for the many tales which have been circulated ridiculing His Excellency on account of his strict views as to the conduct of his officials. He does not believe that it is conductive to official diguity that the Chinese should see drunken officers reeling
A few days ago the keeper of a brothel in who had a quarrel with the deceased; they Ming-fung lane was fatally shot by some soldiers. stopped in the brothel one night and had no money to pay for their entertainment. When of the lane was instantly closed. Four soldiers the alarm of the shooting was raised, the gate
station near by. were arrested and were sent to the military.
daylight on the 22nd instant in a house belong- A daring robbery was committed in broad ing to a very influential Sansz named Yik Hak- ching. There were six armed robbers. After the house had been plundered they broke into the neighbouring house, also belonging to a rich man.
The spoils carried away from these two houses amounted to about five thousand dollars. The Sansz has reported the case to the Viceroy and says that over ten thousand dollars value of booty was carried away from his house. The Viceroy has given a very strict order to the Nauhoi Magistrate to effect the capture of the offenders and to discover the spoils, otherwise the Magistrate will be dis- missed from office. Still no arrest has been