348
away by sea, a colony amply provided with ex- cellent harbours. Yet Britain cannot have a few barren hills although in a better position to enforce her demands than any of them.
At whose behest does the British Government refrain from demanding what she has ample cause to seize if not given with good grece, and which is so essential to the safety of Hongkong? Surely not at the behest of those who have for years rendered British Ministers and British Consuls in this part of the world little more than dummies. They cannot, however, longer. oppose the will of the country, which is that the safety of Hongkong shall be assured.
Sir William Robinson is not merely the servant of the Government; he is likewise the şervant of the British nation, and his first duty is to the country and his next to the Govern. ment. He did his duty by the Government in repeatedly pressing on them the needs of the colony he was placed to rule over and he has now merely done his duty to the country in making public the necessity of fortifying Hongkong. Foreign governments were well aware of its weakness and what a prize it would be with its docks, shipping, and immense stocks of coal and naval and military stores, and it would have been courting its seizure to have left it defenceless longer, with the immense in- crease of naval and military power on the part of other possible foes in the East. It may have been an indiscretion on the part of Sir William Robinson from a party point of view; party rule and party interests are the curse of the country that is sacrificed to them; and indis-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
(Enclosure,
Dear Sirs, -Be good enough as to send me the undermentioned.
1 doz. gentleman Color Shakespeare Duk
size 16.
3 pcs. gentleman fron Shirt Lorne front size
16.
HOME RULE AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS."
(April 30, 1898.
the German Consul General, he went for a drive. The Chinese officials went down on Saturday to the Consulate to pay an official call, but retired when it became known that he could not arrive that day. Notwithstanding the fact that it was Sunday, the Prince's visit being so short-the Gefion being under orders And also send me 3 or 4 pcs. for choose gentle- to sail northwards on Tuesday the Germans man falls sleep and oblige.-Yours faith-had to proceed with their entertainment with- fully,
out delay. The picnic arranged by the Club Concordia took place at the Mandario's, Grave, near the Pagoda. A large murquee had been erected in which some two hun- dred ladies and gentlemen including the lead- ing Germans in the community sat down, SIR,-Dr. Tanner has proved that the Irish the band of the Prinz Heinrich playing a National Party are not inimical to the British capital selection of music throughout the after. Empire, for he has called upon the Government
noon. It was half-past four when Prince to rectify the error of leaving Hongkong de- Henry arrived, being greeted by wild cheering fenceless with such importunity that he has and unmistakable expressions of loyalty. He been ejected from the House for it. Dr. Tan- was accompanied by Dr. Staebel and Captain ner is to be congratulated on showing to the Müller, his aide-de-camp. On arriving_on_the country and to foreign Powers the fact that ground the band played" Deutschland, Deutsch- Irishmen may fight detemiuedly for Homeland, über alles." The Prince then proceeded Rule and yet be loyal to Great Britain.
into the tent where the cheering was renewed. IMPARTIAL, After being introduced to a number of those present he proposed in a short speech the health of the German colony in Shanghai which was most heartily received. The Prince, who was in ordinary civilian clothes, rode a beautiful Aus- tralian horse placed at his disposal by Mr. Leh- mann of Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg & Co. He ap. peared to thoroughly enjoy the proceedings and tomb with its equally remarkable girdle of firs. He inspected the temple also, leaving about five o'clock, riding back across country vid Sicawei and the Bubbling Well Road.
Hongkong, 27th April, 1898,
PRINCE HENRY OF PRUSSIA
AT SHANGHAI.
a
Shanghai, 18th April. H. R. H. Prince Henry of Prussia arrived in Shanghai yesterday morning and met with most cordial reception. He was expected. large crowds throughout Saturday and gathered on the Bund in anticipation of his Gefion was detained for some hours at anchor arrival; but owing to a dense fog the cruiser off Gutzlaff and it was deemed inexpedient to proceed with the journey until Sunday. Shortly before ten o'clock on Sunday morning his arrival at Woosung was telegraphed from the signal station, the steam tender Victoria having been previously dispatched to convey him to Shanghai.. An enormous gathering re- presenting the élite of Shanghai, including SIR WILLIAM ROBINSON'S ERROR. Sir Nicholas Hannen, H.B.M.'s Chief Jus
cretions such as Sir William has been guilty of have been the salvation of the country; Nelson was guilty of similar indiscretions when he would have restrained him from maintaining ased his blind eye for reading signals which the supremacy of Britain at sea, and let us hope that British Admirals and British Governors may always be found who are not afraid of committing similar indiscretions.
Hongkong, 27th April, 1898.
BRITISH PATRIOT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
17
East River on the north than to limit the frontiers so that later we may find another ex- tension necessary.
OBSERVER.
tice, and the majority of the Consular officials, was present on the Bund to cheer the young Prince, and his arrival witnessed a scene of the greatest enthusiasm. The first indication of his aporoach was manifested in the
SIR, Sir William Robinson has erred in one respect as to pointing out the requisite exten- sion of the colony's frontiers. He says a strip of country extending from Mirs Bay to Capsui-cheering on board the German mail Prins Heinrich-an apt coincidence in nomenclature, moon is what we require. That is not sufficient; the frontier must be extended beyoud Deep Bay
--and subsequently by cheering on board the German man-of-war Cormoran, the crew of to the north-west. Better to advance to the
lustily. The drawing up of the tender at the which manned the rigging and rociferated P. & O. jetty was the signal for another out burst of feeling in which our German cousins were cordially supported. The Prince, who was in the uniform of a German Admiral and looked remarkably well, gracefully acknowledged the welcome of the populace and proceeded to the carriage in readiness for him. The band of the German mail struck up the German national anthem to the strains of which he drove to the German Consulate attended by Dr. Stuebel who came up with him in the tender. An escort of mounted Sikhs followed the Prince to the Con- sulate, which was reached at 11.35.
Hongkong, 28th April, 1898.
FRENCH AUDACITY AND BRITISH OBTUSENESS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.
SIR,-The French Government has the effroutery to practically seize Kwanchauwan on tha plea that it is required for the protection of Tonkin, whereas it is merely the first step towards extending the Tonkin frontiers out beyond Kwanchauwan itself, and then say that they intend to maintain the integrity of China, finally crowning it by enforcing a promise that the four southern provinces of China shall be reserved for them. British obtuseness is illus- trated by the British Government accepting the assurances of France and China that the present arrangements shall be permanent.
Hongkong, 28th April, 1898.
AMAZED.
CHINESE AMBITIONS AND EUROPEAN NOTIONS.
17
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
SIR,-In backing up old “Cleanliness," who- ever he is, I send the enclosed order as an in- stance of how the Chinaman is willing to come into the show if we will only encourage him. Yours, &c.,
Hongkong, 28th April, 1898.
i
PROGRESS.
What might have proved a very serious ac- cident occurred as His Royal Highness was entering his carriage. The cheering combined
with the band caused the horses to become res-
tive and one of them swerved and floundered in an alarming manner. Having regard to the crowd pressing eagerly to obtain a glimpse of the distinguished visitor a serious accident
seemed imminent, but the mafoo succeeded in curbing the animal before anybody was injured. A large force of police was in attendance on the front, as also were they in charge of the landing stage, under the personal direction and supervision of the Captain-Superintendent, Captain Pattisson.
The majority of the vessels in harbour dres: sed ship in honour of the Prince, and the effect was very striking indeed, whilst nearly every houseboat in the river and every German house on shore sported a German flag. The men-of- war proved the exception to the rule and there was no saluting of any kind. Early in the after- noon a smart but happily brief storm came on. It did not prevent His Highness, however, from going out, and in company with Dr. Stuebel,
evinced the liveliest interest in the remarkable
visited by Governor K'nei, Provincial Treasurer Very shortly after his arrival the Prince was Nieh, and Tsai Taotai, who drove down to the Consulate from the Foreign Office, whilst cards were left during the afternoon by the representa- tives of the Foreign Powers.
In the evening a grand dinner was given at the Consulate to which the heads of the leading German firms were invited. The dinner was followed by a reception on a large scale. Over a hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen, chiefly of the German community, were present and had the honour of being introduced to the Prince. The proceedings passed off brilliantly, and were characterised by great enthusiasm.
It is a remark able fact that yesterday was the anniversary of Prince Henry's visit to Shanghai in 1880.
Shanghai, 19th April. Shortly before ten o'clock yesterday morning salate to the Foreign Office in the Bubbling Prince Henry, drove from the German Con- Well Road to return the visit of the Chinese officials on the previous day. He wore the uniform of a German Admiral and was accom- panied by Dr. Stuebel, H.I.G.M's Consul- General, flag-lieutenant Spies, and Captain Müller (aide-de-camp). On arriving at the bureau he was cordially received by the repre-
large number
sentatives of the Chinese Government and re- mained for a short time in conversation with them. The interview we understand, though so brief was pleasant to a degree. He pro- ceeded immediately back to the Consulate, his attentively followed by a progress along the Nanking Road being
of people. At eleven o'clock he received the Consular Body, the whole of the Consuls being interchanged the deputation withdrew, and sub- present. After the usual courtesies had been sequently a number of leading German residents paid their dévoirs, as also the members of the Municipal Council. In the afternoon the Prince
went for a drive.
Before proceeding to the Taotai's ball Prince Henry dined at the Consulate, when in addition to Dr. Stuebel, Lieutenant Spies and Captain Müller, the commanders of the Gefion and Cormoran had the honour of being present.
The proceedings at the Consulate on Sunday night passed off with much éclat and were highly appreciated by those privileged to attend. The Consul-General invited the heads of the prin cipal German firms in Shanghai to meet the Prince at dinner, there being also present Baron von der Goltz, the Prince's special interpreter, Captain Müller, Lieutenant Spies, the comman ders of the Gefion and Cormoran, and Captain Cüppers of the German mail steamer Prinz Hein- rich. The room was beautifully decorated with