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the Admiral of the Spanish fleet. Several shots from the American ships slie at first thought had been fired by the Spaniards at target prac tice. As they begun to come inconveniently near, however, she soon found out her mistake, and discovering that the enemy was in strong. force she handed down the Spanish Bag and hoisted a white one, whereupon a hoaf's crew from the Raleigh boarded her, informed the Cap tain of the state of affairs, and took possession of the vessel, the crew being lauded on parole, ¦ Shortly afterwards flying "Old Glory and in company with Concord she was paraded in front of the city so that the Spaniards could learn her fate.
When Consul Williams landed in Cavite lust week he had a most enthusiastic reception. The place was crowded with Filippinos, who made the welkin ring with their cries of Vivos los Americanos." As he made his way through two long lines of people men, women, and children struggled to shake him by the hand, and the British Consul (Mr. Rawson-Walker), who was with him, aid he had never before witnessed such a display of friendship.
As soon as the Hugh McCulloch was signalled Consul-General Wildman put off in a launch, in which the mails were afterwards brought ashore.
THE "PIQUE" GOES TO ILOILO.
17th May.
The Hugh McCulloch, which has been an- chored in Chinese waters in Kowloon Bay since her arrival, returns to Mabila to-day with the mails, which are exceptionally heary.
H.M.S. Pique, which is to be relieved on this station by the Hermione, left the harbour yes- terday afternoon for Iloilo, whence it is ex- pected that she will proceed to Eugland without returning to Hongkong. Her visit to Iloilo is no doubt in connection with the present dis- turbed condition in the Philippines. British interests are largely represented at Hoilo,
As the Spanish revenue cruiser Callao, cap: tured by the Americans as she, unconscious of the war, entered Manila Bay, had called at Iloilo, it may be that the inhabitants of that place, which is 250 miles distant from Mauila, may be still unaware of the outbreak of hostili.. ties between the United States and Spain.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
this for
a moment.
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did not know how in the world the Spaniards | could
suppose
"As a matter of fact," be continued, the Americans needed no one to show them the way into the Day, as it was all plain sailing for them.".
When we left Manila on Friday night all was quiet. For two or three days after the fight the Spaniards in the city were very much down in the month, and in the evenings all the thoroughfares were in darkness, but by the time we left they had pulled up somewhat and in the evenings the electric light was in full blaze."
"We had no contact with the shore.
We simply complied with the orders of the American admiral and the Commander of the Immortalite and were guided by them."
There is no truth in the statement that fancy prices have been paid for deck pass- ages, the amount paid being only a little more than ordinary."
"I can't say when we shall be returning to Manila."
AQUINALDO LLAVES HONGKONG FOR MANILA.
Among those who left Hongkong for Manila in the Hugh McCulloch yesterday morning was Emilio Aquinaldo, who has been lying perdu iu Hongkong since his arrival in the Malacca from Singapore at the beginning of the month. He is accompanied by Colonel Marcelo H. del Pilar, bis A.D.C., Mr. J. Leyba, his private secretary, and fifteen others who form his Council.
The Singapore Free Press states that General Aguinaldo had his passage taken from Singa- pore by the Malacca under the name of "Mr. Bunting." Mr. Leyba, Private Secretary, was Newman, while Col. del Pilar, Aide-de- camp. was Mr. Honorio."
Mr.
THE DEAD AND WOUNDED. AT MANILA.
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[May 21, 1898.
A letter was, on the 27th April, addressed to H.B.M.'s Minister at Peking, bringing the whole question again to his notice, and urging that steps should be taken to procure a final and satisfactory solution of the question of interual taxation,
A reply to Mr. Brenan was despatched on the same date, notifying him of the action taken.
PROPOSED RECTIFICATION OF THE
BOUNDARIES OF HONGKONG.
A telegram had been despatched to the Foreign Office strongly urging the vital necessity for rectification of the boundaries of the colony, together with covering despatches to the noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, which latter were transmitted through the Govern- ment.
EXPORTERS AND THE SHIPPING CONFERENCE.
Read joint letter from nine firms engaged in the export trade, dated 6th inst., in which they complain of the action of the Shipping Conference in repeatedly altering rates, in an upward direction, without giving adequate notice of such changes.
The Secretary was instructed to reply to the effect that while the Committee sympathise with the exporters under the circumstances as advised, they do not feel justified in taking up the question, but would suggest joint represen tation of their case by the firms to the con- ference.
QUARANTINE.
Read letters from Government (dated 14th April and 4th and 5th May) announcing the imposition of quarantine against vessels arriving from Hongkong, Canton, and Macao at Ran- goon and Calcutta, with enclosures..
MR. WATTS'S CASE,
At the request of the Spanish Government
No reply having been received to Mr. Watts's the Secretary of States at home has enquired of last application in connection with his claim, on H. E. Major-General Black particulars with the 26th April the Chamber addressed the Bri- regard to the dead and wounded at Manila. fish Consul at Canton asking what further steps His Excellency has communicated with Cousul-had been taken, and intimating the possible ne General Wildman on the subject.
MORE AMERICAN TROOPS FOR MANILA,
A Reuter's telegram stated that the United States has decided to send 15,000 stead of
On Saturday the Japanese erniser Naniwa sailed for Manila. The Akitsushima is already | 5,000 men to Manila. there.
ARRIVAL OF THE "ESMERALDA.”
ALL QUIET IN MANILA,
18th May. Yesterday morning the Hugh McCulloch left Kowloon Bay for the purpose of rejoining the American squadron at the Philippines, and in the afternoon the Esmeralda, which had been absent since Thursday. April 28th, steamed into the barbour. She left Manila on Friday even- ing last with the mails and about 300 passen- gers, about 20 of whom wern British and the rest Chinese. She went round by Amoy and landed most of her passengers there, coming ou to Hongkong with 30 Chinese passengers and the following Europeaus --Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Todd and child, Miss Beatrice Earnshaw, Mr. and Mrs. Thistlewaite, child, and amab. Mr. and Mrs. D. Souza and awah. Miss D. Souza, Messrs. Robert Hug, O. D. Saunders, C. Zuber, W. Robertson, H. A. Barrett, W. Coney, W. Macleod, Robert Vogler, Eugene Rossell, and F. Josefson.
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HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
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At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, hell at 3.30. p.m. on Wednesday, the 11th May. 16.--Present: Messrs. R. M. Gray (Chshman), 6.3. Dedwell. A. Haupt. N. A. Siebs. T. II. Wheghead, and R. C. Wilcox (secretary).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting (held 12th April), were read and confirmed.
THE DISCOVERY OF A PINNACLE ROCK IN
HAITAN STRAITS.
cessity for referring the whole case to the Bri- tish Minister at Peking.
RESIGNATION FROM THE COMMITTEE, At the conclusion of the business,
Mr. Dodwell tendered his resignation, as he was leaving for home on the 19th inst. He ex- pressed the pleasure he had experienced in sery- ing ou the Committee, and added that he should always take a keen interest in the doings of the Chamber.
The Chairman said the Committee much,re- gretted to lose Mr. Dodwell's services, and hoped on some future day the Chamber might have the opportunity of again profiting by them. They all wished him a pleasant voyage home.
Mr. Whitehead having endorsed the remarks of the Chairman, the resiguation was accepted.
therewith.
(Correspondence.)
(f
""
THE NAMOA ROCK. Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 19th April, 1898. Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your A letter was, on the 19th April, addressed to letter of the 6th inst., announcing the dis- Mr. Edgar, Commissiouer of Custoris, Foochow.covery, by Mr. Harbour Master Stevens, in acknowledging receipt of his letter announcing conjunction with the captain of the Chinese discovery of the rock declared to be the one on gun-vessel Namtung, of a submerged rock at the which the steamer Numo struk. and suggest-entrance of the Haitan Straits, believed to be on which the s.s. Namoa struck in Our readers may remember that the Esmering the award of $50 from the Pinnacle Rock the one alda left Hougkong for Manila on Thursday, Fund to Capt. Pi. of the Chinese gun-vessel | Ortober last, and enclosing copy of a notice to April 28th. She passed Corregidor Island Nantung. As the papers had ut published mariners you intended to issue in connection soon after the American squadron. No ohjee this correspondence, it was decided to have it tion was raised to her going forward and she printed and circulated among the members.} secured a Spanish pilot. She was passing the harbour at Cavite when the engagement between the American and Spanish fleets had been re- sunted after breakfast. How the Hug' Me Culloch was sent to her to order her to drop | anchor and hold no communication with anyone until she received permission from the Ameri- can Admiral our readers will remember, and they will also call to mind the fact that owing to the Spaniards getting it into their heads that she had piloted the enemy's fleet into the har. bour it was deemed advisable to keep her close to the American vessels lest the Spaniards wreaked their vengeance ou her.
On our representative mentioning the story about the Esmeralda having acted as pilot to the Americans to one of the officers yesterday afternoon, he ridiculed the idea, adding that he
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF PASSENGERS ON
RIVER STEAMFRS.
Isad the correspondence which had passed with the Government en this subject, the list. letter, dated the 7th inst, pointing out that the modification proposed by the Sanitary Board would not work, and again suggesting dis. continuance of the inspection. INLAND TAXATION ON
FOREIGN IMPORTS.
A further letter from Mr. Brouan, British Consul at Cantou, dated 19th April, having been received, in which he stated that the Chinese Authorities were trying to make the lekin tax less objectionable by changing its denomination to the tso-li or destination tax. and thereby to nentralise the to them evil effects of transit passes,
I am directed by my Committee to express their appreciation of this discovery, and to ten- der you their thanks for the prompt communi- cation to the Chamber of the same, as well as for the means taken to inake the danger known to mariners
My Committee are of opinion that Captain Rock Fund, and would suggest, if you have not Pi should receive a reward from the Pinnacle already taken action in the matter, and approve the suggestion, your application to the British Consul at Foochow for payment of the maximum sum determined upon, namely, fifty dollars,-I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Secretary. To H. Edgar, Esq., Commissioner of Customs,
Foochow.