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The following notes on the Shanghai players appear in the N. C. Daily News —
E. O. Cumming-A fair bat but ought to put more beef
into his play; can bowl if required. Weak in fielding, but this is chiefly
due to slackness.
G. C. Dew.-A free bat. Is too fond of try ing to pull a straight ball; a fair medium paced bowler. Smart, in the field.
R. C. Farbridge.- Has not played much this season owing to ill health. A dangerous bat when in form. Can held anywhere.
W. H. Jackson-A free hitting bat. Bowls well rather over medium pace Should learn to play a losing game with more heart.
A. E. Lunning The steadiest bat in the team. With more strength and age should make a fine player. Keeps wicket fairly well.
G. F. Lunning. A most promising batsman and good field. Fair change bowler.
J. Mann. A most punishing bat, but hardly gives himself enough time to settle down. Uu- doubtedly the best bowler in the XI., ou his day being well nigh unplayabie Should make more
certain of a catch.
E. R. Mor iss.-Got into the XI. on the strength of one good iuujugs. A fair change bowler, but uncertain in the field.
W. H. Moule-The most brilliant batsman in Shanghai. Hits splendidly ali round the wicket. Is a causistent scorer, can bowl as a change, a sure catch, and safe field anywhere.
T. Wallace. - A most useful all round man. A splendid field in the country.
W. J. Tyack (Captain).—A good all-rouud cricketer. Is an excellent judge of the game. A fine free batsman, who gets his runs quickly. Bows a most deceptive ball and can field any- where.
THE POSITION AT MANILA.
HARMONIOUS RELATIONS BETWEEN AMERICANS AND INSURGENTS.
THE CUSTOMS QUESTION.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT,]
This
The
Manila, 26th September. Admiral Dewey is not sleeping. The blockade of Manila may be ofer but the ships of his fleet are always in readiness for any work that may be required whether acting on the moment or executing some carefully planned order. is why the steamer Abbas has been seized by his command and a prize crew placed on board of her. When the McCulloch came steaming up the bay yesterday with the Abbas not far away it did not take long for the news to reach Manila that the latter had been captured on the in- formation that she was being used to sumggle arms from Shanghai and Hongkong into the Philippines, which is contrary both to American and Spanish regulations for the islands. seizure was the chief topic of discussion from the Leadquarters
s down to corner groups of sol diers and natives.
Ever since I first wrote you to the effect that arms were being smuggled into the lesser ports of Luzon, all forts of rumours have been floating around. with apparently very good evidence of their reliability, and everybody has wondered why nothing has been done to ebeck sneh illicit imports. A last action has been taken. When the Admiral received what he deeund responsible reports on the whereabouts of a smuggling ves- sel he sent out the McCulloch with instructions to bring her in at all hazards. Captain Hooper of the MoCulloch is an old experienced hand in watching coast lines for similarly engaged oraft and when he went out on his mission the Admiral was sure that if anything was in sight anywhere Hooper would capture it. While the Abbas was not caught in flagrante delicto aud had at the time only about 25 stands of rifles aboard. there was abundant evidence that she had already landed her contraband goods. She was found in one of the lesser har- bours long the coast well hidden from ordinary passing vessels. She is now in the hands of a prize crew.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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years there. It is one of the oldest and richest families in the islands and the different branches of it have always held a prominent place among the best class of untives and bean respected by the Spaniards as well. Like many other well to-do natives they fell under the ban of Spain's suspicion and without reason and proof the heads of the house were acensed and even tried for all sorts of crimes and trumped up charges as au exense for getting rid of them or seizing their property. In the meantime the insurrec tion came on and the Cortes family left the Philippines. Their affairs were in the hands of an agent. The Spanish officials removed him and appointed their own administrator, taking possession of and practically confiscating the rast estate of the Cortes, which amounted in value to a sum of over one million dollars. The Cortes, however, undertook to recover their property and the case was finally appealed to Madrid. There, I am told, the fual high court issued a decree ordering the Governor-General to return the estates, including houses, farms, sugar plantatious, fishing grounds, &c., to the Cortes family provided they swore allegiance to Spain within six months after notification of For various reasons, such as a mis- the decree. understanding as to terms of the order and the tune named, as well as the complications of the insurrection followed by the war between the United States and Spain, the p operty was never turned over to them and now they seek to recover the same through the American Autho rities. Their canse in undoubtedly a fair oue and they will eventually be given justice.
The relations between Aguinaldo and his forces and leaders on one side and the Ameri. caus on the other are now excellent. There is little or no difficulty at present and good feeling seems to prevail. it was fortunate that the in- surgents marched out of Manila. With the oc- casion for friction removed no more friction has occurred of any importance. Americau citizens or officers who visit Malolos, Aguinaldo's capital, are treated with all courtesy and there is no indication of suspicion, but rather oue of kindly interest. Of course no one can tell what the future may bring forth, but present news points to a permanent condition of peace with the natives provided the counsels of diplomacy and calm judgment prevail not only among the Americans but among the insurgents. There is undoubtedly a certain military element amoug the Americans, arriving here too late for com- bat with the Spaniards, that would not dislike a brush with the natives if the latter provoked such element naturally pictures it, and Aguinaldo as being worse than he really is and his army as being stronger and larger than it actually is, so that in case of collision where the Americans would surely be victorious they would gain glory which would not be deserved if the real facts were understood. Likewise Aguinaldo has some leaders like Pilar in the ricinity of Paco aud Macalulus at Tarlac who, foolish in their own ignorance and puffed up by false pride, refuse to obey all the commands of Aguinaldo and may yet bring him into serious trouble despite his own wishes and plans. Agniualdo himself, I am convinced, is using his influence in the right way.
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[October 1; 1898.
cans as well as Britishers. Spaniards, and Philippinos, are alike anxious to learn the terms of peace. To me it seems remarkable that things go along as well as they do. It is interesting to note that these who complain most are the ones also who have the least to loso. The chief merchants are remarkably long-suffering in their attitude and deserve credit for their com posure.
Saturday all the leading merchants here met and adopted resolutions against such admini- stration of the Customs department, as would permit goods to come in without paying the same duties as the immense stocks of imports in their hands and yet uusold paid under Spanish administration. They ask for such postpone- ment of the date of applying the now tariff as will reasonably permit them to dispose of the major portions of their stocks. This is a just re- quest and should be granted. Millions of dollars worth of goods were imported under Spanish an. thority which must be sold at a loss, if the duties which were paid on them are not now exacted on fresh imports. The merchants themselves are not to blame for the situation and only ask for a brief period to protect themselves. Lord Salisbury' has been petitioned through the British Con sulate to nse the good offices of the British Government and telegrams have likewise been' sent to the British Ambassador at Washington to represent British interests in the matfer to the Americau home authorities.
There is much delay and confusion at the Custom House, but it must be remembered that it is the most difficult branch of the Government to administer successfully. In no other office is it so hard to please. There is no doubt that the local officials are doing all in their power, but most if not all of them are inexperienced in the work. Trained men are en route and will be here in due time. No one complains of injustice or suggests that any influences are at work which characterised former days, but delays in inspection and calculation are the principal troubles.
Communication with Iloilo and Cebu is now regularly established and steamers are running on usual dates. Travel and traffic are heavy and business is picking up better than was expected. Steamers to other provincial and island ports are also starting again, so that as far as trade interchange is concerned the conditions of war are prid.
The transport St. Paul left to-day for America via Hongkong. She will be the lust Goverumeut vessel to be sent back in some time. The Peru and Para are still here. The Arizona and Scandia, both overdue, are daily expected with mails and supplies.
We hear that Courul-General Wildman is planning a visit to Manila about the middle of October. He will be welcomed by the authorities here and will have the opportunity to familiarize himself with many matters which are constantly being brought to his attention.
By every steamer that arrives a fresh con- tingent of Americans put in their appearance who wish to see the new possession of their Government and possibly locate, while by every steamer that departs just as many Volunteer army officers, ordered home, gladly leave, envied
I am. by those who are obliged to remain. afraid that if a vote of the army and navy were a majority against taken there would be
The annexation.
In a receut issue of the Press was a long extract from an alleged private letter printed in a Singapore paper, purporting to tell the truth about many points not before clear. toue of it showed that the writer sympathized with the natives, wished to criticise the Ameri. cans, and both generally and specially end-a- voured to tell the story from a very personal standpoint. All I have to say is that, among all the reports of the capture of Manils that I have read, including descriptions of the whole situation, uone were more prejudiced and partial than this alleged private letter. This permits me to warn people in Hongkong. Singa pore, and Shanghai against all inteusely told and coloured stories of affairs in and about Manila. The air is full of all kinds of rumours, most of which are made up from the imagina- tious of persons more hairbraine: than reliable. There 18 much to criticise and much to praise in the administration of military and civil government, and the situation will remain most The Cortes case, as it is commonly desig-unsatisfactory as long as no one knows what the future has in store, but the delay cannot be nated, is attracting much attention The Cortes family is well known iu Philip- avoided and in the ineantime it remains to ad- cept matters philosophically and lo one's best pine circles in Hongkong because some
to solve the problems that daily arise. fts principal members have lived the last two
here.
al
Ameri-
THE AMERICAN TROOPS AT MANILA,
C
THE
DYSENTERY RIFE.
PASIG AGAIN SEIZED.
Hongkong, 27th September. The City of Rio de Janeiro, which came from Manila and called at Hongkong en route for San Francisco, left yesterday. She is taking home some 350 men afflicted with dysentery. Of these, however, about a dozen were able to get ashore while the vessel was in Hongkong. I'wo died on the way from Manila, and there is not much hope for four or five others. It appears that the health of the troops at Manila is not so good as it has been, some 1,400 being down with dysentery. The strange thing about it is that more regulars are affected than volunteers,
We understand that the Pasig, which had been
renamed the Abbey, has been seized in Batangas