October 22, 1893.
whole it seems rather a pity the territory was not taken over some months ago, before there had been time for the feelings of the ignorant populace to be stirred up and played upon by designing agitators.
SETTING BACK THE CLOCK OF PROGRESS..
(Daily Press, 20th October).”
The hands of the clock of progress have been set back with a will by the usurping EMPRESS and her gang. Having first made a pretty cleau sweep of all the advocates of reform and progress, vigorous measures
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
services would not be required, innamuch as there are plenty of officers in the garrison of this colony quite as competent as the gallant officer before named to organise a battalion of Chinese troops. There is, however, now another coaling station, in the North, which, so far, is not, properly garrisoned. We allude to Weihaiwei. Up to the present time the port has been garrisoned by Marines from the Fleet with a few Royal Engineers. A detachment of the Royal Matines number- ing 140 officers and men is also now on its way out in the transport Ceylon to reinforce
THE CHINESE CRISIS.
329
LI NOT AN IMPORTANT FACTOR.
THE REIGN OF TERROR NECES
SITATES FOREIGN FORCES.“ [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE“DAILY PRESS."]
Shanghai, 14th October. The Legations do not believe that Li was an important factor in bringing about the crisis.
Thirty-two Japanese troops have arrived
Peking and have produced an impression in the Palace.
increase the foreign forces in Peking, but was Prince Ching entreated the Legations not to
the reign of terror continued.
are now being adopted to undo all that had the slender garrison of the Northern station, told that no such assurance was possible while
"
*
"
been done in the reign of KWANG SU. Imperial decrees have been issued to re- establish the time-honoured but essentially rotten and absurd Chinese examination system; to suppress the issue of newspapers. on the plea that as newspapers only serve "to excite the masses and the editors cou- "cerned are drawn from the dregs of the literary classes, no good can be served by "the continuation of such dangerous in- "struments;" and to abolish the Bureau of Agriculture, Arts, and Conimence, on the ground that its labours had been abortive in Peking, but giving liberty to the Viceroys of provinces to establish such bureaux in their capitals if they see fit. All the schools proposed to be established by the late EMPEROR are also adjourned sine die, and the Peking University is likely, under the existing dispensation, to have a very precarious existence. Needless to say, schemes for the construction of new railways, the opening of mines, and the prosecution of other works for pro- moting the material growth of the em- pire, are not likely to meet with much encouragement from the EMPRESS DowA- GER and her henchmen unless they see a prospect of great personal gain being derived, therefrom. If there is to be any progress in China under present conditions, it will be only by corrupt means, by oiling the palms of the new men in power. There was far too much of this in the past, when the avaricious LI HUNG-CHANG was at the head of affairs in Chihli and all contracts were effected with him or with his myrmidons. That contract hunting is both demoralising and degrading work. It lowers the prestige of the flag under which the concession is demanded, it denudes of self-respect the persons grovelling after it at the feet of the mandarius, and it lessens the influence of the Minister whose aid is invoked to procure the coveted contract. All this sort of thing will, however, we suppose, go on with renewed vigour under an Administration the very essence of whose policy is personal gain and whose raison d'être the danger their craft
was in,
A-CHINESE BATTALION FOR
WEIHAIWEI, Sath
(Daily Press, 19th October.) The statement telegraphed by Reuter to the effect that the British War Office has applied to the Indian Government for the services of Major BOWER, the Thibetan explorer, to proceed to China for the pur- pose of raising a battalion of Chinese troops is interesting if nothing more. That it has anything of political importance about it is highly improbable, since the number appears to be limited to one battalion. The ques tion therefore that first presents itself is,
Where are these troops wanted ? "Wel do not believe they are required for Hong- kong, not even for the Kowloon Hinterland, first, because they would not be acceptable here, and, secondly, because Major BOWER'S
but so far no regiments have been placed on the roster for Wethaiwei. It is highly probable, therefore, that the proposed Chin- ese battalion is intended for that port.
Supposing this to be the fact, the question arises as to the expediency of raising n Chinese force for use in British territory at all, and more especially in a British colony on the coast of China. We have no great faith in the Chinese as soldiers under any conditions. They are not amenable to dis- cipline, they are exceedingly slovenly by nature, and wholly without conscience in the keeping of their arms aud ammunition. Their queue is always in the way and handicaps them in any struggle with an enemy, their mode of dress and the shoes they
REFORMS PROMISED.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DATLY PRESS,”]
`SHANGHAI, 16th October Decrees have boen issued by the Empress. Dowager authorising the Viceroys Chang Chih-tung and Liu to establish commercial bureaux at Haukow and Shanghai, promising to inaugurate salutary reforms, and warning the people to abstain from using the crusade against Reformers for the gratification of private spite.
THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT A&D THE LUHAN RAILWAY
OFFICIAL ASSURANCES.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS,”]
Shanghai, 14th October:
The Belgian Minister has assured the Chi- nese Government that the Belgians will fulfil the contract for the Luhan Railway and finance the business.
SUPREME COURT.
October 18th.
CRIMINAL SESSIONS.
JUSTICE)
THE POST OFFICE CASES-AN UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTY.-
wear are unsuitable, and though excellent beasts of burden, when obliged to carry burdens, they have an invincible repugnance for marching of any kind. Still it may be possible to lick them into shape, especially if they are content to drop the queue. Should this be so how ever, they should not be employed in China. A prophet has no honour in his own coun- try, and Chinese soldiers are being what they are rightly regarded with a good deal of contempt in the Celestial Empire. If it be impossible to raise more troops in India, then we should be disposed to recommend the employment of Chinese troops in West Africa and the use of West Indian troops BEFORE, SIR JOHN CARRINGTON (CHIEF in Ceylon, Mauritius, Hongkong, &c. This would set free other troops, who might be des- patched to Weihaiwei. But it would be a rather doubtful experiment to employ Chri gese troops, especially if recruited North, in Weihai wei. Probably Hakkas from Kwang. tung would be more suitable than any others if they could be obtained. They are a fighting race, and have little sympathy with the ordinary Chinese population. The question of climate might, however, prove another stumbling block. The Hakkas might not like the severe winters of the North, though they are a pretty hardy race and would probably soon get acclimatised. Whether the various difficulties and draw backs have been fully considered at the War Office we are of course unable to say. How to raise suitable troops at all for garrison duty in the numerous outlying de- pondencies of this vast empire is a problem not easily worked out. But when working it out sufficient account should be given to surrounding circumstances, or we may other vise bave cause to rue hastily made decisions.
The N. C. Daily News says:-It is reported in the North that the British fleet was sum- moned to Taku when Sir Claude Macdonald
was absent from his post, and that as soon as he could he informed the Admiral, much to the latter's disgust, that he did not want it. If it was a mistake getting the fleet to Taku, it was a much greater mistake ordering it away, these abortive demonstrations doing constant injury to our prestige, and proving to the world how completely aimless our policy in China is.
The Acting Attorney-General (Mr. Pollock) asked that the man Li Ho should be requested
to come forward.
Li Ho was accordingly called and came to the front.
•
The Acting Attorney-General said Li Ho was a man against whom an information was filed in connection with certain charges under the Post Office Ordinance No. 1 of 1887: Since the information was filed it had occurred to him that there might be some difficulty in the way of the Supreme Court dealing with this case. As this was a matter of some public interest he would ask leave to refer his lordship to sub-section 1 of section 97 of the Magis trates' Ordinance No. 10 of 1890, which was the section which had created the difficulty in his mind which he had referred to and which seemed to him to prevent the Supreme Court from having power to deal with the case of this
man. Sub-section 1 of section 97 of the
follows It shall be lawful for a Magistrate, Magistrates Ordinance No. 10 of 1890 read as upon such grounds as he shall, in his discretion deem sufficient, to review his decision or ad- judication within seven clear days from the date thereof (unless in the meantime an applica- tion has been made to state and sign a case under section 99 hereof and is not withdrawn) and, upon application
such review,
to re-open and re-hear the case wholly or in part, and to take fresh evidence and to revise, vary, or confirm the previous decision or ad- judication. Perhaps he might also refer at the same time to subsection 2 of the same section, which said Whenever any accused has been committed for trial and the Attorney General has in pursuance of the 9th section of