December 31, 1898.
Kwan went to the Sanitary Board Office about three o'clock the same afternoon, accom. panied by another baker named Tang Shan. There they saw the second defendant. An Ping Kwan asked him what was the matter, and he got the reply. "I will take you in," meaning that he would take him inside the office The second defendant then took Au Ping Kwan into the first defendant's office, while the other baker remained outside, and left him there, After asking him to what shop he belonged the first defendant said to Au Ping Kwan, "These few days the Inspector has been unpleasant and wants to summon you." An Ping Kwau then went outside, and the second defendant went into the first defendant's office, subsequently coming out and saying to Au Ping Kwan, who was in the passage, "Clerk (meaning the first defendant) wants you to go to the Kwan Tai Cheung on the second floor, Wellington Street, to wait for him at 8 p.m." In consequence of that message Au Ping Kwan went to the Kwan Tai Cheung eating house the same evening at about sight o'clock. He did not see the first defendant there, but he saw him in the street, and the first defendant said, "The Inspector has been very unpleasant about you. He said that your premises are dirty. Is that so? The Inspector says he wishes to summon you. I am very friendly with the Inspector, and I will send someone to let you know." No other communication of any im- portance seemed to have taken place between them on this occasion. At about two o'clock on the afternoou of the 12th November the
second defendant went to Au Ping Kwan's shop, and left a message there; Au Ping Kwan being out at the time. He arrived,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
that without proceeding farther the Chief Justice directed the jury to return a verdict of uot guilty, which they accordingly did, and defendants were thereupon discharged.
TAŁ EMPRESS-DUWAGEL'S RECEP TION OF FOREIGN LADIES.
A BRILLIANT AND SUCCESSFUL, PUNCTION,
THE CREDIT DUE TO PRINCE HENRY AND LADY MAUDONALD.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT,]}
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When this was finished the Dowager saw them once more, eagerly asking if they had en- joyed the ceremony, and expressing regret that she could not gratify them with entertain ments such as their own Courts at home supplied. With her ow hands she presented each guest with an ivory comb, rolls of silk, and a picture-on-silk, painted by herself, as she wan careful to accentuate. The guests were then conveyed back to the British Legation with every mark of distinguished respect and
ceremony.
The ladies to a woman were deeply impressed by the personality of the Dowager. She has a strong resolute face, almost virile in cast but is coal black, but is whitening near the temples. redeemed by a fine womanly smile. Her hair Her manner is affectionate amiability per sonified.
AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
+
Peking, 18th December. Some six months ago Prince Henry of Prussia laughingly enquired of Lady Mac- Donald what he could do for her in the Palace when he had his audience next day. Her lady- ship replied gaily, "Please tell Her Majesty the Dowager she ought to let us come to Court." "It shall be done," said the Prince with sailor-like frankness; and sure enough it WB8. He plainly told the Imperial Lady that she would find a personal pleasure in receiving the diplomatic ladies and do & public service in conforming to the unwritten as well as the written laws of international etiquette. The Empress took the proposal as frankly as it was given and instantly said it would afford her AGUINALDO'S SICK MILITARY AND CIVIL great pleasure to receive the ladies,
About ten days ago a catholic round-robin sort of general invitation was conveyed through the proper channels that Her Majesty would be delighted to see ten ladies. Every courtier knows that Kiugs and Queens must not be asked questions like other folks, so that there Was no satisfaction to the query why the limit was fixed at ten. It is no secret that this
somewhat exclusive number caused a flutter in the lower tiers of the diplomatic dovecotes. The question of dress was also for a time a matter of much anxiety. Court dresses, evening and morning costume, all finding advocates; bat finally the matter was settled. The wife of the Japanese Minister donned national costume, the European ladies assumed dinner dresses modified to meet Chinese views of pro- priety as to neck and shoulder.
however, at about four o'clock and the fol- lowingday about noon he went to the Sanitary Board Office, but as the day was Sunday there was no one there. On the 14th November, at about ten o'clock in the morning, the second defendant came along to the Hwang Hing Bakery and asked Au Ping Kwan to go to the Sanitary Board office. Almost immediately afterwards Aa Ping Kwan went to the Sanitary Board office, and on his arrival there be saw the second defendant in the verandah and asked him, What's the mat- ter? The second defendant replied, "Nothing British, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, and The legations represented were the American, is the matter. Want $25 from you. There will be no prosecution. It will be all-right." Russian. The ladies held tryst at the British Au Ping Kwan made no reply to that sugges-legation, on Tuesday, 15th December, as Lady MacDonald was, in the absence of the spanish lady, doyenne. Entering chairs, they were marshalled through streets lined with soldiers to the gates of the Forbidden City. Here the dignitaries of the Tsungli Yamen and some of the princely members received them. They were then transferred to Imperial chairs and carried to the famous Marble Bridge. Here they got on to the electric tramway and were conveyed received them with a countless following of to the Reception Hall, where Princess Ching princesses and ladies of honour.
They had tea, and were at once ushered into the presence. To their great sur- prise and pleasure the Emperor was there, manifesting the greatest interest and pleasure in the ceremony and taking a great personal part in it.
tion, and the second defendant then went into the first defendant's office, and on coming out again said, "No mistake. It is $25 wanted from you and no prosecution." Au Ping Kwan replied, "Business is dull," and offered $10. The second defendant went into the first defen- dant's office again, and on his re-appearing said "The lowest is $15," and to this Au Ping Kwan agreed. Then the second defendant went into the first defendant's office, coming out again followed by the first defendant, who stood in the door way. The first defendant had a pen or pencil in his hand, and pointing to the second defendant he said to An Ping Kwan, You can pay the $15 to him." Then the first defendant went back into the office, and the second defendant, addressing Au Ping Kwan, said to him, "Have you got the money now p" and Au liug Kwan replied, “ Two or three days later." As he was going away Au Ping Kwan, who wished to make certain he was not going to pay the money for nothing, asked the second defendant, "Is this the case? If I pay you $15 will there be no prosecution ?" The ing bow as she passed the Emperor's throne. second defendant replied, "Nothing will be the matter. If the Inspector gets unplea- sant come back and get the $15." On the following day Lo Wing went to the Kwang Hing shop at about ten o'clock in the morning and said to Au. Ping Kwan, "Your $15 you can put into an envelope and seal it with anything you like on it and take it to the Sanitary Office." As a matter of fact no money was paid over, because Au Ping Kwan went to the Police Court and laid an information with
pro-
regard to the matter, because he had heard that Inspector Phillips, notwithstan ing this posal that he should pay $15 to someone, was going to summon him for having his bakery in
dirty condition.
Au Ping Kwan was then sword, His evidence contradicted that given by him at the Magistracy in so many important particulars
Lady MacDonald read a neat little address in English to the Dowager, congratulating her
on
Chinese. Ther Lady MacDonald lea the way her birthday. Her Majesty replied in to the daïs and more Brittanico made a sweep
Kwong Su bowed deeply in return, smiled land, of which each lady got a hearty shake. brightly, and then leaned forward, offering his
the Dowager's seat: she held each hand after Passing on, the same ceremony took place at shaking it and deftly slipped a gold ring with one finger. These rings were all ready in a box handsome pearl mounted therein on to the lady's hard by. This was followed by adjournment to a Hall chose at hand, where a luncheon worthy of Lucullus' was served, Princess Ching presiding. sweetly pretty little Manchu lady, who proved The Empress then came in, accompanied by a no other than the Emperor's wife, the consti- tutional Empress. Both chatted freely, long, and amiably with all the ladies, A grand theatrical performance followed, the guests, like the native ladies, sitting in closed boxes with plate glass fronts. Cakes and sweets galore were going all the time.
FIRST TROOPS MUSTERED OUT.
VOLUNTEER PIONEERS.
A NEW REPUBLIC.
PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Manila, 17th December. The first of the returning troops, consisting of the much lauded Astor Battery and a detach. ment of 100 Nebraska Volunteers, sailed for home by the transports Senator and Ohio on Friday and Sunday. Their departare, coming with only a few hours' notice, was nomarked by any of the usual demonstrations attendant upon the first expedition of returning troops on foreign service.
In the Astor Battery alone, twelve per cent. of the men wished to remain and go into busi- ness or take chances in the islands, but permis- sion for elective mustering out of the service has not yet been granted, and the men were obliged to return with the battery to be the twelve per cent. announced their intentions relieved from service in America. Nearly all of of returning here at their own expense. Thus the first expedition is an excellent indication of the impressions received by the American volunteers.
A.n organization is now in existence which is rapidly growing in numbers and financial strength, whose purpose is the development of the opportunities found in the islands. Several enthusiastic meetings men who propose to remain in the Philippines have been held and the cash backing for the discharge in the islands will be vigorously pushed scheme is not lacking. The question of elective
by the members. By this is meant that men who have served out their full time or who are ordered home to be mustered out shall have the choice of going home or of being relieved here, and in addition that those who shall be discharged here shall have paid to them their transportation money, which amounts to about $430. This, converted into Mexican silver, would provide ample capital for a beginning. While the United States the advantage of having responsi scheme will prove more expensive to the ble able-bodied men of spirit as pioneers will be worth many times the cash price to the Govern- ment. Volunteers from all regiments are taking been communicated with, and happy results are an active interest, the War Department has
soon expected.
THE SITUATION AT ILOILO, The latest news from Iloilo is discouraging The merchants are reluctant to invest or take from both commercial and political standpoints. on stock as the conditions are extremely un. certain. An American merchant, Mr. Hilbert, who has just returned, states that things are or less vigorous as days wear on, continues with practically at a standstill. Fighting, 1
more
monotonous regularity, and leaves everything in a state of confusion.
85
Spanish fortifications at Puenta de Practicas command the Filipino city of Jaro, and fighting from this side would be disastrous to both forces the seat of battle has been removed to the southern portion of Iloilo and the