January 14, 1899.]
assures Her Majesty's Government of its strenuous support in the pursuit of the policy thus indicated." Further, as it has been announced in an Indian newspaper, viz., the Pioneer, of October 16th, that surveys for the extension of the Mandalay-Kunlon Railway in the direction of Chungking are about to be undertaken by the Government of India, it was moved by Mr. C. Poyntz Sanderson, seconded by Sir Richard Temple, supported by Mr. Charles McArthur, M.P., and
Resolved-"That this Chamber congratulates the Government of India on the commence- ment of the surveys for the Burmalı. Yangtsze Railway, and hopes that the line will be carried through to Chungking." A copy of this latter resolution will be sent to the Government of India, and, for your Lordship's information as to the progress of the Mandalay-Kuulon line, I beg to enclose a printed extract from the latest" Administration Report on the Railways in India for 197-98." I am to say in connection therewith that this Chamber has long pressed for the speedy com- pletion of the Mandalay Kunlon Railway, which it is hoped may fnruish in the future an approach to the south-western and western provinces of China; in the absence of a railway through Siam and the Siamese Shan States to Yunnan, the Mandalay-Kunlon route Венов that most likely to give access to the populous countries situated in the Upper Yangtsze basin. This Chamber directs me to ask for the subjects of the resolutions your Lordship's most earnest and careful attention, and that you will consider them, together with your colleagues in Her Majesty's Government.--I have the honour to be, your Lordship's most humble and obedient servant.
THOMAS H. Barker,
Secretary. The most Honourabl, the Marquis of Salis- bury, K.G., H.M. Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office, London.
Hongkoug General Chamber of Commerce.
copy
Hongkong, 11th January, 1899. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th November last transmitting of a dispatch addressed by your Chamber to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the China question as affecting commerce containing series of resolutions on the subject.
H
I am directed to thank you for the opportunity afforded to this Chamber to learn the views of the Liverpool Chamber on the question, and to assure you that the subject has received the attention of my Committee.-I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Secretary. Thos. H. Barker, Esq. Secretary, Liverpool
Chamber of Commerce.
THE FUTURE FISCAL POLICY IN THE
- PHILIPPINES.
Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, 13th December, 1898. R. Chatterton Wilcox, Esq., Secretary, Hong. kong General Chamber of Commerce, Hongkong.
Dea Sir, I am directed by my committee to enquire whether, in view of the annexation of the Philippines by the United States of - America, you propose making any rep esentu- tions in favour of the fiscal policy for those islands under the nex régime being as far as practicable in the direction of Free Trade.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
1-In the interests of commerce it is ritally necessary that the position of the colony of Hongkong as the natural outlet and focus for the trade of the Two Kwang provinces should never be lost sight of in considering any claim to "spheres of influence" that may be put forward either now or in the future.
2-My committee would be glad to be favoured with any information as to how you propose moving in the matter, so that we may endeavour to act with your Chamber-Yours faithfully,
ALEX. JAS. GUNN, Secretary.
2.--Hongkong, through a line of railway con- necting first with Canton- and eventually with Haukow and her sister cities Wachang and Hanyang, will be in a position to directly tap. the very heart of commercial China.
3.-The trade of Hongkon, now roughly estimated at some fifty milli as sterling per annum, may, when the river ways of South China are opened and the railway to the Yang tsze Valley becomes an accomplished fact, rea- sonably be expected to expand immensely.
4.-The geographical situation of Hongkong, lying as it does half way between India and Japan, on the very borders of one of the most, populous provinces of China and at the month of one of the greatest systems of inland naviga- tion in Asia, is of supreme importance to British trade, and any scheme or policy that loses even partial sight of its unique advant ages ought not to commend itself to the atten- tion of the British Government.
LORD CHARLES BERESFORD'S MISSION. The following are the resolutions passed at the special meeting of the Committee, held on the 19th November last:-
With reference to the mission of Lord Charles Beresford to China, this Chamber hay ing considered the sitnation political and com- mercial, wish to record the following opinions and recommendations
5. That, however important the trade of the United Kingdom with Central China, it must not be forgotten that the key to British influence and prestige in the Far East reposes in the colony of Hongkong.
The Chamber therefore respectfully urge that while it is of the utmost importance to secure an “ open door" for British and foreign trade in the Yangtsze Valley and in the North of China, it is imperative that :-
:-
a-Trade throughout Chiva should be freed from all inland imposts, one tax payable at the port of entry sufficing to frank goods to the
consumer.
b. That the dual system of Customs should be abolished, and a contribution to the pro- vincial treasury be made out of the revenues of the Imperial Maritime Customs.
c.-In view of the lawless condition of the Two Kwang it should be strongly impressed on the Chinese Government that vigorous measures be promptly taken to put down brigaudage and restore order throughout the provinces,
d. That as part of the grand scheme for throwing open to foreign trade the entire waterways of China means be at once taken to secure the opening of the West River above Wachow-fu and also the North and East Rivers along their entire navigable courses.
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gratitude of the Filipinos, and will study with true affection and the greatest care the means of conciliating the interests of the peoples, so far as the definite establishment of the independence of the Philippines may reuder that possible."
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Manila papers received yesterday publish the following proclamation by General Otis :
Office of the Military Governor of the Philippine Islands.
Manila, P. I., 4th January, 1899. To the people of the Philippine Islands:-
Instructions of His Excellency the President of the United States relative to the administra- tion of affairs in the Philippine Islands have been transmitted to me by direction of The Honourable the Secretary of War, under date of December 28th, 1898. They direct me to publish and proclaim in the most public manner to the inhabitants of these islands that in the war against Spain the United States forces came here to destroy the power of that Nation and to give the blessings of peace and individual freedom to the Philippine people; that we are here as friends of the Philippinos to protect them in their homes, their employ- ments, their individual and religious liberty; that all persons who, either by active aid or honest endeavour co-operate with the Govern- ment of the United States to give effect to these beneficent purposes will receive the re- ward of its support and protection.
The President of the United States has assumed that the municipal laws of the country in respect to private rights and property and the repression of crime are to be considered as continuing in force, in so far as they may be applicable to a free people, and should be administered by the ordinary tribunals of ju tice, presided over by representatives of the people and those in thorough sympathy with them in their desires for good government; that the functions and duties connected with civil and municipal administration are to be performed by such officers as wish to accept the assistance of the United States, chosen in so far as it may be practicable from the inhabitants of the islands; that while the management of public property and revenues and the use of all public means of transportation are to be con ducted under the Military authorities until such can be replaced by civil administration, all pri vate property, whether of individuals or cor- porations, must be respected and protected. If private property be taken for Military uses it shall be paid for at a fair valuation in cash if possible, and when payment in cash is not practicable at the time, receipts therefor will be given to be taken up and liquidated as soon as cash becomes available. The ports of the
THE CRISIS IN HE PHILIPPI · ES, Philippine Islands shall be open to the com-
A DEADLOCK.
Hongkong, 10th January. and the Filipinos are considerably strained has That the relations between the Americans
been evident for some time past, and the latest advices show that affairs are practically at a deadlock. As our readers will no doubt be aware, a number of U.S. troops were sent to Iloilo to take possession. On the vessels arriv- ing in the Bay, however, and the Insurgents being requested to vacate their positions, the In- surgentsdeclined to do this, and as General Miller, instructions to take possession by force nothing in whose charge the troops were sent, had no further was done. A telegram which Consul- General Wildman received ou Saturday evening was to the effect that the American war-ships were still in the bay at Iloilo and the Insurgents still at their posts. This is a situation which cannot long be maintained. The announcement that the arrest of Aguinaldo has been ordered has naturally greatly excited the Filipinos.
Hongkong, 11th January, At a sitting of the Congress of the Philip- pine Republic held at Malolos on the 3rd January the political programme of the new Government was read.
merce of all foreign nations, and goods and mer- chandise not prohibited for military reasons by the Military Authorities shall be admitted upon payment of such duties and charges as shall be in force at the time of importation.
The President concludes his instructions in. the following language--
"Finally, it should be the earnest and par- amount aim of the Administration to win the confidence, respect, and affection of the inhabit- ants of the Philippines by insuring to them in rights and liberty which is the heritage of a every possible way the full measure of individual
mission of the United States is one of bene- free people, and by proving to them that the ficent assimilation, which will substitute the mild sway of justice and right for arbitrary rule. In the fulfilment of this high mission, while upholding the temporary administration of affairs for the greatest good of the governed, there will be sedulously maintained the strong arm of authority to repress disturbance, and to overcome all obstacles to the bestɔwal of the blessings of good and stable government upon the people of the Philippine Islands.”
From the tenor and substance of the above instructions of the President, I am fully of the opinion that it is the intention of the United
affairs
After setting out that | States Government, men
the authorities hold their power from the people, to whom they are responsible, and that it is their duty to respect the liberties proclaimed by the constitution and to obey the laws, the declaration makes the following reference to the United States :----
TE
Particularly will the Council hold the great people of North America entitled to the sincere
generally, to appoint
now forming the controlling element of the Philippinos to civil positions of trust and re- sponsibility, and it will be my aim to appoint thereto such Philippinos as may be acceptable to the supreme a
authorities at Washington.
It is also my belief that it is the intention of the United States Government to draw