"
April 15, 1899.]
popular feeling is entirely in accord there with as yet. The Commissioners say that honour, justice, and friendship. forbid "the use of the Philippine people or "Islands as an object or means of exploita- "tion." But some of the American papers have openly discussed the exploitation of the Islands and have professed their in- ability to see what use their retention would be if they were not to be exploited. The people of the Philippines, according to the views of this section, were to be made to contribute to the incomes of American manufacturers by the imposition of protec. tionist laws by which only American products would be allowed to enter the islands and a high range of prices be maintained ; and the United States navigation laws were also "to be introduced in order that American vessels might monopolise the coasting trade and earn high freights, Although the pro- clamation does not specifically negative a "closed-door" policy, its spirit is entirely inconsistent therewith, and is suggestive of a very mild and benevolent protectorate.
at
There is, however, a want of definiteness about the proclamation. This
appears to be the view taken of it by the Europeans Manila, judging from A few interviews on the subject with leading business men published by the Manila Times. An English business man, holding one of the most prominent positions in the city, does not think the pro- clamation will influence the rebels much, one way or the other, but he considers it indicates a strong and decisive policy on the part of the Americans. Another resident says the proclamation is indefinite;
着色
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"gives substantial argumeats, but it does not define anything; it does not say how things are to be carried on in a way that the Filipinos would like, and how the "Government is going to be formed." All- other influential business man asked whether the first clause meant absolute au- nexation or a protectorate; if it meant a protectorate it would have been better to have left out the first clause and commence with the second. The Filipinos themselves, as well as on-lookers interested in the pro- blem, will also ask what the clause means, The most interesting of the interviews pub lished by the Manila Times, however, is that with one of the most prominent Spanish business men, who speaks from long exper- ince of the Philippines. This gentleman says the proclamation is a very excellent production, very interesting, but entirely valueless from a practical point of view, If it had been issued on the 14th August, or even on the 2nd May, it would have been quite another story, but now the pro- bability is that hostilities will drag on in- indefinitely.
"
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"It is said," continues this Spanish gentleman, "that the viper, when caught, "stings itself to death, in order to spite "its captor. So will the Filipinos; and "the country, when conquered, will be "-devnstaterl. The rebellion is not in
stigated by the educated, intelligent classes, acting on the masses; but it is of "the masses, the unthinking, unreasoning, irresponsible masses. Therefore it cannot "be shaken by reason or argument, but only by brute force. And the conditions topographical are obstacles to the applica "tion of force: n. small band of barefooted woodmen, with no baggage nor any re- quirements, such as hamper white troops, can hold out for ever in the jungle, the swamps, the mountain ravines. It is a ques "tion of years." This authority does not think that the insurgents are misled by their leaders, but that the masses are carried away
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露露
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
DISORDER IN SHANGTUNG.
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i
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know
by their own enthusiasm for the ideals they of their prey. They closed in around have set up. This view is confirme I by the upon the foreigners and began firing circumstances of the case, for AQUINALDO with their guùs and gingals. Then would not be able to hold his followers to the Teuton blood got up; the «travel- gether unless they were influenced by lers, seeing the bullets fly round them, motives exercising a more potent force than determined at least to sell their lives dearly, mere personal attachment or hope of gain, and drawing their revolvers rnu forward It is the case of a nation struggling for its and fired at their assailants. Three times own conception of freedom, and proving in they pursued these tactics and with such the meantime, by the orderliness of the effect that the enemy broke and fled in con- territory under its administration, its humane fusion, leaving three of their number dead treatment of prisoners, and its self-control and three more badly wounded on the scene under trying circumstances, that it is of the disturbance. The travellers' harrows, not altogether unworthy of freedom. The which had been, upset and the contents Philippine people closely resemble the Jap-scattered by the rioters, were eventually anese, stand on much the same plane, recovered with very little loss, being sent and, if they were afforded the opportunity, after them by the villagers, who seem, 20 would, we believe, give as good an account have been struck with a wholesome drend of themselves and their country. If it is of the revolver practice of the Germans. the intention of the United States to graut The conduct of the latter is worthy of all them autonomy, would it not be swell to praise. They did not in any way provoke declare that intention at once and desist the attack, and remonstrated with the from the further carrying of fire and sword villagers before using their weapons, t through the land?
was only when it became evident that nothing but a massacre would satisfy these savages that the travellers stood on their defence, and then they noted with a coolness and a judgment that produced the best The natives of Shautung have been dis- results. It must be admitted they were tinguishing themselves lately by the dis exceedingly fortunate, for had one of the proclivities. Whether or not the news of abled one of their number, the mob would play of anti-foreign and anti-Christian many bullets fired at them killed or dis the atrocious murder of Father VICTORIN have surely rushed in upon and overpowered in the province of Hupeh bas incited the survivors. It is satisfactory to the people of Shantung to perpetrate like that an example is to be made of the people cruelties on Christians or not, it is in of this district, whose appetite for blood is possible to say, but example is infectious, distinctly voracious. The province of Shan- and in China as much so as any other part of the world. Certainly, to judge from the fluences, and it is to be hoped these may tung is evidently in need of civilising in-
Christian riots in the Ichoufu district, it heiwei. The construction of the projected accounts just published of some anti-reach it presently from Kinochow and Wei-
had been infected with the savagery of the thence to Ichoufu and Tsinanfu will be would seem as though the Shantung natives railway from Kiaochow to Weinien Hupehites. According to a letter dated commenced very shortly, and, though the from Ichoufu, 24th March, two native German punitive expedition to Ichoufu, Christians were recently burned to death sent in consequence of the attack on Lieut. in a public bonfire and two others, had HANNEMAN and his companions, may suffice eyes put out by a mob, while a living to impress upon the people the advisability child was roasted over a fire. Since then, of leaving foreigners in peace, it will never- emboldened by absolute impunity from theless be wise to take a leaf from the ex- punishment for these crimes, six Christians have been murdered at Shenshan their lines through Manchuria, along which more ample of the Russians in the building of
from Ichoufu and three at Feihien, about forty miles detachments of Cossacks are posted at inter saved from a similar fate by the fleetness of any attempts to destroy the plant and per- A foreign priest was only vals to protect the workmen and prevent his horse, which he had kept saddled day mament way. and night for three months, knowing the peril he stood in. The people who com- mitted these barbarous "crimes are, it appears, the same who attacked the three Germans, who, on the 22nd March, made so
The Shanghai Municipal Council, which gallant and successful a stand against an at-
makes wharfage dues one of its sources of tack by an armed mob. The Germans were
revenue, has recently handed over the Lieut. HANNEMAN and Messrs. Moors and Maritime Customs, with results not alto- collection of those dues to the Imperial FORSCHULTS. They had lauded from a gun-gether satisfactory, if we may accept the boat on the const directly east of Ichoufu, and following description, given by the China on their way thither stopped at a place Gazette of the 4th inst., ns correct called Waugkiachuang, the headquarters Shippers have been unable to get their of the rioters in that locality. The little party of foreigners, who had their servants
papers through the Custom-house in as and several barrowloads of impedimenta no provision in the way of extra hands
many hours as it formerly took minutes, with them, halted in this hornets' nest and were permitted to make their breakfast
"that institution being made to deal with there in perfect peace and quiet. After
"the additional work; which nobody there leaving the place, however, and when about
seems to know anything about. The "result is that shipping olerks were kept two li distant, they suddenly became aware that they were being followed by a large
" from 10 o'clock on Saturday morning till body of armed men, about a hundred in
“after 5 p.m. dancing around the Custom- number, who proceeded to surround thei
"house, all over the payment of with obviously hostile intentions.
"few cents in many cases, and cargo Germans stopped and faced the natives, and
was in scores of instances consequently Mr. Moors, who speaks Chinese, urged were almost as bad, and the newƉie- "left behind. Yesterday and to-day things them not to break the peace or molest his party, stating that they were not Catholics
gulations seem generally to have turn- "ed the Commissioner and his staff in or missionaries of any kind, but peacefulgide out till they can do no intelligent travellers bound for Ichou. But the work. The Chinese shippers are cowardly crowd were not to be baulked
their
Tre
THE SHANghai whaRFAGE DUES.
14
44
: *