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enjoys a rate about equal to one-tenth of that of the tariff to Hongkong, Malta, which is over two thousand miles distant from England, pays even less, the rate being only 44. per word. The tariff to San Francisco is also proportion- ally much lower.
3.-Making all due allowances for payments for messages passing over sections of foreign lines, there can be no room for doubt that the Telegraph Companies could considerably reduce the existing rates, and there is as little doubt that the increased traffic would in great measure, if not entirely, make up for the diminished pro-
fit on the messages.
4. This Committee are further strongly of opinion that, if necessary to reduce the cost of telegraphing, the Telegraph Companies should combine to make more use of existing land lines, over which, save in exceptional cases, they would be allowed to transmit messages at low rates, as is now done, for example, between London and Constantinople. If telegrams can be despatched in Australia over a distance of three thousand miles for a penny a word, the same thing can surely be done in other more thickly populated countries.
5.-The time has now arrived when substantial reductions must be made in the telegraph tariffs, or an effort will have to be made to destroy the monopoly which at present works inimically to the interests of trade in the Far East; and this Chamber will be prepared to join a movement having for its object the purchase by the Im- perial Government of all cables connecting the outlying sections the British Empire, to the end that a reasonable rate, within the reach of all, may be substituted for the present almost prohibitive charges.
It was also decided to address a letter to the Colonial Government on the subject, praying that a copy of the resolutions may be transmit- ted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to forward a copy of them to the Superintendent of the joint Telegraph Companies with a cover- ing letter, and to send copies to the Chambers in the United Kingdom.
INLAND WATERS STEAM NAVIGATION.
In connection with the letter addressed by the representatives of Companies trading on the inland waterways of the Two Kwang to this Chamber, a despatch was, on the 21st Sept., addressed to the Government with copy of the memorandum on the subject, asking H. E. the Governor to lay the matter before the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Copies of all the correspondence on this im- portant subject had been supplied to the local Press.
THE PIRACIES AND DISORDERS IN
THE TWO KWANG.
Consequent on the decision arrived at last meeting, a letter was, ou the 21st September, addressed to the Government on this subject, recommending an increase in the flotilla em- ployed by the British Naval authorities in as- sisting to police the West River and tributaries.
On the 28th idem, owing to a suggestion by the Chairman, a further letter was despatched to the Government, in which an alternative was proposed, viz., that all vessels flying the British flag and trading on inland waters might be given the right to call for passengers or cargo at every inland port or place on the river at which a Custom House or Lekin Station is maintained, the idea being that a number of steamers being frequently in evidence would impart a feeling of greater safety and prove a deterrent to piracy.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
This letter was read by the Chairman, who added that of course whatever was open to the British flag was equally open to all foreign flags, but in addressing the Government the British flag only was mentioned.
It was decided to publish both letters.
· FOURTH CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF
COMMERCE OF THE EMPIRE.
The Secretary reported that the invitation from the Council of the London Chamber of Commerce to send delegates to represent this Chamber at the above named Congress in 1,900 was duly acknowledged and the nomination form filled in as requested, announcing that Sir Thomas Jackson, Knt., and the Hon. T. H. Whitehead, M.L.C., had consented to represent
the Chamber.
PREVENTION OFTHEFT IN PAROELS ·
POST OFFICE,
Read letter from Messrs. Tata & Co., dated 14th September, in which, after detailing the circumstances attending the theft by a Postal Bombay, they propose an additional precaution employé of a parcel despatched by them to to those in practice to check dishonesty,
REUTER'S COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS.
the Chamber's suggestions for the improvement Read letter from Reuter's Agent in reply to of the Commercial Telegrams in which he says that after communicating with Shanghai he
will forward a statement of the Chamber's re- quirements to the Head Office.
[Correspondence]
THE PIRACY ON THE WEST RIVER.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
Hongkong, 21st September 1899. Sir-I am directed by my Committee to again invite the attention of His Excellency the Governor to the condition of the districts watered by the West River and the piracies committed on that waterway and its tributaries, to the serious obstruotion of trade.
The despatch of the gunboat Tweed and of a torpedo boat hence to the West River has no doubt had a good effect in some portions of the territory in question, but the length of the river and the numerous creeks preclude such a small force from having more than a very par- tial effect. If the Chinese Authorities could be relied upon to do their duty and second the efforts made to rid the country of the lawless characters who batten upon the labours of the industrious portion of the population probab- ly the force sent thither might suffice for the purpose. Unfortunately, however, the reverse is the case; nothing is attempted in real earnest by the Chinese officials and if the evil is to be rooted out it seems that it will have to be done by a British naval patrol.
This being the case the Committee would re- spectfully suggest to His Excellency the Gov. ernor the propriety of still further augmenting the Sandpiper class, as soon as they can be pro- the gunboat flotilla by getting out more boats of
to send armed light draft steam-launches to be cured. Meantime, it might perhaps be practicable attached to the larger vessels for use in the shal. low waters. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
[Obtober 14, 1899:
secondly, that it is necessary to give security to trade, to the traders travelling, and to the natives who form their constituency. At the present moment the greatest sufferers from these perpetual piracies are the native traders chants. That they should receive protection who carry on business with the foreign mer- against lawless oharacters is of supreme im. portance, and it is the policy as well as the peaceable portion of the population is not dis- desire of the British merchants to see that the
turbed or plundered.
Seeing therefore that the privilege suggested is but a means (and that an easy and practicable one) of securing a concession previously made and that it will be the means of conferring benefits on the whole of the district con- cerned while at the same time yielding · increased revenue to the Chinese Government, the Committee are of opinion that there should be no diffculty in obtaining it. They accord« ‹ ingly hope that His Excellency the Governor will see his way to make representations to this effect to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.-I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Hon, J. H. Stewart-Lockhart, C.M.G., Colonial
Secretary.
Secretary.
AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPPIES.
AN ALLEGED INTERVIEW WITH ADMIRAL DEWEY FURNISHES ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE
FILIPINOS.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 1st October. An alleged interview with Admiral Dewey which is said to have been given out by the Secretary of the American embassy at Naples, is creating no end of joyful comment among the Filipinos and insurrecto sympathi- aers. The interview is supposed to have taken Naples and runs as follows:- place shortly before the Olympia sailed from
"I consider the Philippine question is of American people, for I know the Filipinos and more importance than any other before the
they know that I am their friend. I believe and assert that the situation in that country will soon be settled. The Filipinos are capable of governing themselves. I have never been a member of the party in favour of violence toward the Filipinos. The insurrection can only be nded by granting them a government of their
Own.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. Hongkong, 28th September, 1899. Sir,-In continuation of previous correspon-
The Democracia, a daily paper published in the 21st inst. on the subject of the obstructions the unofficial direction of President Schurman, dence and adverting particuarly to my lettter of Mauila which was started some time ago under caused to trade by the disturbances on the West of the American Commission, devotes consider River and district watered by it, I am desired able space to a discussion of the interview, dur- by the Committee to offer a further suggestioning the course of which it says:-" We heartily for the consideration of His Excellency the Go- congratulate Admiral Dewey, for his words will contribute to further the aspirations of the Filipino people."
vernor.
number of steam-launches required to effectually Recognising the fact that the provision of the police the inland waterways would necessarily entail a heavy expense upon the British Govern- ment for their upkeep, the Committee think that a similar result might perhaps be attained if all vessels flying the British flag and trading on inland waters were to be given the right to call for passengers and cargo at every inland port or place on the river at which a Custom House or Lekin Station is maintained. Under the British flag, in properly appointed vessels, greater safety would be secured for passengers and cargo and the mere fact of a sufficient num- ber of such vessels being constantly in evidence moving up and down the river would prove a deterrent to the trade of piracy which is now being carried on and would thereby necessitate the continuance of only a few gunboats on this duty.
The British Government have every right to of the Inland Waterways of South China to make this demand. In principle the opening foreign trade and navigation has already been conceded, while in practice, as is so widely known, the concession has been rendered of no effect. The grounds on which this demand should be made are therefore, first, to secure as the reality of what has only been given, apparent ly, with intent to convert it into a sham ; and
Fl Grito del Pueblo prints the following:- "We tender by means of our modest publication our most enthusiastic congratulations to Admi-
ral Dewey, both in our own name and in the name of all Filipinos, upon his noble and sincere utterances, and assure him of our deepest grati- tade for the justice which he does us by recog nizing our ability to govern ourselves. Admiral Dewey is eminently right. The only means of putting an end to the dirturbances which are bringing ruin, desolation, and death to the Phil- ippines, is the granting to them of their own government. If the great North American" people do this they may be absolutely certain that their brothers, the Philippine people, will shower blessings upon them. The words of the distinguished Admiral give us encouragement and cause for hope that the present state of affairs, so prejudicial to this beautiful country, whose sons have always been noted for their culture, will soon come to an end." peaceful character, their moderation, and their
Filipinos of good standing in Manila are highly enthusiastic over
the matter and say that nothing so encouraging has been heard for months. It is rumoured that thousands of copies of the Admiral's al- leged words are being printed to be later distributed throughout the entire insurgent