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November 11; 1889,]
THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND THE SUPPRESSION OF„PIRACY ON THE WEST RIVER,
TU CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
down the river, unassisted by anything in boats be confined to cruising up and
the nature of a detective service, they will exercise only a moral effect--an effect of considerable value, it is true, as calculat- ed to restrain the pirates from molesting British vessels, but falling considerably short of what British merchants would like to see, namely, the protection of the native trade, with which the interests of foreign trade, both in the collection of exports and the distribution of imports, are so closely
(Daily Press, 9th November.) At the last meeting of the Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, held on the 2nd inst., the Chairman read a letter from the Government, just received, enclosing copy of a despatch received by H.E. the Governor annexing a letter from the Foreign to the Colonial Office, in which it was stated that the Admiralty had ordered the weed to patrol the West River with the Sandpiper, and that, if further assistance were required for the protection of British interests, a torpedo boat would be sent as tender to the Tweed, It is satisfactory to find that the Foreign Office recognises the necessities of the case, though in a qualified kind of way only, and the measures taken are also satisfactory so far as they go. It will be noted that a torpedo, boat is to be added to the Tweed and Sandpiper "if further assistance be required for the "protection of British interests." What interpretation isto be placed on the phrase "British interests" in this connection ? Are we to understand that the Foreign Office looks only to the protection of pro- perty under the British flag and that piracy by which British ships are not directly affected is to be ignored? If so the position is disappointing. The statement that if further assistance is required for the pro- tection of British interests a torpedo boat will be sent conveys a much more limited meaning, however, than would a more general statement to the effect that if further assistance is required for the extirpation of piracy such assistance will be sent. British interests are affected more by the indirect influences of the existing lawlessness than by the direct danger of outrage upon the British flag. The latter is a real danger and one to be guarded against, but mean while trade suffers every day by the inter- ference of the pirates with the native traffic and the consequent interruption of supplies and of the usual means of distribution. Action is necessary therefore not only for the protection of ships and cargoes under the British flag but also for the suppression of piracy in general.
It is no doubt the duty of the Chinese Government to suppress piracy in Chinese waters, and we trust the duty will be strongly impressed upon that Government by the Foreign Ministers, and more especially by the British Minister. In the meantime, however, with the Tweed and Sandpiper on the river for the purpose of protecting British interests, it would be refreshing to hear of their catching a few pirates, even though the pirates may not have directly attacked British property. But they are not very likely to catch the pirates in flagrante delicto; if they want them they will have to look for them. In this connection the ques- tion suggests itself whether the small flotilla is provided with an efficient intelligence department. When piracy on the coast was wiped out by the British gunboats officers of the Hongkong Government were ap- pointed to assist the Naval authorities by obtaining from Lative sources information as to the whereabouts and intended move ments of the pirates. The men-of-war were thus enabled to search out the pirate junks and effectually dispose of them. Something of the same kind will have to be arranged in connection with the West River flotilla if it is to be really successful in sweeping the waters of the pests that now prey upon the trade. If the operations of the gun
allied.
PROPOSED NEW SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' HOME.
offered to meet them by letting them have the committee objected. The General
certain of the rooms, which should be looked upon astemperance rooms, but the committee said it would be against their principles to enter any building in which alcoholic liquor was sold. The upshot is that a Soldiers' Club is to be started. The General, we under stand, intends to apply to the War Office to sanction the permanent use of block G for the purpose. That block is immediately opposite the end of Fletcher Street, and at the other end of that street it is intended to have a boat-house in connection with the club. Every reasonable convenience and all the usual forms of recreation will be supplied in the club, which will be conducted on the (Daily Press, 6th November.)
lines of any ordinary well regulated club Much interest has been excited by the and not as a charity institution. It ris recently published correspondence relating expected that the institution will pay 7. Its to the proposed New Soldiers and Sailors own way, but should there be any deficit It Home, Arsenal Street. Of the readiness is already provided for and no appeal will of the community to help forward any well be made to the public. The General's posi directed movement designed to promote the tion on the liquor question well be readily welfare of our soldiers and sailors the understood. The teetotal members of the generous offer made by our correspondent garrison are, generally speaking, good con- D. J." in another column may be taken duct men and seldom get into trouble. as a fair criterion. There is, however, a
What is desired is to provide a place of natural desire on the part of the public to rational recreation which can be resorted to be informed, not only of the aim of the not only by teetotalers but also by the proposed new institution, but also of the man who enjoys his glass of beer and who, circumstances of existing institutions work for want of any better place to go to, ing in the same field, and of the requirements may, under the existing conditions, be of the case. Information on the first point saloons and there be led into excess. With driven to frequent undesirable drinking is given in the Rev. C. BONE's letter; the men of the fleet provided for, in the the present article is intended to give some information on the second point; matter of recreation, by the Royal Naval and as to the third point the public Seamen's Club, and the soldiers by will be able to form its own opinion, the proposed Soldiers' Club, the Boldi and will, we trust, respond in a liberal | Gra
and Sailors' Home proposed by spirit to Mr. BONE' appeal, on the under- Mr. BONE does not seem to be an urgent standing, however, that they are subscrib- necessity. No doubt, however, there is room ing to what we think might be more ap-
for an institution where temperance and propriately called a Temperance Institute evangelistic work may be carried on, not thau a Soldiers and Sailors' Home. The only amongst the members of the fleet and men of Her Majesty's fleet, as regards garrison but also the mercantile marine and opportunities of rational amusement, are any other classes that can be reached by such already provided for in the Royal Naval influences. If Mr. BONE redrafts his appeal, Seamen's Club, an admirably managed basing it on these grouuds, no doubt it will institution under official supervision.. The meet with a liberal response. soldiers also have their own recreation rooms, but these rooms
THE NEW POST OFFICE.
is
are scattered about in different barracks, and each being run on
(Daily Press, 7th November.) a small scale they do not reach the standard From the minutes of the last meeting of that might be looked for in a larger institute the Chamber of Commerce Committee. it organised to meet the wants of the whole will be seen that that body, on a considera- garrison. The men, too, like to get away tion of the Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD's letter, from their own barracks at times. For the published some time ago, has declined to soldiers, therefore, an Institute of some kind commit itself on the question of the site of is required. General GASCOIGNE has taken the new Post Office. The Committee is of great interest in this question and thinking opinion that the present building is inade the want might be met by the existing Sol-quate, and it urges the Government "to diers and Sailors' Institute he gave to that "proceed immediately with the erection institution the temporary use of book G,
"of a new Post Office," but expresses (no opposite Fletcher Street, and, on conditions, opinion as to the merits of the rival sites. offered it substantial assistance in its finan- One important element in the case seems to ces.
The existing Soldiers, and Sailors'. have been overlooked, however. Institute, as most of our readers are probably reason for desiring a New Post aware, was established some years ago on that the present building is, as the Chamber strictly temperance principles by a small band says in its resolution, "inadequate for the of energetic workers in the cause, and it "requirements of the port." Incidentally a has led a useful existence under consider. new building would give us an architectural able difficulties, being accommodated until adornment of the town, at least it is to be recently in more or less unsuitable rooms hoped so, but in the present state of the which had from time to time to be changed. colony's finances no one would think of When General GASCOIGNE came to the advocating the erection of a new building rescue there seemed a prospect of the in- on that ground alone, Attention must be stitution being placed on a firm basis. But confined, therefore, to the question of meet- an insuperable difficulty arose on a questioning the requirements of the port. If the of principle. General GASCOIGNE wished to cater not only for the teetotal section, but for the whole garrison, and he pro- posed to have a bar where men who wished it could obtain a glass of beer, the bar being under strict supervision and not to be regarded as a souros of profit. To this
final decision be that the Post Office is to be retained on its present site with the addition of the adjoining site, on which the Supreme Court-house stands, the question suggests itself whether a new building would be necessary. The present building together with the Supreme Court, building