May 26, 1900.]
has asked the American military authorities if he and his family, as Filipinos, will be accord ed the protection of the United States should occasion therefor arise while they are on foreign soil. The question is interesting.
On March 29th, a protocol extending six months from April 11th was signed at the State Department by Mr. Hay, the Secretary of State, and the Duke d'Arcos, the Spanish Minister. Owing to the unsettled conditions in the Philip- pines the Spaniards here have hesitated in many instances in declaring their allegiance, particu- larly in places where an American Government has not been established. The fear that the islands may not be held permanently by the
United States is another cause for hesitation.
THE RUSH TO REGISTER IN CUBA. Advices from Cuba state that in view of the limited time (April 11th) there was a great scramble there during the last two weeks, about the registry offices. In Havana the rolls aver- aged three hundred per day. The country dis- tricts also showed heavy-increases. The pro- gressive Cubans regret this sudden disposition of the Spaniards to preserve their nationality, because it is realized that it means increased danger of black domination at the polls. The revolutionary element, eligible to vote under the present regulations. is made up almost entirely of, negroes. The votes of the Spaniards uro needed to overcome this danger, but it has been found impossible to check the tide of registration. For months it appeared as though a great majority of Spaniards would elect to remain Cubans. As the time drew to a close the senti- ment of standing by the old colours grew stronger, and was not decreased by the deepening impres- sion that the Cubans will get a chance to run their own Government. Many Spaniards feel that if this is really to be they prefer to have a consul to whom they can appeal, rather than trust themselves to their former enemies. This has caused the rush to the registry.
{
SOME PUBLIC QUESTIONS.
Manila, 18th May.
There is an old man on a United States transport to-day sailing on the Pacific some- where between here and Honolulu. He is in going home to retire from the army 1902. What reception he will meet at the hands of his countrymen after two years absence is somewhat difficult to foretell. No doubt there will be extravagant praise on the one hand and outrageous condemnation on the other. Public men are not handled gently in the Unit- ed States. General Otis has not handled the public very gently and the public has a good memory and may be inclined to remove its gloves when greeting him. During the last two years this administration has been consistently, thoroughly and jealously sustained and supported by Washington; it has been the object of the severest, bitterest and most general attack by the
powerful opposition.
The country is on the verge of what promises to be one of the greatest political battles in the history of the republic. The question comes to
closing an issue during the
months of the present year and on the result hangs the Republican party, for a time at least. The importance of the Philippines both politi cally and commercially is daily increasing until it has outclassed Cuba and Puerto Rico, and taken the lead as the chief attraction in the theatre of public questions.
THE RIVAL CANDIDATES.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. the rounds and there is no telling where it will end.
In the meantime, the object of discussion and speculation sits plugging away on his report, in his office which he had specially fitted out, on the transport Meade. He took along his clerks and stenographers, records and docu- ments, and by the time the anchor grabs the mud of San Francisco Bay, he should be able to say "I wash my hands of the Philippines." There is no doubt that his return is eagerly waited for. The peace and quiet insured by the sea trip is to be rudely banished. Wait until his countrymen, his politicians, his friends, his enemies. his family (though he is not possessed of a political wife) get him-then we shall know what is to become of him.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE REFORMERS IN CHINA.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 17th May.
Sir, In last night's China Mail there ap- peared a letter signed WEE HOOD SIN. Do Kang Yu Wei and his fanatical followers mean it, or has a joke been perpetrated by the mer- canary who wrote the letter? The writer has the audacity to sign himself a Protestant." This is a nice way to whitewash Kang Yu Wei and his men, but any sensible man easily sees through the false veil.
It is well known that Kang Yu Wei and his men are dead against Christianity and Christians, as the movement in favour of Confucius and Confucianism in China, Japan, America and the Straits Settlements conclusively prove. Kwang has been trying to ape Mahomet, but has failed miserably. But Kang Yu Wei is such a man that, some day, to suit his own ends,
he will declare himself a staunch supporter of
Christianity! The man has no fixed policy, and resembles a piece of wood floating on the vast Ocean.
+4
Further comment would be superfluous.
387
the Shanghai Press recently on the part of Catholics. Now this is a rather grave accusa- tion, as it stands, and justice would seem to require that grave accusations be not made lightly. Might not just a word have been added to specify the charge, or at least to indicate what paper, or what number of the paper, was referred to P Political intrigue is such a vagus term, and when used without qualification it is naturally taken in all its extension. Is the charge then that Catholic missionaries have been plotting against the go
goverment, or does the "political intrigue" of which they are ac- cused fall short of that extreme? If it be con- sidered political intrigue to seek redress for grievances by recourse to the mandarins, and when necessary to the consuls, and in last resort to the legations, Catholics must certainly plead guilty. But whether that is a crime, or even unbecoming in missionaries, is another question.
Considering that your correspondent s letter was to be read by many who have not the advan- tage of having the run of Shanghai papers, it might seem a little unfair for him to make so grave a charge, in such general terms, and with so vague a reference to his authority. At least, the charge should not pass without a protest.
JUSTITIA.
"
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
Canton, May 20th, 1900. Sir, With reference to JUSTITIA's letter, by "political intrigue" I merely meant interfer- ence in law cases on behalf of converts, purely Chinese and involving no foreign religions or secular interest, as was complained of by the late Viceroy T'an of these provinces. No doubt the words were somewhat misleading, although such- interference does tend to "political intrigue" when carried to excess, by setting up on "
"Impe- rium in imperio." If JUSTITIA will turn to the Shanghai Celestial Empire of February, 1899, he will read much edifying matter under this head, and if he will look up the same papers for May, of the same year, he will read from the pen of a Protestant Missionary: "In almost every town and village of China are to be found men who live by extortion, preying on the timid and ignorant; unscrupulous, cruel, and rapacious as wolves, they are only kept in res- traint by fear of consequences. Once these crea
Kang Yu Wei has still a host of cranky admirers abroad, and these, poor souls, are in- fluenced by the newspaper reports of his faithfultures are delivered from fear of punishment, canine pupils and followers. This man is they give the reins to all that is devilish within taking advantage of the ignorance of the them, and become a terror to honest men. To obtain such protection against the law, all that masses in China, and dares to juggle with the
is necessary is to become a member of the 400,000,000 of th Empire as if they were
Roman Catholic Church; then, when a man innocent babes.
finds himself in danger of suffering for his sins, to represent the case as one of religious perse- cution, and involve the aid of the priest, who is only too ready to add to his own prestige by protecting his flock from the oppression of the wicked. In some of the cities through which I have passed, I found the officials so afraid of the priests and the power of France behind them, that they dare not give judgment against a Catholic convert however evident his guilt, lest they should get into trouble." Possibly all this is greatly exaggerated, and probably due to a great extent, as the writer subsequently remarks more to zeal than to ulterior motive; but still, there it is, and much more of a like kind, upon which JUSTITIA may enlighten himself by refer ring to the papers mentioned, if he thinks it worth the trouble.-Yours, etc.,
The general impression of Europeans abroad is that there is only one Reform Movement in China, and that the leader is Kang Yu Wei, This is erroneous, as there are two parties, the "First Reform Party," organized and directed by able and enlightened Westernized Chinese, and the "Po Wong" (ie. Protect the Emperor) Re- form Party, organized and led by that hairbrained and quixotic fanatic Kang Yn Wei, and his pupils. The aims of these two parties are dis-
First Reform tinctly antagonistic, as the Party" is Revolutionary, whereas the other is in favour of supporting the detested Manchus.
It is rumoured that Kang Yu Wei and his misguided followers, being jealous of the power
and growing influence of “ The First Reform Party," are now planning rebellion under the garb of loyal supporters of the Emperor Kuang Hsu Such traitorous and cowardly plotting is despicable in the eyes of honourable men.
Thanking you for the insertion of this in your valuable paper.-Yours truly,
LIGHT.
MISSIONARIES IN CHINA-A PROTEST.
J
19
Otis stands as the representative of the Philip pines and he rises or falls with the party that maintained him. It was in a great sense a mu- tual support, a leaning of one against the other, and in this way they must remain. People say, some jokingly, some seriously, that Otis as the chiof figure and champion of his government will be a presidential candidate. Now that
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,' Dewey has come before the people with a string out for the presidency, no one knows
17th May, 1900. where to expect the next move. General Sir, I am sure you would not care to open Miles, the commander of the army, has long your columns to anything like religious or mis- nursed the political bee in his bonnet, and to- sionary controversy, but, in the name of fair day many papers in different parts of the coun-play, you will perhaps kindly permit me to take try are
are agitating his nomination. Bryan, exception to an accusation against a certain Roosevelt and McKinley are putting up a lively body of missionaries, brought forward by one and interesting little show of their own, and of your recent correspondents. In the letter of with Dewey, Miles and Otis on the programme VERITAS, on the 14th instant, there occur the the public should be thoroughly entertained and following words:"As regards the charge of amused. This Otis talk is no doubt a little political intrigue, the truth of this, alas! was premature, but the word has commenced going only too clearly demonstrated to the world by
VERITAS.
THE HONGKONG WATER SUPPLY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS. Sir,-In May, 1896, the then Director Public Works reported that the population of the City of Victoria and Hill District was in- creasing at the rate of 5,000, per annum, and that consequently the annual increase of water requiring to be stored for distribution would be 27 million gallons.
During the four years which have elapsed since the date of that report the total storage capacity of the reservoirs appears to have been increased by 93 million gallons, deaving 15 million gallons outstanding.
vere
The works existing in 1896, with extensions then proposed, and since then carried out, we intended to provide in average years about 15 gallons of water a head a day, to the population.