- July 7, 1900.]
gunboat should be stationed at Swatow until the country quietens down. Proper representations will no doubt be put before the authorities in Hongkong, who, I trust, will see their way to take sotion before it is too late.
MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
MANILA, 29th June, 1900. THE FATE OF THE PEACE PROPOSALS -- PATERNO AGAIN ARRESTED AND
THE JUNTA SUPPRESSED.
The proposals of the Manila Junta, under the leadership of Pedro Paterno and Filipe Buen. camino have excited general interest through- ont the country. A week ago it was thought that the deliberations of this body would produce the desired results. There was an air of sin. cerity about the whole thing, and accordingly the thirty odd political and military prisoners were given temporary liberty from the Anda jail and allowed to attend the conference. It was without doubt one of the most representa- tive Filipino gatherings that could be obtained. There were among the members many of the best statesmen and fighters that the insurrectos can claim.
After three hours of deliberation. not altogether devoid of excitable scenes and hot- headed language, eight general proposals were finally agreed upon. In a measure they were "railroaded" or forced through the meeting by the energetic leaders, who stated indirectly but nevertheless forcibly that Aguinaldo would very likely accept the decisions of the Junta.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Judge Taft himself admits that the situation, as he see it, is quite different from the popular ideas in the States. But the Filipinos are impatient; they want action and change and plenty of it. They are tired of the military administration and so is nearly every one in Manila, and they long for civil rule; but they fail to see that the change in a great measure depends upon their own conduct.
TROOPS SAIL FOR CHINA.
Challenge Cup was once again won by representatives of Scotland, Portugal being t only other nationality represented. The num- ber of members taking part in the Regatta about the same as in 1898, but the rowing form generally displayed showed a very distinct fall- ing off from that of previous years. We would; again point out the great advantage all rowing men and especially beginners would gain if they would obtain the services of some of the more experienced oarsmen to coach them, or ca The matter of new pair oar and double sculling boats will engage the attention of the new com-
On Wednesday the Ninth U.S. Infantry, over one thousand strong, sailed for Taku on the transport Logan. The men were in fine health and spirits and made a splendid appear-mittee. ance, as they have been fitted out with new equipments and clothes, from their rifles to their boots.
The Brooklyn left the same day with the. Princeton following. All the ships will stop at Nagasaki to coal and then proceed to Taku.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE FRENCH AT CANTON.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS." Canton. 29th June.
Sir. I read in your issue of the 28th June the following under the heading of Canton "A French boat is said to be coming up, but we are not very anxious for her, as the French and the missionaries are more likely to raise trouble than anything else."
481
E. D. Sanders, A. Denison, Geo: A. Caldwell, Bost-House Sub-committee.
BATH-HOUSE_SUB-COMMITTEE.
provements have been made in the old tractare Since presenting last year's report no im
for fear that notice for immediate removal might be given by the Naval Yard Contractors at a moment's notice.
The Committee have hopes that a temporary site will be granted by the Colonial Govern- ment until arrangements can be made for new permanent premises.
C
The Aquatic Sports held on the 25th, 26th and 27th September last were carried out as usual in a most successful manner and in the presence of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Henry Blake and Lady Blake, there being also- a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen spectators.
Mr. A. A. Alves is to be congratulated for being the best all-round-swimmer “during the meeting. The water polo again proved a great- Then the proposals were presented to General
success and the promoters of the Water Polo I shall be much obliged if you will be so good Association deserve great credit for arranging. McArthur, who acted leniently and even went as to request the writer of this impertinent and the competitions. Our thanks are due to Lady" as far as to indicate where matters could be im- incorrect statement to reveal his name, if he has Blake for kindly presenting the prizes proved. From the very start it was evident the courage of his opinions. No gentleman can
to that the general could not seriously entertain insist on maintaining his anonymity after allow-subscribers for their generous contributions.
successful competitors and to the donors and the Filipino programme. It purported to being himself to make such statements publicly.— ane ffort at a basis of peace, but it really was little I ăm, &c. more than an impudent address on the part of
the leaders.
The Filipinos held several meetings and succeeded in entangling rather than adjusting matters. Paterno's actions were closely watched with the result that considerable suspicion came to surround him. The affair was largely dis- cussed by Manila at large, and the Junta's work was not approved. Finally a grand meeting was announced for this coming Sunday, in which another effort would be made to arrive at some general understanding. Paterno issued a pro- gramme of the questions that would be considered. Both the tone of the announcement and the ques- tion involved are not in any way calculated to further the establishment of peace, and there fore the military authorities have forbibben the projected meeting, and Paterno has been re- imprisoned and has not even the liberty of certain hours during the day. His conduct is considered as violating the oath which he gave on being
released some time
ago.
The man talks as
though he has an army of one hundred thousand men at his back, and some of his actions are difficult for any sane person to understand.
Just what result his arrest will produce in the Junta is not known, and as the meeting has been suppressed, it is probable that the progress of the peace negotiations will be somewhat in- terrupted.
FILIPINOS DISAPPOINTED IN THE COMMISSION,
Many Filipinos have called on Judge Taft and the other members of the commission with all sorts of grievances-from the high price of meat and the sins of the friars to the antidi. luvian methods of the Custom House. There is no doubt about it, the Filipinos are disappoint- ed in the commission. They seemed to have entertained the belief that the arrival of the *commission would be accompanied by grand and sweeping reforms in every branch, civil and military. They wanted a proclamation and a thonsand other things. Instead of these they find the commission outwardly inactive, spend- ing their days in the Palace offices. And they are told that the new governing body will not assume authority until September at least They fail to realize that the commissioners are studying and gradually becoming acquainted with the present state of affairs. They do not know that a tremendous amount of work is being accomplished in preparation for the future government.
A. G. DUFÊTRE.
Manager of Chanvin,
Chevalier & Co.
THE NORTHERN TROUBLES.
7
3rd July
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS."
M. A. A. Souza, T. H. Reid, T. Meek, Bath- House Sub-committee.
GYMNASIUM SUB-COMMITTEE. No competitions were held in the Season 1899/1900. Classes have been fairly well attended.
The Athletic Sports were held on the 31st March, and we regret that the entries were smaller than, and competition did not come up to the standard of, former meetings. We tender our sincere thanks to the donors and subscribers for the generous way in which they recognised the meeting.
Frank Lammert, W. Armstrong, W.8. Bailey, Gymnasium Sub-committee.
BAR SUB-COMMITTEE. The Bar Committee have much pleasure in presenting you with the Annual Report.
SIB,-With reference to your article of Satur. day last regarding the northern troubles, there is one point which should not be forgotten, namely, that at the root of it all is the Mission- ary-as usual!-who by exceeding his rights and privileges has long stirred up strife amongst the people. Let us not cloak this fact. It is not so much to religion or Christianity itself that the Chinese are opposed as to the assertion of undue power which missionaries claim over converts, to the detriment of their fellows and to the harmony of things in general. China has already three religions, and could, no doubt, com fortably absorb half-a-dozen more; and if mis- solely to the simple teachings of their Master, Balance sionaries would confine themselves wholly and
without interference in law-cases, etc., there would probably be no trouble.-Yours, etc.,
EPOPTES.
VICTORIA RECREATION CLUB.
REPORTS OP THE SUB-COMMITTEES,
The following are the reports of the sub committees of the Victoria Recreation Club for the year 1899.
BOAT-HOUSE SUB-COMMITTEE.
The following is a list of boats at present the property of the Club:
5 New Four-Oar Boats 2 Tubs
3 Randan Gigs
Condition.
Good. New.
11
Good.
2
Dinghies ...
Oars.
Four Oars...
24
New
20
Fair.
16
2
Tub Oars
•
14
**
Double Soulls Single During the past year the Boat-House Sub- committee have noted with regret that the same interest in rowing as in former years has not been maintained.
The Annual Regatta was held on the 20th and 21st December, when the International
As will be noted from the annexed statement, the return exceeds that of previous years..
M. A. A. Souza, Thos. Meek, Bar Sub-com- mittee.
Value of stook 31st December, 1898 Purchases to 31st December, 1899 Wages
Total value of chita to 31st De
cember, 1899.
Bad 1899
Bank interest
Stook to 31st December, 1899
Less damaged
464.87 10,488.777
1,041100
· 1,719.91-
$13,714.05
$13,446.80
390.90
$18,115.92 12.97
602.53 187
585.16
$18,214.05
The Death Returns for the Colony during May show that the European and Fo Community lost 31 members in all, 29 from the Civil Population (estimated at 9,100), of 8 died of plague; and one each from the- and Navy. Among the Chinese Community the deaths were 723, 290 being due to plague to chest-affections. No. 2 District lost 198, 57 through plague; while the Harbour, ont estimated population of 24,550, lost - half of these through plague. The D in the different Registration Districtà the month gives among others the follow 38.2 per 1,000 per annum Chinese Communi figures:-British and Foreign Community, Victoria, Land 34.9 and Harbour. 41.5; Chi Boat, 34.9; British, Foreign, and Chinese Whole Colony, Land 84,8, Boat 85.6, excluding Army and Navy, 85.