266
MR. CONGER AND THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT.
THE HỒNGKỒNG WEEKLY PRESS AND which also rans down to the water-line, and | she too will have to have fresh plates rivetted, In the absence of any official enquiry into the cause of the recent collision in the harbour Anent a paragraph which appeared in these between the steamer Hangchow and the steamer columns on Tuesday regarding the reasons for Glengule, the latter vessel left port on the 26th Mr. Conger, the U.S. Minister, going on leave, for Shanghai, where she will undergo the neces- a representative of this journal had an inter-ary repairs prior to starting on her return view with the Minister just prior to bis leaving trip. The damage to her has been estimated Hongkong on Thursday by the steamer Nippon at about $1,000. With regard to the Hang- chow, the damage has been roughly estimated at $40,000, and it will be some time before she is ready for sea again. The whole of the plates on her bow, both port and starboard, will have to be removed, and where the impact oc- carred some interaal fittings will have to be replaced. It is stated that the mishap will be- come the subject of proceedings at Admiralty.
Maru.
Mr. Conger said he was in the best of health, although since he had been in Hongkong he had suffered from an attack of lumbago. His trip to Canton had done him a great deal of good and he felt quite improved. He confirmed the statement made by the Shanghai Mercury on the authority of "a well informed journalist," and said it was not true that he was leaving China on account of ill-health, for he never felt better. The fact of the matter was that, as Mr. Rockhill was at present in China and it was likely the negotiations with the Chinese Gor: ernment would take some time, it was thought advisable for him (Mr. Conger) to take his leave and thus escape the trials of another summer at Peking. He had had a three years stay in the Chinese capital, and long before the troubles arose he intended to take a furlough. After the relief of Peking, and when Mr. Rockhill came over, he determined to return to the States, and wired to his Government to that effect. As, however, the negotiations, more es- pecially with reference to the indemnities, would take some time he had arranged with the au- thorities at Washington to leave them to Mr. Rockhill, and take a six months' furlough. He was therefore due to return to Peking on 1st September next.
9.
During the visit to Hongkong of Mr. Conger and his family, trips were made both to Canton and Macao. Mr. Conger was very cordially received at Canton, the Chinese au- thorities posting a guard of honour of 120 men at the wharf on the occasion of his landing and departure. Moreover, the party were entertained at a big dinner in the native city on the 24th inst. by a prominent Chinaman, ex- Minister to the United States, while a first-class theatrical company was engaged to entertain them after dinner. Mr. Conger was prevented by ill-health from being present, but Mrs. and Miss Conger were accompanied by the U.S. Consul at Canton. The visit to Canton was much enjoyed by all.
THE "GLENGYLE ”-“ HANG- CHOW" COLLISION.
The collision in the Harbour on the 21st inst., & few of the details of which appear- ed in our issue of 22nd inst., has excited much interest in shipping circles here in consequence of the altogether unusual circumstances attending it. Additional particulars to hand confirm the previously published account of the casualty, and add further information which goes to prove how disastrous was the error of judgment made in the navigation of one or other of the vessels. At the time of the accident, the harbour, at the point where the mishap occurred, was singularly free of small craft, and the wind, which had been somewhat high the earlier part of the day, had lulled to a great ex- tent, so that the surface of the water was un- usually placid. The Glengyle was coming in from the Sonth, and the Hangchow from the North. Both had a good head of steam, and of the two the Hungchow appeared to be have the most headway. Those on board the Glen boat say they were proceeding to the buoy, and observed the other vessel some distance off, making apparently for a mooring position. When they got close, the Hongcow made an attempt to cross her bows, and this maneuvre was thwarted by the (lengyle, which struck her forward with considerable force. For a moment both vessels were telescoped, and when they parted a singular sight presented itself. The Hangchow's bow was completely stove in a few feet above the water line, and all the plates up wards to the deck had been pierced or damaged. The force of the impact was so great as to splinter the whole of the ship's side on the port bow aft to a distance of over twelve feet, and new plates will have to be fitted thereto. Glengyle had a large hole on her starboard
THE VITRIOL OUTRAGE.
March 30, 1901.
made and signed a statement, which was taken down word for word.
On the 28th inst, the hearing was resumed, when Young Kuu, store coolie, Naval Yard, who at first was charged in conjunction with Lo Tsoi, the coolie who pleaded guilty to throwing vitriol upon Mr. F. G. Reek or the 14th inst. was brought up and charged with being an accessory before the fact. He pleaded no guilty, and was defended by Mr. J. Hays, solicitor,
Wong Hop, a caulker in the Naval Yard, gave evidence to the effect that he was pre- sent when the defendant made arrangements with
has
one Leung Pui whose name already been mentioned in connection with the case—to give him (Leung Pui)-$5, which sum was to be paid over to the one who threw the "medicine wafer" on Mr. Reck.
Mr. Hays afterward cross-examined witness.
The case is proceeding.
Lo Tsoi, coolie, was brought up on remand on Tuesday before Mr. Hazeland at the Magistracy from the 20th inst, and charged wi h malicious- ly throwing vitriol upon Francis George Resk, HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS the complainant, on the 14th inst. He had already pleaded guilty.
Captain Superintendent May resumed the case for the prosecution.
saw some
Francis George Reek, rosiding at 22, Mor- rison Hill Road, was called. He looked exceed ingly ill, and had his head bound up. Mr. Reek said, in answer to Captain May, that he was leading man of stores at the Naval Yard, where he commenced his duties at seven every morning. On the 14th inst., at about twenty minutes to seven, he was walking along the Prays, and when op- posite the French convent he Chinese sitting on the parapet. He paid no attention to them, and was walking on, when there came a sudden flash, accompanied by a severe burning sensation. He shouted out, and pulled out his handkerchief to wipe his face. Just as he opened his eyes he saw a European, who hai aparently jumped out of a ricksha which was standing near by. This man asked the complainant if he was burt, and complainant replied that he had been burnt. Previous to this the complainant believed that Mr. Phasey- the European in question-ran after the man who had thrown the vitriol, but could not catch him. Mr. Reek, in answer to a question, said he had been severely injured, and was still suffering from the effects of the vitriol. His recollection was that the fluid came from the parapet of the Prays, but he could not say how it was thrown, nor by whom. The clothes pro- duced were those he was wearing at the time. The large brown spots thereon were caused by the vitriol.
THE ANNUÁL INSPECTION: The annual inspection in connection with the Hongkong Volunteer Corps took place at Causeway Bay on the 23rd inst. The men fell in at the Volunteer Hes quarters at half- past two, and though the weather was any thing but promising there was an exceptionally good muster, about 300 being present. The Corps was marched to Causeway Bay, headed by the Regimental Colours and the Band.
On the men reaching the Polo Ground, they were drawn up in two lines and inspected by H.E. Major-General Gascoigne, C.M.G., who was accompanied by his staff. They were subsequently put through various evolutions After this the men were formed up in three sides of a square, and
His EXCELLENCY the MAJOR-GENERAL ad- dressed a few words to them. He said:-Sir John Carrington, and officers and men of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps. The inspection to-day has been a good one. I do not hesi tate to say that the difference between you. now and two years ago, when I first had the honour of seeing you, is very remarkable, and I do not mind saying that I feel the greatest pride in thinking that under my command the Hongkong Volunteer Corps has certainly justitied its existence. When I first came to the colony it was a question in my mind whe- ther you should remain a part of the defensive force of the colony, but there is no question about it that since then you have buckled to and shown us very clearly that it is your wish, and therefore your right, to form a really important part of the defensive force of the colony. Of course both you and I have been very greatly helped by several events. This time last year things were not looking so well with us. The war in South Africa had been. going on, and there is no doubt that owing to that war very great energy was imparted thronghont this colony, as throughout all parts of the empire. You n came forward in great Mr. Tuck, surgeon, R.N., said Mr. Reek numbers. Since then affairs in North Chins have shown the necessity the absolute came to the Naval Hospital at about seven o'clock on the morning of the 14th inst. He necessity of every able-bodied man endeavour- was severely burnt on the right arm, acrossing to do what he can towards the defence the forehead, and down each side of the face; the eyes, however, were practically untouched. The burns were caused by some corrosive acid; sulphuric acid would have had the same effect. Witness dressed the wounds and told Mr. Reek to report himself to Dr. Canton at the Dockyard.
Mr T. J. Wild, Acting Government Analyst called and sworn, said he received exhibits A, B, C, and D on the 16th inst. from Inspector Cuthb rt. He examined the exhibits, and found that the stains were produced by nitric acid. He received at the same time some Chinese clothing, and this was also marked with nitric acid stains. Nitric acid was a noxious and dangerous fluid.
Dr. Canton, R.N., who attended the com- plainant after he had passed through Mr. Tuck's hands, gave similar evidence, but did not regard the injuries as serious.
Inspector Cuthbert stated that at one o'clock | do the best we can for you, believing that to
in the afternoon of the 14th inst., exhibits A, B, C, and D were handed to him by Mr. Reek, in the presence of the complainant. At eight o'clock the same night, in the police station, he Baw the defendant divest himself of exhibits E, F, and G, which, together with the other ex- hibits, witness handed to Mr. Wild on the 16th inst., in the forenoon.
The sergeant interpreter at the Central Police Station gave evidence as to reading over and explaining the charge to the defendant, and administering the usual caution. Defendant
of his country. Now I would ask you ́n t to allow this feeling to go down. I would ask you to keep it up and to let me see, during the remaining years of my command, a continuel improvement in the Corps. I do not hesitate to say that I do see, in a number of ways. great improvement, but it may be possible that I shall ask for further improvements, and you may rest assured that both His Excellency the Governor and myself have only one thought in our minds in regard to you, and that is are an important part of the defensive forge of this enormously important colony. I am very pleased with the inspection to-day. I am very pleased with the turn-out. The turn-out-i certainly better than that of last your. is more uniformity. There is more of t pearance of drilled men about you. This I am specially anxious you think that I am come here to tell of honeyed words which though I tell you there has ! provement in you, at the