April 6, 1901:]
The marriage of the Marchioness of Ailes- bury to Mr. P. O. Webster took place at Trinity Cathedral, Shanghai, on the 29th ult., the Rev. H. C. Hodges, M.A., performing the ceremony. A Soochow correspondent of the Shanghai Supao states that Governor Nieh has telegraph- ed to Viceroy Lin asking that a joint memorial be sent to Hsian requesting that a new Plenipo- tentiary be appointed to treat with Russia about Manchuria.
Since the 18th ult., according to Japanese telegrams, the Foreign Ministers have been in session every day, the indemnity question being under discussion. It is not yet known whether or not the recommendation of the Indemnity Committee will be accepted.
The bill for the construction of a Govern. ment Stoel Foundry in Kure, which was passed by the Japanese House of Representatives, was thrown out by the Peers.-notwithstanding & long speech by Admiral Yamamoto. Minister of the Navy, in support of the measure.
From papers to hand by the last mail we learn that Mr. H. L. Dennys, Crown solicitor, practising in this colony, was married in Feb- ruary in Aberdare, Wales, whilst home on holiday, to Miss Mand Edwards, oldest danghter of the late Mr. Richárd Edwards, J. P., of Fedwhir.
In connection with a forthcoming auction sale of land at Masampo, the Corean Govern- ment has engaged a civil engineer to map out the said land, which is in the general foreign settlement. The engineer is expected at Ma- sampo already, but two or three months must elapse before his work is completed.
H. M. S. Pigmy has arrived at Singapore from Bangkok and early this month proceeds to Padang to make advance arrangements for the Government astronomical party that is coming out from home to observe the forthcoming total eclipse of the sun on the 18th May. H.M.S. Algerine will probably convey the astronomical party from Singapore to Sumatra.
There are two sailing vessels laden with case oil at present on their journey from New York to Hongkong. They are the Sachem and the Sarauc, and they left Sandy Hook on the 5th and 19th October respectively. Recent advices report both vessels as having passed St. Helena on December 15th and January 5th respectively. The following items occur in the P. & T. Times of the 16th ult. :--Two Chinesé engaged in attending to their ancestors' graves were fired on and killed by foreign soldiers in one of the suburbs of the City a few days ago. Rumours have continued to reach us that the anti-foreign feeling in Hsian is going strong, and forces are bing continually drillod and armed. The enormous number of men qualifying to act as an Imperial guard" appears out of all proportion, and we beliere treacherous intentions are baing secretly matured while "peace, porfect peace" negotia- tions proceed-On Friday night within the East Gate in the district called Chao-chang- nan, about twenty Chinese armed with swords went to the house of a wealthy Chinaman, and having by disguising their sperch made the inmates believe they were foreign soldiers, and open the door, intimidated the household, cleared off all the valuables and decamped. Some Italians coming down the street saw them making off and managed to arrest one.
CHINA ÖVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
On the morning of the 28th ult. the new Japanese battleship Hutsuse arrived at Singa- pore.
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Mr. E. C. Wilson, H B.M. Consul at Chung- king, according to the Mercury, is about to pro eed to Chengtu, the capital of Szechnen.
The Jiji publishes a telegram from Sasebo to the effect that the manoeuvres of the Japanese standing squadron, which were to be held on or about the 1th ult., bave been postponed un- til this month.
A Bangkok paper announces the approaching retirement of Mr. James McCarthy, F.R.G.S., Supt., Royal Surveys in Siam. He leaves for home in May next, and retires, it is said, on a p'nsion of 450 ticals a month.
The Penang Chinesa Recr atin Club foots ball and tennis team has left Penang on a visit to Singapore. Penang Chinese may claim the honour of having takon the lead in sending an athletic team from one settlement to the other.
From a Macao correspondent we learn thts the fan-tan monopoly was put up for auction on Wednesday and realised the substantial sum of $387,500-a large increase on the old price of $150,000. Besides this, the monopolists have to pay 2 per cent on the sum annually to the Municipal Chamber.
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the indemnity proposed-750 million taels, in From Shanghai comes yet another version of
fifty annual instalments of twenty-five million taels each.
The U.S. army transport Sheridan now en route from the States for Manila with the 1st Batt. 26th Infantry, and details, will steam to Hongkong, after disembarkation of the troops, for decking and necessary repairs.
A Tientsin telegram of the 18th inst. to the Asahi says:-Boxers have risen in arms in Yegen and Alsue districts, in the dominion of
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Prince Tuan, and have murdered missionaries, Mongolian Chief who is father-in-law of
and set fire to the churches. They are also... persecuting the native converts. The atrocities committed are reported to be of a far more brutal character than those perpetrated in Chilli last
year.
In connection with the shooting of Mr. A. Barros, purser of the steamship Pontan, at Can-.. ton en the 16th inst, it is reported that both the British and the Portugu se Consuls have taken the matter up, and that the Viceroy, after hearing their representations, proceeded to offer a reward of $500 for the arrest of the culprit, as well as $200 for any information which might lead to his arrest. Mr. Barros, we are glad to learn, is progressing favourably.
Hsiangyang, in Hupeh, to which the Im- The Hongkong correspondent of the Naval perial Court according to one report has been and Military Record, writing of the conclusion thinking of going, has so decayed that it is a of the Barfleur incident at this port, says: "It small wilderness, composed of about three streets, is hoped that a different method of administer- a dead-and-alive place with few inhabitants.ing naval discipline (which is at the root of the All the business is done at the neighbouring Burfleur acandal) will prevent a repetition of market place of Fanchéng, which is on the river such deplorable conduct as a means of drawing Han. The distance of Hsiangyang by water attention to grievances, real or supposed. from Hankow is 36 mile1,
The Ministers of the Colonies and Public Instruction have obtained the French Fre- sident's signature to a decree for the organisa. tion of a French school in the Far East. This institution, which is to be placed under the cou- trol of th Governor of Indo-China, will devote itself to archeological and philological research in Indo-China, and study the neighbouring regions and the conditions of life in those dis- tricts. The students will be sent to the school for one year, with the option of extending their studies beyond that term.
The Japan Advertiser statos that the sugar merchants in Bakan have ordered from Hong kong 140,000 bales of sugar under a contract that the goods arrive in Japan by the end of the current month. Of this 140,000 bales, which are valued at 1,400,000 yen, and of which 80,000 have already arrived, 40,000 bales re- present the usual annual amount of import, the remaining 100,000 bales being those ordered in anticipation of the proposed taxation on im- ported sugar. It is said that the loss to be sustained by Yokohama sugar merchants may exceed three million yen should the sugar tax fail to become law this year.
The Ichang correspondent of the N.-C. Daily News wrote on the 21st ult.: In the beginning of this week six boats left with missionaries for the west. Several of the missionaries were ladies. Many of them wished to break the boat journey at Wanhsien and proceed overland to the north-west parts of Szechuen. In the pre- sent very unsettled state of affairs it seems very unwise and foolhardy, for ladies especially, to attempt such overland journeys. We were glad to hear that our Consul had advised care- fulness and proposed the ladies going on to Chungking in the meantime." "Unwise and foolhardy" is rather a weak-expression for the conduct alluded to.
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The N.-C. Daily News records that a sad accident occurred last Saturday night, at the C. M. Central Wharf. Shanghai, by which Capt. George Graham lost his life. It seems that the deceased gentleman whilst going on board-his- tow-boat missed his footing and fell into the water. Captain MeCracken, who had just left him, on hearing his cry for help, rushed-back and succeeded in rescuing him, but, though Captain Graham spoke, he shortly afterwards succumbed, owing probably to the shock of the immersion.
The loot which France is returning to China is being forwarded in the transport Vinh-long, now on her way out. The Vinh-long is after wards to serve as a floating hospital for the Fronch expeditionary corps. On her journey. the Vinh-long on the 18th inst. ran badly aground on a coral reef off Pulo Sambu. The French Consul at Singapore was informed im- mediately, and he put off at once for the vessel· with tags and lighters belonging to the Tan- jong Pagar Dock Company, and the task of floating her was proceeded with.
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A greater por ion of the allied forces was expected to be withdrawn from North China soon after the opening of the Gulf of Pechili, which is usually blockaded with ice during the. winter months. The waters are now free to navigation, and a number of French and Ger man transports have already assembled at Taku for the purpose of embarking their respective troops. "It is, however, reported that the Powers have decided to abandon the withdrawal of troops, owing to the hitch in the peace negotia- ticns, and also to the Russo-Chinese compact. Under these circumstances, the date of General Waldersee's departure from China has not yet been dec'ded upon, but it is certain, the Jiji says, that the General will visit this country before proceeding home.-Nagasaki Press. T
On the 15th inst. Mr. Robert Love, manager of Harniston's Circus, and an employee were brought up before Judge Bishop at Manila, and fined $50 and 85 respectively for preventing the entrance of some native policemen into the Cir.
ous.
Mr. L. W. Hilles, of the firm of Bagnall and Hilles, electricians, of Yokohama and Singa: pore, passed through hore last week on his way North, and stayed over one steamer so as to allow the carrying out of certain negotiations with one or two trading firms in the colony for The Singapore Free Press understands, on the introduction of the firm's latest designs in good authority, that nine transports have been electric installations. In the course of an in- chartered for Hongkong to bring back the terview with a Daily Press representative, troops not further required Our readers will Mr. Hilles said that the present electric system remember that we stated this to be the case Mr. Love explains that he had previously. at Manila, which the firm put in prior to the some weeks ago, but the number of transports requested that no native police be sent to the American occupation, is to be doubled, and that which we mentioned was ton. Among the first theatre, as they were not needed, the force of the plant at Tanjong Pagar, Singapore, which contingent to return will be the Siege Train, American police being quite sufficient to keep was installed nearly thre years ago, is to be which goes back to England. The Hong-order. When the native police arrived, however, increased by an additional service of 250,01 kong Regiment is not to be kept at Hong- candle power. Regarding the electric street ser- kong but up north, and will be ultimately vice in Hongkong, Mr Hilles said he was favour disbanded, absorbing most of the men into ably impressed with its brilliancy and thought other battalions in the Indian army. The that in comparison with other town installations Welsh Fusiliers will be divided, half a battalion in the East and Far East it was a thoroughly at Peking or Tientsin, and one headquarter good system, and one which Hongkong resi-half battalion at Hongkong. Our Straits con- dents should be proud of. Mr. Hilles left by the temporary hears that a battalion of the Devon P & O. steamer Sobraon for Shanghai on shire Regiment from South Africa is to come Sunday.
to Hongkong in relief of the Fusiliers.
he asked them to station themselves outside and regulate the traffic and the passage of the ve- hicles. When the native lieutenant arrived he felt abused that his men should be kept ontside, and set about securing them an entrance, Mr. Sands, the employee, then obeyed his instruc- tions, and prevented the men's entrance. In regard to the colour line," Mr. Love says it does not exist, as the natives may go freely to any part of the house.