at Woosung and Taku. They are not agreed as to the opening of the whole of China freely to foreign trade; Sir Ernest Satow objects to this as long as extra-territoriality obtains."
Placing the tariff on a gold basis would practically mean doubling it. At present the Chinese Government justly complain that they are losing heavily owing to the fall in exchange, Probably this is the reason the British Govern- ment object to any other increase in the tariff, which might have the effect of rendering it almost prohibitive in some directions. He thought the majority of the Foreign Ministers intended to hold this tariff question in terrorem over the heads of the Chinese Government until outstanding commercial grievances were finally adjusted.
THE REGULATION OF SAILING CRAFT
IN HONGKONG H RBOUR.
Read letter from Colonial secretary, dated 18th April, announcing that the Government were -in communication with the Government of the Straits Settlements, presumably as to the rules adopted in Singapore for the regulation of sailing craft in that harbour.
The Secretary said that no further letter had been received since.
The Chairman said that all they could do now was to await the result of the Gorenment's re- ference to Singapore.
MANILA DECLARED AN INFECTED PORT.
A letter having been received from the Government on the 25th April announcing that Manila had been proclaimed by the Governor in Council to be an infected port, information of the fact was at once supplied to the local Press. Some conversation ensued on an enquiry by the chairman as to what information this step had been grounded on.
THE PIRACY OF BEUTER'S POLITICAL TELEGRAMS.
After some discussion, it was decided to take steps to discover the offender with a view to his prosecution.
This was all the business of public interest.
THE PLAGUE,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND discovery of a plague case (Chinese) there. This makes the seventh case in the building.
The library of the Hongkong Club has also been disinfected, the assistant librarian (Asiatic) having last Sunday been found to be suffering from plague. He has since died.
day there were reported 27 cases of plague and During the 24 hours ending at noon on Thurs 24 deaths (all Chinese).
Hospital, we are informed, are improving in All the European patients in Kennedytown condition, as also is Mr. F. Collins, who is being treated at his residence in Caine Road.
row
THE "ST. DAVID” MAN-
SLAUGHTER.
CLEMENCY OF THE CROWN.
CANTON.
[May 25, 1901.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 21st May.
PORTUGUESE CONSUL GOES ON LEAVE.
left Canton by the s.s. Fatshan to go home on siok On the 21st inst, the Portuguese Consul- General, Mr. J. H. C. Crespo, with Mrs. Crespo, leave. A number of persons went on board to was also there playing the "Hymno de Carto." bid them farewell, and the Portuguese band The street leading to the steamer-wharf was lined with a guard of honour under Capt. Yeang. Shortly after the farewell toasts, in which the Consul expressed his regret at having to leave Canton on short furlough, and courte- ously thanked those present, the steamer left,
off. The Portuguese Consulate is in charge of board playing. A lot of fire-crackers were let followed by a steam launch with the band on
the British Consul General, Mr. B. C. G. Scott.
MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 17th May. LENIENCY FOR INSURGENTS.
Russell, the Acting Chief Justice, sitting in Fifteen years ago on the 20th inst., the Tou. J. Criminal Session at the Supreme Court in Hong- kong, passed sentence of penal servitude for life on one George Henry Borrow, who had pleaded cumstances of a rather exceptional character. guilty to a charge of manslaughter under cir
Borrow was steward on board an Ameri. Sunday evening, 18th April, 1886, while can sailing ship the St. David, and on that vessel was lying in the Harbour dis- brawl took place on the after-part of the deck. in dealing with the higher insurgent officials. charging kerosene oil from New York, a There is a marked tendency toward leniency The captain was on shore at the time, and the Some months ago it was generally understood cook, steward, and second mate entered into a that for several of the leaders surrender would heated argument upon events which had be little better than death in the field, as they transpired upon the passage out. The second were credited with crimes and violations of mate, who was said to be a quiet and respectable legitimate warfare that any court would man, subsequently found the steward quar-sentence them to death for. But as the time relling with the cook in consequence of an approaches for the close of the present adminis- order given by the former. The second tration and the struggling insurrection has Read letter from the manager of the N.-C. of the ship at the time, and he considered that spirit has changed and leaders who surrender, mate took umbrage, as he was in charge collapsed almost beyond recognition, the Herald, Shanghai, dated 1st May, calling all orders should have come from him.
} attention to the fact that piracy of the tele- therefore interfered, upon which Borrow used are
He and especially those who bring in guns, grams in this Colony-viz, their despatch by threatening language towards him... During they could have hoped for six months receiving more consideration than wire to Shanghai as soon as printed-and en- the course of the evening the quarrel was ago. closing copy of an extract from the opinion of renewed, and Borrow, who was said to be in a the investigations are not pushed with ex- Owing to numerous circumstances, Mr. J. J. Francis, K.C., in which various steps state of great excitement, came out on deck to treme severity, and it is very probable that a were suggested, and asking if the Chamber, strike the second mate, and the cook took the number of prominent insurgents are escaping through its representative in the Legislative officer's: part, and knocked the steward down. punishment by laying the blame on subordinates. Council, would kindly introduce some amend Getting up again, Borrow went to his cabin. In many cases this is justifiable, as the lack of ment to the Ordinance (No. 14 of 1894) specially armed himself with his revolver, and again communication and the unorganised character framed for the protection of these messages. came оп deck. The cook, noticing Bor-of the hostilities gave the potty chiefs great
and then it was that the steward and the their opportunities.
was armed, ran for the third mate, liberty, and there is no doubt that they abused second mate were at close quarters. It was Two thousand prisoners of war have been while in that position that Borrow drew ordered to be released in order to signalise the out his revolver, and fired three successive important occasions when Aguinaldo and Tinio shots at the second mate, one of which struck took the oath of allegiance to the United States. him in the abdomen, and another in the chest, Nearly all these men have been returned to either of which would have proved fatal. their homes, and when Malvar and Cailles Borrow was arrested by the police, and surrender, General MacArthur will probably set subsequently placed before Mr. E. Mackean, free another large batch. Thus when the Civil one of the magistrates then sitting at the Police Government takes, hold in July there will be Court. He was formally committed for trial, very few military prisoners for General Mac- and at the Sessions Mr. Leach, who was Arthur's successor to take over. instructed by Mesars. Wotton and Deacon, COMM188AEY OFFENDERS SEVERELY TREATED, appeared for the prisoner, and produced an While leniency is being shown toward affidavit on his behalf from Capt: Frost of the insurgents, the greatest severity is exercised St. David, and another from the then U.S. Consul, in the treatment of the commissary offenders. Col. Withers, together with several certificates The cases in which the sentences have of character. His Lordship the Chief Justice been made public involve very 'small sums in passing sentence said he had very anxiously of money, but the punishments have been considered what punishment should be awarded heavy. Nothing is known in regard to and had looked for some points in favour of the the outcome of the trials of the army prisoner. He had considered the prisoner's officers. If the sentences be dismissal or previous character as shown by the affidavits more, the records will have to be sent to Wash- produced, but human life must be protected ington and reviewed under the President's direo- and he (His Lordship) felt that he would tion, unless some special exception is made. If fail in his duty did he not pass the heaviest less than dismissal, the result will soon be known. sentence the law awarded-that was, that the If the records are sent to Washington there will prisoner be sentenced to penal servitude for the be a great loss of time, and besides losing the rest of his natural life.
public effect of speedy punishment, the delay Borrow, we understand, during his incarcera.will embarrass the Government and some of the tion, has displayed considerable gallantry in officers who are Volunteers are scheduled to be several outbreaks among his fellow-convicts, mustered out by the end of June. and has on more than one occasion assisted the
NO GIGANTIC FRAUDS, goal authorities in effecting recaptures. Dur. The military commission and courts have ing his earlier life in the Victoria Gaol he been busy day after day trying the petty trained many long-times in printing and book- civilian offenders and enlisted men of the army, binding, and throughout his conduct has been but progress is slow at best. Very small sums so exemplary that, we understand, the clemency are involved, and the idea that – gigantic fraud of the Crown is to be extended to him, and in was discovered in Manila in e a few days he will once more enjoy his liberty. the aggregate these smal When he steps forth from the gates, are told that some of his countrymen will him, and will at once secure his return to his natire land.
During the 48 hours ending at noon on the 20th inst, there were reported 44 fresh cases of plague (40 Chinese, 2 other Asiatics, 2 Europeans) and 48 deaths (46 Chinese, 2 other Asiatics).
The two additional European cases reported since the 18th inst. are those of Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales, who were removed from their home at 6, Beaconsfield Arcade on the 19th inst. The husband has since died, we regret to learn (though his death is not included in the mortality returns issued on the 26th inst.). The deceased, Mr Jesus Gonzales, was Chancel lor at the Spanish and Peruvian Consulates. He was 35 years of age.
We learnt on enquiry at the Sanitary Board office on the 20th inst. that the other European patients in Hospital were all getting on well.
We regret to state that Mr. R. M. Mehta succumbed to the disease at Kennedytown Hospital at 3 a.m. on the 20th inst. He was buried at the Parsee Cemetery on the 20th inst, Deceased had been some 20 years in the Colony, and was younger brother of a barrister well known at Bon.bay, Mr. Pirozsha Mehta.
During the 24 hours ending at noon on the 22nd, there were reported 28 fresh cases of plagne (27 Chinese, one European), and 24 deaths (all Chinese).
The one European case recorded is that of Mr. R. A. Collins, proprietor of the Dragon Cycle Depot, D'Aguilar Street. He frequently resided in the house below that occupied by Mr. Meh who recently succumbed to an attack of but was living at 6, Caine Road when
of the Stockbrokers' Association ted on the 22nd inst., owing to the
|
· figure, but all the comm corded 5,000. there has been
erroneous. In
quite