June 3, 1901.1
China, in some of which at least the inhn- bitants have proved that they are at heart no better than savages, is reprehensible. We should use a far stronger expression, and we are convinced that the mass of impartial people look on this conduct on the part of certain missionary bodies as a deep reproach to them and those of their members who support the practice.
Such are a few of the difficulties which attend the task which the Rev. TIMOTHY RICHARDS has been asked to undertake. More will suggest themselves to our readers.
· We
e do not think, however, that Mr. RICHARDS's work need be in vain. Perhaps the utmost for which we are justified in hoping is that the suggestions put forth may be taken as the basis of a discussion on the question, and that the religious bodies engaged in the work of proselytising in China may be induced to look into the matter, and attempt to correct the numerous blunders which they have made in carrying out their i-leas. The likelihood of the Governments, whose nationals the missionaries are, taking any notice is too remote, perhaps, to be worth consideration; so that the duty is all the more incumbent on the missionary societies to rectify the mistakes which they have made in the past. They have had ample opportunity of learning that mere zeal is not a sufficient equipment for the agents whom they employ. All the well-meaning young people in the world will not produce as much result as one able and practical teacher. If China be capable of conversion to Christianity, it will certainly not be by means of such instru- ments as have been found wanting in the past.
We are unable to see what objection the various societies have to selection of their agents on some rational principle. It is surely a very false view of the history of Christianity which would make out that its successes were gained by instruments taken up at random, in the manner in which Chinese troops have been known in the past to choose their weapons.
THE CRISIS TELEGRAMS.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS:]
SHANGHAI, 26th May, 10 p.m. The China Merchants have been ordered to commence sending the tribute rice to Tientsin. This is the first certain indication of the Imperial Court's return.
The Empress Dowager is furious with Wang Wen-shao for suggesting that the Emperor should return to Peking by way of Nanking and Shanghai.
SHANGHAI, 27th May, 8.10. p.m. The German ironclad squadron was ordered yesterday (Sunday) to proceed homeward on Friday next. To-day, however, the Admiral has been ordered to postpone slightly the return of the flest to German waters.
It is understood that one regiment of the British garrison hore is leaving soon.
SHANGHAI, 28th May, 8 p.m. Four thousand insurgents from Kweichau have entered Szechuen, causing a genera panic. It is reported that three thousand Yumantzes of the old gang are proceeding
join them.
to
Tientsin reports that the Boxers have attacked the Roman Catholic converts at Tulin. Grand [?] firing has occurred on both sides.
SHANGHAI, 29th May, 7 p.m. The German ironclad squadron departs on Saturday next.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Li Hung-chang has requested the Rev. Timothy Richards to remain at Peking to formulate regulations to obviate any future missionary troubles. -
SHANGHAI, 30th May, 8.12 p.11. An Imperial Decree abolishes all prece- dents as to the procedure of the Six Boards, and orders the Government to return to the simple rules of the ancient dynasties.
THE NEED OF MUNICIPAL FREEDOM IN HONGKONG.
III.
A PLAGUE HOSPITAL SCANDAL.
GOVERNMENT APATHY,
OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION OF LOCAL MISGOVERNMENT.
REMEDIES FOR EXISTING EVILS.
of Englishmen.
In commencing the third and final article on the grievances of this Colony, may I be per mitted to endorse in its entirety the able article which appeared in Monday's Hongkong Daily Press? In the two articles which have appeared above the signature of "Scrutator," and in the whole of the correspondence which arose from these, the good government of this Colony in matters other than those of municipal and local interest has not been questioned. We have much to be grateful for: such is the privilege of a resident in any British about reform in the Sanitary condition of Crown Colony. In endeavouring to bring Hongkong, and to remedy those abuses which may be considered purely local, or paro- chial, or municipal, I take it, we are doing so with but one ambition-to promote to its atmost capacity the general prosperity of Hongkong, and to improve as much as possible its present system of local government In doing this we are acting up to the best traditions In Hongkong we possess undoubted privileges; we also suffer from undoubted and unmitigated evils. It is our duty as colonists, and the duty of the local Govern- ment also, to remedy abuses, and eradicate-if money, brains and energy can do so- any existing evils. The local Government has apparently tried and failed; for the evils continue to flourish and the colonists pay the penalty. We are justified in writing of Govern ment efforts in the past tense, because it is obvious, for he who runs may read, that the Government is now apathotic and inactive, and the grievances march on triumphantly. If the Colony of Hongkong arrayed in all the glory of its numerous con- were transferred to the centre of England spicuous abuses, a thorough overhauling would be but a question of days. Therefore, as such grievances could not for any length of timo exist at home, why shou'd they continue to survive bere, and, if anything, grow worse in the survival? Conditions and surroundings are different bere, we know; but as the local Government always ignores this argument, it may not be out of place to follow that example in the present hypothesis.
It would be useful to the public to know what new steps the Government has actually taken in dealing with plague since the Euro- It would also be of peans were attacked. interest to know what the Government has done in the way of reform since the gross Sanitary scandals were pointed out. At the present moment Hongkong is infecting the world with plague, which is also pressing harshly on the business of the Colony. During HE. the Governor's absence at Macao he has no doubt been kept well informed as to the rapid pro- gress of the disease, and particularly of its attacks on Europeans. The recent step that has come co the notice of the public which the Government has undertaken in the interest of Sanitary reform, is that of the establishment of public baths for coolies, which, all will be glad to know, are being much used and appreciated. H. E. the Governor is to be personally congratulated on this improve- ment, which Dr. Clark and his colleagues on the Sanitary Board have persistently advocated,
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but hitherto unsuccessfully, for the last sévên years. H.E. the Governor has also asked the Sanitary Board to consider a model lodging house for Chiness. This is gratifying, for the Board has been urging this for years past, and requested the Government to offer a premium refused. for the best design for tenements," but "was
There is in existence at the present moment in connection with the Kennedy Town Hospital for infectious diseases an exceedingly grave scandal This is a matter which does not come within the scope of things municipal, but it is an evil which should be immediately rectified by H.E. the Governor, concerning as it does so closely the public health in the treatment of plague cases. It is indeed typical of not a few official departments in this Colony. It has given rise to a serions allegation, which, however, has been found to be untrue. It was stated that the late Mr Mehta died in Kennedy Town Hospital from bubonic plagas unattended. This is incorrect, inasmuch as he was attended at the last by the wardmaster, or nurse, who resides near the premises But Mr. Mehta was not attended, when he died, by a physician, for the reason that there is only one physician in charge of the plague hospital, who is compelled to attend to other duties-the heal h of the Police, the Gaol and miscellaneous services. overworked, and it can readily be under- This medical officer is exc edingly stood that during the present epidemic of plague the constant presence of a doctor at Kennedy Town Hospital is absolutely essential to attend there and there alone. Moreover, it is the duty of the Government in compulsorily removing patients from their own homes and from the and efficient medical attention at the hospital. constant care of their doctors to provide full The majority of deaths due to sudden heart-failure, and the atten
from plague are dance of a medical man may often save an unconscious patient's life by the prompt application of appropriate remedies. The medical officer, through pressure of other work, is not only unable to be in continual attendance at the hospital. but is actually com- pelled to live a mile from it, instead of having a rosidence adjoining the hospital and within immediate call. It will be remembered that Dr. Thomson applied for medical assistance, which was refused. Seeing the large amount of money the Government has at its disposal, it is difficult to understand such grievous and criminal parsimony.
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Seeing that the epidemic is now raging with increasing intensity, and knowing the want of an adequate medical staff to deal with it, and recognising the wretched insanitary condition of the Colony generally, which is so favourable to the spread of plague, one would have imagined that the Government would have risen to the occasion and invited medical men resident elsewhere to assist in combating the epidemic as was done in 1894. An invits. tion would probably have brought many medical men here, now engaged in mission work in South China, who would cheerfully have given assistanco. Even if not directly engaged in attending plague patients, their assistance would be invaluable to the over- worked and scandalously undermanned Public Health taff in the work of discovering and removing the stricken, and thoroughly and scientifically dealing with infected localities.
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In previous articles I have dealt with exist- ing evils which a proper and adequate system of municipal control would conceivably abate. If any official confirmation as to the exist- ence of those evils be needed, it is to be found in the last Report issued by that energetic, capable, but overworked officer, Dr. Clark, the Medical Officer of Health. His Report has been presented to the Sanitary Board, but for some reasons there was
as con- siderable delay in it being accepted by the Government. A few quotations from the report will prove of interest, and the words in black type appear so in the original copy --
The domestic buildings of the City of Vic- toris number 8,600 (exclusive of Barracks and Police Stations), of which 788 are European dwellings, while there are some 130 European dwellings in the hill district.”
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GENERAL SANITARY CONDITION: The year has been a very busy one, owing to the enforcement of the provisions the