128.
over.
In par. 12, reference is made to efforts to combat the disease, which unfortunately. seemed to be unavailing. In this connection it should not be forgotten that the Legisla tive Council prevented the cleansing of the villages, and the Government did not move in the matter. Last February the Sanitary Board could obtain no sanction or assistance to carry out prophylactic measures.
Par. 13 hardly harmonises with the second part of par. 7, but it is consoling to know that the possibilities of future cost are not likely to exceed the past waste. H.E. is hardly correct in stating that Mr. Chadwick's reports are being widely read and considered, because there are only known to be two copies of the Report in the colony, one of which was placed at Scrutator's" disposal by one of the pestilent local agitators, and was used in compiling the Ptition. I doubt if the Government actually possess a copy. It is a pity this was looked by the compilers of the Memoranda, as it might indeed have formed an excuse for the Expert's reforms never having been carried out! There is nothing more in H.E.'s report that calls for special comment. The local medicos, as might be expected, are sceptical of H.E.'s theories concerning plague, and regard even with levity H.E.'s references and conclusions. Professional men were ever thus opposed to the investigations of the layman," but the pursuance of such studies, even if the ultimate conclusions be denied acceptance, is worthy of much praise, and such devotion ex. hibits an earnest desire to do something for the benefit of an afflicted community. fortunately this is the age of specialists, and it
Un may be argued that H.E.'s energies might be more profitably devoted to low technical sub- jects, and the investigation of plague left in the hands of those trained to deal with it. The expected arrival of the new bacteriologist should, however, set at rest any anxiety on this point.
In H.E.'s covering letter of 18th July, 1901, addressed to Mr. Chamberlain, there is only one paragraph that need be referred to, as the other statements are taken from the Official Memoranda, to which I intend to refer in a second article.
14
In par. 2, H.E. fears the signatories to the Petition were not acquainted with the facts." It may be fairly pointed out that to their regret the majority of the Petitioners had ex. perienced the facts contained in the Petition; and, furthermore, that in the Official ex. planation of the one " terrible difficulty" among others that the colony is placed in, none of the facts quoted in the Petition, mainly from Official documents and utterances, were dis proved by the Official trio whose duty it was to explain, admit or refute them--or better still to have left them alone.
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THE HONGKONG. WEEKLY PRESS AND THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF
WARSHIPS.
ARRIVAL OF H.M.8.
· GLORY,”
H.M. flagship Glory, with Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge on board, dropped anchor in the harbour at half-past three o'clock on the 4th
inst.
and found, as we anticipated, that the rumour of A representative of this paper boarded her, the Glory having been on the rocks was without foundation.
at Fashan, where he arrived from Shanghai in The Glory took ap Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge H.M.8. Alacrity, and was on her way to Hong. kong when she met the Eclipse, who informed her that a mau-of-war was wanted at Amoy. The Glory promptly turned about and followed the Eclipse into Amoy, where uoverything was found quiet.
man-of-war, presumably the Amiral Charnier, On her way to Amoy, the Glory meet a French
said, a telegram came to Hongkong asking for on account of whose appearance at Amoy, it is
a man-of-war, and instead of one, three ware dispatched. It is thought the French ship much discussed French cable. The mysterious put in at Amoy in connection with the and sudden departure of the Eclipse, Daphne, and Pigmy is said to be due to a false alarm and nothing more. However, it is gratifying to see how promptly our defenders are ready if necessity arise.
The Glory upon leaving Amoy had a very rough passage, the weather being abominable.
Since the beginning of the week nothing further has transpired about the above in cident.
VIOLENT LOCAL THUNDER-
STORM.
14
+1
H.M.B. GLORY STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
A thunderstorm of exceptional violence, accompanied by a gale of wind and torrential rains, raged throughout on the 4th inst. Since on the 5th inst, the weather had been unsettled and squally, and had given indications of the proximity of a typhoon, Toward Sunday after- noon appearances became even more anpromis. ing, and as the day closed in everything pointed to a rough night. By eleven o'clock, lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder, was playing freely and the wind blowing a gale, while drenching rain fell, causing the streets to be almost entirely deserted at an early hour. The storm reached its height between four and five o'clock on the 5th inst, when the lightning flashes were vivid, lighting up the whole city and harbour very frequent and and revealing everything as clearly as thongh it were mid-day. The Marconi signalling ap- paratus on H.M.8. Glory was struck by a flash of lightning and wrecked, about two-thirds of the apparatus becoming detached and crashing to the deck. Fortunately no one was injured.) the decks, save for the watch, being deserted. The noise of the falling material was heard throughout the entire ship and caused no little anxiety until the exact nature of tho accident became known. porarily refitted before the Glory's departure for The apparatus will be tem-
the North on the 3rd inst.
II.E. is needlessly going out of his way in stating "I observe that some of the signatures are those of aliens. The fow Chinese whose signatures were obtained are, I am informed, men of small consideration among the linese community." Considering that the aliens pay rates and taxes, like the Chinese of much,con- sideration who did not sign, they are surely entitled to the privilege of asking for adequate sanitary surroundings, nor are their lives of less value than those of other ratepayers. Such a theory is contrary to all British ideas of just government. As for the Chinese, H.E. was no doubt well aware that among the few who expressed a desire to sign, there were no less than four Chinese medical men, graduates in Western science; a Chinese lawyer and several newspaper editors. The others signatories were mostly lead- ing store-keepers-men who usually know what
Several thousand persons assembled in they are doing, and are not exactly suckling Independence Square, Philadelphis, on the 4th babes. The Government, in fact, wore well July, to hear H.E. Wu Ting-fang, the Chinese aware that Chinese signatures were not Minister, who was the principal speaker at the solicited, as they were unnecessary for the local Independence Day celebrations. The purpose the Petitioners had in view, and none
Minister was socorded a friendly reception, and must regret the lack of Chinese signatures was listened to with marked attention and was more than the Government. What an oppor- loudly cheered. Wu Ting-fang was accom- tunity it would have given the Trio for dis-panied by two detectives, owing to his having coursing on "Chinese opposition to Sanitary received a number of anonymous threatening Progress!" Lacking this they fell back on letters!. Neverthelem, it in mid in Americs the unscrupulous landlords! It has been that H.E. Wx has accepted reappoin alleged, and not without reason, that the Go- Chinese Minister, and has been com vernment were indirectly concerned in the by Mr. Secretary Hay on hin attempted opposition Petition from the Chinese general opinion is that no other But this collapsed, and with it may also be has ever got to know the America buried other memories. Requiescat in pace !
thoroughly, or is so capable of BORUTATOR. attitude with regard to China.
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(August 10, 1901.
SWATOW
[FROM OUR OWN. CORRESPONDENT,]
Swatow, 5th August;
INTERNECINE ÒLÀN FIGHTS.. testimony to what a large extent the Chinese Certain events of last weak havo given ample appreciate the value of shot and gun as a means. the latter are varied, and therefore no elucidation of attack. The ways and means of obtaining is needed on the point. John Chinaman is well noquainted with the none too complicated learn from various sources that the much mediums of procuring these. articles, and I coveted objects command quite fabulous prices. at present. It only behoves the powers that be to be on the qui vive and keep a strict watch. over this nefarious trade.
The above romarks may tend to explain some- what the promptitude with which adversS times for purely imaginary reasons, in des clans engage, on the least provocation, and at
missionary troubles occurred, is for the nonce tructive strife. Shao An, where the late
native villagers alone are implicated. Strange, the arena of combat, in which, However, the
fact nevertheless exists that the cause of indeed, as it may appear to foreigners, the the present troubles is attributable solely and simply to the Fengshui. The exact state. of affairs—it is well known that lack of accuracy is one of the Chinese foibles-is not precisely known, but from various reports to hand it is gathered that one of the villages in the Shao An district, inhabited by Shen people, enjoyed. for quite a considerable time an immunity from all mishaps. But by force of circumstances the proverbial tide of luck, uncontrollable by. mortals, turned in a very unfavourable direction, so that misfortunes of various natures have befallen the said village. The inhabitants laid · the cause of all that happened at the door of the contiguous village, which they accused of having, through pertain misdeeds, brought the Fengshui over them. Whereupon these two villages began fighting, a state of affairs which has lasted intermittently for about ten days. As both sides are well armed and possess a good store of ammunition, hostilities may not cense for a long time.
CASUALTIES.
In the penultimate impromptu engagement one side had four. killed and f5 wounded and the other only 12 wounded. Were it not for bad markmanship and utter lack of organim- tion a greater number of casualties would have
to be recorded.
THE OFFICIAL ALARNED.
Magistrate Wa, of Shao An, owing to thes unsafe. He sent au urgent appeal to Cheong- occurrences, is greatly alarmed and feels quite shew and requested the despatch of soldiers to quell the disturbance.
UNREST EVERYWHERE.
taneously all around Swatow. In the Shao An As if by magic disquiet has arisen simul- district, besides the incident already above des cribed, there is also fighting between the villages of Lao and Wong, whereby 15 were killed. and 32 wounded; also between the villages of Lui and Tao, with casualities of 52 killed and 105 wounded. Enmity also exists between the villages situated at Kit-Young, Po-Ning, and ! Choy-Yang and, last but not least, at Wong- is being now carried on. Unless the provincial Kang, in the Jaopine district, wherent fighting authorities intervene and pacify the riotous villagers, local trade may suffer a severe check.
NO NORE ICE.
& Co. erected here an ice manufactory which As reported in your columns, Messrs. Bradley worked to everyone's satisfaction. Owing to the use of salt water, the main pipes corroded of ice táis season. so badly that there will be no further supply
K. X. H. CONSUL. Consul-General to Canton. His suc
Mr. James Scott is traniferred is Mr. W. Hollied of Ichung.
THE FRENCH GUNBOAT Dipèrs arrived· horo proceed to N penction (?),
During
high: ne 94
Acting