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Opinions do not agree as to the value of his private practice, but there is no doubt that he was intensely Spanish while Spain ruled, that he became insurgent and enjoyed honours in that quarter until it was apparent that insurrection could not withstand American occupancy, and that when the spirit of democracy possessed the him, it did not occur to him to give up decorations with which Spain had invested him. On that southern trip, he was called into con- ference frequently with the Commission, and native provincial appointments were usually those suggested by him. The private practice
which he had sacrificed in order to make the trip continued to suffer neglect after his return, for a visit to the Palace at almost any time would usually find him there in conference with Fede- ral aspirants for place, or with some of the Com- missioners. Whether his patients had beconie well or died from this lack of attention, he con-
tinned through the summer to neglect them. while making excursions on peace missions into Laguna Province where Cilles had been operating. There stand to his credit for this sacrifice of self more appointments in the provin- ces than any other man can boast, and a position as exalted as possible in native eyes, with a salary attached that is doubtless larger than the income which any physician in the Philippines ever enjoyed.
THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO POLITICS.
There is certainly, no reason to single out the Philippines for examples of unselfish devo- tion to a cause of government, for it is as rare there as elsewhere. Hence a possible multipli- cation of personal incidents on which inference may work could accomplish little except to expose the weakness of human kind in this line of effort. Since the government will be judged by its accomplishment rather than by the side intrigues and disappointments and successes of individuals, comment upon party leaders or organisations is important only to show how little reliance may be placed upon those who, ourry with authority, and how the burden of government and its progress in the ways of the new sovereignty must for all present purposes rest with those sent out to supervise and direct it. The welfare of the island rests ultimately with the masses, ignored in other years like so many cattle. Their disposition fortunately is not unfriendly. They may be led by their own On that more readily than by the whites, account it is probably good politics to let the past take care of itself and not scrutinise the present too closely while the machinery of government works out a standard of intelligence on which the future may build well. There is legs to criticise in the appointment to high stations of men who fought for their convictions and gave in only when beateu, than' of those who took care never to incur personal risks. The government of provinces entrusted to the charge of insurgent generals does not seem yet The to have suffered by that experiment.
in a longer Aguinaldo is kept a prisoner well-appointed mansion-the less seems to be the likelihood that it will be wise to placate him or placate public sentiment by putting him in office. Cailles has been extolled because he shans office and says that, having finished his work, he wishes only to retire in quiet to his farm in Cavite. Cincinnatus has been getting undue credit in history if he went back to his plough for the same reason that Cailles wishes to avoid the province in which his operations com- pelled the admiration of his American opponents, But there are generals who did not become wealthy by insurrection, and who can take up civil rule where they fought without fear of native assassins Such men ought to be a help in bringing peace and prosperity to the people. There is nothing that the masses wish so devontly as a cessation of strife. The recent trip of the Commission through the north showed how ardent and universal is this wish. Partly leaders may plan and scheme and clash, and do what they pleaseat Manila if they will only permit an end to the course of robbery, murder, and devastation which has paralysed industry. It will be enough for the masses if they may enjoy in their homes the order and protection which government should afford them. When they shall be convinced of power enough at Manila to insure them such protection, the leaders whom even now they would blindly follow would find few responses to a call for another insurrection.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
PEKING.
Peking, 23rd September.
ASPIRANTS FOR OFFICE.
Hsu Ch'i, a recently appointed Vice- President of & Board, is much talked about for Minister to England to succeed Loh Feng loh, He is a Hanlin from somewhere in the south, and His has never, so far, held any high office. friends are urging him for the position, but it is doubtful if he obtains it. Tseng, one of the English interpreters of H. E. Li Hung-chang has been trying to get himself mentioned for Minister to America, but his pretensions are ridiculed by all who know him, including Li Hang-chang.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE
[October 12, 1901.
NORTHERN NOTES.
The following items are from the P. & T. Times of the 28th ult :-
The Tientsin T'aotai, accompanied by his family and staff, went to Peking with Gen. Mei oa Wednesday.
The King of Italy's birthday was celebrated in the "Italian Settlement" by the Chinese hanging out flags and lanterns.
Jung Lu's house in Peking having been des troyed during the siege, he has just bought another property valued at Tls. 100,000.
Reports in some quarters state Viceroy Chang will bemade a member of the Grand Council,
and his place may be taken by Shêng Taotai..
Two out of the three Chinese camps on the North side of Tientsin City have been demol-
was held at the U. S. Legation on the day of ished and the other is in process of destruction. The Board of Punishment is said to be very President McKinley's funeral, which was attend-energetically executing brigands, every day ed by representatives from each Legation. The seeing a batch of them despatched to the execu- sermon by the Rev. Dr. Sheffield was brief but tion ground. able, culogising the deal President as one of the most amiable of men as well as greatest of statesmen.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The city remains quiet. The populace have seen so many foreigners, military and civil, walking the streets for the past year, that an individual can now walk all over the city with out attracting the slightest attention. I am told a new Roman Cathedral may be erected on Legation Street directly opposite the French Legation. The new Club building is nearing completion. It is to be hoped it will be better attended than is the temporary Club in the German Legation, where one may sit for hours without being disturbed by a sigle entrance.
The British and Japanese on their respective sides of the canal have erected a handsome brick railing, that adds much to the appearance of that portion of Legation City and adds to the safety of what is now a pleasant drive or bicycle road. Curio-dealers are still producing valu. able porcelains, bronzes, and silks, to which there seems to be no end. Notwithstanding all that was sold at what used be called "Mac. donald's loot sales" and taken out of the coun try by returning soldiers, much that is old, rare and valuable can still be obtained.
The Americans have made a fine carriage way on top of the wall from the Chienmén to the canal. It is believed the Germans will con- tinue it to their fort near the Hatamên. The said fort is rapidly approaching the dimensions of the Hatamên town, much to the disgust of the native residents.
THE KETTELER MONUMENT
is covered over with an enormous matshed, so it is impossible to see the extent of the work or the design of the structure. Judging by
the size of the shed a fine monument will be re- vealed later on.
THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
Li Hung-chang is really sick, He does upt keep continually to bed, however. His ailment is acnte dyspepsia and the general break-up of old age. His heart is at times very irregular and his sudden death might occur at any time. Hsü Shou-peng is generally recogised by natives and foreigners alike as the most able member of the foreign office. Prince Ch'ing never decides anything, it is always Hsü hou-peng. Prince Su is making many friends among for- eigners and is working hard upon the study of English, in which language he is making excel- very enlightened young Another progress. man of royal descent is Yu Yueh-hus, second son of old Prince Ting. This man is a warm friend of Prince Su's and is studying English with him in which pursuit they have a generous rivalry. Both of these men will be heard of in the future.
lent
SOCIAL.
The new Russian Minister has arrived and made his round of calls. The de Giers sale took place last week and brought unheard of prices. This was not because of the valuable goods d ́s played, but because all Peking residents having lost everything last year were compelled to buy as opportunity offered. brought $560, The Inspectorate-General of Customs is being rapidly reproduced on the former model-viz., a one-story building-and will be ready for the I.-G. by 10th December.- N.-C. Daily News.
One bedroom suite
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The Chih Pao states the Chinese officials are preparing to take over Tientsin City in the ninth moon! We congratulate the Chih Pao on its accurate knowledge.
The Chinese troops now in Peking are said to be well disciplined, and sentries are being posted, a hitherto untried experiment in Chinese military camps.
A very brilliant meteor was observed on the night of the 20th instant travelling from S.E. to N.W. It is stated by some residents to have been of a bright red, and remarkably large and brilliant.
An edict has been issued ordering the gates of Peking through which the Imperial cortège will pass to be decorated with red and blue silk, as at the time of the Emperor's marriage.
We are glad to hear that an experiment is now being tried at the Tientsin Station, by which Mahommedans are being substituted for Chinese as coolies, and the headmen have given a guar- antee that there will be no robbery or trouble.
The Je Je states it has received a letter from Peking to the effect that the Foreign Ministers have asked Sir Robert Hart to devote a certain amount of the money left unlooted in his offices at the time of the siege to dredging the Grand Canal:
The high officials of the Six Boards are mem- orialising to have their offices within the Palace so that after their audiences with the Throne they can return to their offices and the transac tion of their business more conveniently. Itis pro- bable that the officials would also feel a trifle more secure within the sacred precints of the Palace!
Private advices from Peking contradict all the native statements concerning the work being done in the Palace, and we are assured that nothing has so far been done. The work of repairing the Palace, according to Chinese, has been pushed on rapidly, and as seen from the front gate the walls of the buildings look very smart once more.
A letter has been received here from M. Trudinger of the C. I. M. who reached Hsian- fu safely on August 12th, where he is going about his work quite as usual, the presence of the Court in no way making any difference. Eight of the C, I. M. missionaries are now working in the province of Shensi, but Dr. Edwards, who was reported to be in Hsian with Dr. Creassy Smith and Major Pereira, is still in Taiyuen-fu. Mr. D. E. Hoste of the C. I. M., who recently passed through here, expressed the opinion that no further trouble would occur in Shansi for some years.
We are glad to see the following promotions published in G. G. O.'s 714, dated 9th August, Captains to be Majors 10th July, 1901:- 1901. A. R. Dick, 2nd Punjab Cavalry, F. M. Edwards, D.8.0., 3rd Bombay Cavalry, A. W. S. Wingate, 14th Bengal Lancers, J. C. W. Erck, 23rd Madras Infantry, W. A. Oswald, 6th Burma Battalion, E. C. Ryall, 1/4th Gurkhas, A. W. Cripps, "Supply and Transport Corps, C. M. Crawford, 2/5th Gurkhas, P. W. Drake- Brockman, 5th Bengal Infantry, A. W. Leonard, 5th Infantry Hyderabad Contingent, I. Philipps; 1/5th Gurkhas. Lieutenants to be Captains-- 10th July, 1901. W. H. Norman, 11th Bengal Lancers, G. B. Sanford, 1/4th Gurkhas, F. L. Swifte, 4th Punjab Infantry, R. J. C. Eastwood, 30th Bombay Infantry, H. R. Hopwood, 3rd Bom- bay Cavalry, T. L. Leeds, 4th Punjab Infantry, W. L. Cotton, 5th Infantry Hyderabad Con- tingent, L. M. P. Deas, 19th Bombay Infantry,