December 2, 1901.]
circumstances. It served its purpose in the past; it is too untiquated for the future. To avoid possible friction, however, another treaty with Great Britain will be nego- tiated. This Government proposes that a canal be constructed on the basis of freedom for the mercantile marine and warships of all nations. Statisfactory guarantees will be given by the United States for the observ ance of these neutral conditions. The pro- vision for neutrality is of importance for this country, for if the United States was called upon to defend the waterway it must prove inevitably a vulnerable point for attack in case of the outbreak of hostilities with any strong naval power, and in event of war with Great Britain-from which God defend us !-might open the road to serious disaster. It is Great Britain that is the most concerned of all foreign countries in the construction of the canal, and Great Britain is the one nation that could enforce the fulfilment of the neutrality clause pro- vided by the treaty now being negotiated."
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It is not clear exactly what is meant by the expression in REUTER'S telegram, of the 19th instant, that " Great Britain leaves the United States sole guarantor of the neutra- lity of the Canal." It would be satisfactory to know whether the nature of the United States' guarantee is in any way specified, and how far it involves compliance with the demand made by the United States for ex- clusive measures of defence in relation to the Canal not only in case of war, but in anticipation of it. The Times, commenting on this point, says in its issue of the 25th ult. Many Americans have been startled 'by the discovery that the right thus claimed would carry with it onerous responsibil- 'ities, including the maintenance of fortifi "eations and a considerable military force in territory not at present in the possession "of the United States. It is possible, how- ever, that the Senate may insist on putting "in some stipulation that the United States "should have power to close the Canal in "certain contingencies of war; but this, it "is believed, would be opposed to the view "of the Administration, as narrowing the benefit of the neutrality clause." Follow- ing the signature of the draft Treaty there comes the ratification by the contracting parties. The Washington correspondent of the Times gives warning that during the debates in the Senate there will be, probably, outbursts of apparent hostility to Great Britain, to which too great weight must not be attached. The theme, he says, is one of old standing and serves to cloak other than the ostensible ends. It was regarded in the past as a cry appealing to the sympathies of certain sections of the population. It may have that effect to a fractional extent But the weapon has lost its edge, he continues, and to the minds of the majority in this country it represents nothing more than a lingering survival of the political tactics of a former generation.
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now.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE RÉPORT.
extent by the excavated earth having been
BANITARY EXPERTS.
441
From a despatch which appeared in this docu- ment it appeared that Professor Simpson, the medical expert who is to accompany Mr. Osbert Chadwick, has accepted £250 a month for his services, though he originally asked £350. He is expected to sail this week for Hongkong.
PLAGUE MORTALITY,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table
piled so near the cuttings that it would The Colonial Secretary laid on the table a have to be shifted for the dimensions of, document entitled "Continuation of Corres- "the canal as now required. Another draw-pondence regarding appointment of Sanitary
back to the Panama route is the com- Experts." 'plication of a settlement with the interests already in existence.” Whichever route is chosen, the expense, of course, will be very heavy it is estimated at thirty or forty millions sterling-but this spread over ten or twelve years would (as the Times says) be "a mere bagatelle" to the States with their enormous and daily in- a paper entitled "Drainage Systems: Plague creasing surplus. If only the hostility of the heterogeneous collection of opponents to the scheme in the United States can be overcome, President ROOSEVELT's Adminis- tration will have the satisfaction of com- mencing a work of the utmost importance to the world's commerce and of great advantage alike to their own country and to other nations.
THE CRISIS: TELEGRAM.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
morrow from Peking.
Prince Chun proceeds to Kaifengfu to-
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
held on the 25th ult. in the Council Chamber. A meeting of the Legislative Council was Present:-
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.). .
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. Commander R. M. RUMSEY, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Treasurer).
Hon. C. McI. MESSER (Acting Colonial
Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. C. P. CHATER, C.M.G. Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD. Hon. J. THUrburn. Hon. Dr. Ho KAI. Hon. WEI Á YUK.
Mortality."
FINANCIAL MINUTES. The COLONIAL Secretary laid on the table Financial Minutes 64 to 68 and moved their adoption.
The ACTING Colonial TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
the report of the Finance Committes (No. 13) and moved its adoption.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER 80- conded, and the motion was agreed to.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS laid on the table the report of the Public Works Com- mittee (No. 6).
AMENDMENT OF STANDING ORDERS.
The next item on the agenda-paper was a motion by the Acting Attorney-General to the following effect :-
That the standing rules and orders of this Council made in pursuance of Article XIX of the Royal Instructions of the 19th day of 1890, and amended by the Legislative Council January, 1888, and dated the 9th day of June,
on the 11th day of June, 1900, be further amended as follows: -
That No. 10 of the said rules and orders be amended by removing the words "on receipt" following the word Clerk in paragraph 5, and inserting them between the words "shall " and "be on the first line, and that the words 'of the Council" be inserted after the word
Clerk."
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR said-In the absence of the Hon. Acting Attorney. General, I may state that these amended rules are not quite ready.
FIRST READINGS.
On the motion of the COLONIAL SECRETARY (in the absence of the Acting Attorney- General), seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of TREASURER, the following Bills were read a Councils).
EXAMINATION OF MOSQUITOES.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report drawn up by Dr. J. C. Thomson on the examinations of mosquitoes in the Colony.
THE COOLIE DIFFICULTY.
table the report of the Commission appointed The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the by H.E. the Governor to enquire into and report on the question of the existing difficulty of procuring and retaining reliable chair and jinricksha coolies for private chairs and jin. rickshas.
first time:
A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, 1893,
A Bill entitled An Ordinance to further amend the Law relating to Dangerous Goods, the investment of Trust and other funds in the United Kingdom, in Hongkong Government securities.
Bill entitled An Ordinance to facilitate
A Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorise The Hongkong Rope Manufacturing Company, Limited, to construct a Tramway within the Colony of Hongkong.
A Bill entitled An Ordinance to further Ordinance, 1889. amend the Chinese Emigration Consolidation
Monday.
The Council then adjourned until next
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
GOVERNOR'S PEAK RESIDENCE,
The Commission recommend the registration, of coolies, by both master and servant; a revi cents fares for 5, 10, and 15 minutes respective. sion of the scale of fees, to include 2, 3, and 5 ly, also distance fares; the issue of checks, redeemable at the Treasury and to be sold there and at Police Stations with the object of obviat- The construction of the Canal once de-ing the carrying of coins for these small cided upon, the choice of the routes would amounts; more stands for public chairs at the
A meeting of the Finance Committee was remain. The Times correspondent from Peak; the connection of the chair-stand at Vic-held immediately after the Council meeting- whom we have been quoting puts the case
toria Gap with the public telephone system; the the Colonial Secretary presiding. thus :-" In so far as the choice of routes is more frequentiuspection of licenses by the police; the appointment of special vehicle-inspectors, etc. concerned there is small difficulty. Prac- The Commission respectfully but emphatically tically it is only a question of convenience. urge that their proposals be given a trial during "Both Panama and Nicaragua are con- the coming, winter months, that no threats of "sidered practicable by the commission opposition or rumours of a strike be allowed to deputed to make detailed study of the thwart an; attempt to remedy the prevailing subject. Nicaragua is closer to the difficulties and inconvenience, and that it should Atlantic and Pacific seaboards of the be fully recognised that a difficulty of this United States. Panama has the advant- nature, arising in connection with the employ
ment of Orientals, will become aggravated, if age of a shorter canal transit and, there not grappled with sternly and speedily. The fore, presents less liability of the water-community may have to face a brief dislocation way being accidentally blocked. The work already done on the Isthmus of Panama "is also a factor, but is offset to some
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of the private coolie service, but will, they think, he amply repaid for any temporary die- comfort by the benefits expected to accrne.
the Council to vote a sum of $40,000 in aid His Excellency the Governor recommended of the vote of $50,000 for “ the Governor's Peak Residence" under the heading "Public Works Extraordinary.
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The CHAIRMAN said-In applying for the vote the Hon. Director of Public Works has pointed out that better progress has been made with the work than had been anticipated. The additional sum they are applying for the Committee to recommend is largely required in connection with the stores, etc., ordered from England and expected to arrive before the end of the year. The following is the total expenditure: -Up to the end of Octobe