June 2, 1902.
that in the days of Darius, an actually crucified for taking them ting justice. But without going law-court proceedings, which in China Proper must have had upon him; and on which a small volume might be written, with regard to the local events of April, 1902, if Chinese mandarindom were suddenly to come under the laws of the Medes and Persians, there might be a greater demand for timber than could well be supplied. Mean while, though every other reform is being discussed in official circles, the Slough of Despond remains, and the road beyond to the celestial city of national prosperity, is hopeless- ly blocked. It is the system of mandarindom, rather than the Confucian gentlemen wallowing in the bog, which calls for a speedy abolition, For with adequate stipends, a new generation might take a fresh start, and the crying scandal of a venerable Empire be minimised, if not removed---N--C: Daily News.
PEKING.
Peking, 13th May. THE PEKING RACES
were held on 8th, 9th and 16th of this month, and proved the most successful ever held in the Capital. The race-course is situated about two miles to the west of the city, near the Peking- Hankow line, and the railroad authorities ran special trains for the convenience of those who wished to attend the races. The weather was favourable, except for a little wind and dust the first day, and many foreigners availed themselves of the opportunity for an outing to the country, where the green of the springing crops and abundant foliage was in pleasing contrast to the dusty, streets of Peking. Princes Chun (the Emperor's brother) and Princes Su and Kung visited the course on the second day of the meet, as the guests of the Ministers, and were inter- tained by them to lunch at the special table reserved for the use of the Ministers. The honours of the races were fairly divided between the French and the British, the owners of the most successful ponies being Comte de Les daino and Mr. Campbell.
THE RUSSIAN ADMIRAL SCEYDEOFF paid a visit to Peking last week, and, together with, the Russian Minister, was received in audience by the Emperor and Empress-Dowager. The admirers of the Empress-Dowager will be glad to learn the significant fact that during the audience she sat upon the throne and the Emperor on a seat at the side below her
#
THE REBELLION IN CHIHLI. Nothing authentic is known yet of the suc- cess or otherwise of Yuan Shihkai's troops in The south-west of the province of Chibli. Beckoning from the time, that they left the strain at Chengtingfu and started to march to the scene of the disturbance, they should have arrived there about the 8th. It is reported that the Imperial troops met the rebels on the 10th and defeat, ed them with great slaughter, killing as many as two thousand, capturing the second leader, a man called Liu Kui-sha who, by the way, is the military graduate and not Ching. It is also said that there are still left three thousand desperate characters, many of them, including their leader Ching, having killed their families and made up their minds to fight to the death. These men are supposed to be the suc- cessors of the train-bands reviewed by Sêng Ko-lin, the famous Mongol Prince, who fought against the Taiping rebels, and who was so pleased by the way that they went through their drill that he presented them with two cannon. The report is that these cannon are now being used with deadly effect against the Imperial troops, and all others who oppose the rebels. Whether these stories are true or false remains to be proved. T THE AMERICAN INDEMNITY COMMISSIONERS, Ragsdall and Bainbridge, are busy ivate claimanta, and, following *Mr. Wilkinson, are going ach individual, oking claimants they Paotingfu ging to
Americ
ther
the
There
BUR
tal
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. appointment as Chinese Secretary, on departure of Mr. Campbell on his furlough,
PEKING-BHANHAIKWAN LINE.
CORRESPONDENCE.
SECULAR THOUGHT.
417
It appears that the negotiations re the hand-[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the ing over of the Peking-Shanhaikwan line are opinions expressed by our correspondents:] being lengthened out very considerably. The Russians do not seem to wish to have any military directors appointed, but if such ap- pointments are made, would like a Russian to hold a position equal in authority with the British-N.-O. Daily News.
NORTHERN NOTES.
We take the following items from the P. & T. Times of the 17th inst.
The next great native function will be the transit of the body of the late Viceroy, Li Hung-ohang.
The analysis of the Peking Races shows that Mr. R. Stewart took five firsts and two seconds, while Mr. W. M. Hunt took four firsts and four seconds.
Paoting is said to be full of refugees from the disturbed districts: their presence has reacted on the normal population which is a little excited in consequence.
We hear that a sum of Tls. 40.000 has been subscribed for the repair of the Summer Palace. The money has come wholly from officials and eunuchs who have been degraded.
The Viceroy is reported to have sent an official to Japan to make a study of Japanese officiat banking and note-issue, with the idea of future regulation of these matter in Chibli.
TO THE 'EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,'
23rd May,
Sia-In your issue of yesterday, "Agnostic” touched upon a subject which is receiving universal attention. In my opinion too much secularity has been in our thoughts, and too little of that " Divinity which shapes our ends, rough-how them how we may." Speaking of the "religions and scientific superstitions of our fore-fathers," I would like to remark that it shows poor taste to speak disparagingly of what has done and is still doing us such signal service. It may be a question of what con- stitutes superstition. For my part I believe the so-called superstition of our forefathers and its immediate results have had a large share n making England what she is to-day. May I be permitted to add that purely secular thought in its ordinary application to things will never bring about that Utopian period designated as the Age of Reason". True reason goes be yond mere secularity and embraces the very fundaments of Divinity. Let pure Christianity be used in the application of things, and then the Age of Reason" will be with us, and not mock us by its seemingly "will o' the wisp nature. Trusting I am not trespassing too far on your valuable space,-Yours, etc.,
OPTIMIST.
K
In a first-rate football match (Association) played last Saturday afternoon on the Recrea tion Ground between the Royal Welsh ("B" Co.) and H.M.S. Brumble, the sailors won by three goals to one. The play was as good as HEROES OF THE SANITARY BOARD anything yet seen in Tientsin, and was of fascinating interest from first to last.
O THE EDITOR F THE 'DAILY PRESS."
A very intelligent native writes to us in vigorous, if somewhat amusing, English to arge the fact that the unjust protection of converts is quite a large factor of the discontent in S.W. Chihli. The heart-burnings caused by the interference of priests in the common quarrels and litigation of the countryside are acute, and are quite as great a cause of trouble in many places as the heavy indemnity taxes.
Wednesday, May 14th, was the greatest weather infliction of the year, clouds of filthy dust all the morning, fearful gloom and depres- sion in the afternoon, and finally heavy rain accompained by thunder and lightning at night. Persistent and dirty dust-storms during the early part of the week reduced the enjoyment of life to a very minute matter. This is the third year in succession that the dust-storms have ex- tended into May. Last year as our private diary reminds us they continued till June 18th, but that was an unique experience. The depres sing weather extended as far as Peking. The dust at 3 p.m. (on the 14th) obscured the light of day and artificial light had to be used in all the business premises of the city; there was however little rain and that cleared the air.
Our contemporary, in an editorial note, writes: position this week to say something We are in a about the time of the indemnity payments, though the proposed arrangements have not yet received the official imprimatur. Fifteen per cent. (15 per cent) of the private claims will probably be paid in July next, another cent). in January, and fifteen (15 per the remaining seventy in nnequal instal- ments before the end of 1904. This news will, we are sure, be received with a feeling of relief; for though it is far from what might have been expected, it is a vast improvement on the schemes of payment previously adumbrated.
Hot Jhong, 23rd May. SIR, -Realising how little the general public know of the many really wonderful pieces of sterling good work carried out by the officials of the Sanitary Board, I venture to address this letter to you in order that the members of community may hays some small ides of the
way
in which these splendid servants are looking after their welfare.
There is a man, who rants a shop; his trade is to supply refreshments for the "inner man and you will hardly orèdit it, so atrocious is the crime-he has been in the habit of selling soup from the kitchen window to these poor mortals who felt that soup was the one thing in the world that they wanted. A passing official brimful of zeal and treble-distilled energy, seeing the danger that was threatening the health of inmates of the shop, by the exclusion of light and air by the soup-swilling public, lays aside pride and prejudice, and issues a sum- monson the owner, who in due course was brought face to face with the Majesty of the Law, An order prohibiting the sale of the soup from the kitchen window was thereupon issued, and the soup toureen was ordered to be removed; as also the ladle. Now, the maker of that soup was a specialist in his line of business, and took, so I am told, a great pride in his job. Consequently the prohibitory order hit him hard, and Bo much to heart has he taken it that he has. closed the window and the shutters, from which the sale was effected, and now sells his soup from the front door, and I hear that he told friend that his shop is neither so light nor airy as before.
What matter the Sanitary Board is conscions of having done a noble act; and they. deserve the unstinted praise of the community Thinking over this case, it seems to me, that A telegram to the Shanghai Times, dated there is practically no reward, other than Tientsin, 19th May, says :-The Tientsin Spring promotion, that these heroes can obtain except Race Meeting commences to morrow, Tuesday. perchance in life hereafter, and I would humbly s A disagreeable impression has been created by suggest to the Government, the the action of Major-General Rohrscheidt, an order let it be called the f commanding the German forces, in prohibiting Distinguished Service German officers from riding Government Officer of Health would horses at the races, which reduces the number highest grade),"ro"that of events to be contested by two races. The could distinguish 3 bý fiasco restilting is not the fault of the German the "
who
dist General, as a garrison order was issued long
the stating that German offers would no allowed to ride Government horses at the races. tain The German officers, however, entered, not- i mush withstanding the prohibition.
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