A
482
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[June 30, 1902.
H1B EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen of the Council, quite irrespective of the financial aspect of I have summoned you here to-day on a most the case. While therefore we are compelle painful matter. Little did we think when we to admire tho conscientious efforts of the last inet here and were looking forward with joyful anticipations to the Coronation United States to free themselves from the
colebrations which I may hero say, reproach of having invaded the Philippines owing to the indefatigable exertions of for the more sake of territorial aggrandise- the members of the Coronation Committee, ment, we equally believe that the well-would, I think you will agree with me, have meant desire of retirement is premature, been a credit to this rising Colony-little did we then think that the next time that I should and would not only result in difficulties, in the way of the States themselves, but be summon you would be for the purpose of discussing the question of their postponement. destructive of the germs of improvement Gentlemen, I may tell you that I have so far already planted in the soil.
POSTPONEMENT OF THE
the United States in a moment of enthusinsin | evil to the cause of civilisation; and this took upon themselves to cure the evils and scandals. which nearly four centuries of misdirected ・ spiritual government have brought on the Philippines; and they have found the task a much more difficult one than in their first moments of enthusiasin they thought possible. The four years which have elapsed since on May Day morning Admiral DEWEY entered Manila Bay have been fruitful in lessons to the American people; and the lessons have impressed on ourselves, on more than one occasion that, while it is a comparatively easy matter to destroy a government, the task of re-edification is one that calls for the highest skill of the trained statesman. On that task with regard to the Philippines the United States Government has just entered, and it seems premature that, before almost the first rung of the Indder has been reached, prominence should be given to the intention of the States to clear out. To us as Englishmen it seems to bear too close a relation to the policy of "scuttle" which has brought so many troubles on ourselves, and has resulted in the drawn out and exhausting war in South Africa; and, warned ourselves by experience, we would like to see the event of restoration made a little less prominent.
Speaking plainly, while we are ready to acknowledge that the condition of "the Philippines has steadily ameliorated under United States administration, none of the great questions at stake can be considered as past the experimental stage. The great evil of the Spanish occupation was the sensible weakness with which the Govern- ment permitted the entire administration to pass into the hands of the "religious orders. We are here in face of a problem, not of theology or orthodoxy, but of plain civil administration. The evils of what is incorrectly called a theocracy are that it of necessi y bands over the government to
the
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CORONATION.
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received no official communication whatever— none from the Colonial Office, none from the Horse Guards, none from the Admiralty-all I am in possession of is what you yourselves equally know-Reuter's telegrams. The first one simply says that the Coronation has been Just when the people of Hongkong were postponed indefinitely owing to His Majesty's busily completing their preparatio for the indisposition. The next one tells us that the Coronation celebrations and looking forward King is suffering from perityphlitis and that with pleasurable anticipation to the advent of a surgical operation is rendered necessary. the operation festivities, all bands were stayed and everyone's The next one speaks of heart was grieved by the distressing news that being fixed for 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon the state of His Majesty King Edward's health and that His Majesty has issued a notice was such as to necessitate the indefinite postpone-expressing his deep sorrow at the postponement ment of the Coronation. The sad news formed of the Coronation celebrations in London, and the one topic of conversation on Wednesday. it is His Majesty's earnest hope that the cele In the early forenoon when the flings brations in the provinces and that the dinners to were still fresh there was much speculation the poor will not be deferred. That is only as to what would be done in view of the like His Majesty's well-known consideration; King's illness would the celebrations go be thought, even in the midst of bis illness, on or would the whole programme of festivities of the poor. The next telegram speaks be cancelled? In most cases the structures of the operation having been successfully destined for decorative purposes-arches, performed, that the King bore the operation well as the well, and that his condition is satisfactory. illuminated designs, ete. -as miny huge matsheds for the accommodation of Now, gentlemen, I want to put the matter to spectators, were just receiving the finishing yon and I will be guided entirely by your touches when the news of the postponement opinion. The way I shall put the matter will arrived; all the arrangements were in a most be this: If everything goes, as God knows I satisfactorily forward state; and the celebrs- hope it may go, satisfactorily, later on there tions promised to be in every way successful will be such a celebration of the King's Corona- and splendid. The sorrow with which the top when he is restored to perfect health, which message telling of His Majesty's indisposition God grant he may be, there will be such a cele- was receivol was therefore all the more poignant. bration of his Coronation that will make the On every side one heard expressions of the whole British Empire rejoice, even although deepest anxiety for the Sovereign's welfare and we in Hongkong continue to hold the cele earnest hopes for his speedy restoration to brations arranged for to-morrow and the health. The re-asuring telegrams which two following days Again, gentlemen, we come in later in the day are men, and we must look at both sides continued to
If, which God forbid with reference to the King's stale, served how of the question.
ver, to ally the general alarm. Though may be the case, farther news do not go official information had so far been well und we elected to hold these Coronation rceived by the Government, His Excellency celebrations, would not the soul be knocked out General Gascoigne convened a meeting of the of them entirely if this word. f Dampe es which Ex cutive and L gishtive Councils at half is hanging over us were f-lt the whole time? I past twelve o clock, a full report of which will wish to leave the matter entirely to your judg- be found below. In the result, it was decided ment, knowing well that I can rely most to postpone the Coronation celebrations inde- implicitly upon your opinion. fin tely and to hold an intercessional service in the Cathed alat 11 a m. on Thursday The only item of the programme which stood was the Children's Tea on Saturday.
no
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING.
TELIGRAM OF SYMPATHY
Preseut:-
p.m. for
most selfish and uncontrollable of administrations; and this has proved the case not alone in modern times, or where communities have made profession of Christianity, but ascends to the very begin- nings of history, on the banks of the Nile. Not only over the fortunes but over the morals of the islanders has the rule of the ecclesiastics in the Philippines been disas trous; and one of the avowed objects of the occupation was to get rid of the incubus which was bringing the whole colony down to a level even lower than that in which the Spaniards found it. The first effect of the United States occupation was that many of the orders found it more politic to leave the A special meeting of the Executive and country than to remain. Religious tolera-Legislative Councils was held at 12.30 tion is, however, one of the fundamental the purpose of considering what steps should principles of the United States constitution, be taken in view of the news of His Majesty's and finding that they were personally safe illues. there has been a tendency for the members of the orders to return. Although the orders will not, as long as the United States continue in possession, have the assistance of the law to enable them to carry on the work of becoming the sole lan flords of the country, the orders themselves are there ready to take ad antage of the first sign of weakness to return to their old games. The Filipinos are, besides, ignorant of the first principles of political economy, so that in spite of the improvements which have taken place those who are best disposed towards the people themselves are hardly prepared to concur in the judgment that the Filipinos are in a position to solve the difficulties of self-government. On the whole, looking calmly and dispassionately at the position, we are forced to the belief that the withdrawal of the controlling hand of the United States would be fraught with
His EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINIS TELIG THE GOVERNMENT, Major-General Sir W. GASCOIGNE, K.C.MG. (Commanding the Troop).
Hon. FH. MAY (Colonial Secretary). Hon. Sir HENRY SPENCER BIRKELEY, K.B. (Atto-ney-General).
Hon. A. M, THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. Commander R M. RUMSEY, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
HOD. F. J. BADELLY (Captain Superinten- dent of Police).
Hon. Dr. HO KAI Hon. WELA YUK. Hon. C. S. Sharp. Hon. C. W. DICKSONĮ Hon. G. W. F. PLAYFAIR. Hon. R SHEwan.
Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clark of Councils).
Rev. G. A. BUNBURY (Acting Chaplain, S. John's Cathedral).
I
Hou, G: W. F. PLAYFAIR-Your Excel- lency, speaking personally, I wish to say that I do not think that any celebration should be held in the next few days, but however much one might wish, to avoid it I think it would be necessary to have the two days still as holidays, the reason being that there might be legal complictions in conection with the due dates of bills. Bills are only due, on Saturday and it might be awkward. There might be questions arising legally which it would be better to avoid. I believe the Chinese hare
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made full arrangements for laving no work done during the next few days and it will be no usa laving the offices opon. At the same
time, while you have the offices two days olo ed, there will be no occasion to have any celebration.
Hon. Dr. Ho. KAI-Sir, I think all the members of this Council aid I am sure also the
public in general in this Colony must have received the sad news which Beater have with the deepest concern and sympathy, and I transmitted to us to-day concerning the King
think even if we were to decide to go on with the Coronation celebrations, I am afraid that. our hearts would be weighed down so much by the news and anxiety and with our sympathy with our most gracious King that we should not in the least enjoy th celebrations; and I think that enjoyment' is what the celebration if the Coronation is for. But with our Sirereign the King lying in a
of health-although the dangerous state latest telegram says the operation is successfull he is, as your Excellency says, in an uncertain condition of bealth-I think it is only showing our true heartfelt respect to have the entire 'celebrations postponed; the holidays of course
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