'¢ ཨHPS%
October 20, 1902.]
KWEILIN, KWANGSI.
Kweilin 20th September.
THE SO-CALLED REBELLION.
Several pieces of information bare just e mo in about the remains or possibly recrudescence of the rebellion, so called. It is reported, but on what authority I cannot tell, that the city of Hhs'iheo, in the prefecture of Kingyuenfi. in the west of the province, has surr nderod to the rebels, and that the official is a prisone, These rebels are reported to be disbanded braves, reinforced by maleonte.ts.
Then again another place, a market named Huangnien, in Yuinfulsier, in the prefecture of Kweilin, not so far to the south of this place, is in the hands of rebels, who are in some strength. This is far removed from the other centre, and certainly has no connection direct with it. Whether these are disbanded brares, or just malcont nts, I have not yet been able to find.out. This may be a rising of the bro her hood, which has been increasing in power during the past year especially.
secret
A NEW BROTHERHOOD. This "Brotherhood," Kotivi, is a society that is rapidly coming into prominence. and is reported not to be more than a few years old. Secret meetings are held in the mountains at night, no country offering such facilities for such as Kwangsi, but up to the present it has done nothing, but is waiting until the time is ripe. It seems to be a rebel society, whether anti-foreign or not I do not know, probably the former, as there is certainly much anti-foreign feeling around on account of the cholera. This brotherhood appears to have a large following, and it is with reference to this presumably that recent proclamations have been issued urging people to give up such things, and stating that if they repent they will be forgiven, if not, that they had better look out for the consequences. The punishing of people foun1 out at night is probably aiming in the same direction,
VLADIVOSTOCK,
Vladivostock, 27th September.
INTERNATIONAL COURTESIES.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ment either by sea or rail to open Russian ports in Manchuria, and also such goods the ultimate destination of which has not been determined previous to arrival. The above proposal bas been framed Ly the local merchants in order to preserve the transit trade for Northern Manchuria and
northern free par's belonging to Russia, and thus prevent the expense and delay iucurred at the Customs-house, which is doing considerable injury to local trade here, and has already succeeded in transferring a considerable amount of the business to Port Arthur, th· latter being a free port, and thus lessening the importance of Vladivostock as a commercial centre. Should the Minister give a favourable reply to the proposals of the merchants it is hoped here that this city will witness a big revival in trade, which has fallen off enormously since the establishment of a Customs house and the closing of the port to free trade on January 1st last year.--Kobe Chronicle,
NORTHERN NOTES.
The following items are from the P. and T. Times of the 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th inst.:
We regret to see premiums on foreign cheques still keep high in the City
The Prefect and Magistrats have jointly notified that silver is not to be exported.
A tax of cash per catty has been proposed on all salt sold throughout the Empire.
H. E. the Viceroy is despatching several hun. dred soldiers to preserve order ou the live b youd Shanhaikwan.
¦
303
of using the line for transportation of troops when any foreign troops are being moved; also that Russia be given the first refusal of any Chinese transports for the same purpose.
2 That Russian mails must be carried free of charge and be fully protected.
The Coreau Minister has arrived in Peking with a large retinne.
Sheng Tajen's father is said to bo seriously ill, and is not expected to live.
Chi Hung Chi, President of the Board of Foreign Affairs, and Chng Po Hsi, Comptroller of Education, have exchanged posts,
Viceroy Chang Chih-tang, says L'Impartial, wires that traffic is now running on the line between Hankow and Hainan in Honan.
•
The Chinese aro disappointed to find the dock. yard at Tongku nothing but a piece of land, everything of value having been removed, says the Chih Pao.
A traveller just arrived in Tientsin overland, says he was surprised to find large bodies of troops in Honan, commanded by military officars of evidently high rank.
In accordance with a former reform edict of the Emperor's, the educational authorities in this province now propose to turn all the temples into schools, and save the expense of now buildings. It is stated the movement will begin with Tientsin.
his The presentations to Jung Lu on daughter's marriage are said to have included Tls. 320,000 in cash, besides 3 million dollars worth of presents. We do not vouch for these figures.
A tanr st party just returned f.om the Ming Tombs speak highly of the attention and We hear that the race pony Chisar goes to courtesy paid them on the road. When return- Shanghai, and that his price was the modesting to Peking they met a bevy of soldiers off sum of Tls. 300.
duty: the men immediately formed line, stood to attention and saluted as the little cavalcade
A well known skipper vows that there is more water in the river fairway now than there has been for eight years.
The indemnity for the Mission property des. troyed in Hunan where the two missionarios were murdered is stated in the native press to be Tls. 70,000.
The fact that a child in Peking has been taken ill after swallowing one of the new copper coins has started a prejudice against the new coinage.
Shinsi officials in Peking are memorialising for the release of ex-censor Sung Po-la, who is still in prison on charges which caunot be substantiated.
The Central Government contemplate the appointment of a Governor in Chihli Province, the work being so extensive.
removed further down stream, probably on the Belgian Concession, as its present position interferes with the Russiau Buud.
During the past summer this port has been visited by several men-of-war belonging to the French, German, Italian, Austriao, and United States navies. The vessels belonging to the United States which called here were the Kentucky, New Orleans, and New York Owing, however, to the prevalence of cholera last month, the men from the war-ships were There are rumours that the German mili- not allowed "shore-leave." much to their dis-tary bridge across the river is about to be appointment. The New Orleans happening to arrive on the day a ball was given at the Naval Club by the Russian naval officers in war-ships lying in the harbour, invitations were extended to the American officers and accepted. A few days later a special entertainment was provided in the circus building for the men of the French vessels, the performance being also attended by the officers of the New Orleans and a detachment of one hundred marines. The French marines attending unmbered over eight hundred. On landing the visitors were met by about two thousand Russian sailors, by whom they were escorted to the building, accompanied by bands playing French and Russian national
airs.
On the occasion of the visit of the Illinois, the flagship of Admiral Rodgers, another enter tainment was arranged, the programme this time taking the form of boat-races between the Russian sailors and their American comrades, of which were well-contested, though the many boats manned by the Russians were mostly successful,
M. DE WITTE'S VISIT.
There are good grounds for believing that during his visit to Vladivostock, M. de Witte will give a favourable reply to the petition presented to him some time ago by the local merchants through the Exchange Committee with regard to the establishment here of a free zone harbour, where all dutiable goods imported from abroad shall be discharged from esse s in a part of the harbour which will be specially assigned for this purpose and be exempt from the numerous and tir. some formalities to which goods are submit- ted by the local Customs officials. Within the "free zone will be discharged only such foreign goods as are intended for tranship-
35
Tang Taotai is stated to be much beiter, but is still confined to his room. He was able to receive the Tientsin P.efect yesterday and to discuss with him financial conditions in the City. They proposed trying to raise a loan froin one of the foreign banks.
In the weekly edition of the Times last to hand we see a list of the congratulatory telegrams to the King receiv.d from the Colonies. It does not appear that the message from Tientsin was ever acknowledged, though those from Hongkong and Shanghai were duly
noted.
Ships are coming up so easily and frequently that a quartet at the Bund is hardly any longer worth chronicling. The most enthusiastic appreciators of the ew (or restored) regims are the Chinese passengers who escape the harpies that blockade the two stations, to say nothing of the Tongkn boatuen.
Warren's Circus continues to have bumper houses in Peking. On Wednesday Sir Robert Hart, the foreign military commanders and many high Chinese officials, including the Governor of Peking, attended.
The Je Jê informs us that the Customs Taotai at Newchwang has been instructed by the Board of Foreign Affairs to proceed to Newchwang and prepare to receive back the city from the Russian authorities.
It is stated in the native Pres that among the conditions which the Russian authorities a e pressing in Peking, in addition to the cost of upkeeping the line outside Shanbaikwan, are the following:-
1. That Russia be granted the first privilege
passed, a great contrast to things in the former regime.
We have some reason for supposing that some temporary changes are imminent in the American Consulate. The Consul Ragsdale and Miss Ragalale wil probably go home for six months furlong before the closing of the river and Mr. Charles Gammon will, pro tem, assume the duties of U. S. Marshal and Acting-Consul.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RESUMPTION OF INSANITARY PROPERTIES: A MUNICIPAL COUNCI, WANTED.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS,”
18, Bank Buildings, Hongkong, 10th October. SIR.I beg to submit for the consideration of the Legislativ Council and the public that the provision of a sum of $100,0 0 only in the forthcoming year for the purpose of compensa- tion for the resumption of insanitary properties cannot be consid red as by any means adequate in view of the onormous nature of the task which requirs to be dealt with and of the aunual recurrence of plague, with its resulting quarantine and damage to business.
The insanitary buildings problem caunot, I think, be satisfactorily solved by occasional votes of $100,000, but can only be settled upon similar lius to a Naval ship-bui ding programme, that is to say, by the preparation of a definite and thorough scheme of improvements, spread over a certain number of years, say five or seven, which scheme should be vigorously and cou tinuously carried out, altogether irrespective of any changes in ths personnel of the lo
Government.
I must confess that personally I am in favoar of a Municipal Council being started in this Colony, for I am firmly convinced that the creation of a representative body is absolutely necessary for the purpose of strengthening the hands of the local Government in grappling with the large sanitary questions ahead of us, which will probably involve the expenditure of some millions of dollars.
It has been suggested from time to time that there is a lack of public spirit in this Colony in
}
6
$