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people to willingly go away from their work, unless there is somb compensating condition. In fact, it is the overcrowding difficulty which in Bombay, as in long- kong, fosters the spread of plague, and the preventive measures adopted in both etics do not deal to buy appreciable extent with this difficulty, Dr. TURNER
has a
bi old plan, which he puts forward |
2+
in report to the Bombay Standing Committer. This is nothing less than a suggestion to provide accommodation for six months or more in Back Bay, Bombay, on floating houses or piers where the people could go b ckwards and forwards to work, where cach and every person could be under supervision, every case of sickness reported and every death verified, where they would get fresh air and sunlight, and water for washing free. He proposes, in fact, to transform 300,000 poor inhabitants of Bombay into a temporary boat popula- tion. This, he says, may appear a large undertaking, but apart from the money difficulty it is perfectly feasible. It is only the working class who have to be provided for, and the houses they vacate are for the most part of such a character as shou d be condemned. The suggestion is interesting, and we wonder that a similar scheme has ney. r, as far as we know been mooted in Hongkong. With a large boat population already existing here, which is little attacked by plague, it might have been expected that the idea would occur to someone's mind. Unfortunately, however, we must recognise that the obstacles are tremendous. The Times of India, a steadfast opponent of "heroic plague measures in Bombay, commenting on Dr.TUR ER's proposal, says: "If there were no practical obstacles to the scheme, the final cial difficulties are insuperable. Even were the money forthcoming, the lakhs speut on the flat ng town would have no more permanent effect upon the conditions of life in Bombay than the enermous sums already spent upon preventive measures. We fear that the same remarks might be applied to Hongkong. And there is the itial difficulty here of the existence of so Large a boat population already that we should be hard-pressed to find sufficient accomodation on the water for a displaced crowd of Chinese from the island. We would suggest, however, to the authorities that in cases where a whole row of Chinese houses has to be close up the experiment might be tried of housing the displaced inhabitants temporarily on the water insten of somewhere on the island. It is not to be supposed that the expense would be pro. Libitive, while the relief from congestion of population on land would be appreciable, at least, if small. It has long been obvious that, if we Fave to get rid of some of the most insanitary tenements in the Colony, ive must speedily find localities not too far removed from the business quarter wherein the turned-out inhabitants ny fin I shelter. If it be possible to utilis auy of the waters surrounding the Colony, there is something gained.
B-ferring to two high (|bine e appointments last month, Dr. Morrison telegraphs to the Times-Na-tung, the most intel igeut, or rather te least incompetent, Minister of the Wai- wn-p1, has been promoted to be President of tie Board of Revenue which has caused a rearrangement of several offices. Wu Ting fang, foru erly Chinese Minister at Washington, lias been appointed sand of the eight seure aries of the Wai wu-pu-an inadequate recognition of his attainments and his reniark- able services in America. The appointment wou'd make him subordinate to men whose combined ignorance of foreign affairs colossal, and it is doubtful if he will accept it.
1
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
GERMAN POLICY.
(Daily Press, 1st July.)
When
such as
(July 4, 1903
sound has too much in it of the blatant ring of Napoleonism. NAPOLEON desired nothing so much as peace, but it was the No name is Letter known or respected in peace of conquest, when he should find Germany or England than that of KARL Europe prostrate at his feet, and his BLIND. The circumstances under which he orders pass for law from Lough. Swilly to left the former country and took up his the Caucasus. So too the dream of the residence in England are
to pre-eminency of Hamburg in the Imperial emphasize his good intentions towards both mind is not unaccompanied by thoughts countries, Though conscientiously object of the downfall of London, Liverpool, aud ing to the encroaching Imperialism of his Glasgow. Of Imperial Christianity we have native land, which made his residence im- heard muct lately. We are not in the possible and drove him to take refuge in habit of scoffing at what a man holds England, he has never lost his love and dearest, even above his life, nor dɔ we respect for the Fatherland, while on the doubt the sincerity of the Emperor's belief. other his sympathies with Eugland and his He has more than hinted that Christianity devotion to the land of his adoption are as believed and practised in England is equally unchallenged.
therefore not the religion that has the Imperial KARL BLIND comes to the front as a peace approval. Yet withal this the Imperial maker in the present somewhat strained mind is fainting with desire to secure the relations between the two countries' his moral aid of England against her great remarks deserve consideration, as it is of antagonist Russia; but each advance made course quite possible that we have really has been met with a cold rebuff. Such misunderstood the embarrassing situation is the position of Germany as represent d in which Germany has found herself placed by KARL BLIND, who sees in the suspicion in Central Europe as a buffer between the with which Germany has covered herself two ambitious states of Russia on the east in England but an instines of England's and France on the west, both possessed complacency in the arts of Germany's with the demon of earth-hunger, and both, great antagonist Russia. There were three in that eager desire for universal sway, things which were too wonderful for King thirsting after the fertile lands of Central SOLOMON, yea, four which he knew not. Eur pe. Such is the substance of an But SOLOMON did not live in the twentieth interesting article contributed by KARL century or he would have discovered a way BLIND to the North American Review more wonderful still. The way of a man for May, and we can honestly assure the with a inaid baffled the wisdom of the author that, as far as his statements are wisest of monarchs, but King SOLOMON consonant with the facts of the case, they had never had the opportunity of witness- carry with them not only our individending the coquettings of Germany and Russia. sympathies but those of the entire British They have evidently transcendet the abilities people.
of a wiser or, at least, more learnel man.
But are they consonant with the facts of the case, or do they represent fairly the entire ground of the position? In this we fear we must join issue with the writer. KARL BLIND points out with reason that the increase, more especially, of Germany's marine arnaments has been rendered necessary by the great and enhanced activity shown by France and Russia, both of whom are increasing their fleets at an unpre cedented rate. We would be willing to accept the assurance and to extend to it our deepest sympathy bal Germany even made a suggestion that such was her object. Unfortunately, both in season and out of it, she has made rather a parade of her intention to rival Great Britain, and if we
herein misunderstood have
ber plain language, she, and not we must bear the blame. It is doubtful how far in present conditions the spoken words of the Emperor are to be accepted as an indication of the policy of the Empire. He has, however, not once or twice but repeatedly indicated that his words are to be taken as those of the nation of which he is the inspired head, and his published speeches certainly do not bear out the views of the position put forward by KARL BLIND. emphasize the fact, we published yester- day a tel graphic report of the list of these speeches delivered at Himburg on the occasion of unveiling a memorial to the Kaiser WILLIAM L. As Hamburg, said he, was ambitious of being the very first of shipping ports in the whole world, so was the whole of Gerany ambitious of being first on the road of enlightenment and practical Christianity, and her aspiration were to prove a blessing to the world at large, and the conservator of its peace. Brave words truly, an worthy of
nobler cause !
As if to
a
Much, however, as we may admire the peaceful asseverations of the Emperor on behalf of Germany at large, there is in them the ring of a baser metal. The
HONGKONG SANITARY
BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary B ard was held on Thursday in the Board Room. The Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson, Principal Cvil Medical Officer (President), presided, and there were also pre- sent Captain F. W. Lyons, Acting Captain Superintendent of Police; . C. Mcl. Messer, Acting Registrar-General Clonel W. E, Webb, R.A.M.C.; Mr. Fang Wa Chun, Mr. Lau Chu Pak, Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C.; Mr. A. Ramjahn, Mr. E. A: Hewett; Dr. W. W Pearse, Acting Medical Offer of Health; and Mr. G. A, Woodcock (Secretary).
BATH HJUSES AT TAIPINGSHAN,
A drawing was submitted showing proposed bath-houses for men and woluen to be erected on a sile adjoining Pʊand Lane, Tripingshin.
1 he plans were approved.
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES. There was submitted the report of the con-
mittee appointed to consider what site cond be recommended for the erection of public con- reniences. In the report it was recommended, that latrines should be erected, the west side of Bowrington Canal in Canl Road West, one on the vacant land on the north
one on
side of Bridges Strost near Sing Wong Street, one on the triangular spice south of the Har- bour Offise; and that urinals be erected, one in the lane between 14 and 16, Upper Station street, one on the Iraya opposite Marine Lot 54 and one opposite Marine Lot 224.
The report was approved
THE PLAGUE REPORT. There was laid on the table the report of the Select Committee appointed for the consideration of Mr. Pollock's motion and the Acting Medical Officer of Health's reply thereto, together with a Chinese petition relative to the same question.
The PRESIDENT said that the first suggestion plague infected person be cleanse and disinfect in the report was that a floor occupied by
ed by the officers of the Board and that the remainder of the house, provided that the ceilings, stair-linings
and other similar structures which might barbour rats be removed, might be allowed to cleansed by the inmates uuder the direction of the officers of the
by