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July 13, 1903.]
COREAN NEWS.
1.
Chemulpo, 18th June.
THE BUSSIAN GHO:T.
а
I have read many telegrams taken from the Japan papers and reproduced by the Mercury, bus most of what I have read is "rot," The Japanese see a ghost in every corner, and that is a Russian ghost, Behind every tree in the Yalu district they observe the same kind of ghost, and all and every Japanese representative rushes off at once to the authorities and reports the same. The correspondents (Japanese) of the papers are continually on the look-out and every Russian soldier sighted is magnified into a thousand, like the boy who saw thousands and thousands of cats on the tiles, but when boiled down to a point there were only his tom ost and another one. There are
fow Japanese merchants the Yalu district and these, with the connivance of Corean officials, who are frightened they should lose their chance of doing illicit business across the Yalu with the Chinese, mostly in arms and am- munition, report that the Russians who are felling trees are thousands of Russian troops. These Russians are merely a company, who have a proper agreement with the Corean government to fell timber and are guarded by a few Russian soldiers, as the bandits are numerous in that district, and these soldiers do all they can to put a stop to the Chinese purchasing arms and ammunition from the Japanese, and the latter are very much put out about this business being stopped. It is true that there are a number of Russians employed in cutting timber and that there are also a number of Chinese employed by the Russians in this work, as they are far better workmen than the Coreans, and now and then these Chinese buy or steal Russian uniforms and wear them and this is maguitied into a fact
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
have been said of him or what he has done, one thing is certain he has been doing much for his coun ́ry. While he enjoyed good health he did a deal for the sʻivancement of the middle and lower classes and for the interest of Cores in general. The Japaness had a strong suspicion that he was pro-Russian, while the Russians did their best to make a tool of him. It may be he did lean somewhat towards the Bear, thinking it would be more dangerous to offend him than the Land of the Rising Sun, and I think he was right in so doing. But Yi got sick, very sick indeed, and it was thought he would never recover. In fact there is a ramour being spread that he is already dead, but is not believed. In fact I know it is false, although he was reported as having died on the 7th iust, He has certainly had a hard tussle in fighting for life. He became so ill that he allowed a Japanese doctor to attend him, and even took up his quarters at the Japan 380 Government Hospital, where he pro,ressed favourably.
YI YONG-IK AGAIN
19th June, have learnt that an attempt has been made to Since sending my letter away of yesterday I
murder Yi Yong-ik. As I said he was in the Japanese Government Hospital at Seoul, and the Japanese Minister had guaranteed that his life would be safe there. He had received very attention and a guard of police was placed there by order of the Minister, to make certain that he would not be molested in any way. What really happened is, someone has tried to blow up the hospital, so as to murder Yi Yong-ik It happened on Monday a ternoon 12th instant at 230 o'clock. It appeared that dynamite was placed under the room where Yi was, and exploded, blowing it to pieces, but fortunately Yi was not hurt at all, and only one of his servants had his shoulder slightly hurt.
Just before the explosion, strange to say, the
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no doubt that the danger of such cases does exist, and it seems to me that the risk could be considera ly reduced by a single simple method, which is the rule, not the exception, in Singapore, Shanghai, Tientsin, and other important Oriental contres. covering of the seat, back, and sides of the I refer to the vehicles with a white slip or cover, which could be easily changed when necessary, Farther- mɔre, it would be of considerable value in preserving to a great extent the clothes of the rider. A few rides in a public ricksha, in the white clothes which are so universal during the hot months, will convince any lady or gentle. man that such a change would be most welcome. Hoping that my humble observations may bring the matter before the eyes of those who are compelout to effect such a desirable move.— Yours, etc.,
ODIN.
THE COST OF LIVING.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,"
Hongkong, 2nd July. SIR,-The cost of living is a subject of Perennial interest to every dweller in Hongkong, and your leading article in yesterday's Daily Press in which the prices of market produce ruling ten years ago are contrastel with the prices ruling to-day, has doubtless formal a topic of discussion in every household.
palpable fact that prices have gone up enormously While there is no room to dispute the all-too- during the last ten y ars, there seems to be no set- led opinion as to the cause thereof. Your even- ing contemporary, the China Mil, for instance, in discussing the matter says:-"We have often wondered why market prices in Hongkong for exchange. Why it should cost more to grow a local produce should be affected by the fall of
that the Russians are enlisting Chinese and doctor had left him, the policeman in attendance potato or to rear the anæmic chickens we are
forming quite an army. Another move is about. to be made and there is to be established
'A CUSTOMS BRANCH ON THE YALU. It is rather late, but better late than never. Years ago, when Mr. Schoenike was Commis. sioner of Customs at Chemulpo, the harbour master p.inted out in a report that a branch of the Customs should be established there, but it was not done and the Customs has lost many thousands of dollars by not taking his advice, which should have been collected on ginseng, timber, cereals, and grasscloth, while thousands of dollars worth of silk and other valuable goods found their way across the Yalu into Corea. No heed was taken of the harbour master's advice. Aud why? Because China managed the Customs affairs, and the commissioner was under Chinese pay. Well, matters have now changed and the authorities are more under the
left the same time, which looks rather suspicious.
The affair was at once reported to the Japanese Minister, who appeared at once on the scene, looking rather dej sted. Yi, who was fast recovering from his illness, expressed a wish to leave at once, and the Minister provided him with a chair and bearers, and a guard of Japanese police, and Yi was escorted to his own residence in safely. The Emperor hearing of the attempt on i's life at once sent a battalion further attempt should be made. The Japanese of Jalace Guards to keep a watch that no Press here and at Seoul are trying to persuade the public that it was Coreans who blow the place up, but this is not believed. The Japanese Minister seems very downca t about the affair and so he ought to be, I think.-Mercury,
[The anti-Japanese bias of this correspondent
accustomed to see in Hongkong or to procure a none-too-fresh fish for the breakfast-table by New York manipulators is difficult to under- because t the price of silver ballion is depressed
stand."
control of the Japanese, and to my mind they is obvious; but it can do no harm to hear increase in rents has had upon the cost of
have jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. However, it is well that the Coreaus are about to establish a custom house on the Yalu. Some knowing ones state that this step is a move of the Japanese, but I do not. I believe the affair is arranged by Russia and Corea, and that it will be a great gain in Corean revenue. But such custom stations must be in charge of at least one European, but to place a Japaness in such a position would mean trouble. But how about Tumen Kong? Is there no thought of establishing a revende station there ? I be- lieve there is supposed to be a Corean official for that purpose there, but it means nothing unless an European or American is placed there. A Corean official is not allowed sufficient to find himself in food and consequently there is any amount of roguery going on, and the native official generally manages to save enough to retire on. If an European is put in charge it will be beneficial to the Customs revenue.
LADY OM.
are
It is expected that Lady Om will be made Empress. Many of the head officials anxious she should become so and I think she will be made Empress at a meeting to be held soon, as the President of that department is in her favour. On his appointme it to that office, not long ago, he presented her with a small present of 14,000 yen. I expect to have to report her coronation soon, and when it comes off it will be a grand affair.
YIYONG IK.
The health of Corea's patriot, Yi Yong Ik, has been far from good. No matter what may
the other side of the case in Corea.-ED. 1.P.|
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE VOLUNTEER DRESS UNIFORM,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRE88."
Hongkong. 1st July. Concert that takes place on the 11th instant, it SE-Apropos of the Volunteer Promenade has been suggested by several of our corps that a more satisfactory dress uniform might take the place of the present one, so far, at least, as the rank and file are concerned. dress-uniform is much too heavy, being more The prezent suited to a Shanghai winter than to the usually mild temperature of Hongkong. It is also not by any means an attractive dress. Might I join with others in suggesting a nest, and above all a well-cut, white uniform. Many members even in these days of depreciated dollars wouldn't mind buying their own dress uniform, I should imagine, rather than wear the present abomination. Enclosing my card.-Yours, etc.,
A GUNNER.
A SUGGESTION FOR PUBLIC RICKSHAS.
TO THE EDitor of thE "DAILY PRESS.'
Hongkong, 2nd July. SIE-I have noticed in a recent issue of your paper some correspondence having reference to contamination from public rickshas. There is
Well, Sir, I do not think the reasons are difficult to comprehend. In the first place the prices would be regulated by the law of demand and supply. Ten years ago this Colony had au estimated British and foreign population of 10,590; the latest official estimate published
of the New Territory) has increased in the gives that population as 18,524. The Chi- nese population of the Colony (exclusive same period by about 25,000, I suggest that this large increase in the demand for enhancing prices to some extent. We might market produc› has certainly had the effect of very well consider a'so what effect the great market producз. If the Chinese producer has to pay to-day twice as much in rent as ho did ten years ago, his only way of raising additional income is to increase the true selling price of bis produce It may be of certain parts of China that the fall in exchange has not affected the cost of market produce: I have, fudeed, seen it asserted as a fact. But we are in Hongkong, of property have increased very considerably, and not in Szechuen. Rents here of all classes so also has the cost of all kinds of labour, while it goes without the say ng that the silver price of all materials imported from abroad for us, increased in proportion to the fall in exchange. here in industry and trade has had to be
the ultimate cost of the humble potato and the All this must enter directly or indirectly into
grower and the poultry-keeper are getting more anæmio chicken. The fact that the potatoe dollars for their produce to-day than they did ten years ago does not necessarily imply that their stock of dollars saved is proportionately greater.
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I cannot see how it can b.en denied that prices are affected to a fairly large extent by the currency medium, but inasmuch as consciously or unconsciously, we in Hongkong regulate our financial affairs on a gold basis while using a silver currency, I fail to discover what sound reasons can be advanced for delaying the adoption of a fixed exchange rate for Hong- kong until China shall have been induced to establish a gold standard for the whole Empire. These are a few thoughts which have occurred
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