"f
316
nip, for she joined in the naval manœuvres rad altogether put together a steaming tecord of 5,400 miles without a break down. In the Daily Chronicle Mr. FRED T. JANE, whose authority as a nav expert no one is likely to dispute, writes very warmly on the rehabilitation of the Belleville," and marshals the facts of the Spartiate's and Europa's achievements at far greater length than we can give the space for here. Hetas been all along a strong adherent of the Belleville boiler, but this must not blind us to the strength of the figures adduced in support of his case. And Mr. JANE is not alone, but has a great mass of support in
of the the engineering branch Royal Navy. In fact he does not hesitate to say in his article in the Daily Chronicle that the engineers, practical men, in the face of the adverse verlict of the Boiler Committee (composed of theoretical ex- perts), believed in the Bellevilles, and now they have shown their ability and the correctness of their opinion. The Spartiate and Europa, continues Mr. JANE, have done what no cylindrical offered ships could attempt to do, and probably what no ships with other types of water-tube boilers could do, for other types have not the coal-economy so essential to this nation. Yet all the ne v British warships are being given different experimental typ-s-in several cases types that even the Boiler Committee has con- demned since its first recommendation of them and Mr. JANE fears that we are
plunging into an abtes of experiment, making wholesale installations of boilers that way or may not succeed, and, succeed how they may, cannot conceivably do better than the Bellevilles can do. He attributes this to political reasous, rging that, despite the fact that that stalwart Radical, Sif WILLIAM ALLAN, is a leading man in the anti-Belleville party, the original sin of the Belleville boiler is that it was introduced by Lord SPENCER'S administration. We can hardly credit this argument of Mr. JANE, and we may point out that he himself cannot be quite free from political
|
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
A PROPOSED ANGLO-RUSSIAN
JOURNAL.
[November 2, 1903.
Rt. Rev. Bishop believes will be deeply interested and will cheerfully contribute. We have been asked to draw attention to the appeal, and we do so. Nevertheless we feel compelled to state that we think the money might be much better spent. We do not believe that even all missionaries Like other are in favour of the scheme. people, they too can see that $50,000 is a large sum to spend on the erection of a building of doubtful utility. If it be desirable to record in stone the fact that 188 missionaries and children and some thousands (it is claimed) of native Chris- tians perished in the Boxer rebellion, surely something less pretentious than a building costing £50,000 might be chosen. We do not profess to criticise the desire to exalt the glory of martyrdom, though we remem- ber that hosts of earlier and greater martyrs have been obliged to dispense with £50,000 buildings. Can those who drew up this appeal to the churches of Asia and Africa think of no better way of expending so much money?
(Daily Press, 28th October.) We mentioned some time ago the report that the Russiaus contemplated the publica- tion at Port Arthur of a paper in the English language, designed to influence English readers in favour of Russia. A correspondent in Port Arthur writes to us now that a certain amount of discussion on the subject has been proceeding between the Nove Vremya of St. Petersburg and the Port Arthur newspapers. The Japan correspond- written ent of the Novoe Vremya bas strongly in the columns of the journal which He holds that, while an he represents. Anglo-Russian journal is eminently desir- able, Port Arthur is not the proper place in which to publish it. Neither in Port Arthur nor in Dalny, he says, will there be for a long time to come any considerable number Port Arthur. of English or Americans. moreover, is too far from the centre of Anglo-Japanese life, and any attack on Russia in either the English or the Japanese Press could not be answered in a Port Arthur paper until too late. gather whether the Novoe Vremya's coric- spondent would have the proposed paper published in Japan or Shanghai rather past week by one of the many wandering than in Port Arthur, but we have seen | typhoons which cause anxiety about this time of Shan hai suggested somewhere. The Port the year to all whose business brings them in any Way in connection with the sca—-not to mention Arthur papers, naturally enough, claim that their town is the right place, and they architects and engineers. But beyond the lay stress on the growing Japanese popula-appearance of black emblems on the Tamar and a certain amount of delay to steamers, nothing tion, whom they expect to read the Anglo- has come of it. Everyone in consequence is Russian paper.
We do not
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
Hongkong has been threatened during the
much relieved, for no one cares to gee much of The project to enlist English and what Joseph Conrad in his recent book Typhoon Japanese sympathy toward Russia by calls "the real thing," "something formidable means of a journal printed in English, but and swift, like the sudden smashing of a vial of wrath." (Typhoon, by the way, is well worth Russian in sentiment, strikes us as interest-
sailed in the China Seas.) We may con- ing, but it looks as if it would be a costly reading and should interest those who have experiment. Doubtless the Russian Go-gratulate ourselves that last week the real The storm centre vernment might be induced to subsidise thing kindly kept away. the paper to a certain extent.
appears to have passed away to the west of the be imagined that much good can be done? Colony and to have turned in the direction of Neither Britain nor Japan desires any more Hainan. expression of Russia's goodwill and bene.
But is it to
bias, since he is about to contest Portsmouth / volent intentions. It is to deeds that they itself seen in the centre of the city, and the block.
at the next General Election- -as an Inde pendent, it is true, but still as an anti. Government man as far as naval affairs are concerned. Nevertheless, his article in defence of the Belleville boiler must be duly considered by all interested in the question, for there is no doubt he represents the opinion of hundreds of engineers in the Navy, who are themselves precluded from using their voices in the matter. Whether there is a chance of the restoration of the Belleville boiler or not, we could not attempt to say. It seems at least a great pity that it has been entirely discarded if it is true that practical (as opposed to theoretical) experts have so strong a belief in its merits as Mr. JANE, writing over his own name and there- by risking his reputation as a critic, does not hesitate to proclaim that they do.
C. E. Wharton was tried at the British Consulate, Swatow, on the 16th ult. on the charge of killing a native watchman attached to the Imperial Customs Service. The Judge who tried the case was His Honour F. S. A. Bourne, and the Crown Advocate Mr. W. A. C. Platt. The prisoner was at the time of the assault a tidewaiter in the Imperial Customs, and had a good record, holding medals for South Africa and North China He pleaded guilty to the charge, which was virtually one of manslaughter, as the medical evidence showed that the death was only indirectly the result of the assault, the man dying of tetanus foll wing nfieblood-poisoning. Wharton was sentenced to vo months' imprisonment with hard labour.
·
look, and as long as Russia's deeds corres- pond so ill with her words, so long the prevalent feelings can only be distrust and dislike. No newspaper,
however well edited and well supplied with news, can Fair speech does not go well change this. with treachery and unscrupulous aggression. If the Anglo-Russian journal is going to try to explain away these traits of Russian policy, then it will indeed attempt a stupendous task.
A MARTYRS' MEMORIAL FOR
SHANGHAI.
(Daily Press, 28th October)
We have received from Shanghai a copy of a circular letter signed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop GRAVES making a statement and appeal on behalf of a Martyrs' Memorial in Shanghai. We gather therefrom that the missionaries of China have resolved to
an
The tramway is at last beginning to make ing up the road round the south-western corner
of the Cricket Ground has called the attention even of those who travel lest afield to the fact that the revolution in Hongkong's traffic is steadily approaching. Already the north entrance of the Bank is, so to speak. in a state of siege, and we shall begin to imagine to ourselves how the streets will appear with tram-cars running up and down them. We need not look forward to the disappearance of the ricksha- puller, that bugbear of residents afflicted with nerves; but his powers of lung and speed will not be so much in evidence as they are now Few probably will regret this, for he has not many friends except the unwashed coolio whom he loves to give a ride in his rioksha between his cleaner and more lucrative fares.
Although the fabric of the new aw Courts does not show up for macb, it is some satisfac- tion to note that building operations are now going on, if not at a great pace yet still sensibly progressing. I hear that Sir Henry Blake will lay the foundation stone on Thursday, the 12th prox. This will, I imagine, be the last function of a public nature that His Excellency will take part in before his departure for Ceylon.
erect in Shanghai, as being the missionary and commercial hea-iquarters of China, a large Memorial Hall and Missionary Union
Good progress I notice is being made with Building, for the use of the Chinese and
course of construction missionaries of all societies. This Hall is the fine wide road in
across the King's Park, Kowloon, starting from intended, so the letter states, as a witness
the Prays at Hungbom and leading to Yaumati. that China has a martyr Church, as
Anyone who has observed the scores of people expression of the unity of the Church of who hourly use this short cut between the two all nations, and an expression of villages will appreciate the need that has existed gratitude for the glory of martyrdom. It for a good road. Lest this note may tempt many is expected that £50,000 will be required, to go and "look see," let me whisper that it is of which China is expected to contribute not advisable to approach by the Hanghom end, £10,000. An appeal is therefore made to where there is an urgent call for the activities the churches of Asia and Africa, who the' of the sanitary officials.
as