284
The 78th Co. R.G.A. carried honours.
SACK RACE (30 Yards).-First Prize pre- sented by C. A. Tomes, second prize presented. R. Basa, 1; F. W. White, 2.
ONE MILE FLAT RACE (Handicap),—First prize presented by H. E. Major-General Sir Vil- liers Hatton, C.B.; second prize presented. Ward--the name does not appear in the entries -1; E. Humphreys, 2.
120 YARDS VETERANS' RACE (Handicap). Competitors to be over 35 years of age and not less than 10 years residence in India, China, or the tropics; 14 yards start to be given for each year over 35 years of age. First prize pre- sented by Hon. Sir C. P. Chater. C.M.G., second prize presented. A. Rodger (14 1/5 secs.). 1; C. Pinckney. 2.
BOYS RACE. 440 YARDS (Handicap).—Post entries before 2 p.m. open to all boys over 12 and under 16. Handicap at the post, age to be stated on entry.
First and second prizes presented by Mr. R. H. B. Mitchell.
Magud. 1; Juman, 2. BICYCLE RACE, Three Miles (Handicap). -Start in saddle. First prize presented by H. E. Mr. May, C.M.G.; second prize presented by Messrs. G. Falconer & Co. H. C. Austen (9 min. 13 3/5 secs.). 1; R. C.Witchell, 2.
CONSOLATION RACE (120 yards).-Open to all Competitors except post entries. Prize pre- sented by Mr. E. M. Hazeland. Chambers (2 min. 16 1/5 secs), 1; Stewart 2; Fowles, 3.
440 YARDS FLAT RACE (Challenge Cup To be won two years in succession before becom- in the property of a competitor. First prize presented by Mr. H. N. Mody: second prize presented by Mr. H. C. Austen.
First Heat -J. H. Witchell. 1; R. C. Witchell, 2.
Second Heat A. Humphreys. 1; J. P. Jordan, 2.
Third Heat-J. J. Watson. 1; A. J. Darby,
Final A. Humphreys (56 25 secs.). 1: J. Witchell, 2; J. Watson, 3.
OBSTACLE RACE.-First prize presented by Mr. E. W. Mitchell, second prize presented. H. Arthur, 1; S. D. Blair. 2; 8. R. Moore. 3.
CONSOLATION RACE (120 Yards).-Open to all Competitors (except those in open events). Post Entries. Prize presented by Mr. E. M. Hazeland.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
RUSSIA AND INTERNATIONAL
LAW.
CHARGES AGAINST JAPAN.
An official despatch received at the Foreign Lamsdorff, the Russian Foreign Minister, issued Office on the 24th ult. reports that Count
a note to the
representatives of the The note deals with the alleged violation of various Powers under date of the 2nd ult. international usage by Japan since the breach of the Russo-Japanese negotiations, and enumerates the following as the evidences of such viola- tion-1. That Japan landed her troops on neutral territory, that is Corea, prior to the commencement of hostilities: 2. That the
Japanese squadron attacked two Russian war- ships off Chemulpo three days prior to the declaration of war, the warships being deprived of the opportunity of receiving notice of the breach of diplomatic relations on account of the Japanese having maliciously interrupted the telegrams dispatched to the commanders of the warships by the Russian authorities; 3. That the Japanese Government has, in defiance of international law, seized Russian merchant vessels in neutral Coreau ports at the
time when the hostilities were about to com. meuce; 4. That the Japanese Government has dictated to the Emperor of Corea that Corea shall henceforth he placed under Japanese administration, at the same time warning the Emperor that the Japanese troops will occupy the capital in the event of the advice being disregarded; 5. That the Japanese Govern- ment has forwarded a note, through the French demanding the withdrawal of the legation as Minister, to the Russian Minister in Seoul,
well as the consular stuff from Seoul.
The note concludes with the remark that. Russia will take as invalid all the orders and announcements issued by the Corean Goveri- ment under the dictation of Japan. for the unlawful acquirement by the Japanese Govern- meut of illegal powers in Corea.
JAPAN'S REPLY.
The Consul General for Japan communicated to the N. C. Daily News the following text of a telegram received from Tokyo :-
Imperial Japanese Government learn that the Russian Government have recently addressed a note to the Powers in which the Japanese C. Cook, 1; A. Marti, 2.
Government are charged with having committed Mrs. Dicken presented the prizes. Austen and Witchell had equal marks-nine each-for Russia to be in violation of International Law certain acts in Corea which are considered by the Champion Cup, presented by Mr. A. Chap-and all orders and declarations of the Corean man, but Austen relinquished his claim in favour of the other man.
KOWLOON BOWLING GREEN CLUB,
At the opening day of the season held at the Green on the 2nd inst. the members and their friends, including a large number of ladies, spent very pleasant afternoon. The grounds, which were decorated al round with flags, presented a pleasant appearance. Tea was served on the lawn, and during the afternoon selections of music were played by the band of the 93rd Burma Infantry. Competitions for prizes were engaged in, Mrs. Jack presenting the prizes to the following winners:➡
GENTLEMEN'S COMPETITION.
J. W. Robertson and J. Kyles J. Parkes
A, Kinross
A. Milroy
J. Ramsay
J. Gay
Mrs. Milroy
W. Ramsay
J. Galt
31
J. C. Gow
57
*
W. J. Puddepha Mr. Pollock
LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S COMPETITION.
and J. Macdonald
Mrs. Majer
Mrs. Kerr
Mrs. W. Ramsay Mrs. Jack
J. Parkes
11
J. Galt
"
11
A. Ewing
J. C. Gow
39
Miss Guy CHAMPIONSHIP Cup
T. W. Robertson for 1903. Presented
by W. C. Jack, Esq.
Won by A. G. Ewing. 2nd prize won by A. Ritchie, 3rd prize won by T. W. Robertson. Most games played, W. M. Deas. Three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Jack and the ladies closed the proceedings of a very enjoy. able afternoon.
Government are declared in that note to be in valid. The Japanese Government do not find it necessary in the present instance to concern themselves in any way with views, opinions, for declarations of the Russian Government. But they believe it to be their duty to correct misstatements of fact which, if permitted to remain uncontradicted. might give rise in the minds of neutral Powers to incorrect references and conclusions. Accord ingly the Japanese Government make the following statement respecting the five acts which in the note referred to are declared to be fully proven and confirmed facts.
1. The Japanese Government admit that the Japanese troops were landed before the declara- tion of war, but not before the state of war which actually existed between Japan and Russia. It is well known that the maintenance of the independence and terrorial integrity of Corea is one of the objects of the present war, and the despatch of troops to the menaced territory was a matter of right and necessity which had the distinct consent of the Corean Government. A sharp distinction is to be drawn between the sending of Japanese troops to Manchuria without the consent of China while peaceful negotiations were still in
progress.
2. The Japanese Government declare that the allegation under this number is untrue. They did not stop the delivery of Russian telegrams by the Danish cable. Neither did they destroy the Corean Government's telegraphic com- munication. Regarding the attack on the 8th February on the two Russian men-of-war at Chemulpo, it is only necessary to say that a state of war existed, and that Corea having given her consent at her convenience to the landing of Japanese troops at Chemulpo, the port of Chemulpo had ceased to be neutral at least between the belligerents.
[April 9, 1904.
3. The Japanese Government have established a Prize Court with full authority to deal with the seizures of merchant-vessels. Accordingly it would be clearly unnecessary to make any statement regarding the assertion under this
number.
charge under this number to be absolutely and 4. The Japanese Government also declare the wholly without foundation in fact.
5. The Japanese Government deny the accuracy of the statement under this number. No demand either direct or indirect was address- Minister to withdraw from Corea. On the 10th ed by the Japanese Government to the Russian ||February, the French Charge d'Affaires called on the Japanese Minister and informed him, as he did afterwards in writing, that it was the desire of the Russian Minister to leave Seoul, and asked the opinion of the Japanese Minister on this subject. To this the latter replied that, if the Russian Minister would withdraw in a
|
peaceful manner, taking with him his staff and Legation Guards, he would be fully protected by our troops. The Russian Minister so withdrew of his own free will on the 12th February, and an escort of Japanese soldiers was furnished him as far as Chemulpo.
It may be added that the Russian Consul at Fusan remained at his post as late as the 8th February. It is reported that he was compelled which the Russian Minister apparently did not to stay so long in the absence of instructions
care to give his Consul before his departure When it was made known that he was instructed offered him every facility for his departure for to leave that port, the Japanese Consul there Shanghai via Japan.“
HONGKONG.
The actual expenditure on public works in the Colony last year amounted to $1,349,532.
Mr. P. N. H. Jones, the Acting Director of Public Works, has been provisionally appointed to be an official member of the Executive and Legislative Councils during the absence of Mr. W. Chatham.
During the week ending the 2nd April there were reported in the Colony the following casos of communicable disease --Plague, 3 (Chinese, all fatal); enteric fever, 2 (European, 1 fatal); small-pox. 6 (all Chinese, 5 fatal). Three fresh being Chinese. plague cases have been reported since the victims
The new peal of bells at the Roman Catholic Cathedral were first, rung on Saturday last (Holy Saturday), during the services in the morning. The pealing was very sonorous, but the manipulation was imperfect owing to want of practice on the part of the ringers. The Easter services on Sunday at the Cathedral were fully choral and were very imposing. His Lordship Bishop Piazzoli, assisted by all the clergy, Italian, French, and Spanish, officiated, and the Congregation was very numerous.
Easter Sunday was a red-letter day in the history of the Wanchai Wesleyan Garrison and Naval Chapel, which had been closed for the last four months for the purposes of re-building and enlargement. Twenty feet have been added to the length, and the addition of side aisles completes the original design of the church. The architect, Mr. A. Denison, A.M.I.C.E., and the builder, Mr. Kin Tuck, are to be congratulated on a fine piece of work carried out punctually to the day. Last Sunday morning every available seat was occupied. There were just over four hundred soldiers and sailors present; these, with a hundred civilians, The made up a congregation of five hundred. seating capacity of the chapel has been doubled by the extension. The preacher for the. day was the Rev. T. W. Pearce, L.M.S. few introductory and congratulatory remarks Mr. Pearce spoke of the happy coincidence of the opening day with the great and joyful feast of Easter. The sermon, founded on I. Cor. 5, verse 8, was most appropriate to the occasion, and the two main thoughts were Easter joy and Easter duty. Through the kindness of the Colonel and officers of the Sherwood Foresters the band of that regiment sent a contingent under the leadership of Bandmaster Bradley. again in the evening to a good congregation. Mr. Pearce preached The collections taken were the largest on record for this chapel.
In &
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