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incensed whole districts, are largely to blame for it. But it is one thing to denounce outbreaks against Christianity, and quite another to aid in convincing Europe that there is a Yellow Peril after all, and that when the war is over the combined nations must if need be step in to save Russia from the consequences of her misdeeds on the plea forsooth that her discom- fiture would be a European catastrophe! That is a line of argument into which we hoped to see no British paper inveigled. What we think the natural, though not-to-be-encouraged ex- planation of some of the recent publications is the well-known jealousy felt by some of our missionary bodies at the spread of Japanese influence amongst the rising generation of natives. This we say is natural enough. Our missions sent out men who are heart and soul in their work. Now the majority of Japanese in China are not Christians and never will Yet, by means of their knowledge and success, they have already gained a firm foothold in Chinese esteem, perhaps because their influence is not spiritualistic in any sense. the missionary were to characterise it in friendly fashion ho would probably call it Agnosticism. Were he unfriendly, it would be heathenism pure and simple. It is quite possible that some of the antagonism referred to in mission reports is due to this spirit of resentment against those who may be looked upon as interlopers,
be.
If
CURRENCY REFORM IN CHINA.
Professor J. W. Jenks left Shanghai for the United States in the Mongolia, and we are glad to know that he leaves these shores with the satisfactory conviction that his mission has not been altogether in vain. He has planted, it is for others to water, and the increase will come. Thoroughly conversant as he is with his subject on every side, a clear and cogent writer, e very able speaker, and a man of winning personality, he was the best choice that the United States Government could possibly have made when the Chinese asked for à Commissioner to advise them how they might test obviate the loss which the continuing depreciation of silver was causing them. His plan, as is generally known, is the adoption of the gold standard without a gold currency, to put it as concisely as possible, and he has found the statesmen of Peking, as well as the high provincial officials, with whom he has discussed the question in all its bearings, eager to listen to him, to understand, and to adopt in due time his suggestions. Many foreigners too, who were at first indisposed to believe that the adoption of the gold standard by China was anything but an impossible dream, have been convinced by his arguments; and there is good reason, if nothing untoward happens, to believe that something like the reform which has been so unexpectedly and promptly successful in the Philippines will be adopted by China before very long. Thus China will come into line with India, the Straits, the Philippines, and Japan, to the permanent advantage of all who do business with gold standard countries. And mainly to the suave, unassuming, but thorough- ly earnest professor of Cornell University, with his unexcelled mastery of facts and figures, this great and beneficial reform will be due. And there will be a general hope that circumstances will enable him to return to China and give his advice and assistance to those who will be charged with putting his recommendations in action.-N.G. Daily News.
CHINESE METHODS.
A pretty example of Chinese administrative methods is narrated with naivete in the Chung Ngoi San Po. It knocks into a cooked-hat all the foreign idealist's notions of the moral effect of centuries of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and all the other isms that are supposed to make John Chinaman such a' noble boy. Confucius is supposed to have advised his worshipping countrymen never to do to each other what they wouldn't like anybody to do to them. If the doings of Aw Fung-shi, Governor of Kwangsi, and Viceroy Shum are criteria of what all the others are doing, the rule of official conduct seems to be: Do to the other what he is likely to do to you, and do it first.
I
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
1
Governor Aw sent a memorial to the Throne, to the effect that Aw was a poor, insignifi- cant governor, unworthy to lick the steps of the Imperial washhouse at Peking, but that he felt worthless person who neglected his duty, who it his painful duty to report that Shum was a frequently drank wine in company with his subordinates, and who was guilty of the des- picable habit of flatt ring the Throne with fal reports.
Back from Peking, straight to the unhappy Shum, e me the awful Imperial signet.
"Thus and thus says our faithful slave Aw. What hast thou to say to the several indict- ments? Answer, on thy head." (Or words to that effect.)
of a doubt."
Shum took a little more wine, and drank con- fusion to that rasel Aw. Then he replied, to the effect that the Heaven-born would gracious. ly hearken to his unworthy but extremely truthful replies. He (Shum) had always exert-d himself to the utmost to perform all his duties. He had on many occasions gone forth in the rain to pray for the Throne, and he trusted that the Throne would continue to retain its convictions of his probity and honour. He had nover sout a false report. All were perfectly true, down to the very last wiggle of the brush, and the Throne must not " entertain a shadow That person Aw was within a few miles of a fact when he spoke of wine drinking. He (Shum) did invite his subor- dinates to a dinner once. (He must have smiled as he wrote this.) That was on the Emperor's birthday, and all drank to the health of the Throne, but kept quite sober. The fact was this person Aw had sent such a (saving your Presence) lying report be- cause he expected the unworthy writer of these presents to report him for cowardice and negligence. Governor Aw had gathered all the soldiers he could get around the city of Kweilin for his own protection against the rebels. Other cities, surrounded by rebels, he had left to shift for themselves. He was arrant coward, whereas the writer (Shum) was an pursuing those rebels.
A
[September 19, 1904. *GNEISENAU” CAPTAIN 'FINED.
+ Adder van
board, without reporting same to the Harbour For entering the harbour with arms on
steamer Gneisenau was fined $25. The offence Master, Captain H. Bleeker of the N. D. L.
discovered by the manifest supplied to a clerk occurred on the 16th August last, and was of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company.
Detective Inspector Grant deposed that. acting n instructions from the Captain Superintendent, he visited the Kowloon Godowns, where he found seventeen cases of arms, plainly labelled outside in English He satisfied himself as t the nature of the against the Gneisenau's captain. A boarding contents, and then applied for the summons officer from the Harbour Master's office had reported the omission to the police.
he supposed the pu ser had had so much to do Captain Bleeker admitted the facts, and said that he had not properly inspected the manifest. The purser was not present, but (Mr Komp having considerately offered an adjournment) he did not think it worth while calling him.
any
evasion
of the harbour
Mr Kemp said that while there did not appear to have been in the present instance
deliberate rules, such offences were very serious. The maximum penalty was a fine of $200. Justice would be met in this case by a fine of $25.
NATIVE FIGHTING NEAR SHANGHAI.
Village and olan fights, common enough in the south and north, are in the immediate vicinity of Shanghai of quite rare occurrence, owing to the general timidity and peace-loving nature of the country people belonging to the prefectures of Sungkisng and Soochow, in this province. Hence people here were gratly surprised to hear that on Monday (5th.) there was a regular battle royal, accompanied by loss of life, between the members of two villages situa- ted on the borders of the neighbo iring districts of Pa shan (Wusung) and Chisting (Kah- ding). There were over two hundred contest- ants on each side of the rustic raies, who were led by the members of the chief families of the respective villages. Th bat'le was on neutral ground, namely, within Foone of the
the borders of the town of Nanhsiang
It answered. Peking replied: Worthy Shum. Do thy duty as usual, and root out the rebels. Take no notice of what Aw says. attend to him.
We will Governor Aw, chuckling in the midst of his well defended premises at Kweilin, because he had got ahead of that interfering Viceroy, was shocked when he received an Imperial chit scolding him for presuming to villify(Naziang), about a dozen or fifteen miles north better man. He was ordered to send of Shanghai. The cause of the fight was con- his soldiers against the rebels and (horrible cerning the right of gathering water-ily roots panishment) to go with them.
in the Tangho canal, rights claime! by one village and denied by the other. Nearly twenty villagers were badly injured by blows from irou rakes, hoes, soythes and clubs, while three were killed. A native guard-boat, containing a crew ef a dozen men, was manifestly too weak to stop the fight, which continued until the side that had lost most men in wouoded gave ground. It is stated that if the chibhsien of Chiat ng (Kahding) proves himself too we k to overawe the villagers, that rowdies, gam- blers and des eradoes, who abound in that vicinity, will take advantage of the opportunity thus given to plunder and spread the distur- bance to neighboaring towns.-N.-C. Daily News.
This was too much. Slipping a dirk into his sleeve, in case he should have to anticipate the thunderbolt, he urgently despatched representa tions to the Throne that Kweilin, being the capital, was more important than the rest of the province. and it would be very unwise to send the soldiers away. Kwangsi wa overrun with rebels, and he, as Governor, had to be extremely careful. Surely the Throne had not thought of the terrible risks of braving these rebels? Besides, if the soldiers went, they would most probably be defeated. The most they could hope for would be one or two chance victories.
Here the story ends for the time being. | There seems to be an opening for another General Gordon in Kwangai.
SETTLEMENT OF THE SHIHEN ANTI-CATHOLIC TROUBLES.
The following settlement has been made by the French authority with the Chinese.
1.-The culprits who murdered the Catholic priests and converts shall be severely punished.
2.-The local officials responsible shall be cashiered and ordered to leave their positions.
3-A hospital shall be established to com- memorate the incident at the expense of the Chinese Government.
4.-Respectful service and burial of the murdered priests shall be undertaken by the Chinese authorities.
5.-The families of the four native converts who had been murdered shall be given in- demnities, and indemnities also shall be paid to the families of the Catholic priests.—Universal Gazeite.
NEUTRAL GOODS ON JAPANESE
SHIPS,
The Law Journal states that the destruction by the Russian ships of their Japanese prizes may give rise to a somewhat difficult question if board. The Declaration of Paris provides that any of them should have neutral property on
liable to capture under the enemy's flag. Does neatral goods, other than contraband, are_not it follow that when a captured enemy's ship the obligation imposed on the States adhering carries neutral cargo it would be a violation of
to the Declaration to sink the ship when it is impracticable to send her into port, and there- fors that the only alternative is to release her? We think not. Article III. of the Declara- tion of Paris was intended to make it clear that fiscate neutral property. It was not intended a belligerent has in general no right to con- to prevent the exercise against an enemy of a recognised belligerent right. Is the owner
!