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MANILA PRAYING FOR CHINESE LABOUR.
Dealing at great length with the crippling of enterprise in the Philippines owing to the
dearth of cheap labour, the Cablenews says the only remedy is to admit Chinese coolies, which is forbidden by the exclusion law, and congress will not listen for a moment to any suggestion looking to its modification. The Philippine Commission, which fully realizes the situation, has again and again recommended that a law be passed giving them authority to admit a limited number of skilled mechanics and labourers from China nuder certain regulations, Their plan is to have contractors, factory managers, own rs of large estates, mine opera- tors, lambermen and others who require a large number of labourers, make application for the importation of as many men as they need for a term not to exceed five years, and give a bond that they will deport their men at the end of the term agreed upon.
In that way any demand for labour could be supplied without permanently increasing the Chinese population of the islands or exposing the Filipinos to the competition which it is alleged they dread. It should be said, however, that the Filipinos take no interest in the argu- ment. They do not care how many Chinese come into the country; the more the better. And it is equally true that there is no serious objection from any source in the islands to a limited importation of Chinese labour. On the contrary, it would be difficult to find anybody who is opposed to it The entira opposition comes from the politicians and labour unions in the United States, who know nothing about the situation and are acting upon theories rather than facis. They argue that Chinese competition is degrad. ing to labour in the Philippines as well as in the United States. Hence it must be prohibited. The only objection you ever hear raised in the Philippines is that the Chinese are frugal and economical and save their money. They very soon advance from labourers to petty shopkeepers, and then to commission merchants and jobbers, and underbid white men for government con- tracts and other business, because they can do everything 80 much cheaper than the Caucasians.
Two years ago Messrs. Farnham, Boyd and Co. shipbuilders of Shanghai, proposed to invest half a million dollars in a dry dock and shipbuilding and repair-shops at Manila provided they were allowed to bring with them a portion of the trained mechanics in their employ at Shanghai. It was manifest that they could not do business without shipwrights, machinists and other skilled labour, and it was equally obvious that these could not be obtained at Manila. Farnham, Boyd and, Co., proposed to employ two native apprent 'ces for every skilled Chinese mechanic they imported, and in that way would be able within a few years to educate a sufficient number of Filipinos to do their business, But the Commission had no authority to modify the exclusion law or to make any exceptions in its enforcement. Hence Manila lost a half-a-million-dollar shipyard, and vessels needing repairs still have to be sent to Hongkong, Shanghai or Nagasaki at a large and unnecessray expense. All government vessels are sent to China for repairs; the War Department transports are compelled to go there two or three times, a year, when that money might be kept in the Philippines if there was anyone there who could do the work. If the recommendation of the Commission bad been adopted there would already be a good supply of skilled labour, because the Filipinos are exceedingly quick in learning the use of tools.
In the government printing office at Manila nearly the entire force is composed of Filipinos and every one of them has been educated since American occupation. The Filipino is very deft in the use of his fingers and in handling tools. He learns with amazing rapidity, but he is in clined to be careless and reckless in hand- ling machinery.
Factory labour, however, is not needed so much as ordinary agricultural labour. The native is not only reluctant to work with a shovel or a hoe, but he is weak physically. He has a hollow chest and narrow shoulders and
THE HONGKONG_WEEKLY PRESS AND
the muscles of his body are not developed. Mili. tary officers say that this is not a racial defect, but insist that it is dus merely to a lack of exercise and insufficient nourishment. In proof of their theory they call attention to the rapid physical development of the native scouts and
constabulary, who after a few months of physical culture, and three square meals a day, develop into robust, chesty and muscular athletes, capable of any amount of physical
labour and endurance.
It cannot be denied that all the Malay countries are entirely dependent upon the Chinese for labour, and that wherever they go they thrive physically and save their money and make useful, industrious, lawabiding citizens.
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CRAIGENGOWER CLUB "AT HOME.”
Music hath charms," but not even the sweet music played ly the 119th Infantry on the Craigengower ground at Happy Valley on the 6th May was more charming than the zeal with which the members of the Club's com- mittee attended to the wants of their guests, and endeavoured to make them "at home" for the afternoon. The Club's matshed was gaily decorated with bunting, and awnings had been erected to shelter the visitors. A sports programme was prepared, and the various events Iesulted as follows:-The wheelbarrow race, six starters, was won by Messrs R. Basa and L. Lammert; after tying; Mr. J. P. Jordan won the blindfold race. The girla' race of 100 yards was WOD by Miss Dorothy Rodgers with Miss Queenie Tatam second from full field. There were twenty-one entries for the ladies' nomination race, which was won by Mr. J. D. Kinnaird (nominated by Mrs. John Rodgers); Mr. L. E. Lammert (nominated by Miss Milne), running second. The visitors three-legged race saw twelve starters, and was won by Messrs. Silas and Taylor. Mr. R. Pestouji won the prize for the biscuit and water race; and out of the fourteen starters in the potato and bucket race Mr. J. R. Forbes ran frat and Mr. J. D. Kinnaird second.
MOTOR BOAT FOR WEST RIVER TRAFFIC.
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At the invitation of Mr. G. C. Moxon a number of residents on May 11th attended the trial trip of a large motor-boat built to the order of an enterprising Chinaman for com- mercial purposes on the West River. The boat is 65 feet in length and has a beam of 14 feet. She was built in Messrs Bailey and Murphy's yard at Kowloon, and is fitted with an English motor (Gardner's, London), kerosene being the motive power. The advantages of such boats for the river traffic of China are obvious. Her draft is only 13 inches at the stern and practically nothing at the bow, so that she is quite capable of navigating the shallows which abound in the river above i uchow. Her speed is 8 knots. The Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart in proposing "Success to the Lungchow," spoke in terms of admiration of the boat which he anticipated would be the precursor of many
similar boats on the inland waters of Chios in the near future. Mr. Moxon, who is sole agent for these motors in Hongkong, in acknowledging the compliment, paid a well-deserved tribute to the builders, Messrs. Bailey and Murphy, and to Mr. J. W. Kew who took charge of "the motor on the trial trip and had rendered useful service in connection with its installation.
Everybody on board was most favourably impressed with the capabilities of the boat, and when to the advantages of economy of space in engine room, as compared with the steam launch, we add the great advantage which lies with the motor-boat in the matter of first cost and maintenance charges, it must be recognised that the motor-bost, for commercial purposes, is certain to become popular. The Lungchow is the first motor-boat of this kind which has been built in Hongkong but when its adran tages and capabilities become known the wish of the builders for "repeat orders " will doubtless in due time be realised.
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[May 15, 1905,
BALTICER NOTES,
Captain Davies of the x.s. Ningchow_from Liverpool via Singapore reports that at 5 am. on the 5th instant the third Baltic Squadron, consisting of four battleships and two cruisers, passed through Singapore.
DESERTERS.
L'Avenir du Tonkin in a leading article comments severely on the forcible seizure of three deserters from the Baltic Fleet by the commander of the interned Russian ship Diana. The indignation of the French press (both the Courrier Saigonnais and L'Avenir being par- ticularly censorious) seems to us further evidence of French desire to maintain strict neutrality. Russians seem to be deliberately flouting French authority all along. Unless France strongly resents it, of course, she must expect some blame.
STEERING SOUTH.
'Yes, I saw ten vessels, which I took to be
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Russians replied Captain Moss of the s.s. Edendale which arrived from Singapore yester- day, in reply to the much-vexed question pat by a Daily Press reporter. "Nine of them were warships, and one, I think, was a hospital ship." "When and where was this?" "It was about six p.m. on the 10th instant, and from the position I was in, I should say the vessels were from 10 to 13 miles out from Cape Varela. This was in latitude 13' 10" Ñ. longitude 109.'36" E. Seven of the vessels [
masta and and
S&W with the hulls down, but the masts and funnels visible. They were steaming between S. and S. S. W. Опе ship appeared to be very long and had two three funnels; four had two mesta two funnels with fighting tops. Another vessel with three masts and twe fun- nels, which had a very rakish appearance looked to me like a Russian volunteer boat. As the sun was setting we sighted three more warships approaching the fleet from the eastward. About 7 p.m. one ship with a bright light was signalling the others, and the shoreline was visible in the flare. In the early part of the evening a torpedo boat. flying the Russian ensign came close to and had a look at us. She was evidently satisfied that our vessel was a peaceful trader for she did not speak us, but stamed in a S. W.direction evidently for Honkohe Bay."
And you say the boats were steaming South, Captain ?" "Yes, possibly to effect a junction with the third Baltic Fleet.” "So far as I could see," continued Captain Moss; were no vessels at anchor within the bay, and those under way did not appear to have their
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decks stacked with coal."
SIGHTED AGAIN.
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there
The British steamer Derwent (Captain Jenkins), which arrived from Saigon on Satur- day. reports, that when leaving on the 9th there loading coal. instant there were three Russian transports The Hospital ship Kostroma was also in port. When off the Three Kings on the 10th instant about 17 number of transports were warships and a sighted. The transports and another hospital ship were in Kua channel, but the warships were about 12 miles off the coast.
ALLEGED RUSSIAN SPY AT SINGAPORE.
According to a long report in the Singapore Free Press, Vladimir Antonovitss Horvitsz is on trial at Singapore for espionage. The charges are (1) trespassing on military land at Palo Brani; and (2) being found in the vicinity of a fortification with sketching material in his possession. He appears to have stayed with someone referred to as "Conductor King." and the defence alleged that a Japanese gentleman
stayed had
a long time with another officer without any protest. Following is the extraordinary statement made by the prisoner:
Vladimir Antonovitas Horvitez, said he was a Russian journalist from Warsaw. He spoke Russian, French, German and a little English. He arrived in Singapore on April 11, by the Dumbea. He was booked through to Shanghai. He met Conductor King on the ship at Mar- soilles. Witness could not speak English when he met King. At first they occupied the same cabin. When witness joined the ship he had about 150 francs. He left Russia because he