October 30, 1905.j
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
WITH THE VOLUNTEERS.
A GRIFFIN'S EXPERIENCES.
Conscious of all my imperfections, I joined the corps. With a tible in my hand I swore to ren ler service to our King, and having been measured by the tailor for my uniform, I was given a rifle and bayonet, with a collection of other things, and left the Volunteer bead- quarters with as much nonchalence as I could command in the circumstances. Of course the man in the street could detect that I was a raw recruit, and I fancied there was a smile lurking about the corners of several mouths as I passed acquaintances, but what mattered it! everyone has to go through the mill.
Friends were pleased to exercise a pretty wit upon my martial appearance, and any a shaft was directed at me which might have hurt my feelings had my epidermis been as thin as it once was. But words could not daunt me. Alike to the frontal attack of the brutal just or the more insidious thrust of sarcasm I was impervious, and I had little hesitation in assuring my friends that the Colony was now qu to safe, for, like the immortal Bill Adams, was I not armed in its defence, filled with a new-born zeal for military exercises, and determined to quit myself valiantly when the opportunily was given.
and equal opportunity for all trades without fear or favour. I think if we proceed on these lines we shall do good and useful work in the future, as we have done in the past. (Applause.) Mr. HUMPHREYS said—If I am in order, İ should like to ask whether the committee have as yet taken any action with regard to the viola- tion by the Viceroy of Cauton of the stipulation in the Mackay Treaty, which provides for the more effectual opening of the Inland Waterways of China; as we all know, the British flag has practically been ordered off the river between Waobow and Nanning. It is a matter of publio notoriety that the Viceroy is defying the British Consul in Canton in this matter, and that the latter is helpless. It is the old old story, The Consul appeals to his Minister in Peking. The Minister goes to the Wai-wu-pu. The Wai-wa-pa has no information. The Wai-wa-pu will enquire; a week. a month passes, and again the Minister complains, then he is informed that instructions have been sent to the Viceroy to carry out the conditions of the Treaty. Thes be interprets in any way that suits himself and so he replies that he is fulfilling them. The Wai-wu-pu informs the British Minister that the Viceroy reports that he is carrying out the Treaty, and the Minister then asks the Consul if things are now in order (pro- bably giving him a hint at the same time to smooth things over). Meanwhile nothing is done, and if the Consul refuses to sit down under the humiliation the whole farce begins all over again. This seems to me to be eminently a Late that evening there was an unwonted matter in which this association might seek to movement in my room. Instead of reclining on strengthen the hinds both of the Minis er aed the sofa with a smoke and a newspaper, I was Consul by vigorous representations at Home, practising with my weapons of warfare. Stand As regards Mr. Pollock's reference to tradeing erect at the open window, I took imaginary marks, there is already a bureau established at Shanghai. But so far as the law is at present, all they do is to give you a number in recogai. tion of your trade mark. Anyone who has a trade mark could send it to Shanghai and have it filed. If it was not filed it was quite likely someone else might get a similar mark register- ed by and by.
After some further remarks on this subject, the CHAIRMAN pointed out that registration depended entirely upon the spirit in which the Chinese Government carried it out. Up to the present nothing had been done.
The report was adopted.
pot shots at the Clock Tower. I was not so reckless as one would think, for was it not to be moved anyhow? Then I took to calculating distances, adjusting my sight, and firing at longer range, taking flags and masts and fuunels and other things for my targets. By-and-by I got to close quarters. Fixing my bayonet, I played great havoc with the illusive foe which surrounded me, getting the blade well home every time, and tossing the victims over my shoulder as lightly as wool. Once I struck the bed post with a nois, that sounded alarming in the stillness of the night, but happily no one in the house was sufficiently alarmed or curious to investigate the cause of the disturbance, and so I proceeded with my deadly work. By-and-by I ess yed the more ceremonial work of presenting arms in front of the mirror, but the claims of nature becoming assertive I dropped off to sleep and dreamt of alarums and excursions" in which I was called upon to take part.
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On the eventful day when the camp opened I appeared on the streets for the first time in my
new uniform, and arrayed in all my warlike equipment. It was difficult to feel, like the small boy with his first pair of trousers, that everybody was not gazing at me. But what a sensation my appearance created in the office." The coolies at the entrance stared. They could not recognise in this man of military mien the unobtrusive individual who passed in and out every day, while the boy, who occasionally condescends to respond to my calls and who has become somewhat familiar asked: "You belong soldier man ?" My newly acquired dignity deigned no answer, and I proceeded with my duties as calmly as if there were no camp pro- sp cts to anticipate. On the way out the Chinese wore visibly impressed and their demeanour was decidedly deforen ial, while the gute from the Indian wateoman was more
I The CHAIRMAN said: -You will see from the accounts that we have a credit balance of something over $1,000-in view of this and our smail expenses we have not collected any subscriptions for 1905, as we deemed it advisable to publish the report and show that we had not been idle, and then to invite an expression of opinion from the members as to what course they may deem it advis- Next evening I found my way to the Parade able to pursue. It is useful to have some money Ground and took my place with a number of in hand as we may at any moment have to incur other young men who were being "licked into fairly heavy telegraphic expenses, but we don't shape by a non-commissioned army officer. I want to go on indefinitely piling it up. My wouldn't like to say that he was supercilious or own idea is that it would be a graceful act on even sarcastic, but he had a knack of making us our part after collecting this year's subscrip- realise how awkward we were and how much we tions to remit to London anything in excess of had to learn. Still it had the merit of keeping $1,000 as their report shows that their expenses us humble, and humility is a virtue not greatly are largely met by heavy donations from in evidence among our compatriots here. In various firms interested in China. This course of time we were able to distinguish is, however, my opinion as an individual between the limber and the gun, and after a few but as the disposal of members' funds is evenings' drilling we hegan to have some glim- naturally a question they must decide for them-mering of the duties of the various members of selves, we invite an expression of opinion on the a gun crew, though chasing round the Head- point. Many local members pay their subscrip. quarters' Ground with big guns proved rather tions in London, but as the London report give. warm work, inducing a more or less expensive no list of names it may be that we have not sent thirst and making one relish the luxury some of them reports. We shall be very of clean linen. Then came the infantry dril. glad to do so if they will let us know. Though apparently simple, it was surprising On the motion of Mr. MITCHELL, seconded how fall of suares it was for the unwary. by Mr. Houan, it was decided that this matter Dropping a rifle on the toes or catching a finger should be left in the hands of the committee on the trigger taught one to be careful, while The committee, on the proposition of Mr. a dig in the back from a clumsily handled gun MITCHELL, seconded by Mr. POLLOCK, was re- behind provoked the expression of terse and elected en bloc.
vigorous terms under one's breath. "Shoulder arms was a command that made many shudder. With little clothing interposed between the rifle and the shoulder painful bruises followed, and many were heard to declare that that part of their body would be padded for the next occasion. And so it was. Towels, undervests, and other articles were employed and the drill was pe formed with greater comfort. After a few nights of such training, came the announce- ment of the camp, where the instruction would ❘ be more detailed and where the fun would be
fast and furious.
With the CHAIRMAN's expression of thanks, the meeting concluded,
The Japan Mail reports that the directors of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha have presented to Captain John Withalm Eckstrand, ou the occasion of his retirement from their employment, a gratuity of twenty thousand yen, in recognition of his long, faithful and efficient services, which date from the time of the company's formation.
With a
elaborate than usual. With inflated chest and head erect, I swung down the road my heavy boots, which I donned for the occasion. "maldug a noise which echoed a long way, even up to the windows of several boarding houses from which peeped smiling feminine faces. The chair and ricsba coolies, as they eyed me lad-n with rifle and accoutrements, swcoped down with wild rushes on what must be a certain fare. Their calculations, however, were not based on a know- Idge of the military spirit, which makes light of marches and thinks not of fatigue. frown-for was it not an implied insult that I was not inured to exe tion ?-I bad+ them begone, and tried to resume the even tenear, of my way. But it was not to be The panto- mine had to be re-enacted about every twenty yards, until I got close to Murray Pier, where I found a host of other khaki-clad figures standing in groups of threes and fours, all apparently on good terms with themselves and determined that their stay under canvas should not be particularly dull. Identifying myself with a certain coterie, I heard terrible tales of what a griffin has to go through. There were boisterous performances in the eerie hours of night at which he had to be a passive subject, 1 here were wild orgies at which he had to be a very active subject; when he would have to "melt" dollars galore in paying his footing. And lastly, there were the exhausting tasks im- posed on fa igue duty and the dreary experience of going on guard. Though making allow ances for exaggeration and the general d-sire to paint a picturesque tale, on the part of all these brilliant raconteurs, I was conscious of some little impression made by this conversation; but the sinking at my heart was only mom-n- tary. If these duffers can go through these experiences and laugh at them, why shouldn't I? And so, "bucking up," as I was com manded, I forgot my fears and revelled in the dubious reminiscences that were told. What fun those fellows must have had at previous camps. Military exercises, though figuring largely in their daily programme, somehow di not appeal to their imaginations as did the misadventures of their comrades, the antics in the canteen and the concert room, and the general frolic of the camp. In a short time I was scrambling on board a launch, and after a pleasant sail of about half an hour I was landed with my company on Stonecutters' Island.
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Stepping ashore at Stonecutters one felt that the liberty of the subject had been put off for a while. Here were military law and a discipline stern-r than we had hitherto been accustomed to, and one's feelings were rather mixed as one began to realise in an indefinite sort of way thз character of the place. However we had little time to ponder over our new situation, but were quickly initiated into the meaning of fatigue duty. Tents had to be put in order, bedding arranged. and so on, but happily no one made s burden of it. With the greatest good humour and the merriest of banter, the work was accomplished, and then I was invited to the canteen. What happened then was merely ordin ary-though to some it may have appeared ex- traordinary-and a little later the call of the bugle brought me out to drill for the first time with No. 1ompany. That passed over without event, giving each one, however, a healthy appetite for the dinner which was soon due. Then was the time to enjoy the flow of From: 150 wit and the feast of reason. voices there came the stentorian shout of