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October 30, 1905.]
CORRESPONDENCE.
NORWAY AND RUSSIA.
“
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
Hongkong, 20th October.
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8IB, Permit me to point out some errors in the leader of your esteemed paper of the 19th inst, regarding the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. You imply therein that it is presumed that Norway would have no objection to cede Finmarken to Russia, which would have iven that country What she was most desirous of, an ice-free port opening directly on the Atlantic coast.” Quite apart from the fact that Finmarken forms part of the Arctic (where Russia has as good ports | as ours) and not the Atlantic coast, it is a mistake to presums that my countrymen even for a minute would think of offering Russia any ice free (or for the matter of that an ice- closed) harbour.
You might as well have said "it is presumed that Great Britain would have no objection to cede Caithness or Sutherland to the United Stales" if this power wanted a stronghold in Europe.
as
The fact of the matter is that Norway is as little inclined to accommodate Russia Sweden, and if the latter country should ever be attacked by the mighty Cossack, we would promptly come to her assistance.
If the Russiaus do desire Tinmarken, then it is only as a part of a larger area (Nordlaud aud Finmarken in Norway; Lappland in Sweden). It can hardly be onceived that Russia, who would have as liticle or as much trouble in taking a part as the whole, would only take that which is of little value to her. while leaving the other provinces mentioned, with their thousands of million tons of high graded iron ore, ore that when the Spanish mines, ten or fifteen years hence, are exhausted, practically speaking, will be as invaluable to Great Britain as the coal-fields in Wales, Northumberland and Scotland. Commercially and strategically, Finmarken alone is of little use, whereas the possessors of the Ofoten Railway can command and control the Northern provinces of Norway and Sweden. We may, therefore, safely conclude that what Russia desires, if she, as she possibly may do, desires anything, is the land abore the 65th degree, which includes several of the coveted ice-free harbours on the Atlantic coast, one of which, the prosperous port of Narvik, could be converted into a second Port Arthur.
You are further mistaken when you state that Norway was not awake to this danger when she dissolved the Union. Had you said that the ideas of the Swedes and the Norwegians as to how, conjointly and in the best manner, to counteract possible Russian agressions. you would have been nearer the mark. Sweden being the larger country, sought this 'co- operation in a closer amalgamation with, not to say an assimilation of Norway, and to that end put every conceivable obstacle in the way to debar us from retaining the absolute indepen-
dence that was ours.
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Norway, on the other hand. growing tired of the incessant attempts apon her liberty and maintaining that a union of hearts was far superior to union of coercion, took the opportunity offered it by the king when he, against the united demand of the Norwegian nation, Government and Parliament, and acting upon the advice of his Swedish re-actionary ministry, declined to come to Norway to settle a Norwegian matter and vetoed the consular law. Hal King George, as Ruler of Hanover, and acting upon Hanoverian adrices, refused to come to London to settle a British matter, and had he stayed in Hanover and vetoed a bill passed unanimously in the British Parliament, demanded by the whole population of Great Britain and by the British Government of the day. I have no doubt but that the people of Great Britian would have done the same as the Norwegians did on the 7th June, 1905.
When you say that it was only by the superior political presoienos of King Oscar and the Government of Sweden that the great common danger of war has been averted, this is a misuomer for the Government and Storthing of Norway. You will find ample proof for my contention by looking up the leading articles of
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
such papers as the Times and Standard; the Kollnische Zeitung, and Frankfurther Ze tung; Le Temps and Le Figaro, not to speak of the leading American and Danish papers which, all of them, sided with us.
Not the Swedes but we averted a war by giving in on the question of the border fortifications, and all the papers mentioned give honour where honour is due.
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have been in your hands for the past three weeks, I presume we may follow the usual custom and take them as read. You will doubtless concur in the opinion of the general agents and consulting committee that the result of the 1904 working is satisfactory, enabling us, as it does, to recommend an increase of six per cent. in the dividend, a subs antial addition to both the reserve and re-insurance funds, and When the settlement now proceeding has the carrying forward of a somewhat larger sum been concluded, it becomes the duty of Nor than usual to meet outstanding losses and averages wegians and Swedes a'ike to forget the past; on 19 4 and previous years. I should mention and I am sur· that every enlight-uel citizen in
in connection with this result, that although both countries agai› will do his best to create a meeting those of our regular constituents who renewed feeling of comradeship and goodwill.desired to protect themselves against war risks, With the shadow from the Northwest hanging we have otherwise taken no part in the highly over our heads it should not take a generation speculative business which frequently offered erase all hatred from the minds of the during the course of hostilities between Russia brothers in Scandinavia and, in the meantime, and Japan, deeming it more prudent to abstain it would be well for all other European nations
therefrom. Notwithstanding peace is now o›n- to remember that our boss would be theirs should cluded, there still remains the undoubted great the time come when the two small nations in danger from flosting mines in the waters of the North would be called upon to repu'se the North China, of the existence of which there attack of the modern l'ersians. We hold an has recently been very convincing evidence in honourable position as vanguards against the the unfortunate loss of the e.. Haich Ho, and trampling down of Western culture. May we damage to other vesse's. It is to be hoped that be true to our charge and staunch as the the late belligerents will speedily recognise & Jent Greeks. - Your, etc..
to be their duty to make search for and destroy these terrible dangers to praceful commerce which they have set adrift. The apparent diminution in our premia income as expressed in dollars is explained by our having converted gold contributions at a rate of ex- change over nine per cent. higher than in 19(3. As stated in the report, we have every reason to be satisfied with the progress of this year's business. Losses to da'e are about the same as last year,
while our premia income is appreciably greater. You will notice a considerable increase in our funds, and I have pleasure in stating our surveyors report most, favourably on the various properties mortgaged to the office. With these few remarks I beg to propose the adoption of the report and accounts as published.
BJARNE AAGAARD.
CANTON LEPERS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS."
Canton, October 20th.
DEAR SIR:Will you allow me to appeal again to your readers for aid in behalf of the lepers of Cautou and vicinity. The cold weather will soon be upon us, and with the cold weather the real suffering of the lepers begins. For two years friends in Canton and Hongkong have responded to this appeal and have enabled me to relieve a great deal of suffering. Unfortunately I cannot report any improvement in the condition of this unfortunate class nor has the number decreased. All that I cau hope to do at present is to make their suffering more bearable during the most trying months of the year. Sometime soon I hope to have a "Home" for the more helpless. But during the cold months the lepers suffer terribly. In walking from place to place begging many suffer horrible physical torture.
If we can supply food and clothing his condition is greatly relieved. With so many needing assistance it is possible to help only the very wor-t cases, and relieve the worst forms of suffering. careful investigation of the leper village has becu made and there are about 200, mostly women who will require a daily allowance of rice during about four months to keep them from slarving to death. Three and a half cents. will provide food for one leper for one day. $7 a day for 200. 1840 for four mouths. This amount is not large but it will relieve a great deal of suffering. Many others will require occasional help. We need also clothes and about 200 raiu hats for those who go out to beg. With $1,000 we can do much to help the most needy. We are deeply grateful to those who have helped in the past and we trust that they and many others will help us this year.
Captain Brown. of Kowloon, will forward any clothing that may be sent to him for the lepers.
-- Yours truly,
ANDREW BEATTIE,
In behalf of the Lepers.
CANTON INSURANCE OFFICE, LIMITED.
days a few
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Mr. MORRIS-I have much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report and accounts. I had this pleasure many years ago when the society was much younger than it is at the present moment, and I think we can all congratulate ourselves on the able and efficient way it has been worked. I am sorry to hear that our friend and secretary, Mr. Veitch, is likely to leave us, because I have no doubt that our prosperity is in a great measure due to him; and we can only hope that it will continus
after he leaves.
The motion was carried.
The CHAIRMAN moved that the appointment of Mr. Moxon to the consulting committee be confirmed, and that the retiring members, Sir Paul Chater and Messrs. Maitland, White and Shellim, be re-elected to serve until the next annual meeting.
Mr. ORANCE Seconded, and the motion was carried.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the re-election of Messrs. W. H. Potts and T. Arnold as andi'ç
'ors. Mr. JOSEPH seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN-Dividend warrauts will be ready to-morrow. Those who are local share- holders will be posted first thing. I am obliged to you
for attendance.
your
SALE OF THE S.S. "YING KING."
A large number of Chinese assembled at the tuger Wing Lok Street wharf on the 26th October bid for the Yuk On Steamship Company's river The twenty-fourth ordinary gen of shareholders in this society was hed the steamer Ying King, which was put up for public auction sale by Messrs. Hughes and Hough, offices of the general agents, Messrs. Jardins,
Sauctioneers. Bidding started at $50,000-aud Matheson and Company, ou the 20th () tober.
rose by bids of $2,000 and then $1,000 up to Hon. Mr. C. W. Dickson (chairman) presided, $93,000, when Messrs Pang Yik Chan and Li and there were also present Sir Paul Chater,
Shek Pan, both shareholders of the Yuk On ́ C.M.G., Messrs. G. C. Moxon, H. P. White (consulting committee) (secretary), 8. A. Joseph, C. W. Richards, J. Orange, P. C. Potts, C. H. Rogge, P. Tester. A. G. Morris, F. G. Goddard. A. Forbes, C. E. H. Bearis, F. G. Ribeiro, Wong Leong Him, Ho Fook, Chau Sun, Ho Yu Sang, Fok Kam Tim and So Cheung Shui.
G. T. Veitch
The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen, as the report and relative stalement of accounts
Company, offered another $5,000, thus in- Creasing the amount to $98,000. At this price they became the purchasers.
The name of Dr. Daisy A. M. Clark, B.M., B.S., of Glasgow university, has been added to the register of medical and surgical practitioners qualified to practise medicine and surgery in this Colony.
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