April 16, 1906.]
in regard to the transfer of the property to the company; we are advised, however, that our position is impregnable and that the share- ́holders need not be under any apprehension.
PHILIPPINE COMPANY, LTD.
An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Philippine Company, Ltd., was held at the office of the National Bank of China on the 11th April. Mr. J. F. Wright, secretary of the Company, presided, the others present being-Messrs. J. C. Moxon, E. Has- kell, J. E. Joseph, Chan Ki-pan, and Leong Pak-lang.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the following re- solation :-That the firm of Messrs. E. 8. Kadoorie & Co. be appointed General Managers jamin, Kelly and Potts, and that Article 56 of of the Company in the place of Messrs. Ben- the Company's Articles of Association be altered by substituting the words "E. 8. Kadooris & Co." for the words " Benjamin, Kelly and Potts.”
Mr. Moxon seconded, and the resolution was carried.
The CHAIRMAN-Thank you for your atten- 'dance, gentlemen. That is all the business.
AMERICAN CONSULAR REFORM.
We are informed by Mr. Wilbur T. Gracey, Acting American Consul General, that he is in receipt of news by private telegram to the effect that the Bill providing for the reorganization of the American Consular Service has passed the two Houses of Congress and become law, and will probably go into effect about the 1st July.
This Bill makes many changes for the service. It provides for the classification of Consular officers in grades; gives the President
authority to transfer officers from one station to another; provides an inspection service with five Inspectors, who will rank as Consul General, receiving compensation of $5,0.0 per annum, “and all travelling expenses; requires that all clerks at Consulates shall be American. It prohibits Consuls engaging in law or other business, and requires that all Consular fees whether official or unofficial are to be turned into the Treasury,
There are seven classes of Consuls General. the first class being only two, London and Paris, Under the second class are Hongkong, Shanghai, Berlin, Havanna, Hamburg, and Rio de Janeiro with salaries of $8,000 geld per
annum.
Yokohama comes under the third class with
$6,000 per annum.
Canton and Tientsin under the fourth class with $5,500 per annum.
Chefoo, Hankow, Mukden, Newchwang, and Singapore come under class five with $4,500
per annum,
There are ten classes of Consuls, Liverpool, Manchester, Antwerp, and Marseilles oover the first three classes.
Under the fourth class is found Kobe with $5,000 per annum.
Under the fifth class are Amoy and Foochow at $4,500 per annum.
Under the sixth class are Antung, Hangchow "and Nanking at $4,000 per annum,
Under the seventh class Nagasaki with $3,500 per annum.
The Bill provides that inspection shall be made of Consulates under instructions from the Secretary of State, and that each Consular office shall be inspected at least once in every
two years.
Every Consular officer will be required when ever application is made to him therefor, to administer to or take from any person any oath, affirmatiou, affidavit, or deposition, and to perform any other notarial act which any notary public is required or authorized by law to do within the United States; and for every such *notarial act performed he shall charge in each
instance the appropriate fee prescribed by the President, which will all be official and turned into the Treasury of the United States.
The sole and only compensation that Consular officers shall be allowed to receive will be the *regularʻzalaries fixed by law.
**** The Bill also provides that every Consular officer shall be provided and kept supplied with
MEZIA ATA¿
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
adhesive official stamps, on which shall be printed the equivalent money value of denomina- tions and to amounts to be determined by the State Department, and whenever a Consular officer is required to perform any consular or notarial act, he must affix and duly cancel an adhesive stamp equivalent in value to the fee prescribed, and no such act shall be legally valid within the United States unless such stamps are affixed.
776
against Mr. Bennerts should only be brought It seems rather curious that this implication forward at this date after he has been in the place over two years; and still more curious that if his conduct is open to question he should have had so much support given him by his compatriots in Bhanghai. ́It is true that in supporting his case the merchants in Shanghai have been influenced less by personal interest than the desire to uphold a principle, but it is not to be supposed that CONSUL-GENERAL SCOTT RETIRES this support would have been forthcoming had
FROM CHINA.
Mr. Bennerts's oredit as a man and a trader not borne investigation. He has been placed in a difficult and very trying position, and it is quite possible that under the persecution to which he has been subjected, he may have acted impétu- ously and indiscreetly on occasion, though
time before any other merchant will be found nothing to this effect has come to our know ledge. As, however, it will probably be some to take his place we hope that he will find it possible to remain and carry to a successful issue the stand he has been supported in making.-P. and T. Times.
The Hongkong correspondence of the N.-C. Daily News contains the fllowing pleasant the Pritish Consul-General for South-Chins, types of our race. Perhaps somewhat brusque regard him as a strong m a, and one of the best at times, perfectly straightforward at all times, he is over genial at heart, and has devoted him- self to the best interests of Great Britain with assiduous persistency and considerable ability. He came to China thirty-five years ago, and after passing through the usual grades of preparation, and acquiring the necessary experi ence, he was first appointed in charge of Kiungchou in 1877. Mr. Scott's genial hearty friendiness will be missed by many friends in Canton, but he will be remembered, and many
references -All who know Mr. James Scott,
will wish him yet many days and ripe enjoyment
in the land of bis fathers.
Mr. Scott' successor is to be Mr. Mansfield, C.M.G He comes from Amoy. He is not unknown to Canton, for he was there in 1898 as Acting Consul. He will therefore easily take up the threads of the work, and carry it on with perfect ease. He was made C.M.G. in November 1902. Reports say that a strong man is needed there just at present to keep a keen eye on the anti-foreign Viceroy, and if necessary to switch him back from his vagaries to the approved path of progress.
|
A DIPLOMATIC CONSUL,
The Magistrate of the Changtai district in British Consul in Fooohow in which he states Fukien has received a communication from the
as follows: I hear that in your district a lawsuit is going on regarding some land dispute between some Roman Catholic converts and a Protes an convert named To Ah Tze. I would observe that all converts are equally subjects of China, and whatever litigations they may enter iute, excepting those which concern their religious beliefs, the officials should adjudge them on the principle of equity and justice. This power belongs to the Chinese officials, and not ouly mission ries may not interfere, but even Consuls cannot exceed their duty by concerning themselves in such cases. you as a man of ability and discrimination, and I have always known
matters. I request, therefore, that you will you should understand fully your right in such understand that the present lawsuit is entirely adjudicate it in strict accordance with the between Chinese converts, and I hope you will principles of equity and fairness."
THE CHANGSHA CASE.
A DISCONCERTING ENDING,
After a long silence on the subject of Mr. Beanertz, the British merchant whose case bas been made a precedent in connection with the opening of Changsha, we now learn that the Waiwapa has informed the British Minister that there is no objection to foreign merchants residing in and doing business in the native city of Changsh, but that so far as Mr. Ben- nerts is concerned he is a man of bad character and cannot therefore be allowed to remain there. The British Minister is reported to have replied, as we should imagine he would do, that as it is admitted that resideuce and trade in the native city of Changsha is not contrary to China's voluntary declaration of the place being “open to foreign trade." Mr. Bennerts is entitled to remain there should be ohoos to do so, but if he misbehaves in anyway or his done anything of which the Chinese can jus ly complain, they have the right of appeal to the British Consul there who will duly investigate the charge.
Since reprinting the foregoing, there has been a further development. We repeat from our daily edition :-
Changsha native authorities, which has con
The struggle between Mr. Bennerts and the tinned without cessation during the past eighteen months, has had a curious sort of settlement. Finding they could not drive Mr. either request, threats, or illegal tactios, they Bennertz from the precincts of their city by have at last gained their desires by buying out their unwelcome visitor. They have paid over to Mr. Bennertz a sum of about Tls. 25,000 to compensate him for his loss of prestige and agreement promising not to return to Chang. business, and Mr. Bennerts has signed an sha for twenty years. Both parties consider they have scored, but really both have miserably failed. The Chinese officials, by treating with an individual instead of a govern- ment, have not succeeded in proving their olty closed to foreign commerce, while by signing such a contract and promising not to return to Changsha for twenty years Mr. Bennerty has disappointed the British and other merchants who helped him to fight for a principle. As Mr. Beanertz claimed to have been ruined over this affair, we can think of excuses for taking did so. Fortunately his action does not alter the money, but we cannot feel pleased that he
the fact that Changsha is an open port.
DISTINGUISHED SIAMESE
VISITORS.
A distinguishal party from Siam is at present staying at the King Edward Hotel. It includes Phga Kam Kamheng, Lieut, Colonel Mom Na- Prince Na-konchaisi of Siam, Major General
courtesy of the Editor of "Who's Who in the senor and Major Luang Damrong. Through the Far East," who has supplied as with advance Na-konchaisi), is a son of his Majesty King proofs, we learn that Prince Chirs (Prince of
Chulalonkorn of Siam, and-was born on Nor. 7, 1876. He was educated in Europe, spending most of his time in England and Deomirk. Ia the latter country he commenced his military career as Lieutenant. He received his Captain- oy in the Siamese Army in 1895 and represented his father at the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II. of Russia. Upon returning to Siam be received rapid proms.ion, appointed Colonel in 1898 and was mad. Chief Promotion to Major General followed in 1900 of the General Staff upon its establishment, and as a reward for his active labours in oon- nection with the reorganisation of the Siamese Army he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, in 1938. His Highness possesses 15 decorations and is the author of several works on mi itary
subjects.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor given personal instructions. Council that
any memorials from with anti-Christin
to them at once. evidently been the
Was
It has
1