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August 20, 1906.1
MACAO.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
"
August 13th.
BANK.
THE "TAI-LONG I hear that the depositors are to receive only ten per cent. of their money in this liquidation, although some creditors are paid in full. I believe there is prop rty in China, which the creditors cannot touch. Our Government should have an arrangement with the Chinese Government to meet such cases.
A SEISMOGRAPH.
Owing to the earthquakes which so alarmed the inhabitants of Macao last year, the Govern- ment has just acquired a seismograph. The instrument, which was ordered from Japan, arrived bere in seven cases. by the leungshan a few days ago. I understand that it will be placed in the Penha Observatory and will be controlled by the Harbour Master.
THE MOUNTED POLICE.
Baron Cadoro, who went over to your Colony last week, returned to Macao last Saturday by the Heungshan with another batch of China ponies and Australian horses for the Mounted Police of this city.
SIE MATTHEW NATHAN'S VISIT.
hope your Governor was satisfied with the reception accorded to him by the Government and the people on his recent visit to Macao, as every arrangement for his reception was impromptn. His Excellency could not have been much impressed with the state of our harbour, as although he came over in a small Government tender, the vessel got stuck in the mad for some time, and Senhor Montenegro had to send a boat some miles ont to inform Sir Matthew that he was a welcome visitor. When will the Government and the people of Macao become less ignominiously unapproachable
August 14th.
THE CITY IN DARKNESS.
For the past few niglits the streets of Macao have been in total darkness. The electric light has again failed, and we have not even the old kerosene lamps. We are much annoyed and surprised at the indifference of the Lea Senado. If this institution is not going to take this matter up seriously, I think it is high time for the inhabitauts to appeal to H. E. Senbor Montenegro to interfere.
NAVAL AND MILITARY ACTIVITY.
Our soldiers, sailors and police are displaying great activity. Drills are taking place every morning and afternoon, and the gunboat Rio Lima is outside at the "Rada" for manœuvr- ing and gun practice.
CANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)
August 16th.
EUROPEANS FIRED UPON.
It is reported that several Europeans from the Chameen went out to picnic in a houseboat towed by a launch last Sunday afternoon. On their way home at about 10 p.m., when up the river about an hour's distance from Cauton, some of the party were playing bridge in the saloon, and others were enjoying the cool breezy on deck. Suddenly those on deck heard the report of a gun fired from shore. A ballet whistled just above their heads. Fortunately it was a dark night, and they had the presence of mind to order all the lights to be immediately put out. There were no more shots.
ANTI-OPIUM PROCESSION.
It appears that some Chinese have recognised the evil of opium smoking. Great excitement was shown in the city to-day, by the organization of an auti-opium procession, which passed through the main streets carrying banners with characters on them exhorting the people not to smoke opium. There were also banners bearing sarcástič remarks against opium smokers. Several persons on horseback were dressed up in Indian costumes, representing the "hated cultivators of that terrible drug". Many half- starved beggars were dressed to show the physical effects of habitual smoking. It was a very interesting sight.
CHİNA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
101
merchants have accomplished_in Tientsin, and elsewhere in China, can surely also be adcom- plisbed here.
The same journal had previously said
now
THE FUTURE OF SHAMEEN.
The Canton Daily News of August 11th says Chefoo, a much smaller port than Canton, both as regards trade and shipping and foreign many new houses are in course of con population, has for the past two years, been struction, or have been already finished, that struggling to get the administration of local the old Shameen is gaining quite a affairs into its own hands. In April last appearance. On the Band in the English the foreigu residents applied to Peking for a
concession is the fine n-w building of Buttori settlement, with self-governing powers, and field and Swire, somewhat farther on, the palace forwarded a scheme they bad drawn up for aide is situated the new large hong of Messrs. of the new German Consulate. On the Canton species of Municipal Council to take charge of the repairing and cleaning of the streets, Reiss & Co, the new fine Masonic Hall, which sewers, etc., to grant various licences to shops, was inaugurated last Sunday, down the river public-houses, boats etc., and to institute c
Fn the Bund the new building of Mr. Danby, police force for the protection of foreigners Zandel reside, the next building on the corner, which at present Mr. and Mrs. and the maintenance of the peace,
An answer has now been received from longing to the East Asiatic Trading Co., has Prince Ch'ing to the effect that the Chinese been enlarged by another storey, etc. In course authorities will take that part of Chefoo, that of constraction are the hong of Messrs. Arn- has been considered up to the present a foreinhold, Karberg & Co., which will be a large fine concession, under their own administration compound too, the three new houses for the and will raise the funds necessary for municipal International Bank and other firms, the new buildings, etc., by mesus of a Chinese Provin-house opposite Messrs, Watson & Company; cial loan, of 100.000 taels. A public meeting has been called to consider the matter and a strenuous fight is expected. But, nevertheless, we believe that the efforts of the Chefooites will be in vain, as there exists no paragraph in any treaty to bind the Chinese in the matler, and the to the Chinese, unfortunately, well known-jealousy of the Powers hinders the taking of energetic measures, a state of things that more than ones has militated against the obtaining of various advantages by our own people here in Shameen.
For instance, in the spring of 1902 every. thing was favourable to an enlarging of the settlement; the situation of China, at that time, just after the Boxer troubles, being such that she was unable to refuse anything the Powers jointly demanded. A new international con. cession was actually granted by the high Chinese authorities in Canton at Fati, but its position was not definitely fixed upou. Americe, where Imperialism was just in its genesis, did not at that time trouble her.elf much in the matter, but she was willing to join the other powers in obtaining a settlement pro- vided that it was international. England would agree if the others did, and the same applies to Germany. France alone stood out. The site selected was on the Fati side of the river from the railway terminus to Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg & Co.'s oil works, but France wanted a concession for herself and had chos n a piece of land on the Honam side. Then England and Germany delined to support an inter. national settlement without the concurrence of France and demanded concessions for themselves. But as America would not agree to this the whole matter was postponed indefinitely.
Under present conditions there is no chance of getting fresh territory here, but we still have some little room in Shameen for fresh buildings. Shameenites should wake up. The time will soon come when even the little remaining vacant land will have been built upon. When the Chinese merchants of Canton will put aside construct their railway. No ground will be their present folly and set to work in earnest to then to be bad for building purposes and foreigners wishing to open new Lusinesses or extend their old ones will be forced to go to Fati or Honam, and do so under Chinese administration.
C
but we can surely take steps to safeguard the Much, it is plain, has been lost in the past, future. There prevails too much regard for "olo custom among the old-time China re- sidents of Shameen. They seem to consider that what has gone on for twenty bars and more can do so indefinitely. They are con- scientious objectors" to any form of change Bat time does not stand still, however we may wish it to do so. China has changed, and is still changing; moving forward, we hope; too, and foreigners who wish to remain "in the swim must move forward also. Stagnation means retrogression, and unless Shameen desir s to abandon the race in favour of the first com- petitor, it must take steps in time for its own development. The most rigoros efforts must be made to 1 ep the shipping, and the improve ment of the river, under its own control; more strenuous efforts at cooperation must come inte play; the Chinese authorities must be met and defeated on their own ground. What the
!
sideration. In the French concession the new customs buildings, of which the foundations have just been laid, will provide quarters for a good number of customs officials whose removal there
some other new constructions are under con-
will leave other residences free.
There should now be space in Shameen for enterprising merchants to establish branches hers-up to the present room has been very scarce and we have often heard that given for the reason why new firms do n t open here, Canton with its two million inhabitants and its Immense possibilities of trade could surely support more than the present number of firms who live by it. If trade at present is somewhat dull, auch periods are always followed by more lively ones.
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CANTON AND BRITISH IMPORTS.
A BREACH OF TREATY,
Our Canton corr.spondent writes, on the 10th instant:-
that the
no
zino sheeting from the Man-shing Company,
Some time ago I reported an official seizure of
authorities, recognising that there was and subsequently informed you question of contraband, bad cancelled the pro- ceedings and ordered the return of the goods. It is easy to be prematurely grateful, in Chins. Three days ago, the Man-sting manager was called before the Nam-hoi and told he must pay gether $13.70, and a fine of sixty dollars in ¡a tax of five dollars a pical on the zinc, alto- addition. Subsequently the Court offered to let him off on payment of forty dollars !
The Yuen Wo-kung-ze monopolista ignore This is characteristically Chinese procedure. existing treaties, and seem determined to die- courage Chinese importers from dealing direct with Europeans. These zinc sheets could not be contraband: they were legally imported and sold this article does not enter the class of
brought to the knowledge of the British Cousul- goods prohibited: and local dealers are entitled to import it. I understand the matter has been General, who, I trust, will see that treaty rights are respected in this as in other cases.
THE RAILWAY FUNDS.
ANOTHER CHECKMATE FOR VICEROY SHUM,
It
From the Chung Ngoi San Po.] A reply to a telegram sent by Mr. Chau Kang.yu and others, merchants interested in the Cauton-Haukow Railway, has come. orders that all the funds in hand are to be deposited in some bank or banks in which the shareholders themselves have confidence; and that a statement of accounts be rendered immediately, so as to allay their justifiable suspicions.
It says the Board of C mmerce considers the views of the merchants quite reasonable, and that Viceroy Shum and Taofai Cheng have been informed accordingly. They are to see that the funds are delivered up with proper accounts, so that the Company may be properly entered in the records, and then the share- holders will be willing to pay the balance of their shares.