October 28, 1907.]
the Society forty-three years ago, was on the geology of Kuangturg; in the interval from that date till now be has contributed to the Journal, papers on mineralogy, on arch logy, on history, on philology, on Tibet, on "The Chinese System of Family Relationship and its Aryan Amnities"
and On the Origin and Connexions of the Solar and Lunar Zodiacs; while his inaugural address 88 President in 1877 on The Border Lands of Geo- logy and History" marks the industrious student, the careful observer and the cautious scholar, and stands as a model for inaugural addresses of other Presidents. While thus, by bis creative work, serving the purpose for which the Society exists be has furthered that purpose in no less degree by his criticisms of nusubstantiated
or ill-considered theories advanced by others; and, beyond this, has added to the vitality of our proceedings and of our Journal by the active criticisms by which many of his propo itions have been met. For over forty years he has 1-boured at the car, and long may the time to deferred when he will find his rest.
FRENCH CAPITALISTS IN JAPAN-
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
EXTENSIVE INVESTMENTS,
↑
Tokyo, October (lb. With the arrival a few weeks ago of several French and Belgian foanciers a new chapter has been opened in connec ion with the introduc-| tion of foreign capital to Jupin
The syndicate -or French syndicate as it is widely known in the Japanese press-is now in Tokyo making in vestigations in several directions, but more particularly in regard to the projected Fresch bank to be established in Tokyo-an ambitions and enterprising scheme that will be watched with interest by comm reial men throughout
the East.
The capital that this syndicate commands and is prepared to invest in industrial and other undertakings in Japan makes the visit one of the most important commercial events sine the close of the war, and providing that present and future negotiations with the Japanese authori- ties go smoothly the industry of the country in several branches will receive great impetus,
Of the several concerns with which the syndic te is connected that are either in working order or soon to be under way the President is Mr. R. Loonen, a young French financier who has been here some five years and is thoroughly well acquainted with the general conditions. This gentleman may be described as the active head and guide in Japan to the other members of the syndicate, all of whom are practically new to the country, which consists of the following -
Banque de Paris,
Banque Union Parisienne. Bank d'Outremer, Brussels,
Cie. Internationale d'Orient, Brussels. Mr. R. Loonen, Tol yo.
Mr. Dalziel, London.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The forestry company began operations about a year and a half ago, and has forest concessions in several parts of Japan, as well as an up-to- date saw mill equipment, this being the first concern of the kind to take the place of the primitive native methods of reducing timber for the market,
The concerns row in working order or pro- jected with which the syndicate of Mr. Loonen is closely connected are as follows:-
In a few weeks the glass manufactory at Osaka will be completed and ready for business, These works, is the extent of ground covered, will be the largest factory buildings of any description in Japan, the government iron works at Wakamatsu excepted. At present there is not a single bile manufactory in the country. although consumption by the breweries, &c., is growing enormously year by year.
Nearl & hundred thousand bottles are annually import ed, and it is not impossible therefors that in a few years the Osaka company will be able to check this import and at the same time build up an export trade on the continent. The pro. spects of this concern seem particularly bright.
What is called the will exploit a new method of laying building compressed" company foundatious. The compressed foundations will consist of coucrete, &c., laid by special machinery now on the way from France. There seems to be room for such an invention in Tokyo, sp-cially if the cast i not prohibitive. In the Kojimachi section of the city, where the government offices and head quarters of large commercial concerns are situated, fiae buildings in foreiga s yle are the rule and there is ample room for expansion.
1.-Royal Brush Co.. Csaki, apital, pa'd up, 300.000 yer, of which 3,5 are French, 1,5 English, and 15 merican.
2.-La Syndicat Industriel d' Extrême- Orient, Half French and Belgian capital,
3.- Oriental Forest and Lumber Co., Ltd. Capital, paid np. 950,000 yen, of which 46 are French, 1/6 Japanese, and 1.6 English.
4.-Oriental Glass Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Capital paid up, 1,500,00| yen, of which is Belgian, French, and Japanese.
THE PROJECTED BANK.
The most interesting of the syndicate's schemes, however, is the French bank that is to b. established in Tokyo with a capital of £2,000'0 sterling. This, unlike any other capital and it is designed to do business with the foreign bank, will have its headquarters in the
Okura.
capital. There is little doubt that the scheme anthorities favourably incline and are more- will see actuali ́y, as the projectors find
financiers, such as Baron Shibusawa and Mr. nyar b.cked up by influential Japanese
It may here be stated that a minority of Japanes will it on all the boards of the syndicate. The bi k scheme is Mr. Loouen's idea and following upon the formation of the Anglo-Japiness Bank, whose headquarters are Yokohama, its career will be watched with the greatest interest. With the exteusion of Tokyo's international importauce in financial and commercial matters there seems to be a sound raison d'être for such an euter. prise.
at
THE PORT OF MOJI,
285
more
cerned in a drydock scheme for Moji, but for some reason or other this fell through. The plans of the French syndicate seem practical, aiming as they do at the direct benefit likelihood of their success: of the port and there is therefore all the more
The syndicate has thus an extensive pro- gramme of work in Japan and part is already accomplished. In several of their ventares the o-operation or at least the countenance of the Government authorities will be necessary-and tageous. In this respect, as before stated, the such assistance in Japan is particularly advan.
financiers have met with no obstacles, and under these favourable conditions the interests of the
to say, the capital of such an influential group syndicate may be greatly extended, as, needless
is practically unlimited.
OPIUM DECREES,
News dates the
The North-China Daily following:-Peking, October 10th:
Decree with reference to the tardiness in officials of Peking and the provinces have been which many of the princes, nobles and high guilty in getting rid of the opium-smoking habit. It will be remembered that a special decree was promulgated some time ago allowing opium-smoking officials the privilege of report- ing themselves, so that a ortain limit of time
my
babit. This is a clear proof of the clemency be given them to get rid of the obnoxious
and sympathy of the Throne for those who concerned ought to be deeply grateful therefor hare the habit, and each and all of those
and do their best to obey Us. Furthermore, We granted a limit of six months to officials to get rid of this habit, also that, at the end of this time, an investigation should be made to see who had obeyed these Our commands. Now We find that, amongst others, Kuei Pio, Prince of Jui, ist Order; Teai Kung, Prince of Chuang, 1st Order, and La Paoohnang and Chen Min-kan, President and Vice-President, respectively, of the Censorate, have, so far, not been able to get rid of the babit, a their appearance clearly shows to Us. This teems to Us that they have treated Our com- mands in this
respect with unbecoming levity 80 that if We should punish the delinquents severely, it is only what they like to extend the Imperial Mercy and have deserve, and they need not be pitied, Bat We
I slaves of ›h babit for some years.
consideration of the fact that they bave been Let them, therefor obey the regulations that were pro- mulgated in this matter and let them resigu their posts for the time being, in order to pay their s le attention to the eradication of any craving they may have for the dru and let some one be appointed to do their respective duties ad inferim. As soon abandoned the habit they will be allowed to as they have
civil and military officials in the provinces, return, each to his former post. As for the if only allowed six months to it is to be feared that all will not be able to obey Our Ediet, We, therefore, com- maud, s an extraordinary Aot of Meroy, that, beginning from the day of the promulga tion of this Our Decree, & further limit of three high and low, to get rid entirely of their habit. months be granted in order to enal le all officials, It is to be hoped that all high officials, whether within the Capital, or without will do their possible. As for the others, civil and military, utmost to obey Our commands as soon as those in teking are to be under the surveil lance of the high officials of the various Ministries, while those in the provinces are to be watched by the Tartar Generals,
A project that has not yet gone beyond the paper stage is one that may prove by far the most extensive of the syndicate's investments in Japan. The importauc of the geographical -ituation of Moji and the way the port is handicapped by the strong Shimonoseki current are too well known to need any further reference here. Government has been proveul- ed by the war and other considerations from embarking on the undertaking of improving the auchorage of the port, but is now considering the cubject afresh, in connec ion with the policy if improving all harbours where necessary,
The French syndicate is concerning itself Moji, and these once obtained the improvement solely with providing docking facilities at of the anchorage is reduced in importance. as ress is would not then find it necessary consideration is to build the docks some short to anchor in the straits. The plan under distance from the present business or maritime centre of the port round a bead of the coast, current, which, as is well known, is so strong where vessels entering would escape
the
that large vessels do not stop at Moji, greatly
|
do
80,
5.-Oriental Compressed Co, Ltd., Capital, militating against Moji's development both in Viceroys, Governors and Mancha Brigadier-
paid up,300,000 yen, of which 23 are French and Japanese.
6.- Oriental Rubber Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Capital, paid up, 1,000,000 yen, of which 3 is English, French, and Japanese.
7.-Special Syndicate Bank to be established in Tokyo, with a capital of £2,000,000 sterling exclusively French.
8.-Docks at Moji.
Of the above the Royal Brush Co. was established by Mr. Looned several years ago and has since been enlarged and transferred to the syndicate. This undertaking produces all sorts and qualities of brushes and has a sub- stantial domestic and export trade.
coal exporting and in general trade.
The
- rench scheme would remore the town in and a measure, but would greatly benefit the part, some such improvement is absolute necessity if Moji s evor to justify its gateways of Japan. It is the nearest port fine situation as one of the great maritime to Korea and the most convenient to vessels bound for North China. Hence, with proper harbour or docking facilities the large percentage of vessels now passing through, including all liners, would stay to coal and trade to the immense advantage of the port.
A few years ago a foreign and Japanese syndicate was con-
Generals of the Tartar Garrisons who are to see that their subordinates obey Our commands in deed and in fact Let no one be careless or treat them with levity or indifference Should any lack the willpower to go on with their self- devial, or, being afraid of the difficulties in their path stop midway, so that when the extra limit Clemenoy has come, it finds them still unable to of time granted by extraordinary Imperial get rid of the baneful babit, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the regulations already approved of by Us, and there shall be no mercy given to delinquents. Let no one say that We bare not given him ample time to reform himself.