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inevitably arise, if the United States Government were just now to abandon the people of the islands to their own devices. Fortunately, there is no indication of any such intention on the part of the United States. The question as to what would happen if independence were granted now is, therefore, purely academic, and the interest it possesses resides mainly in the revelation that complete political independence is still a living aspiration in the Filipino mind while time and experience have utterly removed such an ide from the minds of the present generation of Americans.
EC
an
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
practically synchronise with the arrival of the American Fleet at Yokohama; but there seems nothing inherently improbable in the suggestion we venture to make that the Rescript is intended to constitute assurance of the highest possible character of the pacific nature of Japan's aims. It will not have been forgotten that in the Yellow Press of America a few months ago the idea was industriously disseminated that Japan was meditating a war with America, and there was the inevitable suggestion that the American battleship fleet was being sent to the Far East with some sinister object not unconnected with Japan. These mischievous rumours led to JAPANESE POLICY,
President ROOSEVELT writing for publica- (Daily Press, October 16th.)
tion a letter in which it will be remembered The Constitution of Japan bas been he laid special emphasis on the friendliness described by Marquis Iro, its author, as a of America's relations with Japan. It is blend of the British and German systems; quite unnecessary to say that there never but it is unique in its declaration that "The was in Japan any idea of going to war with Emperor is sacred and inviolable." In a America over the immigration or any other book of Commentaries on the Constitution question, but, in view of the persistence Marquis Iro extends this Article with the of an anti-Japanese campaign in a section comment that
The Emperor is Heaven- of the American press, it is as likely as not descended, divine and sacred. He is pre- that the issue at the present time of a eminent above all His subjects. He must Rescript which represents on the highest, be reverenced and is inviolate." It is authority the peaceful aims of Japan's essential to bear the sacrosanct character policy is intended as much for the inform⚫ of the Emperor in mind when speculatation of the world at large, and the United jag upon the possible effects of`such a Rescript as that issued to the nation on Wednesday. "In view of the unceasing ad. vance of civilisation," it says, "it is the wish of the Emperor that, while strength- ening the relations with the other Powers,
Are the scribes abished? Do the Daily Press Japan should share fully in the benefits of
men feel relegated to second place ? No. The general improvement, and in order to keep Colonial Secretary may declare be is the editor pace with the constant progress, the develop-of the most important newspaper in the Colony, ment of the national resources are of the but journalists will not quarrel with him on greatest importance." The Rescript adds that account, That is the proper professional that "it is the desire of the Emperor that pride, to think that his own organ is the best, and I am sure the pressmen on the dailies will not be too proud to associate with their colleague on the weekly. Plesse, spell that word cor- rectly, Mr. Printer. The third letter in the word I have underlined is not "a." Nor would they chaff him about his small circulation. I know Mr. May is not easily dismayed, and should the foreman compositor come to him just before going to press to declare that he is two colomus short, Mr. May would not, I am confident, tell him to shove in a line. This
all classes should act in unison and avoid ostentation and inure themselves to arduous toil." In more respects than one the Rescript reminds us that the East is East and the West is West. To the Western mind it is inconceivable that such a paternal document can have any practical effect on a people who have lived under & constitution for nearly twenty years. But we know as a matter of fact that enormous. importance is attached by the people of Japan to any expression of views by the Emperor, and as the rare publication of Rescripts has in the past been associated with great crises in the nation's affairs, the issue of one at the present peaceful time must command, if possible, even more attention than usual. The reason for issuing the Rescript just now is not very obvious. It bears upon a subject which has been very prominent in political discussions during the past two years, and there can be no doubt whatever about the universal recognition in Japan of the very obvious fact that "in order to keep pace with the constant progress, the development of the national resources is of the greatest importance.' This is precisely what the commercial classes in the Empire bave for the past two years, at least, been proclaiming. and the great retrenchments in national expenditure recently announced may be attributed to a recognition of the fact that the development of the national resources had been checked by the constantly growing burden of taxation. The Imperial Rescript is valuable as a statement of national policy, and we are inclined to think that its issue at the present moment, when there is no apparent call for the instruction it contains, hasta significance which does not appear on the surface. It may be a mere coincidence, or it may have been designed, that the publication of this Rescript should
States in particular, as for His Majesty's own subjects.
RANDOM REFLECTIONS,
space to let,"
The speeches of legislators at home are usually punctuated with applause, load cheers, hear, hear, and so oo, but if you read the members of the Legislative utterances of Council here you will rarely find any of these parenthetical remarks in the report. The oynio may say that none of the speeches are worth applauding, and doubtless he will have many to share his opinion, but I think there must be another explanation. Probably there is some- thing in the atmosphere of the Council Room which
restraint.
makes for frigidity Apparently no one but the Colonial Secretary would dream of joking in such a place, and as would awaken echoes which would for applause, or cheers or loud laughter it never be
silenced.
Talk about bringing down the house! Mr. Murray Stewart commences to address the Council and part of the osiling falls! That is doing the business literally.
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[October 17, 1908.
A résident who dislike: to see strangers so mercilessly foced by ricsha coolies suggests that, a visitors have not the "Savvy" to ask the pallers to produce the printed tariff which they dry, boards with printed informa tion as to fares, etc., should te exhibited in one or two public places, such for instance as Blake Pier, the Clock Tower, the approach to hotels etc. The suggestion is not impracticable and if it reduces the number of unedifying squabbles in public between Europeans and riosha coolies it will have accomplished some good.
Tempus fugit. The Feast of St. Terpsichore is neadly due and the devout might be interested to know that dancing-masters have just held a congress in Berlin, and M. Lefort, "President and founder of the Choregraphic Academy of Paris, tells us what its labours were. The object was to apraise the exquisite art of dancing," which appears to have fallen low owing to spurious teachers, who are masters only in "choregraphic breakdowns" and who spin like teetotams, with the body stiff, the arms beat angularly, and hands spread oat, sad who often 682500 their ridicul- ous contortions with gestures, the art of which is measured by their impropriety," M. Lefort, I will take an oath, knows nothing of the Hongkong ball-room. Who has ever 8000 ohoregraphic breakdowns" here ? Who has seen here the exponents of the art spinning "like teetotams, with the body stiff, the arms bent angularly and hande spread out"? Iquote M, Lefort's remarks simply and solely for the benefit of any new arrivals who have been instructed at home by masters in "choregraphio breakdowns" so that they may know that their education in the art of dancing laoks the proper finish.
St. Andrew's Day is drawing near. Already the fiery cross has been sent out to summon the clans, and a fine gathering of braw lads and boane lasses may be expected in the City Hail on November 30th. Kilts are being resurrected from the bottom of trunks and wardrobes, and when the unenlightened Sassenach hears the Caledonians holding converse with each other about skoan d'hus, sporrans, and other things he may look forward to seeing the kilted lads appearing once more in all the glory of the garb of old Goal.
With open verandahs and open windows everywhere in the Colony, Hongkong offers an attractive field for the enterprising barglar. Aad according to the Daily Press, he is making the most of his opportunities these days, or rather nights. As many as half a dozen burglaries took place last week end, followed by several others during the wook, and the police are having a busy time in consequenos. It is usual to say nasty things about the fores oa shoh occasions, but I don't think we can blame them too much. Temptation, it is said makes the thief, and where there are so many open windows and sleeping watchmen it would require more honest men than the ordinary coolies to resist the temptation thus presented of adding to their slender means.
The typhoon volunteers have had a few oatings this week, but they have done little more than get wet The spirit is all right, and given the opportunity, the volunteers will, no doubt, do good work. Practice in throwing life buoys is needed. It requires a man of some muscular development to effectively heave baoy
The days of wooden walls are not yet over. Only on Saturday a guardship built entirely of wood was launched by the Kowloon Dook Company for the Portuguese Government. little since wooden The world has moved ships played their part in the history of nations, and it is not likely that the “Dilly" will have anything like the exciting experiences which used to fall to the lot of the stately fighting vessels of European countries.
What an extraordinary case that was which came before the Magistrate last week where the landlord of a Japanese hotel was summoned for supplying liquor without food, It may be according to ordinance, all right, but I can't see why when a man asks for beer bread and cheese You should also be set down in front of him. may take a horse to the pond but you can't make it drink, and you may supply bread and cheese with beer but you can't make your
Nobody, I think, will deny that Hongkong is customer eat if he doesn't want to. Besides, musical. Your contributor, "Down South." I always understood that beer was both food and may not subscribe to this very heartily. Bat drink. The Irishman declared it was food and | masies. Gramaphones, megaphones, harmo- drink and lodgings too.
niums, bugles, pianos, combined with the