1
February 20, 1909.] CHINA'S FINANCIAL ADMINISTRA-
TION.
Peking, February 8th.
The Ministry of Finance has resolved to establish Financial Departments in the various provinces of the Empire under the direct control of the Ministry at Peking,
CHAN PIK'S DISMISSAL RECOMMENDED,"
Peking, February 8th. After investigating the charges alleged against Chan Pik. President of the Board of Communications, the Bouril of Punishment has recommended his dismissal.
CHINESE OFFICIAL CHANGES.
Peking, February 10th.
It is officially announced that the Presidency of the Board of Communications is to be filled by Shu Shih Chang, the present Viceroy of the Manchu Provinces.
He will be succeeded by Sik Liang, Viceroy of the provinces of Yunnan and Kweichow.
The Viceroyship of these provinces will be filled by Li King Hi, a son of the late Li Hung Chang, and formerly governor of Kwangsi.
CHINESE ROYAL INTERMENTS.
Peking. February 12th.
It is proposed by the Throne to spend six million taels to prepare the graves of the late Emperor Kwang Sü and the late Dowager Empress,
A VICEROY'S ALARM.
Peking. February 12th. The Viceroy of Chihli, taking alarm at the dismissal of Yuan Shi Kai, has petitioned Prince Ching for his protection.
THE CHINESE IMPERIAL GRAVES.
Peking, February 16th.
The Prince Regent has decided to reduce the
amount proposed to be spent in preparing the grave of the Emperor Kwong Si from six
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE MAKING OF A CIGAR.
The ubiquitous smoker scarcely ever gives adds to his post-prandial contentment or helps any thought to the making of the cigar which him at his desk or wherever his daily occupation may lead him. As a rulo he is satisfied if the specimen selected is agreeable to his palate, and very rarely does he care to pursue his inquiries further. Probably, he remembers that it is to Sir Walter Raleigh that the English speaking world is indebted for making known the pleasures of tobacco, but while indulging his preference for the Manila cigar, which naturally holds un- disputed sway in the East. he would, if ques- tioned, admit a complete ignorance on the subject of its manufacture.
In Manila it would be permissible to para- phrase a well known quotation in the words to the making of cigars there is no end." There are many cigar factories in the city and it follows that their total output runs into figures which are beyond the thinking capacity of most folks. Millions, billions, trillions! The aggregate the less real. The individual who is fortunate unthinkable. Yet it is none
would be very unwise if he neglected the enough to see the capital of the Philippines opportunity of learning something of the manufacture of cigars. This opportunity was given a Daily Press representative during the Carnival. The doors of the Germinal Factory were thrown open to him and he was conducted teously explained the process. over the premises by the manager who court
Unlike other cigars, the Manila cigar is not machine made. It is manufactured entirely by hand, and the amount of labour involved in its completion has to be seen to be appreciated. When the visitor has travelled from the bottom floor of a large factory like the Germinal, where the leaf is received in bulk, to its upper stories and seen the various processes through which a cigar passes before it is boxed or tied in bundles, he is better able to realise what a bargain is the Manila cigar.
It is hardly necessary to remark that the tobacco plant
extensively in the
grows
of the islands. The leaf from the
up
Philippines; it is one of the staple products is purchased growers and is accepted ac- cording to classification; the inferior grades being utilised for the cheaper smokes and the SUGGESTED WITHDRAWAL OF THE After the leaf has been moistened in order to superior grades for the more expensive cigars. LEGATION GUARDS,
millions to one million taels.
Peking, February 16th. ed to the foreign Minsters in Peking a proposal The Board of Foreign Affairs has communicat. for the withdrawal of the Legation Guards.
VICEROY OF NANKING IMPEACHED.
Peking, February 16th. The Viceroy of Nanking has been impeached by the Censor on eleven different counts, one of which is the embezzlement of about one million taels which ought to have been devoted to the relief of the sufferers in recent calamities. is said that the Viceroy will ascertain the views It of the Prince Regent and should they prove un- favourable he will tender his resignation,
FRENCH GUARD AT PEKING.
Peking, February 17th. The guard of the French Legation at Peking is to be reduced by seventeen units, who are to be returned to France.
CHINESE IMPERIAL GUARD.
Peking, February 17th. The Board of Military Affairs has decided to expend two million taels on the reorganisation of the Guard, and to supply an annual sam of over one million taels for their future apkeep.
À MYSTERIOUS VISIT.
Peking, February 17th. Grand Secretary Luk Chun Lin has left Peking suddenly on a secret mission.
It is reported that he has been despatched by the Regent to make inquiries regarding certain allegations againsta high official.
INTERNATIONAL OPIUM COMMISSION:
153
12th February. Reports relating to the Opium The sixth session opened at 10.30 am. on the question in Austria-Hungary and Persia were presented by the Delegates for those countries.
Sir Alexander Hosie, on behalf of the British delegates, criticised certain statements contained in the report previously handed in by the Chinese delegates, and asked for further inform- ation in connection with such doubtful points as the area of land actually under poppy cultiva- tion, and the number of smokers in the differ- ent provinces. Replies to these queries will, it is understood, be forthcoming later.
The President announced with regret the absence, through indisposition, of one of the
hinese delegates, Mr. Tang Kuoan.
It was decided to appoint separate Committees for dealing with specific portions of the reports presented to the Commission with a view to preparing International summaries of such | subjects as Trade Statistics, Cultivation of the
turns, etc. Poppy and Production of Opium, Revenue Re-
France, Monsieur Ratard, it was resolved that On the motion of the chief Delegate for the President should be requested to communi- cate on behalf of the commission with the Senior Consul at Shanghai, and ask him to obtain information respecting the measures taken in regard to opium within the limits of the International Settlement.
The Commission adjourned at 1.30 p.m. until Monday, the 15th. instant.
OFFICIAL REPORT ON SWATOW.
Recently, the
Kwangtung government appointed a deputy and the Shanghai Magistrate to inspect and report on the commercial aspects. of the port of Swatow, and in conformity there- with they have reported that the place has been growing in trade, owing to the light duties and likin in force: They point out that land is in- sufficient for the population. The south bank, where the British and French Consuls reside,
consists of steep hills with but little flat ground,
and cannot be extended for settlement, On the
cast bank stand the Suan forts, which occupy a most important position. The Customs, "the Consulates and the China Merchant's Co. are on the north bund to the east. The Ma Yu Shan is at the entrance by which ships enter port. It is a dangerous position to assail, but its value is
scheme would entail enormous expense, which is the report add that the accretive foreshore may lessened by the absence of forts. The writers of be reclaimed for extension of the place, but the in the way of its immediate accomplishment. N. C. Daily News:
IMPORTS. :-
COMMERCIAL.
RICE.
make it more pliable, it is transferred to the operators, having previously been denuded of
the various leaves. The fine leaf he reserves for The operator, sitting at his or her bench, sorts its hard edge, a process known as stripping.
the cover, and, deftly manipulating and cutting this to required size with a blade peculiar to the trade, he places inside the coarser tobacco and rolls it to a given thickness. finally gumming the exterior leaf so that the cigar comes from is the men who make the superior brand his hand a compact piece. Curicusly enough it
of cigars and the women the inferior. One would have thought that it would have been the other way about, but the women have been finished it receives the decorative efforts so well tried and found wanting. When the cigar is
SAIGON.-Messrs. Wm. G. Hale & Co. in their known, either ringed with coloured paper bands latest circular dated Saigon 5th Feb., report:- or enveloped in silver paper. Smokers hardlyur market showed signs of weakness during the need to be told that the cigars are placed in past week, but now closes firm with an upward cedar boxes which help them to mature. To tendency. show that nothing goes to waste in a cigar stripping taken from the leaf is sold to Chinese factory, it has only to be mentioned that the
who produce soap out of it, and the tobacco refuse itself is utilised for manuring purposes. The writer saw the process of cigar making from start to finish, and sampled the Germinals' wares through the kindness of Dr. Bautista- Lin.
No. 2 White sifted (trié) steam milled
round
No. 2 White unsifted (ordinaire) steam
milled (round)
$3.08 2.52
5% Cargo steam milled round 10% Cargo steam milled round ... 2.77 20% Cargo steam milled round 2.65
* Prices according to terms and conditions, The following is a statement of this year's Ex- ports of White Rice, Cargo Rice and Paddy:-
Destinationn.
Total pez.
17,243 2,834
Hongkong Manila... Cebu Singapore
His Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir John Anderson, K.C.M.G.. sailed for home on the 11th inst., on short leave by the P. & O. steamer Devanha, which connects at Colombo with the Morea. His Excellency Batavia be accompanied by Miss Anderson, together Madagascar will be back in Singapore on May 21 and will Sourabaya
Anderson. During the Governo's absence Sir with his youngest daughter, Miss Kathleen Europe Arthur Young, K.C.M.G., will assume the post į of Officer Administering the Government.
4,234
3,419
2,124
4,501
10.
686
Total
Same period of last year......
35,048 49,203