"TYPHOON TOPICS.
"THE HONGKONG;WEEKLY PRESS AND
On July 14 Hongkong did little more than think and talk of typhoons. That the warning signals should have been hoisted on Tuesday evening, so soon after the passing of the pre- vious typhoon which had been hanging round our vicinity for several days, was of course no surprise, but the excitement which the warning occasions was very apparent yesterday morning. By that time the harbour was practically clear of all the smaller craft. The sampans and junks had early sought shelter and most of the launches had also found a place of safety. Those that did stay behind were stripped of their awnings and were prepared for the fierce squalls that blew during the forenoon. The ships of war and the few steamers that anchored in the harbour had all steam up and were ready for the worst.
About four or five o'clock yesterday morning the wind had increased in force and there were indications of the near approach of a typhoon, Heavy showers of rain preceded the violent gusts, and the weatherwise made all arrange. ments against the dread visitor, which it was expected would be here in the course of the day, However, these prognostications were not fulfilled. Though the white horses came dashing through the Lyeemoon Pass, and violent squalls created an uneasy feeling that they were but the harbingers of the typhoon, the real storm passed the Colony. Shortly before noon the signals were altered showing that the typhoon had changed
direction and was then to the south of the
Colony. Gradually the gusts abated, the heavy showers became less frequent, and by three o'clock a calm had followed which gave rise to the hope that before nightfall the signals would be taken down and Hongkong could sleep in the knowledge that once more we had escaped the terrible visitant.
But hope fell like the barometer. Between five and six o'clock the squalls started afresh, being followed by heavy showers of rain. A red flag fluttered from the wharves of the Star Ferry Co., while the notice boards on either side of the harbour warned passengers that unless the weather abated the ferries would cease to run after eight o'clock. The " "green, red green ' signal, indicating that a typhoon was within 300 miles of the Colony, was showing at a late hour last night.
SANITATION IN MANILA.
REPORT BY THE, EX-GOVERNOR GENERAL.
In a report made to the secretary of war on Philippine affairs Governor General James F. Smith has the following to say in regard to sanitary conditions in the city of Manila":
Lately there has been considerable disposition to make comparison between the city of Manila and the modern well regulated cities of tho United States. Surprise is expressed that the cleaning of the esteros, the draining of certain large districts, and the general sanitation of the city has not been accomplished. True, there is considerable sanitary work to be done in Manila, but what seems to be forgotten is that the same may be said of any large city of the world more than 50 years old.
"What seems to be forgotten is that Manila covers an area of more than 12 square miles, most of it only a few feet above tide water, that the city is some centuries old, and that its drain- age, the raising of its level, and the correction of its sanitary defects can hardly be accomplish- ed between two days. The American goveru ment has been in the Philippines a little more than ten years, some three of which were devoted to warfare and the suppression of public disorder.
Before damning the government because everything has not been done, it might be ad- visable to stop a moment and compare the condi- tion of Manila on August 13, 1898, with its condition of June 30, 1908. Prior to American occupation Munila never had a sewer system, never had a drainage system, never had an adequate supply of potable water, nor any supp ly, until Carriedo, a noble Spaniard, furnished a means to construct the water system now
in use.
"From the time that Manila was a village- and that was a long time ago-until the year 1902, the filth and nastiness of the strong material districts found their way into the moat or into sluggish esteros that meander through the city. From time immemorial till some six years ago the filth of the nipa districts, which cover a large area, was either deposited under the dwellings or carelessly distributed over the neighboring landscape.
66
As a temporary means of relief from these conditions public midden sheds were constructed in 75 different localities and the pail system
was established No one ever considered these
Naturally the fear of the typhoon interfered very materially with business on the water. The work of loading and-discharging could not be carried on in the absence of lighters, and
measures as anything but temporary, and every even the C. P. R. steamer Monteagle one knows, or should know, that no adequate or experienced a little delay in getting her passen-permanent relief can be expected until a plenti- gers on board. Both the German mail and the ful supply of fresh water is brought to every P. and O, intermediate steamer Syria, which door and a proper sewer and drainage system came in daring the morning, escaped the ty has been furnished to Manila,
"
Every measure that has been undertaken
[July 19, 1909.
"The demagogue and conscienceless politician I have on countless occasions demanded the resign- ations of the director of health and the secretary of the interior when they sought to enforce, well organized and established sanitary measures. And now they are no less vigorous in joining in the outery because cholera has not been sup- pressed in a few days-a disease which has existed in the Philippines and in the city of Manila, as shown by the records, since the year 1817-a disease, by the way, whose existence was frequently denied, by these very same. demagogues and political hacks, in the teeth of the declaration of able doctors and able scientists, respected for their learning and attainments everywhere except in the Philippines.'
337
THE IMPENDING INVASION OF ·
TOURISTS.
A LARGER STEAMER CHARTERED.
signified their desire to join Mr. Frank C. C. Apparently the number of persons who have Clark's "Around the World" cruise has been so great that the fine new Hamburg-America Lainer Cleveland (18,000 tons) has been substi- tuted for the 8.8. Arabic, as she is so much more commodious, can carry with comfort and luxury 750 first-class passengers, is fitted up with gymnasium, lifts, and all the latest improve- ments and is described as the finest ship afloat for cruising,
Mr. William Farmer, proprietor of the Macao and Canton Hotels, has been appointed sole agent for the party in Hongkong, Canton and
Macao.
Arrangements have already been completed in Hongkong with the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company to run special Canton; with the Peak Tramway Company to steamers from alongside the Cleveland direct to
hours in the morning and afternoon, so as not run special,ars to the Peak during the slack
to interfere with the regular local traffic, and with the Electric Tramway Company to provide "Private cars for a tour round the lower levels, including the Happy Valley, the Racecourse and Shau-ki-wan. A guide or condnotor will accompany each point out the different places of interest en
route.
car, to
Hongkong Hotel Company to provide tiffins Arrangements have been made with the each day, and that Hotel will be made the head- quarters of the party during their stay. All the other Hotels will be undoubtedly filled up as well, as most of the tourists will prefer to sleep on shore, rather than on the ship. Ample
phoon, but they did not run any risk of being for the protection of the health of the people previous notice will be given to Mr. Farmer as
fouled by drifting vessels in the harbour and instead of going to the wharf they proceeded to Kowloon Bay where they sheltered for a time.
and to secure them against contagious diseases has been bitterly fought, opposed and resisted by those for whose benefit the measures were primarily intended. Every medical man who FRENCH NATIONAL FETE. has been charged with responsibility for the public health has been compelled to walk unshod The French tricolour, which was much into his goal over the thorny road of criticism, evidence on July 14, drooping in showers of rain
denunciation and calumny. No health ordin or fluttering in typhoon squalls, served to ance meant to protect the people from disease remind us that the day was the great French and contagion has been proposed, but that a holiday. French firms in the Colony were
concerted attempt to emasculate and destroy it closed to business, and local citizens of La Belle has been initiated by the very people most to France fittingly celebrated the occasion. The be advantaged by its passage. usual reception by M. Gaston Liebert, the Consul for France, was held at his residence, 13, Peak Road, where he received members of the French community between 9.30 and 11 a.m., and Eritish officials and foreign colleagues between 11 and 12.30 p.m.
Captain Mitchell-Taylor called to offer the congratulations of H.E. the Governor, while there were many official callers and numerous visits from prominent civilian residents. From four o'clock in the afternoon until seven,
M. Liebert was "at home" to all callers, but the expectations of a typhoon detained many who otherwise would have been pleased to
attend.
The assets and liabilities of Holliday, Wise and Co., in the Philippines have been taken over by Messrs. Wise and Co., Ltd., and Mr. R. E. Humphreys and Mr. L. Dyson have been authorised to sign for the firm.
"Even as late as the last session of the Philipine legislature a determined effort was made to do away with the health districts of the city of Manila and to reduce the number of medical men who are charged with the duty of remedying as far as possible, insanitary condi- tions and unsanitary methods of living.
11
Every endeavor to oblige the property owner to tear down the squalid habitations-hovels used as habitations for the poor-and to erect decent buildings of light material for his tenants has been stubbornly resisted and made the subject of denunciation by the agitator and mountebank, who found therein a veritable mint of political capital.
regulations for the suppression of epidemics, Sanitary measures, sanitary information,
respected throughout the scientific world as founded on sound sense and right reason, have been combatted, opposed, and denounced as foolish in the Philippines.
to what Hotel accommodation will be required in Hongkong, and he will make arrangements accordingly.
Harry
In Canton, Mr. Harry Haynes, of the Victoria Hotel, is already busy making all arrangements for their sight-seeing, and it need only be men- tioned that as over one thousand chair cooliea will be required at one time, to take each section round the City each day, to show that his task is by no means an easy one. One hundred will be accommodated at the Victoria Hotel each night, while the others will return to Hongkong. Mr. Haynes' well-known ability in the catering line is an assurance that they will be well looked
after.
In Macao they will be in the hands of Mr. H. R. Beaurepaire, of the Macao Hotel.
The Cleveland will leave New York on October 16th, proceeding to Madeira, Gibraltar, Naples, Suez Canal, Bombay, Colombo, Caloutta, Rangoon, Singapore, Batavia, Borneo, Manila, and is due to reach Hongkong on Thursday, December 23rd, at 1 p.m., and to leave about Sunday, December 26th, at 11 a.m. From here the steamer will go direct to Japan, where the party will spend fifteen days; thence they will go to Honolulu and San Francisco and take the overland route to New York, where the party is
Francisco with another party which is scheduled due on February 5th.
The Cleveland on that date will leave Ban
to reach Hongkong on March 15th.
The cost of the tour, lasting nearly four months, is given as (gold) “$650 and up.'