Page
INTIMATION
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MARCH 25TH, 1909.
party; frostbitten, reached latitude
of attention out of all proportion to
Its imperiance, Pratas Island is situated TELEGRAMS. 98 degrees 23 min. on the 26th of
between Hongkong and Manila, and is usually well in view of the steamers running between the two ports. It is about a mile and a half long and half a mile wide. It is composed of sand, and a description of the
A. S. WATSON & CO. land says that not a particle of mould or
LIMITED.
ESTABLISHED A.D. 1841.
WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS
CHAMPAGNE DE ST. MARCEAUX & Co.,
REIMS.
earthy matter could be found on it. Its shape in that of a horse-shoe, enclosing a shallow inlet or lagoon, which runs into ita western side for about half a mile, affording shelter to the Chinese fishermen who have
island on
[Protected by the Telegraphic Message
Copyright Ordinarce, 1894]
{"DAILY PRESS"-BKOLUNYE #BRY100.] VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN JAPAN.
(REUTER'S HEXVICH TO THE "HONGKONG DAILY FEESS."]
THE AMERICAN SQUADRON.
Tug-of-War for British teams-R.G.A. (83rd Cop) H.M.8. Monmouth. The gunners won easily King Alfred (R,G.A.) (87th Co). “A
December where there is a pleateau THE ENTERTAINMENTS AT HAPPY remarkable pull, but the Artillery, who are ten thousand feet high.
VALLEY.
THE TIFFIN.
Lieutenant Shackleton believes the Pole is situated on this plateau.
There was no ond of spartand pleasure at Happy The reputed Polar calm is 100-Valley yesterday in connection with the
existent.
was
CORRESPONDENCE.
the
THE MINISTERING CHILDREN'S LEAGUE.
| regarded as the crack bam, managed to pull of awin, Merlin v RE. The Engineers won after a pull lasting 3-10 sees. In the bemi-fusk the 87th Coy B.G.A.. boat 83rd Coy, Buffs beat R.E. oasily.
Quarter Mile, open to starters from the welcome to the American Squadron. The American fleet, the British deet and the Garri
French and Portuguese sailors in part wors also invited to the calabrutions.
Relay Race, open to teams from any ship of the American squadron-t, Denver; 2 Cleveland; 3, Galveston.
Obstacle Race-1, Private Marsh Buffs; 2. Shipwright Way, King Alfred; 3, O'Brien, Cleveland.
rrangements were in the hands of a cupubla and energetic Entertaintment Committee of which Mr. T. F. Hough was the hon, secretary,
Ricsha Race, each one of pair of different and they certainly carried out their task ro- markably well. They had arranged to provide nationality race 50 yarda, one masa pull' and timin for 1,060 sailors and soldiers of different the other sit afterwards change-Harrison untionalitities, who wore coureyed to the Happy | (Merlin) und Arthur (Helen) Bruce (Cleveland) Valley, free of cost, by the Electric Tramway and Crampe (R.G.A.) divide 1 & 2; Bell Co. The mon invited were 650 American (Monmouth) and Javery (Cleveland), 3. Most sailors: 150 British bluejackets; 200 soldiers of amusing contest. the garrison: 20 French sailors and 40 Portn guese sailors,
No scurvy was suffered by first items on the programme of the focal Enter-son-1, L. Corp Andrews, 2, Pte. Fester.
tainment Committen for the day was tiffiu; Buffs; 3, Cowell, King Alfrell, Time, 53 secs, TOKYO, March 24th. members of the expedition throughout after which followed a well-arranged programme. Andrews won comfortably, with about 20 The inhabitants of Nagano pre- the voyage, but there some of sport. The rejoicings of the hour were yards to spare, been accustomed to proceed there to fish fecture are terrified by the eruption dysentery, the effect of eating horse-not only shared by British and Americans, for early in the year. It is not an attractive of the volcano Yakegatake, the flesh.
which to found a Colony, country being covered with ashes. for it is waterless and inhospitable to the several inches deep for many miles atmont degree, and nobody would be
around. inclined to remain there a day longer than the business speculation which brought him demanded. What has attracted Japanese to the islands are the phosphates obtaivable there. Gannets" we read, "are numerous. and may be knocked down with a stick.” Consequently it is a place where phosphates may be presumed to exist in considerable quantities, and it is no secret that Japanese have been coming to the Pratas Island for several years to ship phosphate to Japan where there appears to be a market for it. According to Chinese reports, the Japanese have mude upwards of a million yen out of the business, but this statement should be taken cum grano salis. The story that there PER CASE 2 DOZ. PINTE.
are over thirty Japanese and forty PRICE
$54.00 Formosaus permanently living on the island
VINTAGES 1898 &
1900.
VIN BRUT AND VERY DEY.
PER CASE 1 DOZ. QUARTS.
PRICE
$52.00
CHAMPAGNE
DE ST. MARCEAUX & Co., is the most Popular Wine in England and Europe To-day and invariably figures on the Menus of Banquets, Dinners, and Sappers given by Reigning Monarchs, Ministers of State, Merchant Guilds, Sporting Clubs, &c., da,
is also one not to be oredited. It is probable that the Chinese hermen who returned to Canton with the story of the annexation of the island by the Japanese encountered there ous of those periodical expeditions from Formosa or Japan. The Viceroy sent a deputy down in a warahip to investigate. This is probably the first time that China has taken any offisial interest in the place. It has always been regarded as "no saan's land,” and about the year 1860, owing to the frequency of British ships being wreeked on the Pratas Shoale, the British Government was asked to erect a lighthouse there, but the Board of Trade declined to move in the matter. Pratas A. S. WATSON & CO., Island does not appear to have been
SOLE AGENTS -
LIMITED,
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS. Hongkong, 12th February, 1909, ce (291-
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. ONLY communications relating to the newer olum should be addressed to THE EDITOR.
addresses with communications addressed to the Correspondents must forward their names and Editor, not for publication but as evidence of good faith.
All letters for publication should be written on
one side of paper only,
have already appeared in other papers will
No anonymously signed communications that
inserted.
be
Orders for extra, copies of DAILY PRESS
recognised then as territory over which the Chinese Government exercised sovereignty, and the Japanese official communiqus we published yesterday shows that Japan has no present knowledge that it belongs to Chion; nor does the Japanese Government regard it as belonging to the Japanese Em- pire merely because a few enterprising Japanese traders have gone there in the belief that no Power exercised sovereignty
Mr. ROOSEVELT EMBARKS FOR AFRICA.
!
LONDON, March 23rd. Mr. Theodore Roosevelt embarked at New York today en route for Africa.
Immense cheering crowds had assembled with Bands to bid the ex-President "Farewell."
RUSSIA'S FAR EASTERN
PORTS.
FOREIGN STEAMERS NOT TO ENGAGE IN COASTAL TRADE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG.
* DAILY PRESS.")
March 24th, 1909. 81B, Yosterday a gathering of young folks belonging to the Ministering Children's League- was assembled in the garden attached to the Bishop of Hongkong's residence. This Society
and at Kowloon, introduced by Mrs. May, the has been for some time established in this island. popular and energetin. wife of the Colonial Sucretary. So actively was the work of the Logne carried on in this locality that I under- stand that last year no less than £100 was realised; and divided amongst various charities, It may be of some interest to your readers to know that this world-wide League started, nów many years since, in Lord Meath's and my house in Louden; its object being to train young people in unselfish ways and especially to tanch them how to be of service to those who suffer. Each branch, as it starta, is invited to take up some dsăuite charitable work, and, though the Society was by no means established just for the purpose of inaugurating charitable institutions, yet no less than 20 buildings devoted to religious and benevolent work as mattered far and wide about the globe.
England can boast of eight of these, Austral- asia claims five, while in the United States,
"
LONDON, March 23rd.-- A conference held at the Ministry of Commerce, St. Petersburg, decided in favour of the abolition of the Egypt, Russia sud sleewbare “ministering constal steamer traffic in the Far East hands have been actively at work to brighten under forcigu flags from October 14th the lot of the poor, the sick, and the suffering.
Japan-where it has found warm supporters. next, the Governor-General of the The League now being introduced into Last year, at a time when I was very unwell Germany, and, unable to attend to the work Amur being empowered to allow single trips in exceptional circum-, I received from two bigh stances up to October 14th, 1913. dignatories of the Church in Australía, Amrance of the good and lasting work done by the League in the Colonies.
GERMANY AND BRITAINS
NAVAL POLICY.
LONDON, March 23rd. Herr von Schou, the Minister for
there. It is not a prize to be coveted by Foreign Affairs, speaking in the
Power, and any.
if China is able to Reichstag, explained that, although catablish her claim to the island, the the representative of Great Britain in Japanese Government mys it is quite pre-
pared to recognise the sovereignty of an informal conversation had intimated
The Ministering Children's League is an denominational; it exista only to do good and to teach the young that happiness lies, not in the direction of self-gratification, but in self sacrificing devotion to lofty aims, serving God by serving fellow-man.
The Central Office of the Society which has found favont not only in British dominious bat in a rapidly increasing number of forsign lands, in at 83 Lancaster Gate, London-the have the privilege of being its Central Hon.
house where it was originally founded--and I
All
Sack Race-1, Private Murrell, Buffs: 7, Sharp Chattanooga ; 3, Brown, R.G.A.; 4 Scarp, Buff's.
Lady Erskine will present the prizes at six o'clock this evening.
...
The basement of the Jockey Club stand, the weighing-in room, and the basement of the members stand were utilized for the tin.
MASONIC SMOKING CONCERT. of the guests or the serving of the Lift. There was no rush or confusion in the seating
To welcome American Masons to Hongkong, was done with the precision of a regiment on parade. The Buffs Band, who provided music the Naval and Military Lodga held a smoking during the afternoon, wore in readiness before concert at the Masonic Hall last night wailer the tiffin hour. A minuts before the time the patronage of the two Grand Lodges. Tha arranged for the ment they struck up "The hall was prettily draped with flags, and con, Roast Hoof of Old England." This was followed tained a large and enthusiastic attendance. by a March, and the guests marched to the The guests of the evening could not have. different tables and took their seats. Strag received a better welcome. No detail had been glers there were, who were delayed by duty overlooked by the promoters, and an excellent or otherwise, bat Mr. T. P: Hough was waiting musical programme bad been arranged. to see that they were not left to the remnants.Sentimental and comic songs, recitations and With cheary words and an engaging sitile he musical elections were provided by Mosers. found seats for them, and had boys" at their elbows to attend their wants, Other members of the committes were also assiduous in their attention to the grosts, and none went hungry. In short, better arrangements for spread were never made in Hongkong, and all retired from the banquetting halls with an air of satisfaction.
B
large
Nolan, Sanders, Fay. Oxberry, Scott, Cross, Caesar, Hutcheson, Jarvis. Trinble, Ladd' und Captain Parkes, while the Baffs Band played admirable selections of music.
Mr. West, Master of the Lodge, prosidlech, und during the evening proposed the toast of President Taft, coupled with the name of Lieutenant Cameron of the American flagship. He said he considered it a vary great honour te
There was 8 short spell before the
ap. Esut whose members had the opportunity of Sports programine was proceeded with, and be the Master of the first Masonic Lodge in the peared to fad great amusement in engaging drinking to such a toast. The pow President in this interval the Americas ters in a tug-of-war with a number of Chinese coolies of the. United States had visited Hongkong Some ten sailors would make fast to one end of twice within the last two years, and was well the rope and beaken the Chinese to take the acquainted with our shores. He had no doubt ether. The coolies needed little persuasion, and he was voicing the general sentiment when he as many as could be sccommodated would take said that we hoped soon to see him again. There charge of the other end. Then the pull would was only one body of men who did not wish to begin. It was not the coolies aim, however, to meet him (No, no.) and that was the chair pull the Americans over the line. Their enjoy-cookies (laughter). No doubt those who felt his ment was when the visitors got "down to if" weight on his last visit still remembered him to let go the rope and see them measure their (laughter.). In honouring the toast proposed those present would not only be honouring length on the ground. An valooker said some
but also Brother Taft thing about the American-Chinese Alliance President Taft, while this sport was proceeding, but the Chinese (Applause).
Lieutenant Cameron, in responding to the will have to be more considerate with Unels Sam than they were yesterday before such a thing teast, thanked all for the hearty manner in can come to pass.
THE SPORTS.
Following titin came the sperts, which pro- duced some very good events, most exciting of all being the tag-of-war competition. The
which it had been honoured: The Americans present hardly attended as Americans, as Mas onry knew no country. They wore present, as brothers and had great pleasure in meeting brothers of the same order (Applause), Ho
should be sent before 11 am. on day of in Peking should have little difficulty | standing with regard to Naval pro-required respecting this Assosiation.-I remain American sailors are long and strong pallers, would thank all very much for the kindness
I
China over it. Bat the Japanese Minister a readiness to come to an under- Secretary. Mrs. May, will, I am sure, kindly give any local information which may be Bir, Yours faithfully,
Μ. Τ. ΜΕΑΤΗ. Gorernmont House, Hongkong. -
publication. After that hour the supply is st securing to the Japanese subjects grammes, no proposal had been made limited. Only supply for Cash.
PRESS. Telegraphio Address:
Cours: A.B.C. 5th Ed. deber.
P. O. Bor. 34. Telephone No. 12. HONGKONG OFFICE: 10A, DES VEUX ROAD C LONDON OFFICE: 131, FLEET STREET. EC
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, MARCH 25TH 1909.
concerned whatever interests they may have peacefully acquired there in the bona- de belief that this neglected island be- longed to no Power.
of a nature which could form the basis of official negotiation. Friendly Go- vernments, the Minister added, cus- tomarily avoid presenting formal pro- THE LAND OF PERPETUAL LIFE Another case of plague from Kowloon City posals of which the reception is doubtful. Germany's naval law had
was notified yesterday.
A Chinnen, eridently with an ear for music, stole a dulcimer which he envied from a friend.heen framed exclusively with a view He was arrested and brought before Mr. Komp to her own need of protection and at the Magistracy yesterday and sentenced to Bix weeks' imprisonment.
-threatened no nation.
SUCCESSFUL ANTARCTIC
EXPEDITION.
A number of deportees arrived here on Tues- day and Wednesday from Singapore, nime coming the first day and eighteen the second. They will be passed on from here to their native places. It is remarkable that most of the NO POLAR CALM, DUT A HIGH PLATEAU. mon who come from Singapore have their bodies covered with morphins injection marks.
WHEN it came under our notice a week or two ago that the Chinese newspapers of Canton were working up a sensating over the presence of a few Japanese on Pratas Island leading to, the assertion that this forbidding bit of territory had been seized by Japan" it recalled to mind a similarly absurd story which appeared in one of the Manila papers about twelve months ago wherein it sudden collapse of a hotel in Hongkong," is was set forth with considerable wealth of making immediate repairs on the Oriente detail that the British had seized Pedro building whieh, It has been discovered, is Blanco, lying between Hongkong and Amoy threatened by white ante. This building houses.
Lands, Civil Servios and others.
The Manila Government "mindful of the
LONDON, March 24th. Lieutenant Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition, which left New Zealand in January, 1908, bas returned allwell. Lieutenant Shackleton cables to
a
AND BEAUTY."
Java is yearly attracting an increasing nam
ber of tourists, and those who have spent holiday among the beanty spots of the island
but they must have been considerably perplexed extended to his countrymon and take his seat. as to the man from whom they were to take
Instructions, there being so many telling each MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT. team to "heave" and "dig their heels into the ground." Mash amusement was afforded by
the Obstacle, Three-legged and Ricsha races
Wednesday, 24th March.
MAGISTRATE).
while the printer had many opportunities of BEFORE COMMANDER BASIL, R.N., (MARINK showing his quality. Needless to say, Corporal Audraws of the Buffs was to the fore, winning most of the events he entered with comparative case. The various avente resulted as follows:-
100 Yards Race. Post Entries.
Andrews, Buffs...
Miller, R.G.A. Crump, RG.A
2
3
UNLAWFUL ANCHORAGE6. Constable Connor proceeded against nine boatwomen for laying in their bosts within one handred yarls from law water mark.
All the defendants plowed guilty, and each was fined 83.
OBSTRUCTION.
have come away with the most agreeable, omething has been done to impres.... advertise the island in recent years by the publication of illustrated guide books. One has
Two boatmen were prosecnted for laying Owing to the numerous entries this event was recently been published by the Raymond
manner as to prevent the tree aceass of other and Whitcomb Tourist Company of the run off in three heate, the inal seeing alongside the Wing Lok Street stops in such a Defendents pleaded guilty and the first was United States: The little brochure has been starters. It resulted in an easy win for Andrews assals thereto. written by Captain A. Alin-Higgins, who is who could have given the rest of the runners
a start of at least three yards. The racefined 85 or fourteen days, and the second $3 or
ten days. connected with the firm, and is at the present timas in Canton with a party of American between Miller and Crump for second place October 1st. "Java: the Land of Perpetual pass the line first. Time 11-1/5 secs. tourists with whom he has been travelling since was a good one, the former just managing to Beauty" is the title it bears, and we have seen. no handy guide of Java of greater use to the tourist. Besides a brief and interesting des interspersed with a number of attractive photographie views, the brochure contains stal hints to travellers concerning the Dutch Archipelago, Bangkok, Johore and the Islands of Penang and Singapore.
and intended to convert the place into the Bureau of Agriculture, Constabulary, the "Daily Mail" that he turned ription of the many beauty spots of the island, 4ft 113; 2, Private Saster, Buffs, and Dram. 250, in default, two months' hard labour..
naval base. Those who know Pedro Blanco
to be what it is,-a rock with a whitish summit, rising sheer out of the water with scarchly foothold for man or beast-were able to enjoy the joke. Those who ha I never
back on January 9th (?) when in
It is announced in our advertising columns latitude 88 degrees 23 minntes and elevens miles that the cinematograph. pictures of the World's longitude 162 East,
He fixed the Championship Prize Fight between Tommy Barns and Jack Johnson at Sydney as to be distant from the Pole. exhibited in the Theatre on Monday, Tuesday magnetic pole in latitude 72 degrees before heard of Pedro Blanco possibly inad Wednesday next. Seats may be booked at 75 man. and longitude 154 East. gined it to be some forsaken island with per Mesers. 9. Moutrie & Co's. The plotures to
The British flag was hoisted at haps a useful harbour which the aggressive by oxidbited show the progress of the famous British meant to embrace in some extended fight from beginning to end and the exhibition both points. scheme of naval fortifications with a view to therefore will last over two hours.
CONCEALING A BOAT'S NUMBER: Dr. Gröne, Health Officer of the Port, pro- secuted the owner of a licensed passonger host for concealing the number of his boat. Long Jump Running-1. Dray. 18ft 5; 2,
Defendant denied that his number pro covered, but his Worship, after hearing the Conard, 18ft. 32; 3, Freeman, 16ft. 83.
High Jump-1, Gunner Thomas, R.G., evidence, held that it was, and imposed a fino of THE UNION IN URANCE SOCIETY mer Smith equal 4ft. 10.
220 Yards-1, L. Corpl Andrews 2. Bimyard
OF CANTON, 1TD. Tamar: 3, Private Miller, Buffs. Andrews won
We are informed that at the forthcoming with about six yards to spare.
meeting of shareholders of the above Society the Three Legged race each one of a pair to be Directors will, subject to andit, recommend the of different nationality-1, Osborne (Charleston) payment of a final dividend of $17 for the year and Evans (Baffe); 2, Wilson (Chattanooga) and 1907; and an interim dividend of $30 for the
Fear 19C8. March (Buffs); 3, Scamp (Baffe) and Cram's (Charleston);
Tag-of-War semi-final in competition for
MARRIAGE AT THE CATHEDRAL.
STEAMER UNABLE TO SAIL.
·PECULIAR POSITION AT MANILA,
The marriage of Mr. G. G. Sutherland The Cableness American reportsThe American teams Cleveland and Denver had a Forsyth, sub-accountant at the Hongkong and LATER.
Companie Maritimo liner Neil Macleod," heroic tassie for entry into the final. The pull ghanghai Bank, and Miss Morguerite Moir more effectually dominating the ocean high.
In the Daily Mail Lieutenant which was scheduled to sail for Dumaguete and An interesting prosecution took place before
The bride, who was Mindanao porta on Tuesday evening last, is tied continued for about twelve minutes, during was quietly celebrated at St. John's Cathedral, way from the North to the Colony of Mr Kemp at the Magistracy yesterday. Sam Hongkong. It was a hoax, a palpable busx, Chak Yee whe is not without means, took his Shackleton describes the narrow es-ap to her wharf, deserted by her crew of deck which the fortunes, of both teams wavered yesterday afternoon.
as bridesmaid, while Mr. J. F. Cor+dwards hands and firemen Much of the cargo consists However Cleveland claimed tho vircory after a charmingly attired, was attended by Miss Jacobs groat hardships of inflammable material, such as a large consign-magnificent rally.
performed the duties of best man." The and being recognised as suck by the Chinese servant with him to Canton and when they capes and the
One Mile, open to eight starters from the officiating clergyman was the Rev. F. T. John- newspaper editors, there was no outery in returned yesterday he, it was alleged, sont the experienced by the party in the last ment of petroleum, and the steamer is being guarded by two American and one native policemen.
American feet, and four from the British son. The service was semi-choral, the only the vernacular Press against British aggres-boy ashore first with a jar which was supposed to three degrees of latitude.
The trouble is the upshot of the crew's repudia Garrison.-1, L. Corp! Keep, Buffs: 2, Sgthyma sung being "O Perfect Love," while Mr. They were on reduced rations tion of an agroupent entered intost Zamboangs,
Denman Faller played appropriate wedding masin. After the ceremony a reception wan sion; nor did the report acquire the dignity becakes and told him to go to the house and have his food prepared for him. The Opium Farmer's
Koep was favourite and man with an easy held at the Government Civil Hospital by Dr. of becoming the subject of diplomatic staff however had a look, at the jar and found twenty ounces daily and had to their refusal to comply resulting in their dis- Sturdy, Tamar, 3 L. Corpl Mills, Buffs
charge by the captain, Efforts to secure a communications. The report of the alleged that it contained opium. The man disavowed
dance of invited guests. far, Pedro Guevara, of the mariners' union, just arrived here with a splendid sporting seizure of Pratus Island bas a little all knowledge of the boy, and the Magistrate fight against blizzards travelling fresh orew have met with no success, thus stride followed by Sturdy, the marine who has and Mrs. Bell, at which there was a large atten
incorraborated seventy miles an hour, in drifting has been appested to for aid bat up to slate reputation Time-5m, 1/25 sec. better foundation than the other story said he could not convict on
snow and 72 degrees of frost, The hour had not decided what to do in the premises. possessed, but it has received an amount evidence and the defendant was discharged.
r. and Mrs. Forsyth leave for Home by the Mongolia on Saturday via America.