THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25′′N, 1909.
An Bis in the game he did not under-
INTIMATION
to tens of thousande, in some of the wealthier The Shanghai Deck and Engineering Co.,
S.
WATSON
&
LIMITED
ESTABLISHED A.D. 1841.
stand" and condone the twenty-four packs rising to their hundreds of thousands, so Ind. hus declared an interim dividend of 2 per TELEGRAMS.
onded October 31.
he had ready up his sleeve for emergencies that numerically the Likin collectorate concent, payable on January 6th for the half-year
But, of course, there have been very many stitutas a formidablo army too formidable, more reasons why China has in the long run in fact, to be interfered with by any of the CO. been left to her own devices. Many there officials.
CONFECTIONERY. Selections of the Parest and Finest Quality Imported from the Loading London, New York and Parisian Housos.
CADBURY'S CHOCOLATES.
are who started with the idea that China would be a fine country to annex, but one and all when it came to the point have dawn back at the hugeness of the task, China was, as the Wolahman said of the gooup, a foolish bird: It was too much for one, but not enough for two, and none cared to tackle when it entailed the necessity of a scrimmage all round. China in all ages has proved an easy enough me to swallow, but a very serious task to digest, and ench and every, be they Turk, Mongol, or Mancha, has | boen glad enough in the end to give up the profitless struggle and let China have her own way. At the moment China's chief ambition is centred on the possession of a waters, and it is instructive to observe how kindly are the other nations in coinciding in China's views. Doubtless a good deal of FÜLLER'S CONFECTIONERY. this complaisance proceeds not altogether from disinterested motives; the profits COCOANUT TAFFY, ALMOND TAFFY, acruing from the building of a fleet are not
CREME APRICOTS, SUCRE DE LA CREME, CARAMELS,PEPPERMINT altogether to be despised; and as China is LUMPS, and CHOCOLATES, and not yet in a position to build for herself 1 lb, Boxes, &c, Lo Le. WALNUT each would like to see the order going to its TOFFEE, PEPPERMINT CREAMS.
IN FANCY BOXES: DHOCOLATE ALMONDS, CHOCOLATE WALNUTS,ual others in Great Variety. ALMONDS
MIXED RAISINS, and
ALMONDS.
PASCALL'S FRENCH
CONFECTIONEY.
NOUGAT, NUTTONA, WALNUT
TOFFEE, FONDANTS, CARAMELS to., &c. &c.
MACKINTOSH'S CREAM and TREACLE TOFFEE. CRYSTALLIZED FRUITS of the Finest Quality in Grant Variety.
TOM SMITH'S & CALEY'S
CRACKERS.
Special Designa for Table Decorations.
The amount of postal savings in Japan ha increased at an astonishing rate since the Russo- Japanese war. According to investigations made at the end of last month the total amount of present savings is Y,123,518,904, showing an increase of .17,788,710 compared with the end of December last year.
Two small fires were reported on Thursday night. One took place in a shop in Queen's Road and was due to a lesk at the gas meter which somebody discovered with a light. The other occurred on the steam launch Kweng Sing, and was due to the boiler becoming overheated matting which had been placed on it to dry. In during the night and setting fire to some
neither instance was the damage serious.
An interesting presentation took place on Thunday evening, when Mr. and Mrs. Piory'
were the recipients of a beautiful silver salver
Protested by the Telegraphis MessaĄ U
›Copyright Ordinanes, 1803.J
["DAILY PARIS" MKOLUSIVE SERVIOS.}"
THE JAPANESE DIET.
Torro, December 24th. H.M. the Emperor to-day opened the Diet in a brief speech from the Throne which described the country's foreign relations as satisfactory and made reference to the strengthening
of national finance.
THE KOREAN PROBLEM..
TOKYO, December 24th. The Korean Premier who was at first
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.
Christmas, the approach of which has been proclaimed frosá many directions during the wook, has boon ushered in with time-honoured ceremonial, Floral decorations peculiar to the festive season are seen in all the hotels and many shops and stores, and in barracks and publio institutions the joyous occasion has not been overlooked. The usual greeting " A. Merry Christmas" faced inast patrons of the shops, especially those which entered for the young folks. Santa Claus was busy as usual and the young people will be gladdened by the my storions but antisipated gifte received.
To-day special services will be held in most of the churcher and in barracks.
Several sports fixtures are set down for to- day and Monday.
The warships in the harbour-made prepara- tions for the celebration of the occasion, and British, Atherics and German showed their unity on this subject..
I'MASTERS,
The annual Christmas tree at the Victoria
fleet, so as to be able to command her own | The REGENT on taking office did indeed make and cheque from a numbar of old boys" of reported to have been mortally wound-Hospital took place last night. Sir Henry and
We have no account in any province of the number or the probable income of the Lakin collectorate, accounts being rigour ously excluded, but they are known to be onormous; of these sums, however, it is equally notorious that nothing beyond a mere driblet ever arrives in the hands of the actual officials of the province who have no means of exacting their duce. Practically nothing in the majority of the provinces aver reaches the central government. It is plain that reform of such a system from within has become a practical impossibility; the body politic hasgrown up surromdeded by its meshes, and socially no man finds himself strong enough to speak, much less to act.
some feeble attempts to effect some reform, but the reactionary party have proved too strong for him, and there is no doubt that it was for his presumed tendering of advice about the true condition of the provinces that TUAN FANG incurred the penalty of dismissal. Yet on this question of Likin depends the entire subject of the Navy. Taxed to the highest extent that the
sucks up like a sponge the resources of the land yet so foul is the system of collection that at the outside, it is calculated, more than five per cent, gets into the hands of the higher provincial officials for the purposes of the administration; the remainder is squandered in keeping up a useless army of collectors, who as a rule return nothing whatever to headquarters, their expouses absorbing the entire amount squeezed out of the produce of the land, There is little reason to doubt that the
the Diocesan School. The presentation was made by the few. Jul Mon who in a speech reviewed the success ofthe work of Mr. Piorey since his arrival in 1876. Mr. Pieroy was deply affected, and in a for well chosen remarks thanked, the donors for their generosity.
ed by an assassin, is now reported to Lady May were present, and at the invitation of be recovering.
Count Hayashi again advocates annexation as the only remedy for the situation.
[REUTER'S BERVICE TO THE "HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]
the Hon. Dr. Atkinson several visitors attended Henty did duty as Father Christmas and the to witness the interesting proceedings. Sir children greatly enjoyed thas useles
own shipyards; but there are other reasons trade in each case will bear, the Likin "People with a penchant for coincidences willTHE NEW KING OF BELGIUM. | with large flowered candles, and the altar cloth
why some, at least, of the principal na- tions would like to see Chiu suficiently powerful at sea to protect her own waters.
Much of the burden bus hitherto fallen on
Great Britain, and Great Britain would willingly pass on the thankless tank to China herself, and would also willingly help her in every way. But anyies are expensive, and in her present mood China takes a delight in parading an independence she does not possess. Doubtless it would be better for China, and not for China only, but for the world at large, did she possess from her cwn internal resources the means of building a powerful fleet, As affairs stand at present that is, however, not with- in the bounds of possibility. Yet China is a wealthy country, but though a wealthy country she stands in the curiously anoma- louis position of having no revenue. More
A. S. WATSON & CO.. curious still, the people of China have a
LIMITED,
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS
Hongkong, 13th December, 1909. 129
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. ONLY communications relating to the news column should be addressed to THE EDITOR.
Correspondents must forward their names and adtresses with communications addressed to the Editor, not for publication but as evidenca of good faith.
All letters for publication should be written on one side of paper only.
No anonymously signed communications
inserted.
appeared other papers will be
navy,
Wo note the following paragraph in the Devonport correspondence of a Servion paper.
probably have noticed that last Thursday a ramour was current at this port that the oralser Kent had been lost on the China station. How the rumour originated is a mystery, but it spread as rapidly as bad news Invariably does, until many people began to feel that it had a substratum of truth, Relief came in the evening, when a telegram from the Admiralty announced that the Kent had left Hongkong that morning for Singapore "all well." But here is the curious fist. According to a telegram received, yesterday from Singaporo, the Kent experience typhoon weather on the way down from Hongkong, and notnally lost three boats'
referred to, the Keat was being bufettad about.
AT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is gaily decorated for the Christmas celebrations. The main altar is richly adorned with a pro- fusion of flowers and costly silver-candlesticks
embroidered, in gold covered with beautiful silk embroidered lace. The arches and pillars King Albert I., the new sovereign of in the Sanctuary are all draped with coloured Belgium, has made-n-State entry intonatorial and the chancel surrounded with palms Brussels from Lacken..
LONDON, December 24th.
THE ANGLO-JAPANESE EXHIBITION.
LONDON, December 24th. At a meeting of the Committee of
and flowers.. In one of the lateral altars * picturesque erib, representing the grotto of Bethlehem, is exposed for public feneration. The figures of the Holy Family, the shepherds and animals are realistic. All the other altars ere also decorated.
At half-pant ton last night, His Lordship Bishop Pozzoni attired in his Pontifical robes,
entered the sanctuary, accompanied by the
service. The fall choir of St. Joseph's
amount thus squandered would go far too that in all probability at or about the time the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition, under elergy and seminarists, took his seat at wards paying the expenses of a very effective the people of the Three Towns wore in a high the presidency of the Lord Mayor of the Gospel side and started the Matina besides relieving the land of the burden state of tension as the result of the rumour London, it was resolved to invite the College assisted by several ex-pupils responded Government to accord official support to the Fealms und Antiphona alternatively to the educational sections in a spirit with the Sanctuary Choir, Mr. O, Baptista pre- similar to that shown by the Govern-siding at the exgan. At 11.45, the Bishop- ment of Japan.
of maintaining a huge army of incapables, but such a course would entail the clearing out of many of the higher officials; and it is just theso, as the men who glamoured for TUAN FANG's dismissal, who under the present
régime are battening on the vital of the land, who will ever form the backbone of the reactionary party.
native aptitude for finance, which needs only proper direction to achieve great things, From time immemorial finance and govern-
Of course the only possible method, so ment have been divorced, and the two have firmly has Likin spread its roots amongst taken different roads, the officer in charge the body politic, to get rid of the abuses is to place the entire fancial control or tus administering bis office whatever it was, independent of control from above except Empire in strong foreign hands; but this is of the most general character, and being the one thing that the pretended" patriotic responsible for all its expenses, and logi- party, really the upholders of fraud and cally master of its income. As a mattor of corruption, will not submit to. The prah- course accounts are not kept, but each able result of all this will be that China, will officer is expected at certain intervals to become so venk and discredited that foreign make "presents" to his superiors, and to Powers for their own safeguarding may one provide for these he has to reimburse him- day find it advisable to place an Empire, self by vails from his underlings, who, like Himself, receive no salary, and have to re- coup themselves from the people at large. In addition to this each office has its cus- tomary assessment, which has to be paid in advance before the officer takes up his post, and the providling for these funds falls into the hands of a not unimportant class of financial agents, who exploit for the purpose every yamen in the Empire. Financially, the official, though he renders no account LONDON OFFICE: 131, FLEET STREET EC to the Government, practically finds himself a slave to his guarantor, and as each step in promotion has to be paid in advance, his
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Telegraphic Address: PRESE. Code A.B.C. 5th Ed. Lieber. P. O. Bo.. 34. Telephone No. 12.
DEATHS.
On the 22nd Fecember, at Kow oon, END,
3 months
infant daughter of Me and Mrs. J. H. Krur, aged 166
At the General Hospital, Shauglas, Decher 18th, FANNY BLUNCE, bolove i wife of FEEDERICK BLUwcx, aged 4 ⋅ jeɛ19,
HONGKONG OFFICE: 10A, DES VEUT ROAD C
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, DECEMBER 25ги, 1909.
HOWEVER it has come about, it certainly is the fact that China has contrived to get
which deserved a better fate had it only been-led to see its own shortcomings, in Commission.
The French Muil of the 23rd November was delivered in London on the 23rd inst.
The Hon. Mr. Grasson and Mrs. Grasson returned to Hongkong from the North yesterday. Mr. Bell Irving arrived from Home the previous day.
A smart capture was made by the West Point police on Thursday, when they arrested a native who had in his possession 250 counterfeit Chinese twenty cent pieces.
While the escape was being taken to the
by a typhoon in the Pacific. The aroumstance suggests whether the ill-founded rumour was a manifestation of telepathy."
Our metropolitan contemporary, the Poking
Daily News, a Chinese paper, published in English, should study Hongkong's surranoy" question before writing on the subject again. If Hongkong," says our contemporary, "under an enlightened government, with an enlightened commercial community, to say nothing of export opinions from England, has taken so
manу yʊ W ADIYOMeo in una g
with the result that not more than two silver dollars issued by the Island government itself are accepted by the Hongkong Treasury in payment of taxes, foreign oritica should keep their month shut in regard to China's currency For the information of our contemporary we may state any silver toliaus as are tendered in accept as many dollars are payment of taxes, but it will not repaire more than two dollars worth of subsidiary coins. Chiun is the only country in the world, we believe, in which subsidiary coins are legal tender to any amount Hongkong's "currency problem" is that Hongkong's subsidiary coinage is with drawn from the Colony and is freely circulating in the Kwangtang province-while two-thirds, or perhaps four-fifths, of the subsidiary coins in in Hongkong are Chinese. No Chinese coin is accepted by the Hongkong Treasury or by the Post Ofoe or any othor Government department. The discount on Chinese coins is heavier than on Hongkong caius, but the two currencies circulate, on an equality in the or dinary business dealings in which subsidiary coins are nosessary, The "currency problém in Hongkong is how to maintain the Colonial
tion Chinese coins which have dragged Hong.
valas, and at the same time to avoid giving of fence to China and disturbing our tradal rela tions. The conclusion of all the discussions on the subject is that the over-issue of subsidiary coin by the Canton mint is the cause of the tromble, and the only practicable remedy is for the Canton mint to rehabilitate its subsidiary coinage by casing minting operations for a time.
THE BRITISH ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
LONDON, December 24th, A number of election speeches were delivered last night,
There will now be
a cessation för a week..
The issue of the election writs has been postponed until January 10th.
dressed in white chasuble started the Pontifeni Mass and the Choir sang "Kyrie eloison." When the "Gloria in excelsis Deo" was intoned by the Bishop at midnight, all the bells in the Church and at the Campanario were rung..
The crib, which was screened by a cartain before the Mass, was unveiled whom the Gloria" was intoned by the Bishop. After the May it www manusind hy the crowded congregation paying their dayoting
The was very imposing, was well attended.
POLICE DANCE.
The Hongkong Police Dance took place last -night in the City Hall and was the success that
The Unionists denounce the post- ponement as a trick to enable the firet it usually is. There was a goodly company, polling to take place on a Saturday, fue floor, enjoyable music, and, above all, which will be favourable to the Li-admirable hosts, and with these essentials the individual who failed to "chase the flying hours berals.
with Beeting feat" or to enjoy the leas active pleasures of the night must find the blame on
On the new register there are 92,000 more voters than on the old.
The evergreens ·
his own shoulders. It is safe to say that the 300 guests who were present found themselves Only three seats are uncontested ushering in a merry Christmas right well, and by the Unionists. Fifteen are uncon- the promoters must have felt, in the appreciation
of so many, amply rewarded for their laboure. tested by the Liberals. There are The decorations were of such a nature as to numerous triangular contests in which suggest the festive season. Liberals oppose Labourites. In six associated with Christmastide were in abrog- nace, and the flowers which peeped out from, Constituencies the Unionists are
among the mass of greenery on the staircase divided.
and elsewhere added a pleasing touch to the Lord Milner addressed a noisy meet-general embellishment. The reception room was very neatly treated, festoons crossing the room and a larga Union Jack at the top of the room being surmounted and flanked with rosy St George's Hill, in which dening
boudage ouly ceases with his life or his scene of a fire on Thursday night it knocked coins at their par value and keep out of circuing at Cardiff. His I ordship's speech
final retirement from office, should he by down à Chinaman whe was injured and had to kong coins down to practically their own level of
be sent to the hospital.
of
Another kidnapping case was discovered by the
police on Thursday. They arrested a man for having on the 21st inst. atolon a seven-year-old boy, whom he shipped to 'Amoy by one of the Blue Fannel tenwers,
FREEMASONRY.......
APPOINTMENT OF ME. T. F. BOUGH AS
DISTRICT GRAND MASTER.
was subject to constant interruptions, the audience shouting as a chorus "Damn the consequerces.'
31
|
took place, wasory effectively decorated. The windows and entrances were draped with
manifest enjoyment. The programme included · five waltzes, one Highland schottische, one. schottisole, ons Caledonians, two barn dances, Circassian circles, two pulkus, two Inneers, two two waltz cotillions, one strathspey reel, two valets, and ona military two-step.
any means have succeeded in freeing him- self from his financial embarrassments.
The Hon. Treasurer of the Alice Memorial
Mr. Lloyd George, Chancellor of ourtains and picked out with evergreens, and Wurst of all these abuses is the system and Affiliated Hospitals begs to acknowledge
St. Andrew's Hall was used as a supper room herself treated as the "white-headed boy" of Liking here the officer appointed to the with thanks the following donation to the funds
the Exchequer, travelled, for twelve bunting was introduced with plossing resulta. hours in West Wales. Crowds and the old Chamber of Commerce room amongst the nations, and this in spite of collectorate has no magisterial duties to the Hospitals:
perforta. He has had, like the magistrate, Goldring, Barlow & Morrell... $10 the fact that no other people has so fre- to pay heavily in the first instance for the
assembled at the stations through was given over to those who preferred a quiet The German naval estimates show that for
which he passed and demanded a game at cards. quently set at maught the principles that appointment, the average income of which Kiaochoau, including the cost of the Asistio
Dancing commencol at nino o'clock to the speech. Decorations were everywhere strains of Machado's band, and with L. S. are supposed to underlie the comity of generally comes to be well known. His Naval Detachment, an Imperial subvention nations. Of course in one respect. China remedy is to let out the subordinata ranks amounting to £423,327, a decrease of £38,203,
displayed along the route. The Cooper and P. C. Stewart assidons in the dis- has always held the respect of her neigh, on the same system, and to each of these one | is demanded.
Chancellor spoke in Welsh at charga of their dutios as M.C.'s the programmno bours, and that is, her scrupulous respect or more stations is allotted, which the holder
Pwlheli, declaring that the time had of 24 dances was carried through with zoat and for her monetary engagements, and that, as to manipulate to the best advantage
come to settle once and for all with though certainly one, is only one of many As in the other case, he makes no returns,
the feudal lords who were demanding reasons for the peculiar position she oc-but, tacitly he fixes his own charges. The
that Great Britain should return to cupies zugangst her neighbours. Individual check here is competition; if he raise the
the dark nges, when even-Russia and ly every one who has been in close contract charge in excess of his fellows he finds the
A Chinaman, apparently under the infinence
Tho decoration committee, who are to bo with the Chinese has come to regard the income of his particular station falls off,
of liquor, jumped from a car, when it was in
Turkey were winning their freedom.
congratulated on the oufeoine of their efforts, people with friendly eyes. Even BILL NYE, while if he lower it unwisely he has not motion on Thursday. The result was that he when outplayed at his own gamo by the sufficient to meet the demands of his received injuries which necessitated his being Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, the Most tion of Mr. Hallifax at the Magistracy yester-Grant, L. 8. Ogg, P.C. D. C. Cockle, P. C. A somewhat poculiar caso engaged the atten consisted of P. S. Wilson, P. S. Parr, P. 8. Master, had been appointed by H. R I. the pensive and child-like An SIN, could not superior. As each official, be be magistrate sent to the hospital.
A man named Francis Ritchie was Glendinning, and P. C. Mackelvie. Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand day.
P. 8. Kendall, P., C. Spillet, and P. C. bring himself to resent very seriously theur merely collector, has an indefinite number of relations, and as old custom requires that
Tho engagement is announced of Miss Mabel Lodge of England, to the high office of District charged with having on the 23rd December
•ho played the heathen Chinee, true, the lands that were payed, as every diplo-the senshould provide for all these, or Mas, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jules Grand Master of Hongkong and South China obtained from Fall Toma Dahi the sum of $42 Ferguson tlie Bar Committee, and L. 9. Ogg Martin, Penang, to Mr. John Bardsley Harrop, On inquiry we learn that Sh Faul Chater, who by labse preconces up story of the car pud P. C. Bell looked after the card room, white matist who luus ventured to play false cards denounced by the voice of public opinion, it manager of Dunlop Estate, Sitiawan, who is hus held this distinguished appointment for the plainant was that defendant came to her and P. S. Lee earned the gratitude of his opllenges with him has learned to his cost," by that is the natural consequence that the ranks of known to many in Hongkong.
past thirty-years, had tendered his resignation, said that her husband had been arrested and and of the guests for the excellent arrangemonta heathen Chince, and the points that he all the dependent services should be enor-
Too much cannot be said in appreciation of the that ball had been fixed at .542. As she could which as secretary, he carried out. The following appointments have been made manner in which Sir Paul hes ruled the district assistance, and when the latter proceeded to the not raise the amount her aunt came to her munde ware quite frightful to see," yet as mously overmanned, and as means have to at the Admiralty:Captains: H. H. D. Tothill, during that long perica. In Worshipfal Police Station with the money the defendant | LATEST STEAMER MOVEMENTS BILL NYE's own sleeve was stuffed full of be provided for each to live, it follows that to the Minotaur, to date Deo. 8; and on recom- Brother Hough he has a worthy successor, and took the money from her hand and ran away. aces and bowers, and the same with all these subordinate posta are filled with missioning, and to the King Alfred on transfer the news of his appointment has been received husband had saked him to da es he had done? The Silk ex per C.P.R. str. Monteagle, which intent to deceive," the onlookers for the useless hangore-on. The Likin officials and of flag, undated; and L. Clinton-Baker, to he most part have been quite as ready to back hangers-on in most of the provinces amount Minotaur, to date Dec. B, and as Flag Captain with the greatest satisfaction by the brethren The cam was remanded in order that the left here on the 21st attimo, Monteagle, which
generally.
husband might be found. on transfer of flag, undated.
A stir was caused in Masonic cirolos yesterday morning by an official notification to the Worshipful Musters of the local ledgos working under the English Constitution that Wor, Bro TF. Hough, the Deputy District Grand
Defendant asserted that the complainant's
York on the 22nd instant.