INTIMATIONS
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, AUGUST 4ru, 1914.
spite of transit passes or 12) per cent.
import duties, this will remain tras until RUSSIA INVADES GERMANY.
the leopard changes his spots. Modera developments in China's commerce are, however, making more and more anomalous the system whereby one consignment of goods
A. S. WATSON is liable to recurrent taxation, and of giving
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imported wares the option betwean two forms of duty payment, the result of which duplication is that goods going but a short distance into the interior often reach their destination more cheaply by paying likin than they would under a transit pass, and transit dues are paid only when it is
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS. probable that the likin would be heavier.
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VERY OLD LIQUEUR SCOTCH
But it is in the case of the foreign factor- ies established in China that the greatest anomaly is apparent. It would be thought that China would realize that these are an asset to her, that they enrich and develop the town and district where they are established, and that they provide employ- ment for some of China's population, yet the effect of her system of internal taxation: is to discourage them as far as possible. Compare the position of factories using Chineso materiale established here and at
WHISKY. Canton. In the latter case, any of the raw
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materials not produced in the immediate vicinity must pay likin as often as it is demanded; they are not destined for export so cannot be protected by a transit pass, as would be possible if they were to be made up in a factory in this Colony, All the machinery used at Canton has had to pay import duty to which that used in Hongkong is not liable, and this again adde to the cost of production. Finally, the quality has established its refinished article produced at Canton has to putation for over 30 years as pay likin at every barrier it passes, while -THE LEADING SCOTCH that manufactured here cau frre itself, in WHISKY IN THE EAST theory at all events, throughout the whole
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of China by one payment at the rate of 7 per cent. If, in spite of these drawbacks, it has been found worth while to transfer a cotton manufacturing enterprise from Hongkong to Shangbai, how much more might not China manufactures develop if they were free from all the hindrances and difficulties caused by oppressive internal taxation? There are too many vested interesta involved for China to be able to make a clean sweep of the whole machine; the balance-sheets the Provinces would ba reduced to even greater chaos than that in which they now find themselves if this source of revenue were violently diverted to the Central Government. One way by which this last difficulty might be avoided would be by a universal adoption of the system that Was found work satisfactorily in Hunan, whereby goods once having paid a commuted likin at the frontier are free to travel throughout the Province without any further demand on the part of the official. As. practically every Province has its own Treaty port, the general effect of such s system would be to make each Treaty part the head of a tariff zone and the commercial capital of its own Province, and to ɑsable these entrepôts of foreign trade at last to fulfil their proper functions as centres of Collection and distribution of merchandise. The revenue, too, would still pass through
for Vancouver has been cancelled.
The sailing of the Empress of Asia
The Bishop of Victoria, who has been staying with Mrs. Lander and his family in Japan, is expected back in the Colohy on August 11th.
the hands of the Provincial Authorities and be available (save for the quotum required to satisfy Peking's demands) for Provincial HONGKONG, AUGUST 4TH, 1914.
needs. Such a system would be far from perfection-nothing cau be altogether VARIOUS circumstances have of late com-satisfactory that retains the principle of bined to bring the question of likin into the universal internal taxation in addition to foreground... First came China's formal the larying of import duties--but it would request for the raising of her import duties be a vast improvement on the present to an effective à per cant, which naturally haphazard procedure that literally invites suggested the provisions of the MACKAY those in charge of it to fleece the morcbants Treaty for raising them to 123 per cent.; for their own private profit. then followed the removal of a foreign factory from Hongkong to Shanghai; and finally we have the heavy increases in likin taxation that Kiangsu and Chekiang are trying to enforce with the result that the importation of pieco-goods into the two Provinces was brought practically to a stand still. One of the promises made in the first blush of China's Republican era was that Likin should be abolished; now, so far from its abolition being realized, the Chekiang merchants see it being raised, in some cases, to five times its original figure. This is serious enough, and the fact that any such change in China's internal taxation, which is, in theory, supposed not to touch foreign goods, should have the effect of putting a check on, if not absolutely stopping, one branch of her import trade is a striking demonstration of the inefficacy of the transit pass system to protect goods when in Chinese hands. “Mr. Purca's”. cartoon on the proposed abolition of likin under the MACKAY Treaty said the last word on the imposibility of protesting foreign goods in Chinese hands in the interior a sleek man darin of the old school stands with his finger on male and a bland smile saying,
What, no more like! Maskeo, plenty strikers accepted, and work has now been other fashion can makes squeeze," and, in | resumed.
Shanghai was to have sent a polo team to Tsingtau to play a match with a local team, on the 6th inst, but that event has no doubt been cancelled
During coaling operations on HM.S Triumph a Chinese coolie fell off the man- of-war into a boat, and received injuries which necessitated his removal to hospital.
has complained that some person
A shopkeeper living in Yes Wo Street who entered his house by sliding back a bolt on the door stole thirteen pieces of clothing and 8123 in money
Chinese employed as paper makers at the Aberdeen Paper Milla went on strike on Sunday, demanding 81 a month rise in their wages. The management compro- faised, and offered 50 cents, which the
GERMANY INVADES
FRANCE.
GREAT BRITAIN TO INTERVENE.
SIR JOHN FRENCH TO COMMAND AN EXPEDITIONARY
FORCE:
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY:]
LONDON, August 2nd.
3.50 p.m.
An official telegram was received at 3.30 this afternoon that the Germans bave invaded France, crossing the frontier at Cirey.
4.15 p.m.
A Berlin telegram states that a strong Russian column with guns and Cossacks has invaded Germany near Bialla.
News has now coased,
4.30 p.t
It is officially reported that a German force is marching on Longwy,
a frontier town in France, 40 miles N.N.W. of Metz
The Germans have entered Luxenburg.
8.5 p.m
The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg was included from 1815 to 1866 in the dissolved Germanic Confederation. By the Treaty of London 1867 it was declared neutral territory and its integrity and independence were guaranteed. Luxemburg has an area of 998 square miles and a population of about 280,000. The chief town, Luxemburg, has about 21,000.}
THE BRITISH CABINET.
LONDON, August 2nd.
3.10 p.m.
The Cabinet has adjourned and meets again at 6.30.
PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM IN ENGLAND.
7.30 p.m.
The Brat outward sign of patriotic enthusiasm was shown in crowds. eneering the Ministers going to to-night's Cabinet,
Mr. Churchill, Minister of the Navy, received a special ovation, being received with shouts of "Good Old England," and "Bravo Winston."
There was a full attendance of Ministers at the meeting.
8.60. p.m.
The Cabinet ant for an hour and a half. The Ministers left the meeting:
looking anxious.
FRENCH AMBASSADOR SAYS WHOLE RESPONSIBILITY
RESTS WITH GERMANY.
LONDON, August 2nd,
7.20 p.m.
The French Ambassador, in a statement to Reuter, says that the whole
responsibility rests with Germany, who has invaded France without a declaration
of war while Austria and Russie were approaching DINGTEBMeat.
emphasised that Germany had violated the neutrality of Luxemburg, guaranteed by the Treaty of London, and pointed out that France even withdrew her troops from the frontier to avoid an accidental collision. The world should know these
facts.
ITALIANS JOIN IN FRENCH DEMONSTRATIONS.
LONDON, August 2nd.
7.20 p.m.
Telegrams from Paris raport that the mobilisation of the forces throughout France bag caused tremendous enthusiasm, Italians joining the French in the demonstrations.
GERMANY AND LUXEMBURG.
LONDON, August. Zud
8.5 p
A telegram from Luxemburg states that Germany. bas promised to indemnify the Duchy against any damage, and says that she merely desires to protect the Luxemburg railways
CANADA AND NEW ZEALAND PREPARED TO HELP THE
MOTHERLAND.
LONDON, August 2nd.
8.5 p.m.
The Duke of Connaught, Governor-General of Canada, has arrived at Liverpool, and on behalf of Canada and Now Zealand sent messages to the King and the Imperial Government, saying that they were prepared to help the Motherland to their utmost.
The Rt. Hon. Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, replied thanking the Duke of Connaught in the most cordial manner.
PARTIAL MORATORIUM PROCLAIMED.
LONDON, August 2nd.
9.50 ..
A special Gazette proclaims & partial moratorium in regard to certain Bills of Exchange.
[A moratorium is an emergency act of legulation authorising a government bank to suspend specie payments for a given period.]
100,000 GERMANS MASSING ALONG FRENCH FRONTIER.
LONDON, August 2nd.
9.50 p.00
A message, from Brussels says that a hundred thousand Germans are
crossing Luxemburg, and massing along the French frontier.
(Through reuterS AGENCY |
BRITISH ADMIRALITY CONTROLS ALL WIRELESS,
LONDON, August 2nd.
6.10 p.m..
A special Gazette announces that the Admiralty in the present emergener will control all wireless telegraph communication, including that of foreign vessels in (British) territorial waters.
BRITISH DEFENSIVE CREDIT OF FIFTY MILLIONS.
LONDON, August. 3rd.
12.15.a.m.
It is understood that the Government will ask Parliament for a defensive
credit of £50,000,000.
The Cabinet meets again to-morrow, and afterwards. Mr. Asquith will
make a statement in Parliament.
ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES IN LONDON.
There were enthusiastic scenes to-night in the West End. The crowds wildly cheered the Ministers on leaving Downing Street after the Cabinet meeting, and soldiers and sailors were also given ovations...
THE TERRITORIALS.
The War Office has ordered the closing of the training camps and the
return of the Territorials to headquarters.
NORTH SEA FISHING FLEET RECALLED.
A Hull trawler has left to recall the fishing fleet in the North Sea.
[Passed by Censor."1"
GREAT BRITAIN TO INTERVENE.
LONDON, August 3rd.
11.30 ..
The Paris newspapers state that Great Britain will intervene and that Sir John French will command an Expeditionary Force.
SPLENDID PATRIOTISM OF THE BRITISH COLONIES.
LONDON, August 3rd. 11.30 0.0
The Government and Opposition parties in Canada, Australia and New Zealand are united in their action in support of the Motherland.
The Province of Manitoba is raising a thousand infantry. A Melbourne telegram states that an
ralian warship is being feverishly prepared to render any assistance that may be required. A Naval and Military Conference is proceeding.
BOMBARDMENT OF LIBAU BY A GERMAN CRUISER:
LONDON, August : 3rd.
6.30 a.m.
It is reported from Berlin that the German cruiser dusberg is bombarding
Libau and that the port is afre.
[Libau, on the Baltic Sea, is one of the chief, seaports of Russia, if being con- nected by direct railways with the chief grain producing régions of Russia. It is fortified and is a natal
arsenal.]
4.35. a.m..
A MORATORIUM PROCLAIMED IN FRANCE.
A moratariam has been proclaimed in France, and the depositors are per- mitted to draw only limited amounts..
VIEWS OF THE BRITISH LIBERAL PRESS.
4.35 8.
The Daily Newg continues an uncompromising supporter of British nuu- trality whatever happens..
The Daily Chronicle, another Liberal 'organ, urges the Liberals to support
the Cabinet in whatever decision it comes to, and says that it is practically cer- tain that the Cabinet Ministers yesterday decided to intervene.
The other papers regard British participation as inevitable.
It is rumoured that two Cabinet Ministers threatened to resign in conse- quence of the above decision cla majority of the Cabinet.
STATEMENT BY GERMAN GOVERNMENT.
"THROUGH DER OSTASIATISUHER LLOED"]
BERLIN, August 2nd. 11.15 a.m
The German Government publishes & communiqué as follows:-
After the news of a general Russian mobilisation became known here, the Imperial Government instructed its Ambassador at St. Petersburg to demand of the Russian Government the cessation of mobilisation against us, and Austria, and to deliver a final communication to that effect within twelve hours. The Ambassador reported that he had delivered himself of his charge at midnight on the 31st July,
The German Ambassador was also instructed to declare to the
Russian Government that in the case of an insufficient roply we would
consider ourselves in a state of war against Russia.
The report of the Ambassador as fo the part of his charge regarding
the time question has not been received here, nor was any news about the
execution of the second charge, although we have found that telegraphic
communication with Russia is not interrupted.
On the other hand, the General Staff of the Army received newe up to 4 a.m. to the effect that Russian patrols had attacked, the railway bridge over the Warthe near Eichenried on the Jarolschin-Wreschen line in the province of Posen. The attack was repulsed. The Germans had two men slightly wounded The Russian less is unknown.
A Rasian enterprise against the railway station at Miloslaw was
frustrated.
The station master at Johannisburg in East Prussia, and the Forest Administration et Bialla report:-* Last night a stronger Russian column with guns crossed the German frontier near Schwildern, to the South East of Bialla. Two squadrons of Cossacks rode towards Folian- isburg, Telephonic communication between Lyck and Bialla is inter- rupted.”, p
This proves the Russian commencement of war by an attack on German territory--