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All letters for publication must be written on one side of the paper only.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-MONDAY, JULY 4mm, 1881.
"to
has been sure to follow in no mea- litical, and religious rights of an sured terms. People will talk, and Englishman." We are then favored it has been currently reported and with another refreshing piece of latest believed that all this vindictive op-intelligence about Junius, who ac- position must not be attributed to a cording to the Journalist's reference regard for the public interests alone; work, was and is still a mystery, Lord But that other motives of a private although according character have had a good deal to Macaulay and others, the evidence is do with it. On a question of this strongly in favor of Sir Philip Francis nature we do not care to hazard an being the real Simon Pure.” Our opinion; but we do most emphati- friend's works of reference must be cally say that the course adopted rather ancient for a modern journalist, lately by both the old established so we will give him some information local journals with reference to Sir about the mysterious one, which he John Hennessy's policy, has been evidently knows nothing about. Mr. unfair, unjustifiable, and discredit- Charles Chabot, the well-known able to all concerned. We have at export in handwriting, published a present on our files several matters book in 1871, entitled "The hand- of importance on which we differ writing of Junius professionally in- with the Governor, and at the first estigated," with the object of proving favorable opportunity, our views on that Sir Philip Francis was the these differences will be expressed author of the celebrated letters. If "A Straits Journalist" will kindly in unmistakeable terms; but we are not blind to the fact that even refer to the Times of May 22nd 1871, the most serious differences of opinion he will find a convincing scries of on political subjects can never justify arguments against Mr. Chabot's systematic abuse, and therefore feel theories. Further, it is on record perfectly certain that, by constantly that Mr. Pitt told Lord Aberdeen studying the dignity of the press, that he knew who wrote the. Junius and the many interests it is supposed Letters, and it was not Francis; and honestly to represent, in any dis-that Lady Grenville wrote to the cussion affecting public rights and editor of Diaries of a Lady of Quality interests, we shall meet with universal to the same effect. approbation.
For the latest indignity to which the public press of Hongkong has subjected the colony and its inhab itants, the China Mailis responsible,
The China Mail correspondent then introduces another celebrity of a bye gone age, in the person of John. Wilkes, and after graciously remark ing that most of his readers are pro-
loggerheads ono with another, and subordinatos have had to undertake the somewhat novel task of reporting coufidentially on their superiors. Con corning the manner which the "load- ing Chinose" have been potted and pampered I need say nothing. The thing speaks for itself, and is in every respect worthy of Sir John Popo Hennessy."
But what, all this time, has been the attitudo of the Hongkong Press! You, to your honour be it spoken, have novor flinched--never spoken with an uncertain sound. Your estimate of Governor Hennessy and al: his works is a true one, and whether it be fully endorsed in Hongkong or not, I feel sure it is so elsewhore by all those who have had the good or bad fortune of making the acquaintance of your present philo-Chinese ruler.."
a
Are we to assume that the China Mail accepted the fulsome gush- "You, to your honour be it spoken have never flinched-never spoken with an uncertain sound"—as quid pro quo for publishing the dis- graceful slander conveyed on the Government, and on the heads of every one of the public departments, in the sentence referring to "med- dling, muddling, blundering, and plundering.
+
Place for the "Straits Journalist"
once more —
"But what of your morning con- temporary? Has to pursued the same fearless line of conduct that you have? I am afraid not. I fear, on the other
"Straits Jourralist"; and as the "journalist" farce is completely play- ed out on the man's own showing, we shall now devote a few lines in trying to prove that this latest claimant has not yet taken the "scissors and paste" degree; that in fact, he is a shallow ers to a controversy which occupied impostor. We would refer our read-
the
pages of the Daily Press from-the- 14th to the 22nd August 1879, on the question of the celebrated "Marie Louise" case.
The disputants were "Lusitano": and-"Arragon," the former, the writer of these lines, who advocated the claims of Mr. Field, the latter, a subordinate official in one of the Government departments, who, with- out defending the action of the Man- ila Government, combated tho ar- guments advanced in a style of in- vectivo fortunately rare in the annals of anonymous journalism, and with a rancour which could only arise from personal animus, Arragon," who on that occasion asserted he was a true Spaniard, although all the respectable gentlemen belonging to that nation, at the time resident in Hongkong, disowned his claim, is none other than our "Straits Jour nalist." Any one who has the slightest doubt on the subject, has only to compare the effusion in the China Mail of the 1st inst, with the
"
Correspondents are requested to for- for publishing in its issue of the 1st bably aware who John Wilkes was, hand, that he has often thought it August 1879, and on various other
ward their names and addresses with all communications intended for insertion, not necessarily for publication, but as evidence of good faith.
Notice to Subscribers. Subscribers who do not receive their newspapers within thirty-five minutes after the time of publication will oblige by communicating with the Editor. .
Deaths.
At Amoy, on the 2nd inst., Captain F. P. C. Goode, late of the S.S. Albay.
At Hongkong, on the 3rd instant, at the Berlin Foundling House, Pastor KLпZKE, aged 46 years. The funeral is announced to take place at 4.80 this afternoon.
THE
Hongkong Telegraph.
HONGKONG, 4TH JULY, 1881.
inst. a lotter headed "The Press in Crown Colonies," and signed "A Straits Journalist." That any news- paper, with a past history like that of our contemporary, should betray such an utter disregard, not merely for the material interests of the colony to which it owes its existence, but for every principle of honor, justice, and journalistic law, as to give pub- licity to such a contemptibly scandal- ous farrago of abusive monsense, well nigh passes comprehension. Such a faux pas can only be explained in one way, and we leave our readers to solve the problem as they think best; but the same reticence need not be ob- served with "A Straits Journalist," whose communication will now re- ceive our utmost consideration.
Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit and it must have been in one of his very mad hours, that the so- called "Journalist" was so weak as
to leave his self-imposed retirement in the Straits, to expose, under false colors, his well known prejudiced and distorted opinions, to those who know him so well. We propose, for the sake of regularity, to treat this gentleman on his own assertion that he is "A Straits Journalist" although we are perfectly well assured that he has no claim to the title. It will not be difficult to guage from his own statements what just claims he has advanced either. to be considered a
Hongkong is evidently in a bad way. From the oft-repeated utter- ances of the local press on what are popularly supposed to be the lead- ing questions of the day, the hour of terrible retribution for past errors, neglect, and misgovernment general ly, must be closer at hand than the well informed scenr to have any idea of Since the arrival of Governor Hennessy in this unfortunate island nothing has gone right; but every- thing, affecting the best interests and journalist, or an honest and compte tent critic of Hongkong affairs. general well-being of the colony at
After taking him at his own estimat, large, has been permitted to go to wreck and ruinat least, the ed value, it is only fair that we should China Mail says so, and our con- also appraise him from our point of view, and we shall then be in a po- temporary certainly speaks with the
sition to understand why the letter confident air of one inspired. And
was written, and what is equally to yet the sweeping assertions which have been made from time to time, the point why it was published. that Sir John Pope Hennessy's régime The communication is dated has from the beginning been one long-Penang, 10th June," and coinmences continued chapter of blundering and in this fashion:-"Sir, may I be bungling, in every matter which permitted to trespass on your columns he has handled-do not appear to have in order to express a few random caused any uneasiness, or excited thoughts on a subject which ought any extraordinary commotion at the Colonial Office in London. Is it not possible that our contemporaries have gone rather too far in their policy of consistent opposition to each and every act of our present Governor? Whether such be the case or not, time will show; but it cannot be denied that, up to the present, they have signally failed to achieve the attainment of even the smallest of
M
their aims. It seems to the outer world so utterly incredible that the Government of a British Colony should always be in the wrong; and it is indisputable that no matter what the Head of the Executive bas said or dons, censure from the press
in
proceeds to demolish that worthy. trenchant style. John Wilkes may be what the Journalist calls "a scapegoat," as he certainly was a leading spirit in the "Liberty" cry of 1801; but what in the name of all that's wonderful does the Straits man mean by the following sent ence?..
.
"By his bold, vigorous writings in the North Briton he materially aided, that which Mil ton's Areopagitica grand and mag- nificent as it was and is, in no way helped on..the liberty of the Press, to which the failure of the trial. of Rex. v. Woodfall for publishing Junius's letter to the King put the finishing stroke."
وی
Here is, according to his own showing, A Strait's Journalist's locus standi for constituting himself an ex- perienced and impartial critic of Hongkong affairs. Separated as am from Hongkong and having no data to go by other than those gleaned during a prolonged residence in the colony some years ago, but which have been amended and increased by your columns a constant perusal. of and those of your contemporary This man, who says he has not been in Hongkong for many years, and whose information respecting our ongoings has been gleaned from the pages of newspapers avowedly hostile to the present Government, presumes to set himself up as an authority on our pur blic affairs, and is actually support ed and bolstered up by the print of which he is apparently an accredited agent.
Either he lies grossly, or his shameful attack on the Governor of this Colony is dictated by personal motives. We have neither time nor space to follow the stale platitudos of this so-called journalist in his bogus attack on the Colonial Press. A more feeble exhibition of news- paper writing we have rarely come across, in fact take away the quota- tions from Junius and Stuart Mill,
necessary to trim and prank It is rather a difficult task to hold with the hare and run with the hounds, but I must award him the merit of having attempted, although he has certainly failed, to accomplish the feat."
The only data this person had to rely on as to the course of events in Hongkong, was a constant perusal. of the columns of the two local papers. Can there be any doubt in the minds of honest men as to which of the two prints, a journalist, or any other man, would accept as the more reliable? Is there any doubt that the reports of current events in the Daily Press have for years been more complete and more impartial, than those in the China Mail? Why then should "A Straits Journalist," without knowing anything personal- ly of our political affairs, honor the China Mail for systematically abus- ing and vilifying the Governor and his supporters, and sneer at the Daily Press for having been an impartial chronicler of public pro- ceedings !
productions signed "Arragon" in the Daily Press on the 14th and 21st
occasions during last year; also with a series of letters in the same journal, written by a supposed "Central Schoolboy," to have no difficulty whatever in coming to the conclusion that "A Central Schoolboy" alias "Arragon" alias "A Straits Jour- nalist is one and the same person.
Need we dwell further on what is palpably a prostitution of legitimate journalism? We think not, nor
sbould we have devoted so much valu- able space to the subject, had we not wished to open the eyes of the com- munity to the real value of many so. called independent and impartial utterances, and to place on record our protest against the columns of any public print being placed at the disposal of every ignoble rascal, who, fancying himself aggrieved, seeks consolation and transitory notoriety by vilifying and abusing, under false pretences, persons who may happen in social, business, or political life to cross his path.
LOCAL AND GENERAL.
The Agent of the P. & O. Company informs us that the steamer Verona, with the next English Mail, left Sin- gapore for Hongkong at noon on Friday, the Ist instant.
We are
greatly indebted to "Astronomer" for his poem (?), on the recent vagaries of our friend
"The Comet;
And now for another new phase of modern journalism. About a fort- night ago the Daily Press came out in a new role. Leading articles, rivalling in scurrility and vitupera- tion the most choice selections of the evening print-emanating only too apparently from other pens than that of the worthy gentleman who directs the destinics of the Press, appeared in the morning paper, and
and regret that the they have been continued up to this common-place character of the col- date. The China Mail in view of umns of a newspaper like the Tele- this sudden change of tactics on graph are not sufficiently well adapt- the part of its rival, and remembered for such Homeric Strains as to ing that with a third newspaper in warrant their publication. If our the field, unity between the two old
correspondent has any more attacks one was an absolute, necessity; if to the divine afflatus, he might try the Telegraph" was to be extin- our poetic contemporary, the China. guished, deemed it advisable to treat Mail.. its neighbour to a little butter,'' as the amende honorable for the
ing style: “Journalist's" attack, in the follow
the above letter.ED. O.M.
to be of some interest to the commu-(apparently the only two books at
In reference to what is said here nity of the colony of Hongkong." the journalist's disposal), and nothing Not a bad beginning, we admit, remains, but common place inconsis regarding our contemporary of the although the phraseology is the tent cant, and vulgar abuse. "The Press, it must in fairness be explained reverse of journalistic, and bears an Press in Crown Colonies" is a lame that our orrespondent could not have uncommonly strong resemblance to excuse for the following extraordin-seen the file, containing the vigorous those official utterances which usually ary judgment, of a man who public and plain-spoken Press articles of ten begin and end with "I have the ly states that he has not been in days ago when he penned honor.". The next step is a back- Hongkong for some years. ward one, and the sapient journalist, calling in the aid of a handy work of reference, proceeds to tell us, as a bit of important, news, what Junius wrote upwards of a century ago "Let it be impressed upon your minds, let it be instilled into your children, that the liberty of the press is the palladium of all the civil, po-
"During the past four years, how have you fared in Hongkong under the eccentric rpign of Governor Hennessy? As far as I can judge, there has been a wholesale system of moddling and waddling, blundering and plundering almost every Department has been turned upside down and insido out? Heads of Departments have been at
If this coarse and clumsy apology satisfies the Daily Press, we have no reason to complain, although we should imagine that our morning con- temporary will smile at such a trans parent dodge.
"Honesty is the best policy" is a somewhat strange doctrine to come from such a person as this self-styled
The paragraph referring to the Jewel to R. Wor. Bro. T. N. Driscoll, recent presentation of a Past Master's by the members of Lodge St. John, No. 618 S.C., which appeared in Saturday's issue of the China Mail is grossly inaccurate in detail. The vivid imagination of the paragraphist is alone responsible for a good deal the Emergency Lodge. of what is stated to have occurred at
Another very sudden death of an old resident in Hongkong which oc cured yesterday has to be reported..
sion, who was apparently in good Pastor Klitzke of the German Mis- health, and able to preach at the usual forenoon service was suddenly seized with paralysis of the heart,