A. S. WATSON & Co. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
DRUGGISTS,
GENERAL CHEMISTS,
AND
Manufacturers of the following AERATED WATERS, viz: SODA, TONIĆ, SARSAPARILLA, AND POTASH, LEMONADE, GINGERADE, RASPBERRYADE, AND PHOSPHORIC CHAMPAGNE, Deliveries in Town and Harbour from
7 A.M. to 7 P.M.
SHIPS' MEDICIENE CHESTS REFITTED, PASSENGER SHIPS SUPPLIED.
Prompt Attention given to Const Ordors.
HONGKONG DISPENSARY,
CANTON DISPENSARY,
THE DISPENSARY,
HONGKONG. SHANGHAI PHARMACY,
SHANGHAL
CANTON.
Foocnow.
Notices to Correspondents. All communications should be drogged The Editor "Hongkong Telegraph," 15, Wellington Stroot.
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Correspolonts are requested to forward their names and addresses with all communications in- tended for insertion, not necessarily for publication, but as evidence of good faith.
Notices to Subscribers. Subscribers who do not receivo their newspapers
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1881.
:
LOCAL AND GENERAL. There will be a Regular Meeting of the Forseverance Lodge of Freemasons. this afternoon at six o'clock.
The German steamer Vorwaerts will be placed on the Patent Slip, Belcher's Bay, to-morrow forenoon.
We are informed by the Agents, Mosers. Jardins, Matheson & Co., that the steamship Gleneagles, loft Singapore for this port yesterday, the 15th inst.
The serious character of affairs in Tunis may be gathered from a late reinforcements, amounting to 20,000 telegram which states that additional mon, have left Marseilles for the seat of war.
century, solely on humanitarian trade exercises a predominant in- grounds, deserves our highest respect, fluence over the Chinese Govern- and will receive its just acknowledgment is, in our opinion, unsound. ment in history. Whether or not On the contrary, they have always opium is as injurious to the people shown a singular disposition to make of China as some persons assert, we any financial sacrifice in order to do not protend to decide; but satisfy what they recognise as moral it is at least worthy of note that, obligations; and, considering that although there are inany advocates the vast majority of public opinion eager to demonstrate that the state is entirely with them on this all- ments as to the pernicions effects of important question, and that they the drug have been much exagge- can count on the patriotic support rated, no one has yet been forthcom- of the richer classes, we believe that ing with the argument that it does the financial consideration is with the Chinese any good. And cer- them altogether subordinate.
to be good tainly there seems
Not the least noteworthy fact in ground for the belief that opium-connection with the opium ques smoking is a vice of a serious kind tion is that the Chinese have found --a vice to which the vast and rapid vigorous and determined supporters in increase in the consumption of the their struggle against opium. in their telogram dated the 11th inst. appeared It will be remembered that a London drug indicates that the nation is neighbours the Japanese. Thought-in our columns to the effect that the gradually becoming enslaved. It is full well-wishers of the two countries true that Mr. Hart, in the most recent may derive considerable satisfaction of the admirable reports which he from this fact; and it augurs well for has issued from time to time, deduces the establishment of permanent that the opium-smoking section of friendly relations between them that, the Chinese people represents no
on the high ground of humanity, more than two-thirds of one per both nations find in this matter a cent. of their whole number.*
ground of union in sympathy, A telegraphic message was received But, if this be the case, and if thought, and action.
in town yesterday, conveying the very a harmless, A few words may be said, in con- interesting intelligence that strong opium-smoking were or even a moderately-pernicious, clusion, as to the bearing of the reinforcements have been sent to habit, why, we may well ask, is it opium trade on the burning local | Tripoli. By some unfortunate mis- that indulgence in the habit by this question of the blockade of Hongkong chance, however, the gentleman who small minority excites, as it undoubt by Chinese Customs' cruisers. The wired the news, forgot to state from edly does, such grave and general usual remark adduced by our fellow what country these reinforcements concern throughout the Empire? residents against the demands of the were sent. One would naturally think And why is it that, even here in Chinese is that it is no part of our troops to assist his vassal, but again, that His Majesty the Sultan had sent Hongkong, a Chinaman owns with duty to assist them in protecting on the other hand, the movements of
form other views. One thing is cer tain, and that is that affairs in the north of Africa are becoming extremely threatening to the peace of Europe.
Egyptian soldiery had surrounded the palace of the Khedive, demanding cer- tain concessions and reforms which His Highness, no doubt under pressure, consented to agree to. We now learn that the crisis has terminated, although no particulars have come to hand.
Telegrams for Bangkok can go for- ward by Mail closing at Singapore at noon to-morrow.
The British stoamor Conquest, Capt. Hamlin, which arrived from Haiphong, reports having loft that port on the 13th inst at 4.30 am., passed Hoihow the following morning at 7 o'clock, and arrived in port at 5 p.m. yesterday, and had light variable winds and fine weather. Passed steamer Hainan bound inward. Steamers at Haiphong, Welle aud Brutus; at Hoibow, Ping-on, and Siamese bark Icky, Saw H.M.S. Magpie surverying off Juumi Point.
Arrangements have been finally completed for the establishment of a now club in the well known premises
Club. The venture will be known as occupied by the defunct Cosmopolitan opposite the Union Church, lately.
the United Club, and we hear that a very large number of members have be formally opened to-morrow evening already been enrolled. The Club will with a Quadrille Party. The Band of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers will be present. The United Club has our best wishes for a prosperous futuro.
A fair numerous audience assembled last evening in the Regimental School- room, Murray Barracks, to hear the Rev. C. G. Booth lecture on Self-Help. The reverend gentleman handled his subject in masterly style, speaking with much practical eloquence for about forty minutes on matters which could
great deal of interest in Mr. Booth's not fail to appeal to the hearts of his listeners. The audience evinced a
remarks, and heartily applauded him
Mr. Bridges, Regimental Schoolmaster, thanks to the lecturer, proposed by
was carried by acclamation.
within thirty-five minutes after the time of publica- reluctance and some, sense of degra- their revenue. On what true ground, the French in Tunis might lead one to when he resumed his seat. A voto of
tion will oblige by communicating with the Editor. Domestic Notices, if properly authenticated, will De inserted frecof charge,
THE
Hongkong Telegraph.
HONGKONG, 16TH SEPTEMBER, 1881.
Wrrn the year 1881 begins the second century of the opium trade with China, it having been in 1781 that the first direct shipment of opium was made by the East India Company from Calcutta. Prior to that, only small quantities found their way irregularly, from time to
a
page
time, into the country. What a remarkable and, at the same time, what sad
of history the century of this trade discloses! The vast increase of the traffic is shown by the fact that, whereas the
import in 1781 consisted of only one thousand chests, with a market value of $500,000, that for 1881 will not fall far short of 100,000 chests, with a market value of more than $60,000,000. That is to say, it has increased one hundred fold in amount and considerably more than that in value. And this increase has taken place in spite of strenuous and un- ceasing efforts to stop it on the part of the Chinese Government-efforts the sincerity and genuineness of which cannot but be apparent to everyone who has studied at all care- fully the history of the century. The opposition of the Chinese culminated in the year 1839 in the destruction of more than 20,000 chests, valued at six millions of dollars, by Commissioner Lin, at the entrance of the Pearl river, and the public execution, in front of the foreign factories at Canton, of re- spectable Chinese who had been caught dealing in opium. The war with England, of 1842, resulted from Lin's action, and subsequently drow from the then ruler of China, after the treaty of Nanking, the fol- lowing memorable protest; " It is true, I cannot prevent the introduction of the flowing poison; gain-seeking and corrupt men will, for profit and sensuality, defeat my wishes; but nothing will induce me to derive a revenue from the vice and misery of my people." This lofty sentiment, which emanated from the late Emperor Taou-kwang, has re- cently been echoed by the Viceroy Li, in his letter to the Anti-opium Society of London.
The courageous struggle against the opium traffic which the Chinese Government have maintained for a
dation to the fact of his being an either moral or political, this can be held to be England's duty in the opium-smoker?
The arguments of the late Dr. Med-matter we have never been able to hurst, published forty years ago, understand. Every civilised coun- carry weight in proof of the baneful try recognizes its moral or political effects of opium on the Chinese race. obligations in this rospect to a neigh- According to him, the population of bouring and friendly power, and we China, which was increasing at the have
yet to learn why England should continue to be an exception. The Chinese Government are frequently held responsible (on less legitimate grounds, we venture to think) by the German Government for depreda- tions by robbers on the high seas; and even the Irish papers talk about holding the American Government responsible for allowing the shipment of dynamite machines to England. In degree only lies the difference in analogy between the cases under consideration. To those obtuso indi- viduals who question the extent of the contraband trade, in opium and salt especially, which is conducted from this colony as a basis, we would urge that they should exert themselves to get a committee ap- pointed to enquire into the matter; and we can assure them that the re-
rate of three per cent. per annum prior to the introduction of opium, had diminished its rate of increase to one per cent. at the time when he wrote. Then, the foreign import was 40,000 chests per annum. Now, it is 100,000 chests; and we much fear that, after taking full account of all the circumstances of the last forty years, the diminution will be found to have been proportionately progres- sive. Another sad feature in connec- tion with this point is the self- poisoning of females by opium, now so prevalent throughout China. The drug is so accessible, and offers such an easy way out of the troubles of domestic life, that we need not wonder at its being extensively used for this purpose. The doubts frequently expressed as to the bona fides of the Chinese Go-sult will remove effectually any un- vernment in their attempts to sup- press the cultivation of the poppy are certainly not justified by facts. Imperial edicts of the most sweeping kind are constantly being issued, and the mandarins are repeatedly urged to use their best exertions to enforce the observance of the edicts. The cultivation of the poppy has also been made a capital offence. In fact, the regulations on the subject have been so strict as to have hitherto limited the extensive cultivation of the poppy to the most distant provin- ces, and to districts far removed from the high roads. Such parts of China are poor enough in products, and it can easily be imagined that the small er mandarins, whose duty it is to col- lect the land and other taxes, do not feel it advisable to caquire too close- ly as to the exact nature of the pro- ducts that are cultivated by the hard worked tillers of the soil.
Cricket Club will be held in the Pa
The meeting of the members of the
villion at the Cricket Ground, en Mon- day, the 19th instant, at 5 p.m. As several important alterations in the Club management will be proposed at this meeting, a large attendance of members is desirable.
The Government and Volunteer Fire
Brigade turned out for practice yester- day afternoon, at 4.30 p.in., with tho Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Fire Engines, the Go-
vernment hand Engine, and other appliances. The men, under Messrs. McEwen, Carvalho, and Leigh, brought the Engines to Praya Central, near tho Canton Wharf, whon they wore satis- factorily got to work and the men put through the evolutions with much regularity. Altogether it was the best
practice we have seen for some time. it is to be regretted, however, that only two volunteers (European) turn.
We are glad to hear that the pleasant Garrison Saturday Evening Entertain. ments, which, under the management of Major Hales, obtained such a large measure of success last year, will be resumed to-morrow (Saturday) week, As these social reunions unquestioned out. ably work an immense deal of good, they should be heartily encouraged in every possible way.
In the Admiralty Court yesterday the Registrar made his report in the well known Shan Kee junk v. Astoria
case. It will be remembered that the owner of the junk claimed $3,380, for damages cause by the collision, which included $1,000 compensation for the loss of his two children. A verdict was given for the promovant with costs the damages to be assessed by the Regi. strar with the assistance of merchants, The amount now allowed was $1,966, the compensation for loss of the two children being fixed at $200.
prejudiced misgivings they may really have on the subject. But perhaps what may be more to the point with this section of opponents is the fact that there is good ground for believing that the smuggling from Hongkong in opium alone in- jures the steam shipping industry of this colony to the extent of upwards of $24,000 per annum in freight, and the insurance interests to the extent of some $18,000, or, in the aggregate, say $42,000, a sum which would be a welcome addition even to the pros-Gartner perous associations referred to,
►
We would remind our readers that the Band of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers will play in the Public Gar- dens, weather permitting, this after- noon at 5.15 p.m. The following is the programme, which we published yesterday
Valso
Macon" "Sirenos," Selection"Buondelmonte,
Farmer,
Amongst the passengers by the P. and Q. steamer Brindisi, which left hero yesterday, was Mr. T. E. Wil- liams, R.N., late engineer in the Naval
Yard. Mr. Williams was retired in August under the latest retirement
scheme, the circular of the 4th June, 1877, introduced for the purpose of quickening the sluggish promotion pre- viously existing in the engineer branch of the Service. The departing officer was waited upon during the afternoon by a deputation of the men who had served under him in the Yard, who came to wish him a pleasant passage, and presented him with a handsome finger ring in token of the good feeling which had existed between them during the time they had spent together in Her Majesty's Service,
Mr. A. Hahn, well-known in the Colony as a piano tuner, and promoter of the Italian Night Entertainments at Kowloon, was yesterday morning be- fore Acting Chief Justice Snowden, Waldtoufel, adjudicatod a bankrupt on his own pe
Paoini. tition. His liabilities wore stated to .....Davery. be $3,785, with assets practically mil, disposed of to cover liabilities incurred the whole of his offects having been for rent, and under a bill of sale held by Mr. Peter Smith for $1,842. The bankrupt applied to be permitted to pursue his business as a piano-tuner as a means of livelihood, and tho Judge sanctioned the application. The fete champêtre style of entertainment at Kowloon would appear to have proved not quite the money-making specula tion the public generally believed.
We have dwelt somewhat at valse First Love","
March (vocal)..." Precioso," length on this interesting but vexed subject, which in the century just Bandmaster for the Royal Inniskilling Mr. Wallace, the newly appointed completed has occasioned so much Fusiliers, who arrived in the Colony trouble, suffering, bloodshed and, on Tuesday last in the Taucer, wielded we fear it must be confessed, misery: the bâton last night for the first time because there are indications that at the Officer's Mess. There was dis- the Chinese Government are now tinetly more attention paid to the con- alive to the impossibility of prevent-ductor than has obtained in the band's It seems, however, to be at lasting the import of foreign opium, and performances lately, and they certainly dawning on the minds of China's by peaceful and effective means are rulers that, until the import of the endeavouring, by special arrange- foreign drug is brought more vnder ment with the Indian Government, control, it is simply idle to carry on to control the import from abroad in a crusade against this cultivation of such a manner that the fiscal in the native plant, a course which can
terests of England and China may only result in enhancing the value of not be injured. If such an arrange the foreign article,
ment be found to be practicable, it will solve one of the most trouble some social and fiscal problems of the age, and will be welcomed not only by the British public, who are ao largely interested, but by the
·world generally.
To suppose, as many do, that the revenue derived from the opium
It must be noted here that this deduction 18 produced in a quantity equal to that of foreign In portation, but the native differs from the foreign drug in this important particular that it has one- third loss strongil,
founded on the supposition that the five drug is
played with more verve and decision, and from what we have heard of Mr. Wallace's abilities as a musician, he will probably soon get the Band into a high state of efficiency. We believe Mr. Wallace was formerly in the 84th Foot, now linked to the 65th and called the York and Lancaster Regiment, and that he has recently passed through Kneller Hall. A large number of the general public were present on the Parade Ground and outside the Bar- racks last night, a very attractive pro- gramme receiving hearty applause from
the audience.
What is called singing "with the understanding?"--Marking time on the floor with your foot.
The subject of conversation was the peculiar intelligence of animals, parti- cularly dogs. Says Smith-Thora are some dogs that have more sense than their masters." "Just so," sponda Fitznoodle; "I've got that very kind of dog myself."