TELEGRAMS.•
* HONGKONG TELEGRAPH”
SERVICE.
(By special arrangement with Der Ostasintische Lloyd.)
The Macedonian Reforms.
BERLIN, 19th Feb., 1.25 p.m. The proposals for reforms in Macedonia which were 'addressed in a note to the Porta by the Au trian and Russian Cabinets have beon accepted by the Powers in the following succession, viz. Germany, France, England. The answer
of Italy has not yet been received. It is said to be in the Sultan's own interest to accept the propositions, especially as the special demands put forward by Bulgaria have been refused at Petersburg and Vienna.
Japan, Biam and France. The French press is growing un- easy regarding the treaty between Japan and Siam, and again attacks Monsieur Delcassé in connection with the Franen-Siamese treaty, which will be ratified on the 30th March. The French Budget report declares France would not allow Italy's ad- vanco in Tripolis.
A Pure Invention. Venezuela's sight draft has been handed to Germany. The report of the New York Herald, that Germany intends to take action against Colom- bia and Brazil, is a pure invention.
(Renter's)
The Panama Canal Co.
LONDON, February 18th. Subject to the ratification of a pending treaty with Colombia, the United States have agreed to purchase the Panama Canal Co.'s-property rights for $40,000,000.
Mr. Chamberlain-in South Africa. Mr. Chamberlain has arrived at Cape Town. He stopped at the extreme Dutch Centre Paar en route where he met with a lukewarm reception.
Parliament and the Kano Expedition.
Mr. Austen Chamberlain replying to Sir Charles Dilke denied that Lord Onslow's despatch to Col. Lugard implied a censure. The Government had absolute confidence in Col. Lugard's judgment and experience.
Naval.
LATEF.
Admiral Lord Charles Beresford has been appointed to the command of the Channel Squadron.
Mr. Chamberlain in South Africa, Mr. Chamberlain entered Cape Town this morning and was warmly cheered by large crowds. Speaking at Greenmarket Square, he said that he hoped all the Colonists would unite in loyalty despite the apparent chronic antagonism. He appealed to all to forget the past and accept a prosperous future,
(N. C. D. News.)
Japan and Corea.
TOKIO, 14th February. The Corean imbroglio is at an end. Japan has not asked for compensation, but has con. tended: first, for the withdrawal of the veto on the bank notes; secondly, for an apology from Corea, and a promise that the circulation of the noles shall not be absructed in the future; thirdly, for the carrying out of last year's agree- ment concerning the non-levy of illegal duties on the Nakdong tr ffic, and the appointment of a Minister Plenipotentiary at the Japanese Court
The Government of the Transvaal.
LOND, 14th February. The Govermeat has offered Generðis Botho- and Delarey seals on the Transvaal Legislative Council. The two Generals have refused the offer, not because they were unwilling to work with the Covernment, but because they thought 'that the manner in which the new Council is to be formed will not conduce to the best interests of the country.
Mr. Balfour on the Monroe Doctrine,
Mr. Balfour, the Prime Minister, speaking at Liverpool, said that the. Monroe Doctrine had no enemies in England, it will be'a great gain to civilisation if the United States concern them- selves more actively with preventing the recur- sing difficulties between European and South American Governments, by getting the latter to observe the principles of international comity.
THERE have been no new developments in the case of Mrs. Florence Maybrick, and the United States. Embassy has made no request to the Home Office for her release from Ayles- bury Prison, „bere, the is serving a life sentence for poisoning her husband, to enable her to testify in a sujt now pending in Virginia.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1903,
CORRESPONDENCE
¿We do not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by Correspondents in this column.]
THE CURRENCY MEETING.
To The EDITOR OF THE "Hongkong Taliŭrapii,"
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1902.
(Cauc, uded.)
'SHALL-POX.
SIRI notice that in the course ofan article. There was a smul outbreak of small-pox in on the currency in your last night's sue you the early-part of the year, 57 cases being re comment upon a statement made by myself at ported. Seven of these cases occurred in Eu- the recent meeting of the Chamber of Com-ropeans, of whom une died and two in "other merce to the effect that we in Hongkong had Asiatics" both of whom recovered; two of the no reason to chuckie over the appreciation of European cases and one other Asiatic" were stocks, &c, and you then proceed to give a imported. comparative statement of the quotations for
various stocks in 893 and 1903. This state ment and criticism might have some value had 1 been referring to the rates current during the past ten years, but I had just been quoting a comparison between values in 1901 and 1902 and commenting upon this, and I fail therefore to see where your criticism comes inYours faithfully,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX. Hongkong, 12th February, 1903. [We have pleasure in publisting Mr.
Wilcox's communicatius, At the same time we cannot admit, after reference to ha speech, that his comparison, although intended, is sufficiently clearly implied to be made bet- ween the last two years only. In the earlier postion of his remarks concerning landed pro- perty in Hongkong he takes us back for pur poses of comparison in some twenty five years ago, and our statement as regards shares was drawn up for the last decade as furnishing the more correct data for comparison. We do not hold that it is fail to deduce any argument upon the values obtaining in the stock market last year and now and the abnormal condition brought about by the acute fall in the price of silver within the same period.-Ed., ET}
THE THEATRE.
"THE SECOND IN COMMAND"
To-morrow evening Mr. Brough announces his first change of programme. The Second in.
Command is a military comedy by Captain Robert Marshall and enjoyed a 1 ng and pros
perous ton at the Haymarket Theatre. Its success when produced in Australia was com plets, and Mr. Brough numbers. 7 he Errand in Cousand amo g the most notable successes in his managerial carce. An Australian con- temporary wrote as follows when the comedy was fist introduced into that county by Mr. Frough:
Mr. Brough made the statement that the
Second in Command is one of the most bri fant plays from every point of view that he has introduced in an Aysıralian audience: Hany
corroboration of that opinio. were needed any eye of the large and enthusiastic audience pre- sent at the Theatre Royal on Saturday even-
ing, when Capt. Robert Marshall's delightful four-act comedy was presented for the first time in Adelaide, would supply it. The Second in Command is an excellently constructed, strong, wholesome, military comedy which ap peals to the friton's pride, to his patriotism, to his sense of humour, and 10 tis tender emotions. No wonder it was an enormous succes in London. To the audiences who crowded in at the Hayınarket it breathed the spirit of the very day, the very hour-in fact, the very minute. The Second in Command has come over 10,000 miles of water to win all hearts. The active part Australia has taken in the South African war belped the audience to enjoy the piece all the more. They were seeing anothercontingent off-the bands were playing, all was bustle and dispatch, and here were ringing cheers in the streets. There was not a dull moment in the whole of the fouracts. The audience were cry ng one minute and laughing the next. To adequately describe the play would be a difficult task. The action of the comedy is exciting, the situations are strong, the characterization is excellent, and the play is bright, picturesque, and pure. The staging and mounting generally of the play will, the management assure us, eclipse anything ever attempted in Hongkong by Mr. Brough. The costumes and uniforms are specially prepared by Messrs. L. & It. Nathan, and are an exact replica of those used in the London production. Three nights only can be devoted to The Second in Cmmand which will make way on Wednesday next for Lady Hunt darth's Experiment, a rattling fatcical comedy by R. C. Carlon, author of Lord and Lady Algy and other successful product ons,
The Box plans at Robinson's are open for six rights in advance.
WATER RETURN.
Level and storage of water in Reservoirs on the 1st February.
50
LEVEL 1902,
1903 Tytam..... overflow
below ( 22' 2" below
overfow 34' 0" below f. 28 n" below Pokfulam..
overflow
overlow -43' of below 34 of below Wong-ni:
cheong., overflow. Zoverflow
STORAGE GALLONS.
1902.
1902.
212,300
10
1903. 221,320,000 10,645,000
1903.
Tytam.. 87,220,000 Pokfulam.. 4,100,000 Wong-nai cheong
166 000
3,369,000
Total... 914,865,000
235,534,000 Consumption of Water in the City of Victoria and Hill District during the month of January, Consumption... 66,178,000 72,481,000 gallons Estimated
population
117,100 Consumption
per head!
10.3 gallons per day of both years.
Intermittent supply in force during January
Consumption of Water in Kowloos Peninsula during the mouth of January,
1902.
1903 Consumption. 10,426,000 13,248,000 gallons Estimated 2
54,200
бора population Consumption per "head
7.1 gallons per day The Government Analyst reports that the water is of excellent quality.
W. CHATHAM
Water Authority.
ASK for ASABI JAPANESE BEER ASK OF ASAHI JAPANESE BEER,
|
!
In consequence of this outbreak a notifica. tion was issued by the Govemment on the re- presentation of the Sanitary Board to the effect that persons could be vaccinated free of cost at the Government Civil Hospital, the Tung
Nethersole Hospital while hand-bills were issued urging the Chinese to get vaccinated.
to ill health and unfortunately succumbed to an attack of heart failure some few weeks after his retirement, Inspector Rogers has been leat to the department of the Colonial Velerinary Surgeon during the period of leave of absence { of the officer in charge of, the Cattle Depois and Slaughter Houses-Inspector Watson.
A number of Lemporary inspectors were engaged by the Government during the epidemic of bubonic plague. The whole staff has worked exceptionally well during the year and much good work has been done.
THE LATE DISTURBANCE AT CANTON.
The Sin Wan Po states that about thirty rebels have been captured by the Canton
THE LATE PRINCE KOMATSU.
in our sue last evening we notified the death of Prince Komatsu, which occurred the previous' night. The deceased represented Japan at the Coronation of King Edward, and returned to his country via the Siberian Rail- way and Port Arthur. He had been suffering, from congestion of the brain, some weeks before his death.
The House of Komatsu, formerly Higashi Fushima, is one of the hereditary branches of the Imperial family and the deceased was an uncle of the Emperor. He was born in 1846 and in 1870 went to England for purposes of study, returning in 1872. Most Courts of the Continent have been visited by him, and at the celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, he was present on behalf of the Emperor. The flags
Wah Hospital, the Alice Memorial and the authorities since the plot was found out of various consulates and the warships in port
The total number of deaths from this disease during the year was 41 while in 190: it was 59. and in 1900 it was 17.
The total number of vaccinations recorded fast year was 6,47; as compared with 5,937 in 1904,406 in 1900, 6,529 in 1899, and 7,051 in 1898
In my repons for you and 901 called attention to the considerable failing eff in the number of vaccinations recorded, and in view of the rapid increase in the population the returns for last year cannot be regarded as satisfactory.
A small bonus is now paid to the Chinese House Surgeons at the Native Hospital (Tung Wah, Alice Memorial and Nethersole) for all successful vaccinations, with a view to in- creasing the number of well-vaccinated persons in the Colony and thereby reducing the mor- tality from small-pox.
(HOLERA.
.:
A somewhat serious outbreak of cholera
occured in the early part of the year, resulting in the notification of 460 cases, and I do not
think there can be any doubt that the spread of the disease was encouraged by the shortage of the water-supply, with the contingent inter- mittent service.
Only twenty of the cases occurred in Euro- peans and twelve of these died, while 408 cases occurred among the Chinese with 324 deaths, and 3 among the "ather Asiatics" with 27 deaths. The Japanese were heavy sufferers in propanion to their number, as 20 cases occurred among this nationality with sixteen deaths; this is no doubt explained to some extent by the fact that the Japanese are, as also the Chinese, large consumers of raw vegetables. The Board specially warned the public against the consumption of raw vege
tables and of unboiled tailk or unfiltered water,
by repeated advertisements in the public press, during the prevalence of the epidemic, but i
am afraid that such warning would have very little influence with any but the most enlightened
of the Asialic community.
MPHTHERIA.
Twerty cases of diphtheria were reported during the year as compared with six cases.
during 1901. In my report for that year I
pointed out that five of these six cases had occurred during the fast six weeks of the year and that the most probable cause of this was the drought, with the consequent lack of water, and the foul condition of the sewers and storm drains resulting therefrom. The continuance of the drought and the inade quate flushing of the sewers has, I am sure, much to do with the great increase in the number of cases of this disease, which has hitherto been of rare occurrence in this Colony. Eight of the cases were Europeans and one of them died, while the total deaths cumbered five.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Seven cases of puerperal fever were notified during the year, and five deaths were recorded from this disease-all of them among the Chinese community-while no less than 29 deaths were registered as due to child-birth, and to morbid conditions incident to parturi- tion as compared with 47 during the previous year. This presents a very serious loss of young adult lives and is undoubtedly dae to want of proper attention, and to uncleanly surround.
ings.
In previous reports for 1898, 1899, 1909, and 1901 I have called attention to the great want there is in this Colony for some maternity charity, in addition to the Maternity Hospital attached to the Government Civil Hospital, and some altemptwill, I hope, le made to meet
THE WEATHER.
The fallowing report is from Mr. F. G. Figg Acting Director of the llongkong Ouser
valory :-
who are daily undergoing trial at the Namhoito-day were ẞying at ball mast. Magistracy. The hearing takes place under closed doors, but it is reported that the culprits stated that their leaders were by name Chu ising and _Liu Ta-shen and that these two men had several thousand followers. They. had decided upon a day to break out, but their plan was revealed before all the parties had Kathered together. They could not give any information as to the present whereabouts of Chu and Lin. It is said that one of the prin cipali, Chu, has left China. while resisting capture by some "An "soldiers on the 19th ultimo at a teashop at Yientaug killed one of them.
On the 17th at 20.45 3.m. The barometer has risen over japan, fallen on the China coast.
The other Lin,
MYSTERY AT PEKING PALACE.
STRANGE RUMOURS,
{From Our Own Correspondent.)
Writing from Tientsin on the 5th inst. (the letter only arrived this morning) our well. informed correspondent at that city says:
Something appears to be going on in Peking but I cannot get satisfactory information as to what. There is some mystery in connection with the Palace, and in some quarters it is believed that the rumour, which I think I passed on to you rather more than a fortnight age, about the E.D.'s death, may after all be true. An informant who is closely connected with the class of Chinese who open their mouths, and also with the foreign traders in Peking, affirmas that the guard usually surrounding the Dow: ager's part of the falace have been increased ten. fold, and the usual extensive purchases made at the end of the Chinese year for the New Year festivities were suddenly stopped. anything has happened at the Court, it would naturally be kept quiet until after the official
II
New Year, and also for the reason that there are alticast two factions in the Capital which will coa.c into deadly conflict over the succession. It is hardly likely even the Powers would support Kwang Hsu withou a powerful regent to support him, and there is only one man who would be likely to get such a post, Jung Lu, and as his son-in-law is Prince Chun, the Emperor's brother, it is not unlikely he would be the most approved aspirant to the Throne, having been abroad and enjoying the reputation of being a fairly smart young fellow. This situation is bound to come up soon, if we are not face to face with it now; but I am doing my best to find out:
A raher significant occurrence at this particular crisis is an urgent dispatch from the reformers in the Shaits, who are enrolled in a society called the Protectors of the Emperor, to the Board of Foreign Affairs asking them to pay homage to the Emperor on behalf and petitioning that he be restured to fouer immediately to preserve peice within and without. The telegram consisted of six characters and was very emphatic.
their
As1 was writing the above a Chinese gentle- man living in Peking chanced to call, and he states that notices were circulated secretly in
be dead in a few days. It may possibly be l'eking a few days ago that the Emperor would
that the unfortunate 'monarch is dead and not the E.D. or that an attempt at feast is being once more made to induce him to die of
spontaneously and clear the way for the de- velopment of pet schemes. The last once an attempt was made on the Emperor the Straits folk wired up in a very similar way.
On the 10th inst. our correspondent wrote the
following letter, which also came to hand this,
noring:
Nothing has so far come of the Palace re ports, and we are left to the serpen bat tantalis-
this want when the new extension to the Tunging conclusion that either the rumours were
Wah Hospital is opened.
DISINFECTION STATION.
The Disinfecting Station buildings and staff have been under the control of Inspector Reidie throughout the year and the work has been carried out in a most satisfactory manner, Perchloride of mercury sprays have been in use now for a number of years for the disinfec- tion of buildings and in the hands of trained men they have been found to give every satisfaction. During the year a new and larger steam apparatus was ordered from England which should be in working order early in 1903. It is proposed to place the present one in a building at Kowloon so as to avoid the necessity of conveying infected articles across the Harbour,
much exaggerated, or some powerful influences have teen brought to bear which have thwarted sinister's hemes for the present. I am rather inclined to the latter theory as there are num berless indications of great official restlessness, and wordless struggle going on. Officials are being continually shifted and shuffled from post to post, and huge sums of money are being constantly voted for this or that extraneous object. while the plea of poverty is shouted from the Throne with ever increasing insistance. Thus while the Board of Revenue undertakes to give Tis. 100,000 to inaugurate the new Manchu Army, and is 20,000 per month for its upkeep, the Foreign Ministers are being coolly asked to postpone this year's indemnity in order to let China funds wherewith to celebrate the Empress Assistant Medical Officer of Health: Wilfrid Dowager's 70th bithday!!! Matters apprar W. Pearse, M.B, P..
to be getting worse and worse in the way In the early part of the year three of the of corruption, and dishonest dealings are so five Senior Inspectors-Messrs. Lyon, Lamble openly indulged in-that the position lonks. and Conrlly arrived from England, the other absolutely hopeless. Here is talk of 20 milion two having arrived at the end of roor. Ins lacls fora dew palace at the Yuen Ming Yuen' pector, L. E Breit returned from leave in in foreign style; there is a projected visit in England having chained the certificate of the the West Tombs which will invol e hundreds. Sanitary Institute during his absence and of thousands; there is the chronic lavish ex- Inspector F. Fisher left for England on peaditure in theatricals and curios while cight leave on the return of Inspector Brett. Powers sit round with cap in hand waiting. Inspector Horgath rejoined the department ;'}; patiently for the annual mits to be de pper'in, Inspector Hood was retired on: pension awing called by courtesy an "indemnity”.
STAFF.
ASK for ASAHI JAPANESE BEER
Giraul
have
SK for ASAHI JAPANESE BEEK-
AG. Girault,
The high pressure area has spread East-i wards and is central between the E. coast of China and W. Japan.
Moderate monsoon in the Furmosa Channel and decreasing monsoon over the N. part of the China Sea.
Forecast moderate E. winds; fair
Commercial.
EXCHANGE.
ON LONDON, Telegraphic Transfer.........i 6} ! Bank Bills, on demand ...176 15/16 :
ม
JJ
31
Credits, 4 months' sight ...1,7 3/16] D'ments. 4 months' sight ... 1/7 7/16 ON BERLIN, (demand)
71
1.98
.... 2.02.
ON PARIS, Bank Bills, on demand
Credits, 4 months' sight ON NEW YORK, Bank Bills, on demand...38)
Credits, jo days' sight......39
To-day's Advertisements.
THEATRE-
A ROYAL
CITY HALL, HONGKONG.
Under the direction of Mr. ROBERT BROUGH, Representative............ Mr. ALLAN HAMILTON.
TO-NIGHT (FRIDAY), 20TH FEBRUARY.
THE BROUGH COMEDY CO.
IN
"ARE YOU A MASON?": There it an old maxim: "The most wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed."
LAST NIGHT!
LAST NIGHT!!
OF
LAST NIGHT 1!!
“ARE YOU A MASON?'"* (By arrangement with Charles Frohman, Esq.) A Farce io Three Acts, adapted from the German by Leo Dietrichstein, INTERPRETED BY: MRS. BROUGH, Miss Temple, Miss Susie Vaughan, Miss Brenda Gibson, Miss MR. BROUGH, Mr. W. T. Lovell, Mr. Leslie
Helen Bogle, Miss Gillies Brown;
Victor, Mr. Emest Vere, Mr. Melatyre," Mr. Percy Walshe.
--
TO-MORROW (SATURDAY), MONDAY, TUESDAY, 21st, 23rd and 24th FEBRUARY, Piral Production in China of THE SECOND IN COMMAND.”
(By arrangement with the author.), A Military Coinedy in Four Acts, by Captain Robert Marshall.
WEDNE DAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY, 25th, 26th and 27th FEBRUARY, First Production in China of
"LADY HUNTWORTH'S EXPERIMENT."
(By arrangement with the author.)
A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts, by R. C. Carton.
די
Box PLANS AT ROBINSON'S, where seats
ON BOMBAY, Telegraphic Transfer ........ 117 can be booked six nights in advance.
On demand.........
117]
Dress Circle and Orchestra Stalls, $4.00.
Stalls, $2.00 Back Seats, $1,00,- Doors Open 8.30. Curtain Chairs, etc., „nom. at fr.30. Late Tram to the Peak as insual.
772 Hongkong, zoth February, 1903. (1510 $12.65 220.66.05 1 22 3/16
ON SHANGHAI, Telegraphic Transfer......721 Private 30 days' sight ON YOKOHAMA, T.T. „96 Sovereigns, Bank's Buying Rate Gold Lea? ico touch, per inel Bar Silver.....
OPIUM QUOTATIONS. To- lay's quotations are as follows:-
Per chesi MILWA
.@ $1,000₤1,040
19
ALWA NEW
OLDEST PATRA NEW BENARES NEW PERSIAN (PAPER)...
.@ 1,050j1,100
1,017) @@ 1,017) ..@ 780/82
To-day's Advertisement.
THE PORTLAND AND ASIATIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY,
NOTICE TO, CONSIGNEES.
S.S. "INDRAPURA,"
FROM PORTLAND (OR., YOKOHAMA, KODE, MOJI AND NAGASAKI.
THE
M
HE above steer having arrived, Con
signees of Cargo are hereby requested to. send in their Bills of Lading for Cuntersigna
ture and to take immediate delivery of the goods from alongs:de
Cargo impeding the discharge of the vessel will be landed and stored at Consignees' risk and expense,
No Fire Insurance will be effected by us in any case whatever.
ALLAN CAMERON, General Agent. Hongkong, 20th February, 1993.
[21:0
HONGKONG RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
THE SPOONS.
THERE will be 2 COMPETITION 25 above TO-MORROW, the 21st instant, commencing at 2.30 P.M.
RANGES-700 and 800 yards.
Ten Shots and a Sighter at each Range.
MOWBRAY S. NORTHCOTE, Hon. Secretary.
• Hongkong,zoth February, 1903.
WANTED.
£35
JANTED A YOUNG LADY to assist
WANT
in DRAPERY STORE. Experience not necessary, kuuwledge of Dressmaking and Millinery gained.
Apply 10.
FAIRALL & CO
22, Queen's Road Central. Hongkong, 14th February, 1903, [1870
COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIĘS MARITIMES.
PAQUEBOTS POSTE FRANCAIS.
""
FOR SHANGHAI, NAGASAKI, KOBE AND YOKOHAMA.
THE Company's Steamship
--
ERNEST SIMONS," "Captain. Dupuy Fromy, will be despatched-for the above Ports on or about MONDAY, the 23rd instant
For Freight or Passage, apply to
G. DE CHAMPEAUX, Agent. Hongkong, 20th February, 1903,
THE POPULAR
SCOTCH
IS
"BLACK & WHITE"
JAMES BUCHANAN & CO. SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERY. By Appointment to
H.M. THE KING
and
HRH the PRINCE
E of WALES
CAN BE OBTAINED FROM
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.,
AND ALSO THE MUTUAL STORES, AND FIRST CLASS HOTELS AND CLUBS,
[10040
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