HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MONDAY,
OFFICIAL. CODE VOCABULARY, Read correspondence with the London Chamber of Commerce :- At a monthly meeting of the General Com
·Hongkong, 14th May, 1913: nittee of the Hongkong General Chamber of
Sir,-Your letter of 7th January last, intima- Commerce held in the Chamber Room, Cityting that my fatter to you of the 5th December, Hall, on Tuesday, 14th August, 1901, at 3.45 1932, on the subject of the "Official Code Vo- p.m. Present Mr. E. A. Hewett (Chairman). cabulary would receive early attention, was Mr. D. R. Law (Vice-Chairman), Hon. C. W. duly received. Dickson, Messrs. C. Michelau, N. A. Siebs, J. R. M. Smith, H. E. Tomking, R. C. Wilcox, and A. G. Wood.
Absent
Hon. R..Shewan (ex officio).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the monthly meeting of the 7th July last and of the special meeting of 15: instant were read and confirmed.
NEW MEMBERS.
The Secretary reported that since the last mecting the following had been elected mem bers of the Chamber subject to the usual cun- firmation at the next annual general meeting, Messrs. G. C. Moxan, E, H. Sharp, K.C., Chun On Fire Insurance Co Ld., Shiu On Steam ship Co., Ld., and Osaka Shosen Kaisha.
CROWS AGENTS' SYSTEM.
The following correspondence was read:- The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce,
Colombo, 2nd April, 1993. Dear Sir, I am directed by any Committee to solicit information from your Chamber on the above subject, which has given rise to con siderable discussion amongst our mercantile community during the last 18 months.
I have now to confirm the translation of my wire to you of the 12th instant, coded and sent through the courtesy of the Peninsular and Oriental S. N. Co. as follows:-
"Referring to letter of 5th December Hong kong Chamber of Commerce suppoli New York Chamber of Commerce Resolutions 2nd 'April request you on our behalf forward protest against Official Cable Code to General Post Office London for presentation International Telegraph Conference. The next meeting is fixed for London 26th May.-Lowe, Secretary." I encluse copy of the resolutions of the New York Chamber referred to above, though you of will doubtless have already received a copy thase from that Budy. As this Chamber has recently been in communication with you with the object of obtaining your support to the ob jections to the code, it will now be sufficient to state that my Committee have always been strongly opposed to the compulsory use of this Official Code on the grounds that great expense and inconvenience will be entailed on the mer- cantile community through the amendment of existing codes.
necessary
PROPOSED NEW ON TAX FOREIGN OPIUM AT CANTON.
No such facilities are at the disposal of this Colony; land is scarce, and the cost of guarding,
The Chairman said that information having feeding and shipping the coolies to and from an island camp near here would be more than been received that the Canton Viceroy proposed the trade is worth to the shipping owners, and to insitute at new tax of Tls. 57.60 per chest my Committee could not therefore recommend imported into Canton on the same lines as pro. the Government or the shipping interests to posed last year, a telegram was despatched on embark on any such undertaking..........
the 28th ultimo to the British Charge d'affaires My Committee desire me to express their at Peking pretesting against the tax and n`let" appreciation of the friendly nature of your inter giving full particulars was sent on the fol quiry and to inform you that they will be lowing day to the British Embassy there. pleased at any time to discuss this or any other Copies of this letter were also sent to the matter having for its object the well-being and Hongkong Government and furtherance of the trade between the two General Scott, and both had since acknow-
ledged their receipt.
Colonies. I have, etc.,
(Sd) A. R. LOWE,
Secretary.
ALEX. Gunn Esq.
Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Singapore.
The Chairman said that it was now under. stood the demand for conlic labour in the Straits Settlements was apparently causing the Singapore Chamber to take the matter up on
their own account.
STORM WARNINGS.
4
Mr. Consu!-
It had since been ascertained that the Viceroy had apparently reconsidered his proposal to carry the new tax into effect and it was probable therefore that the prompt representations which had been made to Peking by the Chamber would have the desired effect of stopping the attempt to Lux hoiled opium.
AUGUST
24, 1903.
DECLINING TRADE AT
NEWCHWANG.
MITSUI BUSSAN CLOSING BUSINESS AT THE PORT.
Various
As has been already reported, the arrivals of large white beaus (daisy) and oil cake at New chwang from the interior are declining to a very serious degree. On the authority of Mr. kamoto, chairman of the Hakodate Chamber of Commerce, who recently returned from a tour of inspection in North China and Man- churin, the Asuki writes that the quantities of beans sent down in boats on the Lap River to Newchwang are now almost nil, and most of he oil factorica in Newchwang are fading it necessary to suspend business. rumours are in circulation assigning reasons' for the non-arrival of beans at Newchwang. chants to buy stock, while others consider Some attribute it to the hesitation of mar- that the shortage is due in wilful obstruction other places. Liao-yang, Tientsin and At all events the non-arrival of the usual quamity of bean; and oil-cake has become a serious matter. It is pointed out that this, the principal product of Manchuria, cannot be stored in godowns in the interior for a lengthy Gate. It must be placed on the market, and it is considered cortaia uiat when the cereal is dispatched to the port it will be absolutely necessary for it to be transpuited by the Eastern China Railway. In that case the price it was decided to take the matter up as desiredustrise, which will make it almost impossible by the applicants with a view to more satisfacto import bean, aud oil cake into Japan at a ory arrangements being made or reversion to profit, the former practice,
THE TELLGRAPH COMPANIES AND CUSTOMERS' DEPOSIT. Correspondence from several members of the The following from the Colonial Secretary Chamber was laid before the Committee re- was read:-
garding the recent arbitrary request of the Joint Telegraph administration requiring each firm to deposit in a certain Bank in the name of the administration a sum of moncy equiva lent to one month's expenditure in telegrams. After soïne discussion as to the advisability of making any representations to the Companies
Hongkong, 23rd July, 1903. Sir, With reference to the concluding paragraph of my letter of the 2nd instant, am directed to make the following observations on the suggestions referred to in the last para graph of your letter of the 25th ultimo.
VACANCY ON THE LEGISLATIVE, COUNCIL.
2. There does not appear to be any practical The latest edition of the Official Code, al-
Signal Stations at Cape Collinson and Green though containing 1,176,100 words, is still in- complete and they trust that your Chamber Island. There is no telegraph to either of these will have seen its way to sympathise with the places nor direct communication by telephone, views of my Committee by forwarding a pro-and it is probabic that a vessel which missed test through the British Postal Authorities in the signal at Blackhead's Hill would miss it a1 order that the matter may be thoroughly ven- the proposed stations owing to the time taken
Read letter dated 4th inst. from E, the up is transmitting the information. Moreover, tilated at the forthcoming Conference-i am,
information by telephone is liable to error and Governor requesting the Chamber to call a the signal could not be verified from the Obaneeting of the members to nominate a tempor (Sd) A. R. Lowe,
ary inember of Council during the absence ou Secretary,
leave of the Hon. R. Shewan,
servatory.
3. I am to invite the attention of the Cham- ber to Government Notification No. 445 of 25th
The local importers maintain that Govern- ment should do their utmost to encourage local trade by placing their orders with Colombo firms for materials required for the construction of public works, in preference to indenting for all supplies upon the Crown Agents, and it is asserted that such a policy (namely, the throwing of the business opes to competition) would prove more economical to Government and also that the merchants who are themselves taxpayers have a fair claim to be allowed to tender for the supply of goods The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, towards whose purchase they themselves con-
London Chamber of Commerce, tribute. There is another section consisting
- London, 19th June, 1903. ́of local building contractors who strongly pro-
Sir, I have to acknowledge, with thanks, test against the present system which obtains in regard to the construction of public build receipt of your letter of the 14th May, covering a copy of resolutions, passed by the New York ings and other works. These are nearly all executed by the Public Works Depa (ment in Chamber of Commerce relative to the above co-operation with the Government Factory. matter, which, as you correctly surmise, were brought also to the notice of this and other It is argued that were Government to con- sent to place building contracts with private British Chambers of Commerce. I enclose, for firms by tender, far greater expedition and the information of your Chamber, a copy of the letters addressed to and replies received from economy would be secured, and local in-
This notification will be reprinted in a new dustries greatly fostered. My Committee are His Majesty's Postmaster General on this somewhat in sympathy with the above argu- matter, from which you will see that active ments, but are not confident that a movement steps were taken to oppose the propused com-yphoon signal notice, the words underlined in This substituted and or their agents." assailing the "Crown Agents" System, thepulsory adoption of the new Official Vocabu. red ink being omitted and the following words Public Works Department and the Government
arrangement appears to be all that is necessary and involves no additional expenditure,
Factory would have a successful issue.
I am directed to inquire whether you are able to give us any information regarding the working of the "Crown Agents" System and the Public Works Department in your Colony in relation to the interests of your local mer- chants and or contractors,
Thanking you in anticipation,-1 am, etc.,
(Sd.) F. W. WALDOCK, Secretary. The Secretary,
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, Hongkong, China. Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 24th July, 1953. Dear Sir, am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd April last soli-. citing information as to the working of the "Crown Agents "System and the Public Works Department in this Colony in relation to the interest of local merchants and contractors.
As local conditions vary so much in different Crown Colonies, my Committee feel they are hardly in a position to reply in detail to all the points raised in your letter under reply.
You will gather from the enclosed-report, No. 13 of 1902 dated 29th March, 1907, of the Commission appointed by H.E. the Governor on 11th October, 1901, to inquire into the Public Works Department, that some of the matters referred to by you have been the sub- ject of comparatively recent investigation here, and, in order that my Committee might be in a better position to consider this matter, a series of questions was drawn up and presented by the representative of this, Chamber at a recent meeting of the Legislative Council. A copy of the latter, together with the Colonial Secretary's replies, is enclosed for your information, and needs little further explanation,
|
lary, both by resolution passed at a special meeting of this Chamber on the zoth April fast, and also by forwarding from time to time protests received from various foreign Associa ions, whose names are specified in the corres pondence sent herewith. It will also be seen that, some time before the opening of the Con- ference in London (May zútu) the Postmaster General informed the various Chambers that he had given instructions, to the British Delegates to oppose the compulsory adoption
of the Vocabulary..
1 trust this information will be satisfactory to you, and remain,-Yours etc.,
(Sd) KENRIC B. MURRAY,
Secretary. The Secretary,
Hongkong General Chamber of Conimerce,
Hongkong,
The Chairman said it would have been noted that Reuter's telegram of the 18th ultimo stated that the international Conference had com- pletely revised the rules relating to codes also from 1st July, 1934, any combination of 5 letters would be accepted as a word, and it was satisfactory to know that the Official Vocabulary Scheme had at last been cancelled. What the new rules consisted of would be known locally. in the course of a mail or two.
PROHIBITION OF HONGKONG COOLIE
IMMIGRATION AT SINGAPORE.
The Secretary reported that the following reply had been sent to the Singapore Chamber in answer to their letter of the 12th June read at the last monthly meeting :-
Hongkong, 30th July, 1903, Sir, I am directed to acknowledge the re ceipt of your letter of the 12th ultimo, stating your Chambers. reasons for supporting the re- cent action of the Straits Government in pro-
The Secretary reported that a special gene: October, 1892, which has never been abrogatedral meeting of members had been called for It contains the following under the head of Wednesday, the 12th inst., at 3.30 pin, and Meteorological Signals:-
that the following candidates had been propos- ed in accordance with the rules: 1. Mr. II. E. Pollock, K.C., Proposer, Mr. D. R. Law, Seconder, Mr. N. A. Siebs 2. Hewett, Proposer, Mr. J. H. Lewis, Seconder, Mr. R. W. Mitchell,
"Masters of vessels who regularly send their observations to the Observatory may, whenever necessary, call at the Telegraph Co's Office in Queen's Road and send telegrams to the Observatory asking for special informa- tion without charge. Such inquiries may also be sent from the Police Station at Kowloon Point, which is connected with the Observatory through a telephone line,”
Mr. E. A,
IMPORTATION OF SUGAR INTO GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
The following information was furnished to the Chamber by the Government on the 29th ultimo:-
The Newchwang branch of the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha has been instructed to be ready to temporarily close business and withdraw from the port at a moment's notice, the reason bong that the bean trade at Newchwang is absolutely worthless at the present time. The "beas and oil-cake business is practically the indly branch of trade carried un by the Mitsui 1 ssan Kaisha at Newchwang.
THE YONG-AMPHO QUESTION.
The Kobe Herald leuns from a Seoul des. patch of the 15th inst. to the Osaka Mainichi that Mr. Hayashi, Japanese Minister to Seoul, has lodged a strong protest with the Corcan Government against the alleged lease of Ryong-an (Yong-am) to the Russians. The Minister has warned the Corean Government hat the friendly relations which have ruled between Japan and Corea for hundreds of years past will be jeopardised if the latter fails to
cancel the lease.
The Asuki's correspondent, wiring on the 15th, says the protest lodged with the Govern ment by the Japanese, Minister on the 14th
*Brussels Sugar Convention.-All sugar im ported into United Kingdom after ist Septem. ber must have certificate of origin. This does 4. Observations from Hainan are supposed not apply to sugar which has been used in pre-inst warns Corca that the lease of Ryong-an 10 be received twice daily from the Imperial paration for such articles as biscuits, chocolates, to Russia is tantamount to establishing a Rus- sian Concession at the place and Japan will Maritime Customs Authorities at Hoihow, but jam, preserved fruit and confectionery. All
sugar imported into other signatory States all either claim the same payilege or will take, they rarely arrive in time to be of any use. Repeated representations have been made in require certificate of origin, but H.M.'s Govern-other measures to protect Japanese rights in the matter. The fault appears to lie with thement does not yet know what these States may Chinese Telegraph officials who are responsi require with regard to articles in the prepara-
tion of which sugar may be used. Fresh re- ble for forwarding the messages. presentations are now being made.
5. Observations are telegraphed twice daily from the various stations by which the Obser- vatory is supplied with information. The morn- ing observations are received between 9.30, and 11.30 a.m. and the afternoon observations between 4.00 and 7,00 p.m. is not possible to make any better arrangement.
6. The Observatory is well equipped and the Acting Director reports that he has never known an application for new and improved meteorological instruments to be refused.
7. With regard to the publication of informa tion offered by other Observatories, I am to refer you to the remarks contained in para- graphs 3 and 4 of my letter of the 31st July last -I have etc.,
(Sd.) F. H. MAY,
Colonial Secretary, After some discussion it was decided to let the matter drop unless subsequent events made it necessary to again ask the Government for the additional facilities desired.
REDUCED Telegraph CHARGES, The following letter was read-
Eastern Extension, Australasia and
China Telegraph Co., Ld., Great Northern Telegraph Company, Ld., Hongkong Station, 7th July, 1903. Dear Sir, I have to inform you, for the in: bibiling the immigration of coolics from Hong-formation of your Committee, tilat, from the If, as would appear, it be a fact that no rekong, and enclosing the correspondence in 15th instant, the rate per word charged on teler grams to Europe (except Russia and Caucasus. putable firm would be excluded from the Crown
will be reduced from Fcs. 7.00 to Fcs. 5.50 and Agents' list, the opportunity of tendering for
the currency rate, which is subject to revision, Government supplies is readily obtainable, and
will be reduced from $3.35 to $2.65.-Yours etc. my Committee do not consider that the extra
(5d.) J. M. Beck, v cost to the Colony through employing the
Superintendent. Crown Agents is incommensurate with the services rendered.
relation thereto.
The Committee of this- Chamber have con. sidered your inquiry as to whether some means of examination of Chinese passengers could not be devised of a more stringent nature than at present exists in order to reduce to a minimum the chances of plague cases occurring on the voyage or on arrival at your port, and they are of opinion that no examination before leaving this port would be found adequate to prevent cases of plague occurring op the voyage to Singapore.
In this connection it must not be forgotten that the Crown Agents undertake a consider able amount of work relating to the engage- ment of all British employees, such as the police, hospital nurses, sanitary officials, and other trained assistants, required to complete 1 am to point out that the passage money is the staff of the various Government depart the only benent derived by his Colony from ments, and for which no specific charge is this coolic traffic, and the profit on it is not made.
large enough to allow of ally further expenses being incurred by the steamship, owners Neither can the emigrating coolie afford to do anything in this direction through want of necessary capital.
The question of the advisability of placing Government building contracts in the hands of private firms has also been dealt with by the Commission before referred to, and my Committes endorse the view that public works of a special natute or of urgency" might with advantage be entrusted to private firms.
I am also to add that, should your Chamber desire a further interchange of ideas, my. Com mittee will be pleased at any time to continue the discussion of this important question, I am, etc.,
(Sd) A R. LOWE;
scretary.
The Secretary NUGG
Chamber of Commerce, pazGLENDA
My Committee feel compelled therefore to suggest that if Chinese labour is necessary in order to supply the labour market of your Colony, it would doubtless be to the advantage of the Singapore community to found a segre gation camp on one of the numerous adjacent islands where the coplies could be landed free of any further cost or delay to the carrying steamer. The transfer of the coolies into Singapore could then be regulated in accord ance,with the requirements of your Colony and at the expense of those employers of labour
The Secretary,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. The Chairman said it was satisfactory to have to record the reduction in rates, the advisability of which had been urged by the Commitico on the Companies concerned for some years past. CHINA AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS AND THE
TRANS-SIBERIAN ROUTE TO EUROPE,
A circular letter was laid on the table which had been received from the North Australian League drawing attention to the resolutions passed by the Council of the League on the 25th May last and forwarded to the Imperial Postmaster General in London, favouring the conveyance of mails by the Siberian railway in conjunction with the Adelaide-Port Darwin railway, and a fast steamer service, between Canton or Hongkong and Fort Darwin.
BRITISH COMMERCIAL TREATY OF SHANGHAI 1902. Information was received from H. E. Sir Ernest Satow on the 7th instant in answer to a telegram of the previous day to Peking a reply had been received stating that the Mackay Treaty ratibcations were exchanged at Peking
CONTROL OF STEAMSHIP LINES,
Whatever may be the ultimate fate of Mr. Morgan's most recent creation, the inter national steamship trust, it is quite evident that the public and the Government of Great Britain are seriously concerned lest that, or some future combination on similar lines, may impair the supremacy of Great Britain on the high seas. A special meeting of the shareholders of the Cunard Company has been called to consider a change in the articles of association, for the purpose of preventing any foreigner from ever becoming a director or principal officer of the corporation. It is also proposed to increase the capital of the com- pany by the issue of a new class of stock which can be held only by persons approved by the Government.
Corea.
The British Minister to Seoul, who lodged a warning with the Corean Government in re gard to the Ryong-an affair some days ago, has now demanded the opening of the place and neighbourhood to foreign trade. The Japanese Minister has also lodged a warning with the Corean Governntent. learned the British and Japanese Governments have taken up a very firm attitude in this mat ter. It is time they did
From what can be
Mr. Jordan, British Minister to Seoul, has forwarded an official warning to the Corean Government and declared that Great Britain will regard Ryong-an and neighbourhood as an open part if the Government sanctions the Russian aims in the district.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
The completion by the Government of a "It is obvious that these proposed changes system of submarine telegraph cables joining constitute the rankest kind of "protection" the islands in the Philippine archipelago with far more drastic than any protective measure Manila is another important benefit which the ever proposed in the United States. Protection, inhabitants have derived through American at least as understood by free traders, is any occupation. The system comprises 1,500 Interference by Government with private trade miles of submarine cable and 5,000 miles of whereby any home industry is promoted to the land wire. The work has been performed by detriment of foreign competing industries, with the signal service of the Army and the entire the intended result that the industry involved system is owned and controlled by the Govern- shall be controlled by subjects of the protecting ment. But the people get the fullest benefit country, Protection does not necessarily take | out of it, because the rates for private messages the form of customs duties, or direct or indirect are reduced to the mere cost of maintaining baunties by device which accomplishes the system. Jalo, in the Sulu group, the re the purpose is protection. No people whose motest part of the archipelago, is brought by home markets are valuable will long advocate this telegraphic cable system within three free trade after becoming convinced that they minutes of Manila. Under the Spanish-re cannot endure competition. The impulse gime these two points were three days' journey is irresistible to get under cover. Hitherto apart. The system is proving à great aid to for generations there has been perfect con-inter-island commerce, all business being now fidence in Great Britain in respect to the transacted between Manila and other points in power of British capital to control any in the archipelago by telegraph. At the main dustry to which it may be directed. Evident-office in Manila 50,000 words a day' are being ly there is now fear that foreign capital' may handled. now or soon get control of the most sacred of British industries and appropriate protective been under American jurisdiction more has measures are proposed to prevent it. And the measure proposed-except in the improbable contingency that the existing articles of in corporation provide for it--is one which could States against the wish of any stockholder. If under Spanish sovereignty without enjoying Cot be carried through anywhere in the United effected; the value of the stock will be impaired, since control, even of a full majority of the
name, the director of the stockholders' choice, DC dbes not necessarily carry the power to The introduction of Government stockholders is unjust to other stockholders if admit, ted on equal terms, without unanimous con sent of the present stockholders, for it takes amaterial change in the relations of stock holders to the management. The project will presumably be carried through, if the British Government deems it nationally necessary, which merely shows that logic and consistency count for very little in the presence of a scare,
F. Chronicle,
During the few years the Philippines have
THE LATE MR. A. W. S. O'SULLIVAN.
It is with the sincerest regret that the people of the Straits, both here and at home, will hear of the death of Mr. A. W. S. O'Sullivan, the assistant Colonial Secretary, who expired sud- dealy at his residence this forenoon (says the Straits Times of the 17th inst.). The case is all the more deplorable as having occurred practic ly on the eve of Mr. O'Sullivan's dè pailure to accept the Colonial Secretaryship of the island of Trinidad, where, it was expected his admirable administrative abilities would very probably evolve some definite sense of! order out of the chaos which chronically reigns there supreme. Mr. O'Sullivan has been iden tified with the Government of these Seute-·| ments for nearly twenty years, and the number of his friends was legion. He was. professionally an able and thorough official; a linguist of no mean ability he had, apart from his knowledge of the more generally, known European modern languages and the Classics, acquired proficiency in the Service, of Malay, two dialects of Chinese, Tamil and Dutch. Despite all this he found time to be one of the most genial of Irishmen, and was popular with everyone he met. His death leaves many true Indurners, whose sincere sympathies are now with the bereaved widow of the good man
whose unthinely and sudden death it is our sad duty to record to-day,
SINGAPORE AND SIAM TRADE.
A special correspondent of the Manchester Courier writes from Singapore :-"Trada in Siam is no better than it is in Singapore. The rise in Silver has done away with the profit in exchange, which merchants in Siam made when remitting to Singapore, and now they have to pay a premium for remittances. It is said that the Siamese Government contemplates raising a local loan in ticals, which, if successfully floated, will reduce to a considerable extent the number of ticals in circulation, and this wil enable the Siamese Government to further raise the gold value of the tical.
"There is no further news to give regarding the aims of France in Siam; information or that subject is more readily obtainable in Europe than here, and for that reason the Man chester and London Chambers of Commerci should keenly watch the diplomatic movement of France, and make prompt representations te the Foreign Office when any action is threaten ed that is likely, to be prejudicial to Britis trade interests. That France is desirous o exacting further concessions from Siam is wel known, but beyond the fact that almost any concessions which France may obtain will b inimical to British trade it is not known pre cisely what is to be feared. It cannot be to widely, known that Siam is the mainstay France is ever in a position to close that marke to British gouds and make it, like Cochin Singapore as a trading centre, and that
China,, a preserve for French › manufacturer balf the import houses in Singapore could p up their shutters..
THE INTERNATIONAL CURRENC
COMMISSION.
A Berlin cablegram to an American exchúng dated the 16th ult. reports that the America and Mexican international Silver Exchang Commission met the representatives of German Government for their first conferen that day. Germany was represented by Pr sident Koch and Director Lumm of the Reich bank. Privy Councillor Dombois of the Imperi Treasury, Count von Rocdern of the Prussi Finance Ministry, Professor Helfferich of t Colonial Bureau, Roland Lucke of the Deutsc Bank, Arthur Salomonsohn of the Discont Gesellschaft and Franz Urbig of the Garme Asiatic Bank.
The conference lasted an hour and was th adjourned until the 18th ult. The correspon ent learns that Germany's representativ recognize the desirability of fixing the ra of exchange between silver and gold co tries, but regard a scheme in that dir a pious wish. Frum Lion merely as trustworthy German source, the correspond is informed that the British and French G ernments fladly refused to obligate themsel
to the purchase of a fixed amount of silver y
ly for Indian and colonial coinage. Thi one of the Commission's proposals, intended stabilize the ratio between silver and gold, For many years the delegates recognize absolutely nothing is possible with the co-o ation of Great Britain and France, and it is believed here that the Commission's work lead to the calling of an international ¿ ference.
CAPTAIN R. Phillips, whose untimely de from cholera is recorded in another colo was very well known and popular in the C. Co.'s service and with all who had trave with him. He commanded the Tungchov one time, and was for some time in comm of the Pekin on the Ningpo line. His was at home, with a baby whom he had n
been done for them in the way of supplying them with the beneficent agencies of modern civilization than the Spaniards did during the 400 years in which they held sway over them. They might have remained another 400 years
rip home himself later on in the year many of the boons of civilization with which seen, and he had been granted leave to h Americans have already supplied them. The
chief engineer, Wolio Campbell," was of the best-known and most popular of the benefits accruing to them through the Filipinos are doubtless beginning to realize change of rule: All of the islands seen to be members of the mercantile marine on in a perfect state of peace. When the Con-coast. All round, he was one of the be stitution and the laws of the country are staunch member of the St. Andrew's Sec extended to them, as they should be, they will fed a keen foot baller and golfer, and probably be ready to take their place in the most deeply regretted by hundreds of fre national organism as Porto Rico has done, and hore and at other ports. Thero is much proceed with a similar development of their row in Shanghai at the terrible and unex natural resources with, 168 full realization that led calamity that has visited Butterfield the change of national relationship was the Swire's popular steamer, and there is natu
trophe.—N, G. Di News, mest fortunate thing that could have happened deep anxiety to learn the details of the
to them-S
Page 5Page 6