The Hongkong Telegraph.
NEW >ERIES No 4763
NOTICE
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(ESTABLISHED 1881.)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1905.
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CONTENTS.
Birth and Beuth.
Leading Articles:-
The Defences of Hoogkong.
The Sugar Industry.
Hongkong and the Suez Project.
In Charity's Cause,
The Navy League.
The Road to Ruin.
Telegrams:-
General stoessel,
The Wor.
Russians Repulsed.
attack.
ready salu not only within the archipelago, but the surplus of whose supply, when local needs have been met, will find its way, ander advantageous conditions by virtue of the into that territory. Indirectly, the refining industry in Hongkong will be promoted, and the benefits arising from the Cooper bill will therefore be regarded with some satisfaction by the interests more immediately affected by legislation in a direction which is agitating the people in the old country.
HONGKONG AND THE SUEZ PROJECT.
(31st January.)
RUSSIAN DEAD"
IN RECENT FIGHTING.
Tokio, 31st Jan. 4.50 p.m. Marshal Oyama reports that Russian
Corpses on the field since the 25th instant, in the direction of Litajentou, Chenchiehpao and Heikotai were not less than 1,203.
MORE PRELIMINARY ENCOUNTERS.
RUSSIANS REPULSED.
晚八十月二十年十三光
of the Island on the China Squadron, and |
lerce should meet with unanimous and a well-known Bestop francier, who, in the neighbourhood. The enemy in the direction so long as it, and the squadrons working
practical support. Hitherto, destitute sea. Chamber of Commerce, explained that the of Liutinokou and Heikoutal retreated to in conjunction with it, maintain the
men, who through no fault of their own, have bill substantially means that it makes it a the right of the Hunho, and we are now superiority at sea the fleet is a sufficient
got down on their luck," have been arrest, legal impossibility under penalty of forfeiture pursuing. We also repulsed the enemy, who was to suffer decisive defeat, or if it
Detention as vagrants. Here they are con- produced in the United States except on honchiehpao and Litajenton. The enemy were destroyed we should be thrown
fronted with many hardships and, as a writer American vessels. It would be illegal, he in the direction of Chenchiehpan and upon our OWN resources to repel
recently showed in our columns, have little declared, to make shipment of goods to an Litajenton. The enemy in the direction of So long then as the Navy
or no chance of getting employment out agent at Hongkong and afterwards to tran-Chenchichpao and Litajenton consisted of can be maintained invincible we should
side. They are branded with the mark of the ship them to the Philippines unless both the eighth and tenth Army Corps, while that be adequately defended, and for such a
beast; a hint as to their abode sces the door sections of the voyage were in Americau in the direction of Heikoutal was the mixed defence no more appears to be needed
shut in their faces; they are regarded as little bottoms. Furthermore, it would be inpos Army Corps, composed of the First Army than complete naval preparation and
better, if at all, than discharged prisonets. sible to buy a single item of American Corps and Sharpshooters, together with such military preparation as is required for
Gradually their clothes take on that seedy manufacture from any foreign part unless it Mitchenko's cavalry division. About 500 look of the loafer, they begin to lose their self had first been shipped to such port in an Russian officers and men were taken prison. the full efficacy of the navy. Any addi tional military preparation such as has been
respect, are pitched from pillar to post, and, American vessel and afterwards trans-shipped ers. Casunities are under investigation. going on in Hongkong since the days of its
as our correspondent observed, they must be to the Philippines in a hoat flying the same Occupation, must be taken as against attack
We have it on the authority of Dr. Eitel good men in more than one sense who flag. Under the law it would be the duty of this nature, merely an insurance to cover that the greatest revolution that ever uprise again. Fortunately, His Excellency has of the collector of customs to seize and the possibility of a failure of the navy, heaved the affairs of Hongkong came from seen the vital objections to sending vagrants confiscate any such goods arriving in although, of course, in the event of an
a purely commercial source, from the sphere straight to the House of 'etention, and Manila on any save an American vessel. invasion from the mainland the military of its shipping interests the opening of the his suggestion of having the men taken We do not think it will be denied that the forces. would have a much larger part to Suez Canal. Commerce received an extra to the Sailors' Home for the investi. United States Government have any inten play in repelling the invaders. The ordinary impetus, gedowns of the Colony gation of their cases should prove con- tion whatever of arresting the development capture of the island by a hostile fleet and the Treaty Ports soon became filled to clusively whether a destitute seaman is of their newly-acquired possessions yet by or army, or even the partial destruction of overflowing, and the methods of trade in a worthless rogue or an unfortunate placing such a restriction on trade as this the city would mean, to most of us, ruin. many directions were quickly revolutionized. individual. In the former case, while undoubtedly will prove to become; their The loss of the Colony or the destruction of The Colony has continued to progress and the problem of dealing with such charac-action certainly shows a policy fraught with its dockyards, arsenal and stores would be a
the impetus given to its commerce some
ters will not be solved, the House considerable danger from a commercial heavy blow to English supremacy in these forty years ago has brought it at this, a com-
of Detention must be their temporary point of view. Not long since a bill reducing seas, and might lead, as was pointed out by paratively carly, stage of its career, to the fore- abode, while in that of the latter H.. the the duties on all imports into America from writers at home a number of years ago; front ranks of the world's great seaports. Governor has made a suggestion whereby the Philippines to twenty per cent, of the to many more serious disasters. That For many years shipowners protested against assistance can be assured and the unfortun-much-discussed Dingley rates was brought Hongkong should be well and effectively the unreasonably high dues charged by the ate vagrant be permitted to live at the before Congress and amended in the Senate The Hongkong Land Investiment and Agen defended will be recognised on all sides. Canal Company, and now that the rates have House with opportunities of employment so as to reduce the sugar and tobacco duties
and when The Wes; Pont Building Co., Ltd.
some twenty years ago the recently been appreciably increased by a more favourable than would otherwise be fifty per cent. and remove all others. There Kowloon Land and Building Co, Ltd. question of the defenceless state of the
new rule upon which the British shipping the case. A fund that is intended to deal was strong opposition against the proposal, Tanjong Pagar Dock.
Colony was raised in Council, many in interest has never been consulted they with destitute seamen cannot, of course, be and the measure was not passed with the re- teresting points were brought to light in have put forward a proposal, with strong indefinitely extended, but, as we showed sult that strong comments were heard con. subsequent publications. If was alleged, support in mercantile circles at home, for some days ago, there are other cases cerning the preposterous treatment of the as recently as 1900, that the defences, doubling the Suez Canal by a parallel and essentially as important and deserving as Philippine Islands. Why there should be which at one time were considered im- competing waterway. In many cases it has much assistance as those of stranded any tariff at all intended to be protective of pregable, had become neglected, and were been found that it pays for steaners to go mariners. In this instance, we refer to American interests does not at present con- then in an unsatisfactory condition. The round by the Cape, and lines of cargo boats the hardships inflicted upon two English cern us, but when we learn that Congress forts on the north side of the island were for trading regularly to the East never use the men who, by virtue of the provisions of deenis it expedient, presumably in the the most part stated to be armed with Canal at all, since the cost of coal on the the United States Immigration Law, were development of the struggling dependency, muzzle-loading guns, while those on Stone longer route is less than the charges im not allowed to enter the Philippines under a to go to such extremes as providing for an cutters Island were said to have been re- posed for the shorter. As a striking ex-written or implied contract. They were sent increase in the cost of getting Philip. moved. The south coast, it was asserted, ample of the huge sums demanded, it may out from home to work on a railroad pine products to America or exporting | HONGKONG LAND INVESTMENT was entirely without protection, and in the be recalled that the Baltic Flect the other in. the Islands, but were not permitted products of the United States to the
AND AGENCY CO., LTD. event of a surprise attack, might be shelled day paid more than £17,000 to go through to follow their occupation with the result Philippines we feel it is time that rigorous by an enemy without being able to reply. the Canal. The dues alone on a cargo that, after disposing of most of their measures were taken to ensure the repeal
30th ult. Of late, however, the matter has been reboat of, say, 6,000 tons with a shelter deck limited possessions, they were able to of the bill. It has been pointed out that The sixteenth ordinary inceting of share. ceiving the attention of the military authori- amount to about £1,500, out of a total cost
return to Hongkong with a view to seeing the cost of transportation over the long dis-holders in this Company was held at the Com- ties, and many new forts and batteries have for the voyage of less than The Lishing Scientific and Industrial been, and are being erected. When these Naturally British shipowners and merchants Unfortunately, the Immigration laws are
tance between the Islands and the United pany's offices, Victoria Buildings, at noon, £2,000. what steps could be taken in their behalf.
States is burden enough upon the trade to-day. Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson presided, and College.
are completed it will be necessary for the are incensed at the long-continued exactions still in force, and although the Colonial for any reasonable protection to com
there were present: on. Sir Paul Chater, garrison to be strengthened by
the check Secretary made strict inquiry into their casepetitive industries in the United States. C.M., Messrs. A. J. Raymond, N. a. Gita, E. "nfereby importen the - men and it may be that
W. H. Gaskell, F. E. Georg, Captain F. L W. rarne Hinds C. W. May ST here are to be replaced by the R. G. A.
House of Detention. The more the cir-to The improvement of our defences show-
The Secretary having read the notice con-- ever, must be a slow process; one pro
(Secretary).
longed over many years; and in sending out,
The Chairman said:-Gentlemen, from the from time to time, such efficient officers as
vening the sneering.
have been in your possession for some days, and which with your permission I will take as read, you will have learned that to pay the same dividend that you have for some time received,
Meetings
cv Cu Lid.
The Position of Tanjong Pagar.
Legal Intelligence :-
Rice Smuggled.
Police.
Murder and Robbery,
Fatal Accident in Wanchai.
The Piracy in Port. The Extraditian Case. Hollywood Road Holocaust.
Correspondence:-
A Postal Grievance.
Plague Regulations in Netherlands-India. Miscellaneous Articles and Reports:—
H. E. the Governor and Destitue Scamen. New Gas Works Offices.
Bennett Burleigh Interviewer. Chinese Commissioner to Thibet.
The A.D.C. Performance.
Chinese New Year.
Humphreys Estate and Finance Co., Ld.
Hongkong Ice Co., Ld.
Maj.Gen her SA
Tuf Topics.
Land Sales.
Naval Notes,
Shipping Jetsam.
S.S. Sachsen.
The Canton Christian College.
Canton's New U. S. Consul-General.
Joint Petition from Kwangtung Gentry.
Wuchow Noles.
Swatow.
Big Fire at Shanghai.
Cigar Manufactory,
Singapore Harbour Works.
Prince Leopold.
Commercial:--
Shanghai Share Report.
Freight Varket.
Fortnightly Market Report.
Exchange.
Opium.
Local and General.
BIRTU. At 18 Peking Road, Shanghai, 26th January, the wife of Mr. GILBERT MCINTOSH, of a
daughter.
DEATH.
On 23rd January, at the Victoria Nursing Home, Shanghai, Archer F. Willson, of
Messrs. Brewer & Co.
rica In
Tokio, February 1, 2.25 p.m. Marshal Oyama reports that on our right and centre, on the 30th January, the Rus sians engaged in bombardment, while their small detachments attacked in various direc tions, but all were repulsed by our outposts.
On our left the enemy bombarded on the 30th January the heavy guns, un Peiyantai and Chenchichpao, which is otherwise called Sandepu, and on the 31st January on Chen- chichpao, Tapatai (two miles east of Chen. chichpao) and Litajenton.
The enemy's offensive movements in small detachments, on the 30th January, towards Tutaitzu, and on the 31st January towards Chenchiehpao, were repulsed on all sides.
***arents world, which the waterway was interuggedro ęqsliau schiene from bona there was no By confining this transportation to Ameri. Shellim, rỉ. P. Whún and A. Maupt (Directors),
charge
-n
| Major-General Shade to inspect the progress | canal became again a matter of practical poll the appeal of the Benevolent Society may depriving trade with the Islands of the report and accounts for the year 1924 which
of the works, the War Office has shown that it fully recognises the value and importance of Hongkong as a British outpost in the Far
East.
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.
(30th January.)
facilitate. The differences between partics have for some time been growing more acute, but after the dividend declara ion last June-the first in excess of 25 pcr cent-the question of promoting a second lics, and those interested determined to act. The shippers who are threatening the con. struction of the new cutting declare that, as transport and labour-saving appliances have been improved so immensely, the enterprise can be carried out at a muchi smaller cost than was entailed by the
cumstances of the whole question of the un-service, the burden, already nearly unbear employed in Hongkong are investigated, able, will be increased considerably. Even the worse the situation appears to be, and if the duties on the freight should be reduced before any further and wider scheme of or removed altogether, the effect would be dealing with it is propounded, we trust that neutralised in part, if not altogether, by
advantage of competition in transport ation It will mean the forming of a the Philippine shipping monopoly in hands of a few Pacific coast firms, with the result that the commerce of the Islands will be seriously affected, if not en-
meet with a prompt and generous response.
THE NAVY LEAGUE.
been necessary to withdraw from the equaliza- tion of dividend fund the sum of $50,000 This fund now stands in the balance sheet at
it has to the regret of your Directors again
existing waterway, and would be better made by Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., on the tirely crippled. As a whole the American $250,000, the same amount as in the year 1901,
TELEGRAMS
recommendation may meet with your approval. Turning to the accounts, I desire to di anyone attention to our two chief sources of income and compare them for the past three years.
Members of the Hongkong branch of the Navy League, who were present at the recent annual meeting, will remember the remarks
when you authorised the transfer from earnings people are entirely opposed to schemes A renewed discussion of the Philippine adapted to the present conditions of visit of Mr. Wyatt, and how in the face of for personal profit, such as is advanc-of a sum of $500,000 with a view to maintaine sugar question is aroused by the efforts of trans-canal trade. The route chosen is considerable opposition in certain Naval and ed in connection with the subjecting a steady dividend. It is the opinion of your directors, that fur the future dividends the beet sugar interests of the United States eighty-four miles from sea to sea, as com Military quarters he was received by the in question, and if only they will make a to overcome the arguments advanced inpared with the eighty-eight of the present
ing of the year, and that this account should. favour of the section of the Philippine bill, Canal; but, since eight miles of the old line the Governor, Sir Henry Blake. Well, united stand there should be no difficulty should be in accordance with the net earn- Mr. Wyatt only recently arrived home from in effacing effectively such a bold measure not be further encroached upon, to any great admitting the sugar product of the islands lay through lakes, the distance to be dug his lengthy tour in the Colonies, and by his that undoubtedly points to the road to ruin. extent in any one year and I trust this to America on a basis of twenty-five per would really be four miles more instead of fine, outspoken utterances appears to have If the law comes into effect, as it is suppos- cent of the original Dingley bill. A four miles less. The shorter distance to be shaken off much of the aforesaid distrusted to do in July 1906, shipping interests in special wire from San Francisco to the traversed by traffic would, however, remain in his manners and methods, and to have the Far East in general and in Hongkong Manila Cablenews states that petitions, as a permanent advantage for the new canal raised the status of the Navy League high in particular will suffer cousitlerably, while bearing the names of thousands of voters
over its older rival. As to the difficulty pre- in the minds of many of its former detractors the development of the Philippines most from Utah, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska, sented by the fact that a concession would The League is to be congratulated on its assuredly will be arrested. Kansas and Maryland have been filed in have to be sought from the British Govern-
ultimate emergence from a condition in opposition to the proposed law, the peti-ment, which happens to be very large which it was liable, partly through its own tioners claiming that the success of the shareholders in the old canal, the advocates fault, to be misunderstood, even to the verge measure will throw thousands out of employ of the scheme apparently count on the of condemnation. Its ends and aims have ment and completely cripple the sugar grow advantages it would confer on British trade always, of course, been unimpeachable, but claimed that the factories have not yet the Imperial Exchequer in the old Company.grooves in which it was impossible to avoid recovered from the blow dealt by the It would, of course, be unfair to its own friction and collision with the Naval author- reciprocity arrangement with Cuba, and the people if the Government put any obstacles ities. The efforts of the League to make Porio Rico product, which, of course, must in the way of the project, for not only as
the Admiralty "sit up," and reform have be taken to mean that, in their opinion, the an engineering, but as a commercial enter-
been justified, and now we find the League, success of the proposed bill will bring furprise the scheme of a second canal is per and those u seeks to influence sitting on the same platforms, endeavouring to forget the THE DEFENCES OF HONGKONG. ther distress to the sugar interests of the fectly feasible, and under proper treatment
home country. The Manila imes thinks to the parties interested should redound old tug-of-war contests and declaring that that the steps taken by the sugar trust is the greatly to the benefit of Hungkong and, in the object of all is the welfare and even ordinary ruse adopted by large interests to fact, of all countries East of Suez.
greater naval solidarity of the Empire. And short-influence legislation in their behalf, its chief
this result is mainly due to the efforts of motive being to align the working classes
Mr. Wyatt, who, throughout his extended against the proposed measure, and to seek
visits to the Colonies, exhibited the most the expression of a large number who are
remarkable tact and preception. It must not able to understand the ulterior motive.
not be forgotten also, that the tour was mainly the result of his own initiative and completed mainly at his own expense.
The Honghong Telegraphing industry of the United States. It is also generally to outweigh the limited interest of its early enthusiasins occasionally led it into
MAIL SUPPLEMENT,
ISSUED GRATIS TO SUBSCRIBERS.
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1995,
(28th January.)
THE ROAD TO RUIN,
(2nd February,)
Among the passengers due here ly is Major-General F. G. Slade, c.n.,
IN CHARITY'S CAUSE. who has been sent out from London by
(1st February.) the War Department on a tour of inspec
There can hardly, we should think, be tion of the defences of the various Eastern Colonies. This is the first time that the Fortunately for America and her possessions much doubt about the views of the members distinguished Inspector-General of the Royal there are many in the home country alive of the Hongkong Benevolent Society regard- Garrison Artillery has come East on such a
to the importance of following Cuban re-ing the scheme suggested by His Excellency mission his work in this connection having ciprocity by tariff favours to the Philippines. the Governor on the subject of making, tem- hitherto been confined to the Mediterranean. It is certainly a move in the right direction porary provision for destitute seamen. a circumstance that appears to have led and one that seems almost essential in bring- The difficulty of the whole problem to a little surmising whether he has been ing relief and consequently, contentment, to has long been realised. Charitable institu-
It is impossible not to bail with satisfac authorised to make a report regarding the the Filipino, who can scarcely be expected to tions have discussed the matter, suggestions proposal to withdraw regiments of the line exhibit the tranquillity and loyalty which pre- have been made, but the result has seldom tion any serious attempt to open the eyes of from Hongkong. Singapore and Ceylon and vail in Porto Rico, when the Philippines are been proportionate to the good intentions the public to an act of Congress which is leave the defences of these stations to the subject to unequal and invidious treatment and the anxious efforts of those principally certain to prove detrimental to shipping Royal Garrison Artillery. So far as the de- by American fiscal legislation. The fear concerned. However much thei- sympa interests in the Far East. Last year the Philip- fence of Ceylon is concerned such a change that the amount of sugar grown in the thies and interest as private individuals and pines bill became law, and provided, inter might with advantage be made when con- Islands would injure anybody in the United as citizens may have been aroused, the mem- alia, that "on and after July 1, 1906, no mer sideration is given to the fact that reliance States, or that it can be so increased bers of the Benevolent Society feel that, with chandise shall be transported by sea, under could always be placed on India in case of as to be a menace, seems ridiculous the many demands upon their funds, they penalty of forfeiture thereof, between ports an emergency for thousands of troops to be in view of the vast quantities of sugar cannot become a guarantor under the scheme of the United States and ports or places of sent over to the Island, but with regard imported from America, but if the beet set forth by H. E. Sir Matthew Nathan the Philippines archipelago, directly or via a to Singapore and Hongkong the case sugar industry receives a check as the result unless with the assistance of residents in foreign port, or for any part of the voyage in is entirely different as the transport of of the Cooper bill the sugar production interested in the matter. The relieving of any other than a vessel of the United line regiments would necessarily involve a the Philippines will be stimulated, and what temporary distress, brought about by many States." It provided further "That no considerable loss of time. Here and in China was once a most prosperous industry may causes, entails the expenditure of large sums foreign vessel shall transport passengers there are at the present time five garrison yet revert to its old time prosperity. We year by year, and when it is remembered between ports of the United States and ports or places in the Philippine companies and one battalion, while the forces have announced in our columns quite re- that month after month its supporters are stationed at Singapore and Ceylon are, in cently that, in view of the promising pros- engaged in sifting out cases for relief, archipelago, either directly or via a foreign each case, two garrison companies and one pects of the forthcoming crop in the Philip-seeking employment for deserving appli port, under a penalty of two hundred dollars battalion. Whether the surmise regarding pines, the general managers of the Luzon cants, paying passage money for others to foreach passenger so transported and landed." the withdrawal of the regiments is correct Sugar Refining Company, whose mills have various places in the world, and performing From Manila exchanges we learn that mer or not, such a proposal, if carried into effect, been shut down now for the past eight years, many minor acts of charity, readers will chants of that city have recently had their would be of the utmost importance to this have decided to reopen them for the refining recognise that any appeal to enable the attention directed to the very damaging effect Colony. At present we rely for the safety of sugar, which, we may take it, will find Society to extend the scope of its benevo❘ of the measure by Mr. Henry W. Peabody,
"HONGKONG TELEGRAPH "
SERVICE.
GENERAL STOESSEL
UNDER GRAVE ACCUSATION. [From Our Chen Correspondent.]
Shanghai, 1st February, 2.21 p.m. Reports, said to be authentic and emanating from Port Arthur, have been received to the effect that the Russian Admirals and officers have accused General toessel with selling the fortress for a monetary considera tion, it being alleged that the amount was handed over to him before he embarked on the Australien at Nagasaki.
He will be accused, before a court martial to be held at St. Petersburg.
THE WAR.
RUSSIANS REPULSED.
s
Mr. M. Noma, Consul for Japan, has the following kindly forwarded to telegrams :---
Tokio, 29th Jan., 8.25 p.m. Marshal Oyama reports that our detach meut, which occupied Liutiaokou on Satur- day, twice repulsed on the same night, the enemy's powerful counter attacks. Another detachment attacked at dawn of Sunday and occupied Feitsaihatzu (two miles north of Heikoutai). A detachment, which advanced to Heikoutai, repulsed the enemy's fierce counter attacks on Saturday night and oc cupied on Sunday morning positions in
Under the head of interes; the net earnings in 1902 were $156,0-7.93, 1903 $98,705.89, 1904 $53,400.92. is regular failing off is brought about by the withdrawal of funds invested on mortgage and now used in the development of the Company's pro- perries, the more important of which are only beginning to yield revenue, and as time goes on interest account will practically disappear from the balance sheet. Formerly we invested in mortgage our surplus capital, and later re-invested money which we had been enabled to borrow at a lower rate of interest than our mortgage rate, so now instead of reap. ing the benefit of interest coming in from the mortgage we have for a time had the money in. vested in property temporarily unproductive. The cost of development of the large European Hongs on the reclamation between Blake Pier and Queen's Buildings amounts to $1,412.182.48. The property consists of five blocks of buildings, one of which was only com pleted last June, anut her last November, whilst the other three will not yield us any revenue un- til next July. The comparative statement of rents for the same three years is as follows:-1912, $217,103 86, 1903, $150,026 86, 1904, $173,909-37- for the current year we trust will show a marked improvement, not only on account of the te venus from the newly developed properties, a great many of which we have already agreed to lease, but we also have hopes of being able to find tenants for the large number of vacan cies we have in our Chinese properties. These vacancies repres: nl approximately an unearned rental of $70,000 to $80,000, and it is difficult ment complaint of overcrowding in certain dia to reconcile this deficiency with the Govern tricts. On the other side of the account thord is nothing calling for special comment, the small increase in charges and fire insurance premia, being about equalised by the saving in repairs. The existing stringency in our local money market, does not lead your directors to anticipate in the immediate future any exten- sira operations in properly, but with the in creased receipts already referred to, they have hopes that the earnings of the Company for the current year will prove satisfactory. Before formally proposing the adoption of the report and accounts, I shall bi pleased to answer any question in connection with them that any shareholder may wish to ask.
In addition to this last sum, the rent accoust
Mr. Goetz asked if he was correct in surmis ing, that since the interest on all these pro- perties had been paid out of earnings, did they building expenses? stand in the books at their original valup, plus
The Chairman: The properties stand in que. books at their original coar