THE HONGKONG. TELEGRAPH.
FRIDA
ANUARY.
HONGKONG CONSTITUTIONAL parts of it are flå only for the strap added a few words to our resolution
REFORAL
Mr.
"D'Almada › thinks that thereby wa Care andangaring the Empire by giving a role to certain Chinoso, ·
Mr. D'Almada: I said nothing of
heap. (Applause and laughter). That that the additional Chiness member part of the system which is most in shall be elected silber by the thin- need of scrapping is that portion ese Chamber of Commers or hy which is based on the atrocious fal- some other suitable body. lacy that a section of the Empire (Continued from Page 9.j
with a predominantly alien popula-, when subjects. But I think the oldest tion cannot be fairly governed a foreigners that overstepped on these
cording to the traditional principles shores were the Portuguese people at British justice without first dis the kid #nd we have come to stay, we are franchising the English, Scotch, Welsh Bettlers here and as settlers I think and Irish who have made and are ¡D'Almada that if the Government we are entitled to see that car inuuking the Colony what it is and a home, advised by this Govern tareata are safeguarded, although I who in time of war and other din meat, think that they will thereby (be endangering the peace and good main burden of defence. (Applause) be introduced and that electorate gers are expected to shoulder thel
order of this Colony, salaguarda will Gentlemen, we do not ask even to will be limited to British subjecta have the Colony's charter revised.
do not for an instant saggest that bar interests have not been safe guarded in the past, because the Bri tish Gorerament has always looked after the interests of everybody. without fear, favour" or affection,” and is asking you for the amend
Mr. Alabastor; I can assure. Mr.
That Charter provides that there behalf of the Chinese and have no But we are here not speaking on
Legislative Counsi!]
[right to curtail their demands. I and that it shall DOGLIST
therefore have the greatest pleasure
shall be a
ment I mast call attention to the such persons as may be indicated by fast that this is a public meeting instructions issued from time to in supposting Mr. Cartwright's not necessarily a meeting of British time under the Royal sign manual mants have been made I had to
amendment. Á so many amend-] subjects only. The Constitutional and signet. During the course of Reform Association has asked the the Colony's growth these instrus-peak at great length and I apologise pablis to eras here and any alien tina have been amended many have been speaking. (Loud and lang to you all for the great length: I here is entitled to vote for times. The last time they were against these resolutions, and to ask amended they were amended so
applause) that the Portuguese representatives to double the number of Chinese should be elected by his own peuple. representatives on the Counod so it As Mr. McGuigan had rightly aid: is now the time for other sections "By all means let us have govern-jof the community to claim considers ment of the people, for the people, by tion in their tar We ask that the people" (Applause)
Mr. C. A. da Roza seconded the amer drsent.
THE CHAIRMAN SPEAKS OUT. The Hon Mr. Hulyoak saNo--Hr. Alabaster has made a very able reply in anpport of one of the amandmenta but I think he failed to point out to you that the British Government at bome is not for one moment likely to support a resolution which is likely to give so sliea a voie în British Colony, and, apathetic as I sm with the Portuguese, and much as I admire them; and I hare many friends amongst their community, I
the electoral principle recognised for the last 25 years in the ease of two members should be extended to MR. ALABASTER'S REPLY. govern the cases of at least seven, Mr. C. G. Alabaster, QBE, said: Of those seren we consider that the Gentleman, the tumultous applause Chamber of Commerce has done which has greeted Mr. Mc. Guigan's nothing in the past to forfeit her amendment shows that we are all right to centiane to elect a worthy sympathetic with the ideal at which representative (Applause). This is somewhat surprised at their İ he aims, but some of us also I am part of the world which is sudacity in asking it, simply and sure, realise that ideals are not a-primarily dependant upon commerce solely because it is a British Colony. ways attainable in one jump. On and as long as the Chamber of Cum- | It we ever attempted to suggest auch behalf of the Committee of this As merce continues to elect members thing in the neighbouring Colony ariation I am anthorised to say of the calibre of the late Honcursole of Macao, it would not be seriously that we accept and endorse the Mr. E. A. Hewitt and the Benoar considered for a moment
Guntis amendment proposed by Mr. Cartable Mr. Percy Holyoak we have no men, I do not say we stretched a #right-(applause) and I trust it reason to ask for a change (Hear paint, but we did consider most you bear with me for a few moments | hear). Again, the Justices of the earnestly the representation, which that I will be able to give you some Peace hare in the past selected was made by the Portuguese com reason for supporting that amendworthy representatives. I need onlymanity because they had a claim to ment. This meeting is, as Me, mention the cases of Mr. Warmy representation and because of the dif D'Almada has justly said, a public Stewart and the Honourable Mr.ficulties of life with which they wars meeting, but it is a meeting which. E. Pollock to show you that we bound up and we all though it right. is beld under the auspices of the can be quite satisfied with the and we were prepared to support it. Constitutional Reform Association, judgment and intelligence of the But we were only prepared to sup- nad no member of that Association. Justices of the Peace. (Applause) port a British Portuguese subjecti and above all no member of the But the body which has the great elected by the British electorate. Committee of that Association canext claim to recognition and which Gentlemen I will put Mr. Táimada's "Therefore be expected to support, the amendment which we all sup- Roza, which is that the Portugues will get the greatest-recognition in amendment, first, seconded by Mr.
have the port is that of the jurors of Hong-gested representative on the lightest bremour or defection in kong and those who, but for their Legislative
Council spuld be the answerving loyalty that we, as profession, trade or calling, would elected by the Portuguese whether
As British subjects or not. British subjects, ought and da feel be members of that jury list.
This amendment was lost by a towards the Empire and the Crown, representatives of civil law and
Corder they perform an essential laage majority. For that reason we are unable, as the Constitutional Reform Associa: facetion cheerfully without pag which has to be done in the ad
or at all conztenance, any vote or
safution which may
THE DECISION.
The Chairman:
three
I Dow
tion, to support any resolution which has a tendency to place the ministration of British justice. We Mr. Cartwright's amendment that governing power of the Colony in most always remember that that clause
the Original the hands of & people, whatever British justice is the basis of the proposition should read as fol their race may be, who owe allegi hole fabric of the British Empire lows: That of the seven elected ance to another fag-(applause) (Applause). In fact so well qualified unofficial members (all of whom shail are the jurors of Hongkong for the be British subjects) one shall be Tre great characteristic of all Brit. Perlarmance of their aedmous duty elected by the Hongkong General
• būt pose bere for some reforts.
that under the laws of our Colony Chamber of Commerce, one by that de constitutions is that they are even in cases of life or death we Justices of the Peace; four (three) not immutable. Throughout the
Bøver sık that Tore than seven of whom shall be of British race and Empire these constitutions are ever
Hongkong men to do the work which one of Portuguese race) by British changing, but they are ever chans in the mother equntry and dominions aubjects who ste jurymen, or are ing gradually, and for that reason cannot be safely entrusted to less qualified for, and exempt from we are unable to support Mr Mc-
than twelve I have given you some jury service; and one by the Chinese Guigan's ideal at the present mo reasons why we should insist that Chamber of Commerce, or some other ment. The mother country her the balk of these members should body representative of the Chinese self has not waited for the conclu be of British race. But a consider Community, which shall hereafter be sion of the world's most devastat able section of the jurors trace their decided upon. ing war to overhaul and revise her ancestry to those pioneers of civiliss- own electoral system giving the tion, the Portuguese. (Applause), vote to millions of men and women, They have peculiar interests rnd who never had it before. There is peculiar points of view of their own no reason therefore why we in this' which cannot fairly be ignored and distant but important outpost of the they form an essential part of the Empire should not ask, in the light commercial community. We are of all the lessons the war has taught therefore, prepared to reserve of us, to have our own constitutional seat for & British subject. cf system overhauled and revised (Ap Portuguese race and I think being plause). Seventy eight years ago elected by the whole British com- Hongkong was a treeless, tractless, munity he can nevertheles place the tradeless, uninhabited or almost point of view of his compatriots as Bainhabited, disintegrating granite well before the Legislative Council rock
as two Chinese members who are
large majority and the amended re This amendment was carried by a solution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.
thanks of the Committee to those The Chairman expressed the present for the interest they had shown and the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem is vote of thanks to the Chairman and
He
NEARLY LOST THE "FALKLANDA, A Toice: It is the same Dowi
Lord Harcourt, speaking at a nominated by a single Irishmanuseting of the Empire Parliam Mr. Alabaster: I do not think (laughter and applause-and nobody entary Association, recently, said she is treeless or tradeless or a bas yet said that the two Chinose that the Australian and New most uninhabited. On the contrary members nominated by a single Zealand naval units were placed to-day with her railways, motor Irishman do not represent the Chia ander British control 24 hours ways, tramways, factories, works, ese community. But mil the other before war was declared. wharves and docks she is one of the day we had left out of our resolu- had invited Australia, New Zea world's great ports and one of the tions the Chinese. We did zo beland and South Africa to take great distributing centres of the cause in the clearest possible man the German colonies in their world's trade.. (Applause). She has ner they indicated to us that they neighbourhoods if they were a population of about a million, and did not wish to associate with able to do
80, and hold I believe and I think we all believe, electoral reform; bat within the last that she has a great future before week, stirred doubtless by our ex-Government's disposal until the them at the Imperial her of commercial and political de ample, they passed a resolation end of the war. The Empire had velopment under the British Flag, the effect that they wish one not lost a single colony, although (Hear bear). But we all feel, I am ditional member and that he should it was within 24 hours of losing sure from the applause I have heard be elected by the Chinese Chamber the Falkland Islands, te-night on all the amendments and of Commnares Well, we are brand the grave danger in South Africa During resolutions, that the constitution of minded enough to say we will cap- the Legislative Council, by which I port that if it is their view. The early in the war, the Boer rebels mean the system which governs the View has been so recently pat for the Union Government's war had got away with one-half of selection of its members, has not ward that we do not know yet materials. He had then turned. whether the Chinese Chamber of Lord Kitchener for help to kept pace with this great commer -and-popular progress Busty, Commerce or the
replenish the supplies, but Kitch- would not deplete
:,- ”
4
DARLIER TELEGRAMS.
DEMOBILISATION DELAYS.
FROTESTS BY BRITINE SOLDIERS.
London, Jan, a
There has been trouble among the saktiers owing wo the delay of demobilisation. Following protests by troops at Dorve and Folkestone, 0 men of the Army Service Corps at Isleworth seized motor-lorries and drove to Whits ball. Finding the Premier not at home they sent a depuis- tion to the Ministry of Labour which promised to hear their grievances immediately and that they should be investigated and any man who a had job awaiting him would be demo- bilised within tea days. Several thousands of soldiers at Shoreham marched to Brighton to protest against demobili- sation delays. They dispersed after the Mayor promised to communicate their grievances to the War Ofice.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE
London, Jaz 7: The arrest of the Army Service Corps is largely dus to the fact that the Corpa containa numbers of long-service infantrymen, transferred on arvount of wounds and health, who claim that their demobilisation is penalised by transfer from fighting units, the Army Service Corps will be the last to demobilise. The Army Service Corps wish to be placed on the same footing as fighting units. The unrest has spread to a number of centres, including Aldershot but it does not warrant an alarmist view. The situation wa summed up today by the soldier chairman of a meeting of sol diers at Brumler. He said: "Demonstrations have been started to ginger up the Government, as at the present rate of demobilisation apparently we will be soldiering until 1925.” It is certain that the protests will have beneficial results. All shades of newspapers tribute the sensible manner in which the situation has been handled by the authorities. Au important conference, attended by leading members of the Government, will be held on Jan. 7 when the whole question will be reviewed. Four hundred mechanics of the aerodrome at Fairlap, Essex, which is being broken "ap, demanded to be sent home as many of them bad jobs await ing them. The Commander gave the men a day's leave to enable them to itch papers showing that they had-work to go to, after which they will be allowed to return home pending demobilisation.
NO GENERAL DEMOBILISATION.
London, January 7. Reuter understands that general demobilisation cannot be ordered until after the Peace Conference as an ecient army must be maintained in order to meet any contingency dering the peace negotiations. Ten thousand soldiers were discharged, daily at home last week and the number dealt with in France increased to ovas 20,000 daily, including maoy from the Dominions.
FURTHER DEMANDS.
London. January 7. Solidera at Shoreham have decided to telegraph to the Premier demanding that all troops at Shoreham be sent home immediately pending demobilisation papers being sent to them. Officials in the demobilisation department have gone to France in order to deal with cases befora men are sent home on leave, thus largely meeting the men's objec- tions to baving to rejoin their units oversea before toosiving their discharge.
ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION.
London, January 7.
A number of solders, including met on leave from Salonika marched in orderly fashion to the War Office to-day and sout a deputation to the authorities to ask an assurance regseding demobilisation. One man said they had been in Greece for three years and wished an assurance that they would not be condemned to a similar period of absence from bona
After consideration the demobilisation authorities in. 'formed the deputation that men who had demobilisation - papers or could find employment would be demobilised but others must rejoin their units. The men departed cheering.
· REFORM AT HOME.
London, Jan. 7.
The Government. Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Haldane appointed in 1917 baa issued a report and recommends farmoaching reforms. A regard the functions and procedure of the Cabinet Committee it declares its main kunctions are the final determination of policy to be submitted to Parliament, supreme control of the national executive in accordance with the policy pre- scribed by Parliament and the continuous co-ordination mud delimitation of activities of several departments of States. For the due performance thereof the Committee recommend a small cabinet, preferably of tea, meeting frequently and supplied in the most convenient form with all information enabling it to active at expeditious decisions. The Cabinet should consult personally all Ministers whose work is likely to be affected by its decisions. The Cabinet should have a systematic method of securing that its decisiona are effectually carried out by the departments concerned. As cogaida the employment, of women in the Civil Service the Committee report that the absence of any substantial recourse to women's services has hitherto deprived the public of a vast store of knowledge, experience and fresh ideas, some of which would for particular purposes have been far mors valuable and relevant than those of the best men Civil Bervants Other recommendations include the establish. ment of a research, Ministry to undertake research work- to furnish a proper basis for policy. It defines the principle of the distribution of business between various depart ments and condemns the watertight divisions of business between departments. It recommends the formation of Parliamentary Committees to watch the work of particular do- partments, also the formation in the Treasury of a separats branch to specialise in establishment work, the study of all questions of staff and recruitment and routine business generally, the redistribution of the duties of Lord Chan cellor causing a division of work between him and the Home. Secretary thus relieving the Chancellor of the present ex- treme pressure of work.
OPPRESSION IN PETROGRAD,
Helsingfors, Jan 7
Members of the Danish Legation who have arrived from Petrograd state that British evil and military officials kept imprisoned at Moscow are being tyranically treated The real Dictator of Petrograd is a woman, aged 2 named - Tocoblers, chief of the anti-Counter-Bavolutionary Commit- tee. Her grually surpasses all gristing legands. Many dis of starvation in the streets daily sad the population bas mi to 800,000. Three-quarters of all shops are closed, tramwayn sen puspended, there is no soul, and electric fight "may only be used two hours daily. The Bed Guarda in
the Petrograd District number 50,000, 7
BARLIER TELEGRAMS.
ORDER OF BRITISH EMPIRE.
London, Jaz & Hundreds of names of men and women on whom the Order of the British Empire has been bestowed for servicea rendared in connection with the war are published in thirty-two page "Gazette." The recipients' activities om- brace most varied forms of, wal?oadwpation few names wellknown overseas are included in the present Only * lists and among those is Viscountess Buxton, wifs of the Governor General of South Africa, who appears in the highest class namely Dams of the Grand Cross. The Knight Commanderships include Sir Rider Haggard, as a member of the Dominions Royal Commission. The Commanders in stade the Salvationist, Mary Booth and W. J. Hainas, and the famous comedian, George Robey. Officers of the Order include William Hibberdine, Two Manager of the Bastern Telegraph Company.
TROUBLE IN BERLIN.
SERIOUS EVENTS OCCURRING.
This situation in Berlin on Sunday was very critical,
Copenhagen. Jan. 6. Thousands of workers, and unemployed of both sexes, cama → in from the suburbs and assembled si Tiergarten. Strakars married placards inscribed with "Down with ibo Govern. met and held a counter demonstration with placards "Down with the Spartacusers." Most shops dowed owing to great nervousness Later the Spartacusers occupied the
telegraph offices and Central Berks
The last telegram from Berlin despatched on the evening of Jan 5 announces that Central Berlin has been occupied. Since then there is been complete silence and evidently serious events are going on.
CAUSE OF THE OUTBREAK
Amsterdam, Jao, T.' A message from Barlin sta that owing to tho Spartacist coup it is reported that Ebert, Scheidemann, and Lansberg the Majority Socialist gismvirate hara s signed. It is stated that the causes of the outbreak were the dismissal of the Berlin Police President, Eichhorn, whe it is alleged has bean hardling Russian money for aming Spartanista and the breaking off of relations which Baasis by Ebert. Eichhorn hal ignored the, deposition and on-
ass at offee.
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
Paris, Jan. Y.
The opening proceedings of the Peace Conference will begin on Jan. 13 when the heads of Governments and Foreign Ministers of the Associated Powers will exchango TiOWL AS Boon sa agresment is reached regarding the organization. composition and procedure of the Conference the frat sitting will be held, probably about Jan. 1 It is believed that représentatives of all States which broke off relations with the Central Empires will be present and will settle definitely the number of delegates of such tafe at the Conference. It is confidently asserted that France, Britain, the United States, Italy and Japan will have fve delegates each. France will be represented by M. Clemenceau, sod. Pichon but the others have not yet been designated. Marshal Foch by unanimous wish of the Allies will be invited to axpress his views op the military problems. Prob- ably Belgium, Beebia, Greece, Bumania and Portugal will have three daingates sack, while the States which only broke off relations with the enemy will have only two.
BRITAIN'S LATEST WARSHIP.,
Loades, Jun. T. Although no efficial statement has yet been made it. is understood that the British warship, Hood, now, nearing completion will be the largest fighting vessel in the world. She is 834 feet long and will carry eight 15 inch guna. Her bull is being fitted with an outer cushion against which torpedose and mines will explode harmlessly. She is ax- pooled to attain à speed of at least forty miles an hour. The Hood will cost 3 million stern. It is stated that three other battle-cruisers"of the same type are being built.
DEVELOPMENTS AT WARSAW.
London, Jan. 7.
The "Time's" correspondent at Warsaw states that the Civiline Militia has over thrown the Government and arrest- ed the Cabinet members who were subsequently reported. to have escaped. The object is to instal a coalition which Paderewski Eavours. General Pilsadaki, the Dictator-Pre- sident, who escaped arrest, in conferring with Paderewski as regards the situation. Meanwhile there is mystery sur- rounding the whereabouts of the escaped Cabinet members.
COLONEL ROOSEVELT'S DEATH.
New York, Jan. 7, Colonel Roosevelt died through the lodgment of a clot of blood on the lang. He died asleep and nobody was present. He was apparently in good health and excellent spirits 45 hours earlier. The profound sorrow throughout. the United States is expressed equally by political friends and antagonista. The suddenness of the event shocked Washington, where the Supreme Court Congress adjourned in respect. Flags at the White House and other public build. ings, also on all warships and army postá at home and abroad, were halfmasted. The burial will be private at the family's request.
PRESIDENT WILSON'S TOUR,
Turin, Jan A
The official and popalar reception of President Wilson on his arrival was of a similar triumphal and warm char- acter as elsewhere in Italy. The features were the assembl- ing of 400 Piedmontese Mayors, who greeted the President st the Town Hall and made a presentation of an album contain ing over a thousand resolution of the Piedmontese Communal Councils, and the couferring of the freedom of the cesped 'tive towns."
President Wilson has returned.
Paris, Jan
LABOUR'S ROLE IN PARLIMENT,
London, Jan. T
A joint meeting of the Executive of the Labour Party and Labour Members of the House of Commons passed a resolution, with one dissentient, in favour of the Labour Party in the House of Commons becoming the official opponition. A JAAY
The Parliamentary Labour Party has unanimously ze-elected Mr. Wen Adamson, -Chairman for the Session, Mr. Ournes has been appointed Vice-Chairman.
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