1912-12-04 — Page 2

Page

SANITARY BOARD.

was

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDVESDAY, DECEMBER Áru, ~1912

LI HỤNG CHANG'S DIARY.

[FROM THE LONDON **UESSEVER."]

showed almost invariably that the water was inferior to. Tytam, and that Tytam

inferior to the Kowloon supply. ON GORDON AND THE REBELLION. A meeting of the Sanitary Board was

D. W. Tratman The bacteriological examinations which held yesterday. Mr. (Presiden decupied the chai:, and there used to take place had apparently been were also present Hon. Mr. W. Chat-discontinued, or else the reports of the Col. Bacteriologist were withheld from the. ham, C. M.G. (Vice-President), Irwin, Messrs. W. L. Carter, F. B. L. Board. The risk of contamination was Bowley, Ng Hoa Tsz, Chan Kai Ming, greater in a tropical country than in a Dr. Clark (Principal Medical Officer), temperate country like London, and the and Dr. Pearse. (Medical Officer of tropical country could not afford to run

unnecessary risks.

He proceeded to Health),

Dr. Clark acted as Secretary in the ab-argue that there would be to great hard-Gordon and myself, and I will have to ship and no great inconvenience by tell them that I was not at all jealous of sence of Mr. Bowen Rowlands.

prohibiting building material to be taken him, as has been charged so many times. PORFULAM CATCHMENT AREA.

from there or allowing rubbish to bWhy should be He was directly under my orders, and nothing pleased me better the Ever-Victorious Army and drive the Wangs [leaders of the Taipings] into Souchow.

n's

INTIMATIONS

DIXON'S

speedily DOUBLE

and that officer, în response, at once paid visit to Gordon and to Li Hung Chang, It would be an agreeable and a proud task, did space permit, to recount, the details of these interviews, especially of the one between the British General and Imperialist the Commander of the Forces: for the peremptory and

and fearless manner in which General Brown brought the Chinese official to book, and wrested from bim a confession of full Wangs and the sacking of the city, and a complete exoneration of Gordon from all blame, while informing him of his set intention to dispatch a full account to Sir Frederick Bruce and to Lord de Grey of the cruelty, perfidy and impolicy of afruitless severity characterising the Imperialist Commander's conduct. All this, with other examples of immediate,

a noble comment upon how ear pro- conguls of those days went straight to their work in the defence of England's and their own honour, regardless of the effect upon the wirepullers and the polls at home,

who gave no quarter to those who dared to tarnish it, and it is inconceivable that the storm of indignation and scorn, official and private, that reged around the Chinese satrap's head at the time could have been forgotten by him, or that the Writing while the quest of the German lemory of its cause could have been blurred even by the conspicuous triumphs Government, Li Hung Chang refers at and failures of his crowded career, length once more to General Gordon, the The whole affair is simply enough, even English conmander of the Ever-dough it be briefly told. Thanks to the Victorious Army, which he employed soapid movements and strategic skill disresponsibility for the murder of the successfully in putting down the Taiping played by Gordon along the network of waterways of the Yangtse river, his little rebellion in 1809:-

The English will want to know just band of 3,000 men--the Ever Victorious what caused the trouble between General Army had compassed wellnigh a score of victories in the span of a few months, scattering the rebels in all directions enemy and inflicting but antall injury enueing a minimum of death among the upon the pastoral populations of those

memorable campaign, captura soon became the order of the day, and so im pressed was the enemy with the spirit of mercy to the fallen shown by the British Commander that capture was soon to be replaced by surrender and even voluntary adherence.

A letter was read from the Government, deposited there, and said there were than to see him win so niany battles with oppressed regions. In the course of that I downright and fearless action, constitutes

follows: Sir, I am directed to

acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th November, transmitting a resolu- tion adopted at a meeting of the Board, held on the 5th of November, and in reply to state that the Government have every confidence that the Director of Public Works, who is also the Water Authority, will so control the issue cf permits to take building material and tarf from the Pokfulam catchment area

other areas which could be used for these purposes. No one had any right to com- plain if those permits were withdrawn, and the only inconvenience that would result if the permits were not issued was that contractors would have to go else where. There was not much danger of building material being taken surrepti tiously, as in ordinary weather the whole of Pokfulum was exposed to view from

Gordon was not over-anxious for the end of the rebellion, and I knew that he bad secretly memorialised the Throne to make him General-in-Chief of all the armies of China, including those of the different viceroys. He did not know that no person had power to grant him such unlimited authority, and his foreign pride made him think he was above

Though the resistance had been stub- born, notably among the Wangs and the Tiench Wangs, or minor chiefs, and the peril constant and great, the unique spectacle of a great alien captain, un- armed, leading his men with one hand gently laid on their shoulder into the his other waving cane or the shower of shot, stinkpots, and shell, had produced an immeasurable spirit of superstitions awe among the foe.

THE MAGISTRACY.

Mr. Melbourne heard a case in which a Chinese was charged with attempting to export 210 taels of opium. A fine of

that a pollution of the water supply numerous roads. There was the police myself in power, He made mistakes, and brgic wand," to point the way, amidst 8500 was imposed or three months in

drawn from the Pokfulam Reservoir wil station at the head of the valley. there not occur. In the circumstance the Gov-was another further down, two land ernment do not consider it necessary that officers bad their houses overlooking the applications for such permits should be Valley, the principal land surveyor lived referred to the Governor-in-Council.” in a house which overlooked it, and the Mr. BOWLEY minuted-I suggest that Deputy Building Authority also. Coolies. did not usually carry away building the Government he asked to inform the material or red earth in the night time, Board when any new permit is issued: and when any old permit is renewed and now that the Peak burglar was more giving particulars of locality and condi- or less safely confined within the limits of Victorin Gaol the Peak policeman and be able to see during the day time whether coolics were trespassing in the Valley and removing earth and stone. Of course it was possible that the Peak

many of them, but I overlooked them all, thinking only of the great good he had rendered the country.

His final mistake, however, I could not overlook, and my memorial to the throne was the cause of his dismissal forever from the service of China.

default.

For being in unlawful possession of street lamp fittings a Chinese was yester- day sent to prison for two months and ordered to be exposed in the stocks for

four hours.

A further remand of the three women

charged with being concerned in the

tions so that members may have an might enjoy his well-earned night's rest Council at the Northern Capital, made höld from the rebels with little or no Cheung Chau piracy was granted yester-

portunity of inspection,

Dr. FITZWILLIAMS minuted-The Hon. Director of Public Works states that he is unable to see how the issue of such permits

ondanger <!]]

tłu supply

day by Mr. Hazeland, it being stated that the man in custody at Macao was still

too ill to travel.

The fall of Soachow, the key to final With its cap- triumph, was imminent. ture the backbone of the great rebellion would be broken. A Venice, rearing its canals, and guarded by huge ditches and strength in the midst of fresh water almost impassable moats, its impregnable aspect might well have balled the cour age and ingenuity of the bravest and most adroit captain to snatch that strong- slaughter, to end the great conflict and restore peace to the innocent victims of a borde of pseudo-Christian marauders such was the policy of Gordon as he ap- prouched and parleyed with the self- styled rebel kings.

With that quick and sure insight of and sane of that insensate gang, one Nar Wang, whom he mentions in a hurried letter home as a "very good Wang, and very far superior to any of the Imperial ists I have met," and in November, 1883, accompanied by General Ching, Li Hung Chang's Imperialist lieutenant and re presentative a compact was made with Wangs that on their agreeing to submis-plying between Yaumati and Hongkong, and who was in hospital for a fortnight, appeared before Mr. Hazeland yesterday. A countryman of his offered to take charge of him, and be was discharged.

(8-7-12), and this after the last sentence of burglar might be able to pick his way He was killed upon this statement, and his, he had picked out. the most promising

the Head of the Sanitary Department's minute of 30-8-12, and my minute of 19-0-12, results in an official letter of won-

fidence of 18-12-12 and a statement of His Excellency positively, declaring that the danger is infinitesimal (5-3-12). It

through an eighteen inch wall under the supervision of the Water Authority in one of his capacities, but until he did that it seemed to him that the police, the Public Works Department, and the Water Authority should be able to see thut no surreptitious use of the Valley was made.

A GRIEVOUS MISTAKE," accusation that I had treacherously This grievens mistake of his was the

caused the murder of the Wangs upon my own barge. The very truth of this matter is here written for the second time; the first time was in my report to the Grand in the year 1866, just before I myself too

General Mow Wong told the other the field against the Shantung rebels. Wangs at Soochow that he would not surrender to the Imperial forces, but would continue fighting for ten years. Chung Wang sent word to me that he intended to surrender. 1 immediately iiformed my own lieutenant, General Ching; and Chung Wang and eight other Generals, with their men, aurrendered. We were most friendly disposed when the fighting was all over, and it was myself who proposed that we have a feast in Wang and General Ching quickly assent- "d, and soon the banquet, was set on board my private boat.

In the meantime General Gordon, who thought he had not been accorded full glory for the complete surrender of the Taipings, moved the Ever-Victorious Army headquarters at Quinsan.

away from Soochow to its old This was against my orders, and also against the counsel of General Ching, but Gordon claimed there was a large amount of pay due him and his men.

A Chinese who had been found in the garden adjoining Captain Aitken's residence in Austin Road, Kowloon, was convicted yesterday by Mr. Hazeland of being a rogue and a vagabond, and was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment.

A Chinese, who attempted to commit

must therefore be my duty to record my te then proposed the following resolu- celebration. To this Chung Wang, Lah the chief Wangs and thirty-five Tiench suicide by jumping from a ferry launch

.diangreement.

Hon. Mr. CHATHAM said he did not

penke..

were

sion their lives would be spared.

With this understanding Gordon en- tered. Soochow some days later alone, to find the city in a state of tumult and con fusion. The Imperialist troops ruthlessly sacking the dwellings, and the wives and children of the rebels were hurrying for protection to the palaces of the Wangs, or to wheresoever they could bad shelter from the general riot and the looting parties. Gordon, who was on horseback, assisted in protecting some it was also true that he had not been tempt to squire them to a refuge he was This was true, but of the rebel women folk, but in his at- promised and abould not have expected taken prisoner. It is characteristic of pay until the Soochow army had sur-bit that in not one of his letters deca rendered. He was feeling in and was he mention the imminent peril in which waiting for replies to his memoriale sent he had thus been placed.. to the Throne. His last memorial, as I knew through See Land Hea, who wrote if, was very much against me.

THE END OF THE BANQUET,

P

DIAMOND

PORT.

"Try it for yourself. It is as delightful to the taste as it is. beneficial to health.".

SOLE AGENTS:

H. RUTTONJEE & SON,

Wine and Spirit Merchants.

133

Chs. J. Gaupp & Co.,

ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS,

CHATER ROAD,

Mr. R A. Harding appeared at the Magistracy yesterday and applied to Mr. CHRONOMETER-MAKERS,

WATCHMAKERS,

JEWELLERS AND OPTICIANS.

FINE

DIAMOND

JEWELLERY

Hazeland to have a case reheard in which a boy had been fined $50 by his Worship, or in default two months, as well as ordered to be birched, for using indecent language to female passengers on the He was, of bran cars at Shauki wan daring the Ha made tho course, fully cognisan, of the fact that boycott disturbances. something very serious must have hap- application on the ground of mistaken pened that the Imperial leaders were not carrying out his policy of a peaceful identity, and stated that he was prepared to prove that at the time of the alleged entry into the city. But he had not the smallest inkling of the truth that, in a crock hard by, the rebel kings, including offence the defendant was at work in ENGLISH, AMERICAN AND his favourite Nar Wang, for whose his master's stall in the market.

GOLD AND SILVER WATCHES. security his word was pledged, lay dead upon the shore, their heads severed from Worship refused the application, saying It was their bodies.

AND Fortunately for him and that he inflicted a heavy penalty because GOLD

SILVER BRACELET it was his duty to put a stop to those

WATCHES. riotous proceedings.

for his country, no news of the treachery had yet reached the ears of his jailors; for, had this been so, he would assuredly have been seized on the instant and tor- tured to death,

His

Bupply might be drawn from areas liable Hongkong many years ago the Peak sword, but he fell to his knees when 1ing into a boat, for the first time in the dant, in front of witnesses, put his hand i

A SPECIALITY.

SWISS-

ENGLISH MOUNTED CHINESE JADE

JEWELLERY

SILVERWARE,

CUTLERY and

PRINCES PLATE.

Mr. BOWLEY said the letter from tion:That this Board desires to place Government states that the Government on record its dissent from the policy of had every confidence that the Director of the Government in sanctioning the issue Public Works, who was also the Water of unnecessary permits which increase Authority, would so control the issue of the risk of contamination of the Pok permits that pollution would not occur. fulam water supply.

Mr. CARTER seconded, in the absence of He thought the Board would rather put it that because the Water Authority was Dr. FITZWILLIAMS who had intended also Director of Public Works the Board seconding the resolution. Some years ago had not the same confidence in the com- a number of soldiers encamped without bined official as the Government, judging permission in the catchment area and Irom the way in which this gentleman were promptly ejected. If he applied for combining in one person the offices of permission to encamp within the Pokfu Director of Public Works. Building "Tam area would that permission be Authority and Water Authority, issued granted? It seemed to him that the two the permits for the taking of building things were the same. It reminded him material and the depositing of rubbish of a certain officer who declared that there were two kinds of sense-Comnion within the Pokfulum catchment area. He thought the Board would agree that sense and Royal Engineers' sense. It ap- "When the banquet was set and we if this official were the Water Authority Peared to him that the sense of the Public were in the midst of our joyouanets report was brought me that two large only be would certainly not issue any of Works Department was like R. E. sense.

boats had pulled out from the shore and these permits, and that it was the fact think he could add a great deal to what to the near side and looked.

were coming directly to any boat. I went of his holding the position of Director of Public Works and Building Authority he had already said on the subject which about the hour of the cock (7 p.m.), and I could not discern plainly, but it seemed which led him to go against what he had been before the Board over and over

to me as if Gordon himself captained one could imagine would be his judgment again. He refuted Mr. Bowley's state of the boats.

"I wont back to the feast and told the

An American bluejacket named Arthur were he solely the Water Authority. Itments that material could be obtained. was all very well for the Government to and rubbish deposited in areas beyond Wangs I believed Gordon was coming But, by dint of a miraculous display of say that the risk. of contamination was

the catchment area at slightly less ex-Ching turned very white and whispered tact and decision, be persuaded his jani-compson was charged at the Magistracy infinitesmal, but if it was possible to deal with a place as it existed. No one

Proceeding, he said they had to to me that he was afraid of what, he tors to let him go frea, and in the crowded yesterday with stealing a ten dollar bill did not say; but before we--Ching, Lal confusion of the city he unexpectedly met from the pocket of F. L. Vernon. It avoid all risk altogether why should it be would advocate building in a drainage Wang and myself-hind time to reach that General Ching, whom he described after- incurred unnecessarily. It was suggested area whilst it was being used as a source end of the boat which was pointed to the wards as looking very pale for a China- appeared that the men were in an hot MAPPIN & WEBB'S

of a water supply, but the fact remained shore, Imperial officers and soldiers elam; aroused and were

Mag."

suspicions were then at once drinking and the complainant tendered in some minutes attached to those papers that this area had been built over to a bored aboard from both sides and began Ching's silence, or prevaricating speech.

soon confirmed by a ten dollar bill in payment for drink. that because the London water supply considerable extent and it would mean cutting everyone they met. They killed Gordon forthwith insisted on being taken He was asked by the bar boy if he had no was drawn from areas which were liable considerable expense and great hardship Lah Wang by my side, and one fellow to the Wangs, and at the tragic spectacle small change, and he then put the bill to pollution, therefore the Hongkong to resume that area and restore it to its stabbed General Ching, but only slightly of the dead bodies he burst into tears. back into his pocket. Later, the defen- original condition. When he came to An officer was coming toward me with his But soon fary succeeded grief, and, leap- to pollation. That argument, he thought, Hotel and the Mount Austin Hotel were raised my hand.

campaign, the Captain of the Ever Vic- into the complainant's pocket and took would not appeal to the Bourd. The in-course-of-erection, heaps of coolies were at work there, and immense quari-

́ ́Ching, Lu'Klen, Tu-Kiarg, General torious Army went armed: for ho hud London water supply was drawn largely tities of earth and other material were Tung and myself all surrendered in getting secured a revolver, and was soon chasing out the bill. He left the building, and from the Thames Valley, which was liable being deposited within the drainage area. into one of the soldier boats, and the pole the great Viceroy, Li Hung Chang, in was subsequently arrested, a ten dollar If the condition of affairs then existing man pushed us to the shore. Immediately and out the intricate waterways of the bill being found in his shoe. His Wor- were contrasted with those obtaining to issued orders to all the troops in the Yangtse But Ching had warned his to prevent pollution in the Thames day it would be seen that any disturbance city to make an attempt to capture those chief, and Gordon, abandoning the chase, ship did not think there Valley, because that valley contained which took place was infinitely less. He of the attacking party, but the feeling went back into his quarters at Quinsan to felonious intent on the part of the defen-

join his little band of troops. large number of towns and villages, and was not aware that any member of the against the Wangs was so strong that its area was enormous compared with the had resulted from the use of the Pokfu- carry out my orders. That night Trenched them, a rough adventurous crew

When, later, the story of this treachery dont, and discharged him, but imposed a Board could point to any epidemic that think but little attempt was made to Pokfulum valley, The Thames Valley 1am water supply.

Mr. Bowley stated learned that all the members of tho ban of all nationalities though they were, was not crown land and was not under that it was relatively less pure than queting party remaining aboard were their threats were such that their com- their abhorrence, their indignation and the control of the London Water Board, Ertam or Kowloon, but the fact remained decapitated and their bodies thrown into antler feared lest they should go over

that it was a water supply of great the river. Among these were a deep in mass to the rebels. But Gordon's | CHINA'S FINANCIAL CONDITION. and therefore the London Water Bcard purity. He did not think it was neces- personal friend whom I loved very much, words to them brought even these rugged had to do the best it could in the circumssary to reply to the question of Mr. Car and a young nephew of mine from Wa humans to their senses: for he showed tances with the materials at its disposal. ter. The suggestion which it contained

Sang.

them that by joining the enemy, the sin "I will have Fen Loh (bis English would then be visited upon the innocent, It was necessary at present for Hong

Colonel Inwix took it that the Sanitary secretary) make a translation of this and the Chinese people, and not on the cul- kong to obtain water from the Pokfulum Board was the Sanitary advisers of the number of copies, and if I am asked prits who committed it. valley, but that area was a very small one Government. They had sent resolution anything about this in England this true Gordon's lettere home, from which one

after resolution on this subject calling comparatively, containing ne towns nor the attention of the Government to what statement will be the answer.".

might fairly be tempted to quots at length, are filled with expressions of sor- villages. It was exclusively crown land they believed and some of them had and the Government had absolute power spent their lives in the study of sanitary ed regarding the Wang massacre by his events.

Evidently the Viceroy was not question-row and scorn at the tragic turn of If faith had been kept, there over the greater part of it. The Govern- science--to be a real danger, but the re- English entertainers, for this line would have been no mora fighting, as ment might by diverting a highway close thought they ought to support that reappears among his notes made two weeks every town would have given in." he says.

Again: "We had accomplished the sup- of the Boxer Indemnity was reckoned at the whole valley to the public. Theresolution a0-a last resort. Analyses later on board the Atlantic liner:- fore, it seemed to him that the com- showed that that water was pure, but it "Only Gladstone-mentioned-Gordon to pression of the Rebellion with very little 185,000 yen instead of pounds sterling, parison between the Thames Valley was a water which was liable to con- me in England. I guess most people have loss of life. And in a moment of pass-which make a difference of £204,000 ing despair, he cries: "I fear all my sterling annually, or £238,000 to the end tamination It was their duty to point forgotten" him."

work has been thrown away." Then, in of 1912 Against this the original report and the. Pokfulam valley failed. There out that danger, and on the Government

a sentence following, there comes this did not allow for the refund of the was the further set of circumstances would lie the onus whether they accepted GORDON AND THE REBEL KINGS. touch of tender patience! "My only American portion of the Boxer

their advice or not. that the water supply from the

Mr. BOWLEY added that Dr. Fitzwil-(By A. EGMONT HAKE, Author of The Consolation is that everything is for the Indemnity. Thames Valley was subject to the most liams was thoroughly in accord with the

Story of Chinese Gordon.") verti To him the motive that could have claborate precautions by way of pre-

resolution and indeed wished to make the

actuated Li Hung Chang fe quite in- It would be too generous to sug- cipitation, aeration, storage and filtra terms very much stronger.

The resolution was carried.

gest that Li Hung Cheng, in retailing comprehensible" and he adds, with a tion, and it was also examined frequently

in his "Diary" 30 years later the story of quiet sense of his own strength:

must have known, from bis previous by leading experts chemically and

The following letter, dated 20th Novem- Wangs, or rebel kings, was the victim of be produced, and what a personal risk he the part he played in the marder of the acquaintance with me what a row would bacter gically.

Pokfulam water sup ber, from the Government was read an incipent senility; for no man's wrong- ply had been proved insufficient as to "Sir-I am directed to acknowledge the doing could have been more forcibly

ran, for when it happened my troops were not two hours' march from him." Jength of time for storage and filtration, receipt of your letter of the 20th inst. driven home to him than the treachery

And the predicted row was not long in and the bacteriological and chemical forwarding a resolution passed by the of which he was proved guilty. For Board at a meeting on the 19th inst, on

once dispatched as the bearer of a hurried enslyson of the Pokfulam water supply the subject of the protection of the purity tunately, the honour of England and of happening Prince Wittgenstein was at her pro-consuls of those days was note from Gordon to General Brown, jealously safeguarded by representatives Commander of the troops at Shanghai,

to pollution. It was almost impossible

which were

was rather foolish.

solutions had not been met, and he

PROTECTING THE WATER SUPPLY.

circulated to the Board of the water supply.'

"FORGOTTEN."

best

was any

fine upon the complainant of $2, for being drunk and incapable.

MIL. AGLEN'S MEMORANDUM.

OUR

STUDY

OF

Mr. F. A. Aglen, the Inspector-General of the Imperial Maritime Customs, has. submitted the following corrections to his recent memorandum which, it is under- THE stood was compiled hurriedly and in. response to a special request made by the Cabinet. Since the matter has been gone through very carefully,

In the memorandam the Japanese share

1.9

Secondly. Later returns show that there is every reason to expect, on a con-. scrvative basis, that the surplus from the nativo Customs will realize ten-million-

of eight millions tuels instead previously stated.

The memorandum did not take into consideration the interest accru- ing upon the large sums lying in the banks.

Therefore, on the whole, Mr. Aglen's original memorandum was not sufficiently optimistic.

Thirdly.

EYE

45

and its anatomy and our long experience in correcting defective vision enable us to tell beyond doubt if your eyes will be benefited by wearing glasses.

Our method of testing 19 scientific and Bocurate. If you do not need glasses we will tell you so. If you do need glasses we can supply and fit them at extremely moderate prices.

MAKE CERTAIN. WE WILL TELL YOU.

@iARK

OPTICIANS

LARK & CO. ORK BLOGS, CHATER RO

CIENTIFIC

HONGKONG

75