1917-02-20 — Page 2

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INTIMATIONS

WE WILL DELIVER

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2018.

"MOUTRIE' PIANO

for $50.

You pay the balance in small monthly instalments

that will not embarrass you.

EVERY INSTRUMENT GUARANTEED

FOR 5 YEARS.

OUR LONDON LETTER.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]

LONDON, January 15th.

✦✦・ THE BRITISH CONSULAR SERVICE IN URINAL

MFW Wile ex Berlin Corres pondent of the Daily Mail, who is de. livering lectures on Germany up and down the country, has come down heavily over some assertions ho made about the British Consular Service in China Ho

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VIA SHANGHAI, NAGASAKI, KOBE. YOKOHAMA AND HONOLULU TO SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 16, 1917.

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS,

Thursday, 22nd Feb, ;—--

Noon-Hongkong sad Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., Ltd., Mesting of Shareholders at the Offres of Hessen, Jardian, Matheson

TA

Friday, 23rd Feb.

11.30 am.--Chins Provident Loan and Mort»

gage Co, Ltd, Mesting of Shareholders.

Saturday, 24th Feb

Noon-Hongkong and Shsaghat Banking

Corporation, mesting of Shareholders at the City Hall.

Monday, 26th Feb,-

Hongkong Faces--1st Day. Tuesday, 27th Feb,

Hongkong Ricés-2nd Day. Wednesday, 28th Feb. :----

Saturday, 3rd March

Hongkong Brow-3rd Day,

Hongkong Races-Off Day. Thura, and Fri, 8th and 9th March. ----

Flower and Vegetable Show in the Botanissi

Gardona,

Saturday, 10th March

an

12.30 pm. Hongkong and South Chinn - Steam Fisheries Co., Ltd, General Mostfug at the Office of the Liquidators, - New

Government Building.

told Theatre

an audience at His Majesty's re in London taas little is known. in England of the “peaceful penetra

tion** which the Germans have been carrying on during the war. In support of this he stated:--

1- Many appointments in the Chinese

Maritime Custors vacated by Britons who cune home to fight are now filled by Germans.

2. At the outbreak of war as mnity as 30 British Consuls in China were Cer-

maga

The Time gave prominence to these statements, but a correspondent signing hummaolf "Senenia." promptly wrote to the paper flatly contradicting them. The following day Mr. Wile replied that he had been informed of the facts by a dis- tinguished authority on China who had * derived them from Englishmen re- cently returned from the Far East. He

from the Far E added that this personage was at least ag worthy of credence as the correspond ent Senensis.'"

But, unfortunately for Mr. Wile, Sit John Jordan, the British Minister at Peking, has just arrived in London, and he has signalised the fact by writing a crushing rejoinder to the ex-Berlin Cor respondent and his anonymous inform

the last Lou who have the right to con- vert into this one. In addition, there are, similarly, 335 millions of are per cent. Exchequer Bonds, and 150 millious. of six per cent Exchequer Bonds, as well as holders of over 1100 millions of Treasury Bills

The Loan is, beyond all comparison, the largest financial operation în his- tury; and, as I have said, it has been issued without fuss in a charactorístic British way. When we are constantly Teminded with dam'd iteration, as Falstaff said, of German method and organisation it is just as well sometimes to remember these things,

TOO MUCH ** PEACE TALK."

The feeling is pretty widespread that thero has been quite enough of peace palaver for the present. The Allies, hav. ing replied with clearness and decision to the Berlin “war manœuvre,” and also within the last few days to the Wilson Note, their duty in that respect is done All that remains for us is to provide the men and the munitions required for the coming Spring offensive. The British public with sure poli ical instinct divined that if the Germans could get peace now they would be supreme from the Baltic to Bagdad. No wonder they at anxious for a Conference!

The German Army will never recover from the hammering it received before Verdun and on the Somme. The Kaiser und his advisers are well aware of it, and hence their desire to call a halt. One | neute observer who heard the British artillery on the Somme last September describes it as “more awe-inspiring than He says that, any words conlil suggest," compared to it, the most violent thunder.

MORE FROM THE LAND,” Of course, I am aware that there

is the answer that land which is cultivat ABSOLUTELY VITAL TO NATIONALed with temporary grasses and catch

EXISTENCE.

SIR RIDER HAGGARD'S FLEA.

In recent conservation with a repro- Hentative of the Daily Chronicle Sir Rider Baggard said - Throughout many years of my life all my efforts have been devoted to the task of trying to im press upon the people of England the importanen to them of the land of Eng land. They will admit that the present terrific war had proved this to be the case..

They will also admit that in the past agriculture has been looked upon more or less as a by-interest, and generally matter of small importance to the com

crops will produce more cow-feed than ordinary pasture. Having been in Den- mark, I must admit this. But here an entirely different system of agriculture As involved, which is foreign to the ideas of 80 per cent of our farmers

LABOUR QUESTION."

And there is something more involved |—the question of labour. Let us presumo that tilled land takes three times more labour than pasture land, Where, with things as they are at present, is the extra labour to come from, even supposing the farmers had the skill and knowledge to change their system? And how about paying it adequately at the prevailing rates! MALAY

1 mako one exception. There are clay lands which have either tumbled down to grass, or have proved failures as pastures, but which in old days used to produce heavy crops of corn. Such lands might wish advantage be put under munity, because of our dependence on

cereals. But again, there arises the ques- tion of. Inbour.

observe it has been sug ample foreign supplies, which they would gested that this might be overcome by pro not believe were ever likely to be cut off.viding steam ploughs and other imple- ments. But to begin with, these contri- But now, to some extent that vers vances are not at hand, and if they were thing is happening. We are not in they are very costly, and there is no one that food-stufts do not enter this country our land, being in small enclosures, is not Then a great deal of statn of starvation, but it is very obvious to manage thera

a readily as they did before the war

What is happening now, may future day's happen in a worse form be the last world war. We are face. to Only foolish persons think that this is to face with the devices of the submarines, of which no one can see the end. It may be, of course, that methods will be found to render their attacks innocuous. On the other hand, something quite dif ferent may happen in the future.

may, in

Therefore it is absolutely vital to our national existence that the most that is possible should be made of our land Moreover, the question has a wider signí ficante. It is not merely a question of food supply. It is a question of man supply as well.

SAD FOOD PROBLEM,

Everyone will agree that the land is the real nursery of peoples If you depopulate your land you out off your finest class of inhabitants, because if, as we are told, people cannot thrive in the

suitable for the use of steam tackle, and to stub up the fences would be a long and costly operation.

"The truth is that there is no royal road to sudden change in the methods of Such change must British agriculture. always be gradual. On the other hand, possible by the use of basic sing mormous- ly to improve poor pastare, thereby mak ing it produce a much greater weight of ment and milk than it does at resent.

Professor Somerville has shown that it is

FIXED PRICES...

As to the question of fixing the prices for agricultural produce, it is very diffi- cult to say anything. So lately, as a year ago we were told that it was impossible to guarantee the farmer 405, or 50s. for his wheat.

Now he is to be guaranteed 00s., and the same is suggested for other produce. In short, the farmer is to be-- come a sort of Government employé; but how it will all work out is

is at present im so tegin with, conditions being as

To

In the emre of a letter to The storm is like the mew of a kitten, Yet cities for more than one, or at most two. they are, the farmer. is not going to make the massed guns which the British Army Bencrutions, the town populations must much out of 'GOs, a quarter wheat. Cer-

ant

Times Sir John says:---

For over 50 years the British Con-

sular Service in China has been recruited by public examination in England, and neither at the outbreak of war nor at any time during the 10 years over which my connection with the servico extends has their been any British Conful or Const lar oficial of German nationality. I have had the great honour of being at the head of the service during the past 10 years, and venture to think that our efforts to promote British interests in China are more fully appreciated by our countrymen there, than they appear to be by Mr. Wilo and his anonymous cor respondent.

A letter en similar lines also appeared over the signature of Mr. Hobert Higgs, lately British Consul for the districts of Ningpo and Wenshow, who STB- “There is not, and never has been, one alien a member of His Britannic

Majesty's Consular Service in China, I think it may be fairly assumed likt after this Mr Wil is in the classie phrase, surry he spoke," THE GREAT WAR LOAN.

will use when the word is given

few

be continually refreshed from the land.

It should be one of the main objects tainly, as I know from personal experi of all true statesmanship to make thee, dairy farmer is not going to make months hence will make the massed guns most of the land and to foster its in his fortune with milk at the present price menn, of course, unless the price of dustries. Of course, there are limita feding stuffs and all other agricultural of 1918 sound like a pop-gan.

This may seem a picturesque exaggerations to what can be done. If you look requirements necessary to production are

at that map (Sir Rider here pointed to also limited by State action.;

The country cannot have it both ways. tion of language, but it is not so in fact, map of the British Isles) you will see. for it merely conveys in relative terms that it is but a small place, and I think If you want more corn grown, the milk you will not be able to agree with those supply will lessen. The whole position is what Britain's mighty effort will moun enthusiasts who say we can produce al extremely ticklish and difficult. For ins when the next movement begins. There the food we neet. In my opinion it is stance, is a farmer to be told that he is will then be an Army of not less than people with what the land of the United what is making 60s, or more↑ I confess tha nut possible to feed over 40,000,000 of to get only 60s. for his wheat if foreign.

I am not clear on this point. two millions of soldiers of the Empire Kingdom can grow in France, all perfectly equipped, fully munitioned, and inspired with supreme confidence in their ability to crumple up the enemy. With such power in arnis in the field and a united nation at home peace talk is mere foolishness as sounding brase, or a tinkling cymbal." SPERDING I FOOD PRODUCTION.

Mr, Jesse Callings' dream of “Three peres and a cow for every man is to bo translated in wartime into overy man

No doubt there is a great deal of land not used at all now which might be afforested, and some which lined

That we can produce more a good FARMER'S PROFITS. des more--than we do is not open to To my mind, the trouble about agri question. But that involves sundry pre-culture, not only in England but through- mises. It promises that every man who out the world, is its comparative impay- farms, farms well which is not the ouse ability when contrasted with the earrings It promises further that he has ample of other industries If agriculture is, to capital which is not invariably the case, thrive, prices must be permanently en- It premises, to, that lie knows how to haned, and the labourer inast, bo better make a scientific use of artificial manures. Pain its alluding to bounties or and can afford to buy them which 18 tariffs or any political rostrums. very often not the case..

Then, again, you bear a great deal urged. But how can you get rid of rent course, the question of wat is always | about the wonders which could be dono in one form or another. And I do not by breaking up cominons and waste see that it is more immoral in itself than places. I am not personally sanguine on taxes paid to the State, or the interest that point We have a lengthy agriculon capital paid to him who loans, it It

these have been many clever men. We on land in the shape of rates, taxes and having three rods (or more) of allotment than ancestry behind us, and among must be remembered also that the burdent have also the history of several wars be- tithe are terrible, but to one suggests that garden and a pig! The President of the Board of Agriculture and the Food Cou-hind us, when corn was even dearer than these should be lessened. They always troller. are both convinced of the necessity is now What they could not de dur- talk about the rent. Yet somebody must of producing as much food as possible.g the Napoleonic struggle in those times own the land, and he is entitled to

of high profits I very much doubt of our moderate return on his espital,

Many of what used to be burning The proposal is that every yard of vacant being able to do to-day, an

questions connected with the land are, as SAMA TECLAMATION POSSIBILITIES, The Victory War Lean, as ground capable of growing potatoes and

any rate for the time being, out of court. called, has had a fine reception. Opinion vegetables should be cultivated, and that

you must make the best of that which We cannot suddenly evolve a new system in the City is that the terms are gene every cottager should keep a pig. The

exists. The problem is: How to do it! course of cultivation might be reclaimed rons. The newspapers publish reports idea has caught the popular imagination at a price But at the best such reel those with hint, auch

I am certain this that Mr. Prothero and ay | Captain Bathurst, from the principal provincial centres From now onwards, while half the people mation would take a considerable time. Sir Henry Rey and Sit H. Matthews, ate indicating that big dealings in the new of England tre toiling in munition fac and those who carry it out, whether the really first-class men, and that they in

State or private individuals are concern.

tend to do their very utmost under ex- stock are taking place. That there is tories the other half will get “Back toed, will want to be satisfied that it will tremely difficult conditions.

The trouble in

been that plenty of money in the country nobody the Land." -No doubt many thousands prove permanently remunerative, There-

Dast. hns can doubt. The Iman appeals to patrist of amateurs will learn from woeful fore it would be unwise to rely too much ism and also to self-interest-which the experience that a knowledge of the upon what the unreclaimed lands of England are by some supposed to be able philosophers from Helvetius downwards oldest industry which originated with to produce the red declare is the most powerful of human Adam in the Garden is not to be learnt motives! The list will remain open until a day. But it is all in a good cause February 10th. A curious incident in and no doubt the aggregate result will connection with the issue was that, by be a vastly increased quantity of food some mischance, the prospectuses hot stuffe down to Manchester: the day before the The farmers, as I mentioned in a pre flotation, and, in order to prevent the

vious letter, are already under orders, essential details leaking out Manchester The State, through the Board of Agri- was cut off from all telegraphic and tele culture, has assumed control, and they phonic communication, being completely will have to grow what they are told or make way for others An Order in isolated.

With regard to the issue of prospectuses Conseil has been issued fixing the price for potatoes for the 1397 crop, just as the nothing but praise is heard of the way the Bank of England managed the under- price of wheat and other cereals next taking There has been no excited harvest has already been decreed. The scramblo. Most businces zuen came up to ground is thereby cut from under pro- town on the morning of the issue with steere and middlemen, Wing game, such as pheasants, are not to be reared, so as the documents in their pockets, having

to economise grain used for feeding them, received them by post before they left The fox, dear to the heart and sacred in

As an indication of the amount the eyes of country squires, is to be breaking up their deer parks: for that

home.

of work thrown on the Bank it may ruthlessly destroyed and there are half mentioned that something like 22,500,000 copics of the prospectus have been sent ont, representing over 700 tons of paper As the present Loan is needed not only for the purpose of raising “new money" but also for funding as much as possible of the floating debt issued last year, forms have had to be prepared and for-speculatio. For my part I doubt it, ..

HB warded to the holders of 900 millions of

There is a great deal of talk now, continued Sir Rider, about breaking up pasture land and putting it under corn. But in order to do this the land would want breaking down and clean ing, and most of it could not produce corn antir 1918. You might, perhaps, grow potatoes the first year although speak with humility on this point, as I have never made the experiment on fresh- broken pasture

But there is another side to this ques- tion. Is the breaking-up of pasture land really desirable Pasture land in the long run wang milk. And milk and its products are un absolutely necessary food which cannot be imported. Corn, on the other hand, is the easiest product on earth to import and store.

BREAKING UP DEER PARKS.

If theefare, you do away with your milk-producing ground in order to grow a little more corn how are you going to replace the milk, which, I repeat, is an absolute noctesity to the sick and the young of the country! I see that patrio- fic noblemen in one or two cases are

there may be something to be said. Es deer are not a staple food.

the

the Board of Agriculture has had neither the power nor the weight it ought to have in the councils of the nation. I can only hope it will be different now. I also hope that the President and his staff will not be worried into panic action. Indeed, I am sure that they will not, for they are practical men. I think that the motto of Trust the Board the country should be of Agriculture and do not criticise too much. If it cannot succeed in our puzzling circumstances, certainly no one else will be able to do so.

All

HONGKONG POLICE RESERVE.

MUSKETEY COURSH, 1917, PART 31

* BUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2578.

units who ranks of the following either (1) passed Part II. of the 1918 Course or (2) passed Part I of the 1917 Course, will attend the Range on Sunday next, February 25th :- No. 2 Platoon, No 3 Company, No Company

Leaves Blake Pier, 9 am. Uniform with helmets Bervice rifles to be brought by those in possession of same. No other pattern rifle to be brought. The following will attend for Bange Dutic, on this date:-Chief Inspec. tors Mason and Sirdar Khan, 3. Major Roylance, Staff Inspector Lanigan. Inspectors Lammert. Bilva Netto and CM. S. Alves

a score of other drastic measures.

"Bat to take all or even a large pre Thus the war. is sweeping away time portion of the pasture land in a time of temporary pressure, and destroy it în honoured customs and traditions, and in order to grow some extra corn, thereby troducing new lines of action--and yet lessening the milk supply, je to my mind The sol a dog harks! Whether we shall ever a most doubtful policy. Further, you must remember that in most countries it get back again to our old ways when the takes many years and much expense to whirlwind has passed is an interesting establish a pasture,You may destroy it in a day therefore I am personally very must against this idea of breaking up good pasture

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH names, with their respective scores, the men who fired Part II, on the above date appear on the Notion Board at Headquarters' Cình,

of

(Sgd) F. CRKING

D9.P. (R). Hongkong, February 19th, 1917.