1903-07-18 — Page 9

THE HONGKONG, TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, JULY beans, a course strictly forbidden by edictin soldiers; in uniforme-officers in their smartfigure than was: anticipated. The now issue consequence. I the extreme to which it was tight grey overcoats or companies, tramping will doubtless be put on the market at once as one time carried. Furthermore prices ruling through the streets with their simple war the coinage of the currency is being pushed are too high for Southern purchasers, and at soldier outfit and their bayonets always fixed with all possible haste and the proceeds will be

needed for the purchase of bullion. ' present only forward contracts settled in the winter are being filled.

A storm and waterspout is reported: from Kachow with hailstones as large as duck.eges which are said to have killed two women and damaged the crops

ive thousand fresh troops had arrived the day lunded. I was told troops ofïen arrived--. A friend writing from Newchwang. on: the they never go away. A friend of mine there 27th ult. says: Considerable excitement was whose chief pastime is house-riding told me it caused here on the 25th by a canard: originat-was simply, extraordinary the number of new ing in Dalay to the effect that the Russian barracks they are builling in various directions: War Minister had been murdered by a Japan- behind, the twenty-eight forts that crown the esc, while retning from a banquet given environing hills. The most drastic and start by the Esperar of japan. Finally the storyling of their various preparations is the order was contradicted in an official telegran from that the whole of the old town is to be evacuted. All the men who have offices, places of business Tokyo.

hr residences, occupy them under leases in which is the clause that they must clear out at six months notice. This notice they have all received... The old town is to be converted into a hoge barracks. A new town is being pre- pared for them, however, and the building of it is now seen in progress of feverish activity about a mile from the old one. It is planned on the broad and anipte lines of Dalny, As yet not many, houses are completed, but the uprising, walls mark the course, of the future streets. A big restaurant and official buildings are completed, and the afternoons I was there a military band was playing in an unverdant park to an audience of half a dozen nondescript listeners It would be laughable if one did not see the deep earnestness of underlying serinus ness in it all.-P.M.G.

deficiency in the present reforms, as we have already hinted, is the lack of conscience, the failure to place honesty, before everything, clac, the mere material, and so superficial, character. of the existing reforms. It was Philips Brooks: who once said, "Christ never cared to re.shapa circumstances until He had regenerated. It is very wonderful in me to see how thoroughly His disciples caught this method. Almost instantly, as soon as they began their work, they seemed to have been filled with atrae conception of its divine method,-that not from the outside bat from: the inside; not, by the remodelling of insututions, but by a change of character; rot by the suppression of vice, but by the destruction. of sin, the world was to be saved.” Keeping in mind these words, we can trustfully say, that what Ching needs most of all, is moral reformation, and, as essential to this, regeneration from above.

Right here we may, otice a strange feature of Chinese official life; many of those who are most friendly to furcign influences are the most corrupt; many who are conservative and anti- foreign are the most honest. The old-timer"

The Bund, Railway Station Road and parcels prides himse'f on his ethics; the friend of

of land in dispute and referred for arbitration ioreigners has caugh; craze for wealth, and has learned the ways of the spendthrift and de- by L. C. Hopkins, Esq., II.B.M. Censul bauches. The best way to win the conserva--General, acting as British Commissioner by tive man oftentimes is, not by magnifying despatch dated the 13th of March, 1403.

And by N. Laptew, H.1.R.M. Consul, acting everything foreign, but by reverting to moral

as Russian Commissioner by despatch dated principles. For example, a former Governor of the Province of Shautung, Li Ping-heng, was the 12th March, 19 3.

I, the undersigned, having been called upon noted as extremely hostile to everything fareign,. but he was spoken of as the most tronest officiallo arbitrate in the above natier and having in China. A few years ago I sent him a doen-after scrutiny of the papers and documentary ment on reform, in which the moral element was made supreme, The Governor wrote me a porannal letter expressing his hearty approval the only letter, I think, he ever addressed to a foreigner.

When I sent the previous award by Mr. Detring I mentioned, 1 think, there was ano other matter still to le settled, and I append the copy of the award is ued to-day with regard to this.

AWAND.

evidence submitted coine to the conclusion that the aid Bund Kand, Railway Station Road and parcel of land marked on plan submitted C, B. and D, were acquired by the previous to the Railway Adm nistration. troubles of the year 1990, and form the efore part and parcel of the land dealt with in the Chi Chi Low case in which award was made under date of the 20th April, 1913.

Accordingly, and to the be-t of my know. ledge and belief-

G. DETRING.

Arbitrator,

Tientsin, 30th June, 1903.

CHINESE DECORATIONS FOR FOREIGNERS.

In examining the questions of reform in China and their net resuits, we may fail to real se the vast complexity that is found, Official may be honest according to the Chi nese'sys em, though dishonest according to our own system of administration. If censure is

1. adjudice the sui Roads and parcels to be pussel, it should be passed on the system, more than on the individual.". Offi, jats not only of land to the Railway Administration, so that receive salaries detur ad by law, but other they may be dealt with in conformity with the

What is Le. amounts determined by custom.

provi tons of the compromise as recorded in the mate of the first meeting of the Railway yond.custom is regarded by the Chinese as corruption, and generally takes the form of Land Commission hell at H. B. M. Consula è bribery or extortion. The reason why the Chi-General on july the 25th 1902.

2. With regard to the alleged right of Prince nese system is not changed to the Occidental is because its workings are familar to all. In to the land forming the Bond Road, Rail- a high official needs more money for Himself way Road and parcels of land marked C, B. or for his department, te merely informs those and the claim is to be dealt with as provided immedia ciy under bin, and they in turn call in padigraph 2 of my decision in the Chi Chia - upon their inferiors To place the direction of Low Land case.

the revenues and the expenditures of the whole Empire in control of the central Government at Peking seem to the Chinese a needless harden, . much as if sene Pepartment at Washington or in London should undertake to control all the and retail, houses and shops, wholesale throughout the whole country, rather than to allow each man to manage his own business. Only a few hundred years ago every European country had the system now prevailing in China. But as the system has changed in Europe, so it must change in China of China is to hold her own. The task, however, is more arduous than was ever undertaken in any other country. It will not be mere child's play. Nor can reforms be rushed through by an Imperial Edict or by visionary, no headed reformers.

Moreover, the complexity of the problem is intensified by China's international relations. She is not left to adapt to her own conditions any proposed system, but in every move she must question its bearings on her foreign policy. Japan was given a free hand to learn from any scource she pleased and to employ any instructor she pleated Not so with China. A person of one nationally invited as adviser or instructor, arouses the jealousy of some other nationality and brings about complica

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A circular dispatch has been recently sent by the Waiwup to he Viceroys of the Peiyang and Nanyang administration and the various Chinese Ministers abroad stating in future whenever a foreigner is recommended for the decoration of the Double Dragon the star and document referring to same will be furnished by the Waiwupu slone in order to secure uniformity of appearances, etc. It appears that the practice has been that when the Viceroy of the Nanyang (at Nanking) recom mends a foreigner for the Double Dragon and obtains the consent of the Throne the decora inn is then made by some silverstaith in Shanghai while the commission attached to the decoration is written out by one of that Viceroy's secretarial staff," and "that when a Chinese Minister abroad nistains from the Throne a decoration for a foreigner.abroad the star is mare by a silversmith in the country to which that Minis'er is accredited and the com- All in all, I am inclined to think that mission drawn out at his Legation, and so on. there has been an advance in the favour Naturally the decorations worn by the foreign with which the Government looks upon recipients are often unlike either in size, make, reform. In some respects there has bren or appearance, and the documents also diff rent almost a revolution in the policy of the Govern- in many ways. Indeed cases have been known ment. Good reform Bticts have been issued, when complaints in this respect have also been and there have already been some good net received from foreign recipients asking that their decorations be changed for stars like results but whether the results will be suffi- ciently widespread and deep-rooted to preserve those worn by certain ethers" (named) who it seemed had been decorated with the same. the country, and make her people happy and prosperous, it is hard to say at the present kind of rank nominally. This trouble will, moment, it would seem as if far more however, not occur again, as the dies for the decorations will henceforth be taken care of strenuous efforts will be needed in the way of reform, and a greater awakening of the con-by the Waiwupu and the documents attached to the decomtions also issued by that Board: science of her people and her rulers, if the results produced are to be suffic.ently great for Everything will assume that uniformity which the problems that now loom up in China and is so needful in things like these. in all the Far East.-N. C. D. News.

tions.

TIENTSIN.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

July 2nd.

We have been waiting so long for Russia to clear out of Manchuria, or for the Allied Powers to show some front, that I hardly like to venture on any forecasts, but there seems to be snie alight indication of coming change. Japanese reservists and those civilians whose names are on the service list have been recalled, and 50me importance is not unnaturally att ched to the circumstance, though as a matter of fact it is quite possibly nothing more than a precaution- ary move. It may, on the other han; signify much. It is niceable dat he Japanese coolies going about the street are adoping an obtrusive swagger, and any Japanese face lights up af the bare suggestion of inpending hostilites. They all hope so" with vigour. The Russians on the other hand look rather more serious. M. Lesser has gone through to Port Arthur to see General de Wagack, who is due to leave there'nost immediately for home to take up his post as Aide-de-Canip to the Crat Capt. Nechvolodoff who is to act as his secre tary leaves here for IAR Arthur to-morrow.

Before Pokot loff left here he visited Viceroy Yuan and tried to get on the same terms with him as the Kussi ns are on with Prince Ching whom they have b ugh over body and soul: First he approached him on the financial-diff- .culties ground, and offered Tend money to put the City finances in or er. Yan Shi-kai wriggled out of this by declaring he must ask the other officials. Thea Pokotiloff the wary suggested that he hoped Yuan would not sel his face against the Manchurian business and persuasively urged him to rather recom mend Russia's demands then otherwise. Yuan is stated to have waxed impatient at this and declared the matter rested entirely with the Wai Wu Pu and hd nothing to do with him: History does not record what Pokotiloff thought, but if the story is true he can 'enter- tain no very warni regard for him:

From New hwang I learn that two river steamers said to belong to the Russian Lumber and Mining Co, in the Far East were dispatched on the 21st ult. for. Tung Cheang Tre, the princip:st up-river bean depot dis tant some 200 miles. Their ostensible ob ject is to facilitate the transportation if the beans s ored up-river to Newcl,wang.

There has been a fair amount of rain at New cbwang inland and there is sufficient water to allow of the passage of bean craft, but supplies are still very irregular and scanty owing to the difficulty of arbitrating the loss in transit. The hoa carrying the band must guarantee full measurement delivery at the port of destination which on account of the natural shrinkage en tails a loss unless the boat's crew water the

[BY GEORGE LYNCH.]

CHANGE OF OFFICERS IN THE T. K. K

OR

The Japan Advertise says Former Chief Officer Bent of the steamer Hongkong Maru has been appointed to the commind of the steamer Nippon-Märu, which sailed for Ronolulu and San Francisco on the 4th. Former Chief Officer. Smith, of the America far, leaves for Hongkong to take com- and of the steamer. Rohilla Maru, sailing.

the company's line between Hong kong and Manita. Mr. Filmere, son of Capt. Fiere of the Hongko-g Maru, has been ap pointed Ch of Officer of the America Maru. Captain N. N Greene, the popular commander of the Nippon, remains at Yokohama over one voyage to enjoy a much needed rest. Captain T. . Bishop, of the Rohili Muru, returas to Yokohama, to be present at the Court of Inquiry relating at the grounding of his ship.

ACCIDENT TO S.S. “RORILLA

• MARU

On the morning of 12th instant while the ss. Rohilla Maru, commanded by Capt. Bishop. was leaving Manila barbour at a slow speed, a launch was observed towing the Quartermaster Collier No. 3, from port to starboard, crossing the Rohilla Maras bow. The Alaru blow one whistle for part, but no notice being taken of the signal, she blew three more blasts, The launch and went full speed astern towing the collier kept her original course, and in consequenc the collier struck the port bow of the Mars, causing damage to some of the plates The launch, which was afterwards found to be the St. Louis, dropped the tow line of the collier, allowing her to drift, and the Waru, having cleared the collier, had to slop, an account of the proximity of the U. S. Transport Logan. The St. Louis finally picked op the tow line of the collier and towed her across the Maru's bow out of the way. At 11.46 am. the Rohilla Mars proceeded head in order to clear the transport, and the breakwater. She then stopped outside of the harbour and was, boarded by the Customs officials, and a representative of the Toyo who had

standing

been

Kisen Kaisha near by. The Rosella Maru left Manila the same day at 3 o'clock. We are informed that a letter of protest, has been sent by the Captain of the Rohillu faru to the owner of the St.

puis.

The Rohilla Maru left for Manila on Friday morning, and will be docked on her

return.

PHILIPPINE PRODUCTS

DUTY FREE.

FORTIFICATIONS FOR PHILIPPINES.

harbour

in.

18, 1963.

The chief health inspector, Dr. Franklin R. | Meacham, to whota the greatest credit is due for the success of these repressive measures, lived only to see the battle won. Exhausted by the strain of the long struggle, he died in April, 1997, but not till after it could be truly said that he had freed the Philippines of bubonic plague.

THE JAPANESE INVASION OP KÜREA.

standpoint, and with the white man's idea of fair play, we must bear in mind that the Jap- anese were done out of Port Arthur when they had every right to possess it by the laws of victorious conquest. In the modern pressure of things the Koseins continue to exist inde pendently in this crowded world, where right is no defence against might. As a source of food supply, Japan depends to a certain extent on Korea. Russia has territory sufficient in alt conscience. Why should not Japan have Korea? Similar evidence of improvement such as our civilization takes pride in is visible in the territory under Japanese influence in Korea as in that portion ander direct Russlan control in Manchuria; wide streets, cleanliness, rail. ways, telegraph lines, light, a proper supply of water, adequate drainage. It is good compen sation even when the robbing admitted.

The Korean

ARVY HAS BEEn reorganized, trained, AND EQUIPPED

Inasmuch as Admiral. Deway fully agrees with Lieutenant-General Miles that adequate fortifications should be provided for the

[OY GEORGE LYNCH.] principal ports in the Philippine there creased reason to hope that the matter may receive favourable consideration at the next Out here in the East may be may seen in As has already been ogress two instances of the invasion and con- session of Congress, pointed out by General Crozier and General quest of a country which, I think, are without Gillespie, the Philippine ports have not yet parallel in the world's history. I refer to the

because been fortified simply

Congress invasion of Korea by the Japanese, and the no money for that purpose. annexation of Manchuria by Russin.. What has voted

familiar with makes,the study of this novel method of invas Army and Navy officers

ion all the more interesting is that it is, a fash- conditions in the islands all admit that the principal

should be

on which, in all probability, will be followed under Japanese supervision, in fact, it is diffi pro-

cult to distinguish sometimes between the vided with effective shore defences; and by other nations as the world becomes more

This, a once the money is appropriated, the works crowded, and as the power of money still fur-Korean and the Japanese soldiers.

more convenient when the times come, as drill can be constructed in the short order. Thether increases. It is a style of conquest which Japanese gentleman said to me, will be all ite Spanish batteries on Corregidor island, which can imagine, for instance, being applied in

years to come to the South American Repub- and uniform will make everything ready to

have the Korean army changed into so many. commanded the entrance to the harbour of Manila, and those at Cavite, were all destroyed jigs by the United States. The method re- by Dewey and have never been restored. It is quires money, but not so much as a war dnes, regiments of Japanese soldiers. It is very pro- ever make soldiers fit for serious fighting, but understood that Adiniral Dewey believes that and the results, if slower, are more complete blematical as to whether these Koreans will these batteries should be replaced with power-and satisfactory. Missionaries have been the jut modern armament which, with a pioneers of conquest by most Western nations, there is no knowing what training will do. I comprehensive system auxiliary mines, and their occasional martyrdom has been made have a very strong personal conviction that the.

•he excuse for forcible annexation of territory.

Chinese could turn out as good soldiers as. would render the harbour of Manila virtually impregnable: against attack. It is a fortunate

there are in the world, if they were only pro thing that General Miles has brought this

perly officered. There was a curious rifle matter forwardia his report.-A. & N. Journal.

match here recently; it was between a team made up from members of the Legations on the one side and fram. Korean soldiers un the other. The Legation team was. strong one and make good shooting out of a maximum of a hundred, two of them scored the ninety-five, and the worst score, was not ten points behind that; but the Koreans, to their great delight, bear them hollow. Three of them scored the maximum, and the lowest- Scure among them was ninely.

FIGHTING THE PLAGUE

IN THE PHILIPPINES.

The National Geographic Magazins gives the main facts of the report of the Philippine Commission on the extermination of plague by the American administration. It' siates that bubonic plague was discovered at Manila on December 26, 1899, and slowly but steadily increased in its ravages up to December, 1901. The deaths in 1903 numbered 199 and in 191 reached a total of 432. The disease was at its worst each year during the hot, dry months of March, April and May, nearly or quite dis- appearing during September, October, Novem ber and December. It will be noted that the umber of cases in igal exceeded that in 1920 by 200, wh le the number of deaths was about two and a half times as great, and the per- centage of mortality among persons attacked increased from 73 in 19.3 to 9.7 in 1901. This heavy increase in plague for the year 1901 justified the apprehension that a severe epidemic would occur in 19.2. Strenuous efforis were made to improve the general sanitary condition of the city, but the habits of the Chinese residents and the lower class of Filipinos were such as to render the enforce ment of proper sanitary regulations well-nigh impossible.

A CAMPAIGN AGAINST HOUSE RATS. On account of the important part which house rats are known to play in the distribution of bubonic plague, a systematic campaign was inaugurated against these rodents in Manila. Policemen, sanitary inspectors, and specially appointed rat-calchers were furnished with traps and poison, and both traps and poison were distributed to private individuals under rais turned over to the health authorities, and proper restrictions. A bounty was paid for all slations were established at convenient points throughout the city where they could be received. Each rat was tagged with the street and num. ber of the building or lot from which it came, was dropped into a strong antiseptic solution, and eventually sent to the Biological Labora toy, where it was subjected to a bacteriological examination for plague. During the first two weeks, 1.8 per cent. of the rats examined were found to be infected. This proportion steadily increased, reaching the alarming maximum of 2.3 per cent. in October. At this time numerous tats were found dead of plague in the infected districts, and, in view of the fact that epidemics of plague among the rats of a city in the past have been uniformly followed by epidemics among human beings, the gravest apprehension was felt, the rapid spread of the disease among the rats after being a particularly unfavourable symptom.

With this method practised by the Japanese and Russians, a line of railway is the pioneer line of advance after a certain amount of recon- noitring, so to speak, has been done by enter-- prising emigrants. The Japanese made and own the line of railway from Chemulpo to Seoul, and are making the line from Fusan to Chemulpo, and along that route is the main track of their acquisitive advance.

At Fusan will be the southern terminus of this arterial railway system, which will be open for traffic within eighteen months. It is the nearest harbour to Japan, and

them.

HARBOUR

A MOST PERFECT NATURAL it is, where all the liners of the East could find safe anchorage. Thousands of Koreans were at work when I was there, under Japanese supervision, constructing wharves and piers, so that the vessels can lead direct from and discharge into the railway trucks

Deep cuttings and much filling in are necessary here, but the labour is plentiful and very cheap. It is similar work to that which is being carried on en a more gigan. tic scale at Daloy, the terminus of the Trans- Siberian Railway. Naturally, a city of con- siderable importance is bound to spring up here as soon as the railway opens and the ship

In anticipation ping of the port increases, this the Japanese have managed to buy up all the best sites adjacent to the railway, and near the terminus right in the centre of the harbour a japanese town of considerable proportions has already sprung up. All round it house- building is in active progress, and wide and long streets are marked out with lines of stone foundations and the skeletons of wooden houses rising from them, which, when com- pleted, will double the present size of the town. There is not a good site for a house or a shop now to be bought in Fusan; they are all in the hands of the Japanese.

There have been numerous edicts issued from time to time by the Emperor against

FOREIGNERS ACQUIRING LAND IN OREA

The Japanese would probably do great things› with this country if they got it. The Koreans show no signs whatever of progressing or mov ing out of their hermit isolation. They will bo the same in a hundred years as they have been for the past thousand or two. This great un- abirusive conquest by rail and telegraph lices - and undermining by moncy power is sure, if slow, and when the time comes for the detail of: unfurling the Japanese flag, it is not very likely. to be very strongly opposed by any Power except Russia, and Russia may be fully occupied elsewhere.-P.3. Guzelle.

INDIA'S YARN TRADE

WITH CHINA.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Bom bay Millowners' Association the Chairman, Mr. Bomanjce Dinshaw l'etit, said :-In the in terests of the trade I am constrained to go over, the same ground as I did last year, and that isn the closing of the Mint, the results: of which, have had a very deterrent effect on our sping ning industry. This procedure on the part of Government has had the direct effect of lowering the exchange in China; the fluctuations of which are so varying in their character as to upset the most careful calculation. We ought, there to devise means whereby a factor that handi ment in this curious country, they do not ap-

caps us could be successfully stemmed and but, like many other enactments of the Govern-fore to devote our serious attention in trying pear to be enforced. The japanese own about

nullified. It would not help us to merely record our complaint at a meeting like this. one-third of the real estate in Seoul, and close on one-half of that in Chemulpo, and a con

From the drift of Government policy; we.see: no likelihood of the Mints being opened again; siderable portion in three of the next largest cities. The Korean is, as a rule, an impro

and rather than agitate for a measure; which vident individual in a chronic state of im-

is hard to obtain, we must by a concerted movement, supported by substantial and irrefae pecuniosity. He is always ready to receive a loan on almost any terms. If he comes across

table facts ask the intercession of Government‹ a person with, say, five hundred yen that

in devising such measures as may lead to ther he is anxious to lend, the temptation to oblige establishment of a steady exchange for China

whatever that equivalent reasonably be:: the lender becomes absolutely irresistible. The title deeds of houses and lands are transfer- able documents. The possession of the title- deed, together with being on the ground, entitles the holder of the deed, according to law, to possession, and he can insist on any one else clearing off. The Korean accepts a loan, say, for six months, which, being sanguine and rather careless, he promises to repay at the end

his title-deed as security comes along, and when the money is not forthcoming usually at first contents himself with squeezing a bit by way of interest from the borrower, He is not content with this, however, but sooner or later plants himself in the house

of Congress, some of the leading Congressmen the weather had become comparatively dry of that time. The Jap to whom he has given since 1890 sends her extra productions to China.

The Washington correspondent of the Manila Times says that at the coming session and Senators, men like. Aldrich, Lodge, etc., have agreed to carry out the following policy- regarding the Philippines:-

HOUSE INFECTIONS.

It was deemed necessary to prepare to deal with a severe epidemic, and a permanent delen- ion camp, capable of accommodating fifteen hundred persons, was accordingly established on the grounds of the San Lazaro Hospital.

All products of the Islands will be permitted WAR PREPARATIONS IN PORT to come in duty free for a term of five years. At the end of this period a duty will be placed ARTHUR.

on sugar and tobacco, bat all other products such as coffee, cocao, etc., or in other words alloping against hope, the board of health of such products produced in the Philippine redoubled its efforts to combat the disease. The force of sanitary inspectors was greatly We anchored at the barbour's mouth last Islands that cannot be produced in the United increased, and under the able supervision of Dr. Meachan their work was brought to a night, and were about to go in this morning. States; will, at all times, be permitted to ester when a Russian naval officer came on board the United States free of duty. The annual high degree of efficiency. Frequent house-to- importations into the United States of coffee, and directed us to wait until the afternoon.

house inspections were made in all parts of the The reason soon became apparent, as, one

cocao, etc., amount to about $100,000,000. It city where the disease was known to exist. The is the intention to have all such products sick were removed to the hospital if practicable; after the other, warships began to come out

grown in the Philippines, and place virtually wherwise they were cared for where found and through the narrow entrance, the last, a battle.

a prohibited duty on such commodities en-

the spread of infection gu rdodavainst. ship of 12,0:0 tons, saluting the admiral. They

tering the United tates from other countries.

Plague houses were thoroughly d s'nfected, anchored in a line outside under the almost

Of course we all know that an excellent quality and their owners were comp led, under perpendicular cliffs, which were crowned with

direction of the assisi nt sanitary torts, or rather batteries of big guns, for Nature of coffee can be grown in the Islands; however, the

this will require feats. bas practically constructed the forts, and has

Inmediate relief will engineer, to make necessary alteration. Ce be the fiec o cning of our market to Philippine ment ground floors were laid; double walls only left the engineers some levelling and

sugar and tobacco. Acco.ding to my grinion, and double ceilings, affording a refuge tunnelling to do. They then commenced some manoeuvres. There were two flagged buoys and in which Mr. Cameron agrees with me, for rats, were removed; defects in plumb that if our markets are open to Philippine ing were remedied; whitewash was liberally an: bored outside the line, and one after an-

sugar and and tobacco, for five years they will used, and, in general, nothing was left un other the vessels passed between them and

be open to these products for all time to come. went off at full speed to diff rent points of the

done that could render buildings where plague In five years' time, these interests in the

Imad occurred safe for human occupancy. horizon, teaving lines of heavy smoke fan- shaped from the barbour's month, that dwin-Philippines should be sufficiently strong to Buildings in which plague rats were taken died away and then disappeared altogether, make a successful fight in Congress for a con

were treated exactly as were those where the Three hours afterwards they began to appear

tination. President Roosevelt 'has consented

disease attacked the human occupants. The again, first a blot of smoke, increasing to a to give support to this policy, provided sane is bacteriological examination of rats enabled dense streaming claud, and the white streak endorsed by Governor Taft and General

the board of health to follow the pest into its of water waving from their bows and stern. It Wright.

most secret haunts and fight it there and was seemed to be a speed test, and some of them

the most important factor in the winning of were going at a terrific rate as they returned

the great success which was ultimately achieved. the flags.

When we were allowed to go inside in the afternoon, on passing through the narrow por ials of the harbour one saw at once what an impregnable retreat Russia has got in the Pacific On the right-hand side eight des troyers were lying beside the wharves and in docks, and torpedo-boals seemed to be every- where in each crevice of the harbour. There were ten, I counted, as we entered, but during the days following I seemed always to be com- ing on others in unexpected places.

At the inner side of the fort on the right-hand side of the entrance'most elaborate work was in progress, and the summit of the Gibraltar- like rock was blut-spotted with Chinese coolies. On the opposite side dredgers were extending the anchorage, and the result of their labours was apparent already over. half the area of submerged mud which when they have done with it will be able to accoinmodate more ships than Russia will ever have in the Pacific. There was quite an astonishing amount of bustle and activity when one landed on shore. It was altogether different from any other place to be found in the East. An overmastering energy. seemed to be driving these streams of coolies that jostled and shouted and pulled heavy londs through, the crowded streets, and even the coolie labour seemed insufücient line. of junks near the lading, place with cargoes of fodder was being discharged by Cossacks Every other few yards one passed Russian

PHILIPPINE NEW COINAGE.

$3,000,000 IN BONDS BEING ISSUED.. A wire to the Coblenews, daled. New York. Ith inst, states, three million more god cesti ficales for the purchase of bullion have beco is ved at Washington,

The Cablenews states: This action of the Sec etary of War is in compliance with the authorization of the Commission expressed. n the act passed on July first certificates issued constitute the second instalment of $3,000,000 issued for the purchase of silver bullion out of which to coin the new pesos. The certificates are issued in denominations of $1,000 and are redecuable in gold. They beat interest at the rate of not more than 4 per cent. per annum, payable quarterly, and not later than one year from the date of issue.

The Secretary of War is authorized to issue these certificates and to dispose of them in the open market to the highest and most favour able bidder. When he has placed the certifi- cates he is instructed to deposit the proceeds of the sale with the Guaianty Trust Company to the credit of the Government of the Philippige islander The fund created thereby will be drawn upon from time to time in the purchase of bullion for the coinage, as it is needed

The first issue of certificates was authorized by the Coninfission on March 13, 1993: T were disposed of by the Secretary of War aca very favourable premium and at a much better

THE PLAGUE STAMPED OUT, With very few exceptions, there was no re- currence of plague in buildings which had been disinfected and renovated. As centre after centre of infection was found and des- troyed, the percentage of diseased rats hegan to decrease, and in January, 1902, when judg- ing from the history of previous years, plague should have again begun to spread among human beings, there was not a single case, in February, one case occurred. In March, there were two cases, as against 63 in March of the preceding year, and before April the discase had completely disappeared

time This result, brought about at when the epidemic would, if unchecked, bave reached its height for the year, marked the end of a fight begun by the board of health on the day of its organization and prosecuted unremittingly under adverse conditions for seven months with a degree of success which has not been equalled under similar conditions in the history of bubonic plague.

During 1901, plague appeared at several points in the provinces near Manila. Agents of the board of health were promptly dispatched to the infected municipalliles and radical re medial measures were adopted, including, in several instances, the burning of infected buildings, the result being the complete dis appearance of plague in the provinces as well as in Manila,

CALLS IN THE POLICE,

and gets the Korean turned out. It is not sure prising, therefore, that among the people there is a very deep-seated hatred for the Japanese; but it avails them nothing, the Japs having come to stay and mean to be their masters, and very severe masters they are.

A STABLE EXCHANGE. The establishment of a stable exchange is. not the only desideratum to be wished for, for besides this impediment there are others in our way, namely, the fact that China compeles with us by her local productions and that Japan having ceased to be a consumer of our yarns In spite of these competitive factors: which are beyond our control, and hence irremediables our yarn is in great demand as evdenced by the following figures:-In 1952-the yaını"ex" ported to China was 555,000 bales being 19,000 bales more than that in January 1901, the balance of unsold stock in January. 1903 nor' being more than that in january 1901. The fluctuation of exchange is the only item we can by representation to Government remedy, as the fixing of it would no doubt redound to the prosperity of our trade. In 1900 before this very Association as a means of sal vation for our spinning industry. I dwelt on the utter urgency of turning our attention to the manufacture of yarn and cloth of1finer counts, whereby we could profitably divert a great portion of the yarn we are exporting to China, to our own local consumption 'thereby to a great extent doing away with the dis- adven ages of the foreign market;

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE,

The interesting question bere, the question which puzzles the most thoughtful onlooking resident observer, is: Who is finally to have Korea, the Russians or the Japs? That, in fact, is the crucial question, the bone of future con tention in the Eastern Hemisphere. This peninsula is the place particularly interesting to the war correspondent, as in all probabili y it may be the scene of severe and most critical fighting in the near future. Gathering the opinions of people on the spot, they are un- In seconding the adoption of the lanrual report, Mr. Sassoon: J. David said. (afer animous, clear, and emphatic. As long as one speaks to Japanese or people with Japanese | ufiu):- leanings they are unanimous, clear, and emphatic is propounding the doctrine that Korea must, can, and will come under Japanese rule and under no other. The Russians and their sympathizers are equally emphatic that it it will never be annexed oy Japan, and when you ask will Russia take it, your answer is generally

A SHRUG OF THE SHOULDERS

There is another subject that has bets for years past agitating the world of commerce, not only in India, but in almost every part of the world. I refer to the continuous decline in silver which has played such.a great part in crippling our industry and penalising our export trade. Without going deeply into the currency problem, I must say that it is beyond question that the closing of the mints bas end a quizzical look with a suspicion of a merry grievously hampered our trade with silver little twinkle in the corner of the eye. They asing countries, and adversely affect the agri- can afford to wait, these Russians, and they cultural interest of India. I cannot therefore know how to, and as a reward all things seem help thinking that but for our meagre ad coming to them in this part of the world. vantage in the shape of incigendos cotton, om Manchuria is just twice the size of Japan, position would have been worse than pre and to the fullest meaning of practical business carious. It seems useless at the present politics they have now annexed it. Its annex moment to hope for any assistance from ation is a triumph of diplomatic bluff. The Government the fiat has gone forth, and we Western world has no idea of what a rich juck must do our best to keep our heads above pol these Russians have won in the international water, while Government is calmly looking or poker ganle. The minoral resources of Man- at the struggle. It will be also useless" to churia, as shown even by the surface scratching picture in ourselves what might have been on that has been done, are simply stupendous. As present condition but for this fiat of Govern a wealth-giver, it will send more to St. Peters-ment. Japan would have had no advantage burg for the next half-century than India will over ua in competing for the China market while China itself would have found it"veri It: would look as if the imitative Japanese unprofitable to put up her own mills. As it is were in Korea just taking a lesson from the Japan is pouring hundreds of thousands o Russians in Manchuria, and following their ex-bales of yarn annually, into China; and Chor ample here. If there is one thing that Japs is in her ture learning to manufacture her owe have reason to be superlatively proud of, it is thread. The only practical remedy, for ou there Intelligence Department. They can exchange trouble with China would, 1 ventur casily beat the Russians in espionage. They to think, be found in the establishment of have had their spies for a long time past on good standard by China, as suggested' by " the truck of the Russians throughout Manchuria, so that Tokio is as well informed as St. Peters burg about every movement. The Japs have just completed a great map that gives more details of that country which may be

to London....

DOTTED SHORTLY WITH BATTLEFIELDS

than anything, I feel sure, that the Russians can have.

Looking at the whole position from what we are in the habit of calling a common-sqaes

many competent authorities. The forel powers interested in the trade of that vit country can and ought to help her 'to “g gold," so that she might be brought into lin with gold using countries for the benef of the world's trade. A movement is now of foot to take advantage of the approachin visit to Bombay of H.B.M.'s Minister at Pekin to express to him the views of this Association on this subject,