1903-10-03 — Page 8

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, OCTOBER

B

3, 1903.

THE ISLAND QUESTION.

The British North Borneo Herald of 16th alt saysWe have refrained hitherto from commenting upon the recent action of the American Government in the Philippines with regard to the islands of Taganne, Begun Bakungan, Langkayan, Boan, Sibaung, Lihi-.

avoid any semblance of rushing into print for nan, Pulo Gaya and Dinawan in order to he mere sake of being first in the field with startling and alarmist information. Now that

on the part of shopkeepers and others to get V rid of the suspected coin. The change, that une receive has a marked tendency to consist largely of Mexican dollars,, while what may be termed the British dotlar withdraws into an unmerited seclusion The Banks, of course. have lang since turned their faces against the illegitimate speculation of money-mongers. and it is well nigh impossible now to get money placed on deposit receipt. Another aspect of the position, one that does not affect all, however, is the disinclination of the Banks for cheques, even for large amounts. cashier at the end of the month, for instance, requires $3,200 in order to pay the salaries of the employés. Unless he has a fairly large share of the guile that is supposed to belong to the serpent he may find himself sadly in convenienced by the policy of the Banks. Certainly, the Banks will cash his cheque; but they will give him $3,000 in silver for it. Here is a forenson's work in counting the money alone. One local cashier got over the. difficulty of dealing with these piles of silver by straightway placing the $1.000 cheque to his own account and issuing his own cheques to the employés. That threw the burden of distribution on the Bank and, needless to say, it was not long before a compromise was arrived at, the Bank, it is stated, agreeing to cash the cheque with $1,500 in notes and $1,500 in silver."

THE JAVA SUGAR CANE.

In Java, special studies are directed towards. the discovery of the best methods of cultivat ing and propagating the sugar-cane; and an interesting account is given by Mr. J. D. Kobus (Paris) of the result of these studies up to the in the current Journal of Tropical Agriculture:

present time.. That many valuable results have been obtained is evident from the article. The various directors of the work in question, with their pasistants, have shown that Beed-cane can

even at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and that & much higher product may be obtained by attention to. the chemical action of the soil, the eradication of disease, especially of that disease called "sereh," and by proper selection of the plants.. The writer sugar cane, while he is also studying the values himself states that he has been engaged in the

of soils and manures. At the West Java sta tion, the manufacture of sugar, in the widest sense of the term, and laboratory work are oc cupying attention. Large quantities of seed- cane are cultivated, and slips or cuttings obtain. ed and the best distributed among the planters. On the experimental plantation over 3co varie- ties of cane-seert are dealt with. Amony these varieties there are some, it is stated, which are not affected by the "sereh" or the "canker,” the two evils that threaten the existence of the plant.

MAIL BAMER hemp to the value of it millions sterling came though the need is as pressing as ever, the ob- IN COLLISION MUU to Great Britain, ungainst over two millions stacles will remain. The vexed question of sterling the previous year, while the value of land tenure by foreigners creates a difficulty, WITH THE OLD BERAMSTAD that sent to the Dalled States in 1903 was 1 but apparently the most formidable obstacle is wy millions sterling, against half-a-million in, igor Japanese jealousy of the foreign capitalist Advices from the North state that at about sugar Industry suffered fast year from the having equal privileges with himself. Baron 20 p.m. on the atst ult, the Japanese ft. want of carital and labour, as well as from the Iwasaki, one of the leading and most generally Chithima Mary, bound from Moji to Shangbai nederpest (the water buffalo heing indispens. respected business men in the country, recent with a cargo of coal consigned to Messrs. Wal: able for the cultivation and transport of the ly published a letter on this subject which lem & Co came into collision, near the Kiotoan cane), so that instead of an average expart of attracted much notice. After drawing attention to the great sense of personal responsibility Beacon, with the new N.-D.L.S. Seydiits, which,000 tons, the export was only g:.870 tons, left here for Japan on the 17th uit. The of which the Hongkong and Japan refineries which seems to inspire business men in Euro Chishima Maru was badly stove in on the took the bulk.The imports last year were 63 'pean countries as compared with Japan, where to issue anything but silver dollars in return he subject has been referred to by the Court be raised, that plantations can be established

na sense of responsibility at all seems to exist, starboard bow and, hid to be beached about millions sterling in value, the share of the two miles N.-W. of the Kiutoan Beacon, and it United Kingdom being less than 4 millon, he goes on to say that though himself not averse is expected than when she is lightened of her while those of China and the United States to use introduction of foreign capital he would cargo she will be able to be brought into the dock were less than one million each, those of India have the nature of the nadertakings, in which at Shanghai The N. C. D. News of 24th ult. and Cochin China being over half-a-millionit might be invected, limited. Enterprises, far tates that the Shanghai Tug and Lighter Com- sterling each. The cation imports, mainly instance, like railways, gas works, electric pany have already commenced the work of those from the United Kingdom, declined, lights, &c, of the nature of monopolies, are, he Palving the cases and the vessel will be patch largely owing to the impoverished state of the asserts, so closely connected with public inte ed up and taken to Shanghai for repairs. This country and the unsettled state of many dis- rests that they may-in-a sense be considered is public undertakings, and, in his opinion, the is the second time that the Chizhima has come

tricts, which practically closes them to trade. to grief. The best time was when she was The United Kingdom, holds the first place in time has not vet come when foreigners may be under the Norwegian flag as the Skramsias the import trade, especially to cotton and me allowed, in return for the money they advance, and was sunk in a collision, in Hongkong tals, (including practically the whole of that to have absolute coutrol of them. In the present state of Japan's progress, when Harbour, where she got mixed up with the with the United States) is under the British Talcheong and Perla. The 5rst report of the flag, although the coasting trade is under that general bewilderment, lax discipline, and no sense of responsibility characterize the actions occurrence was brought by the Indo-China of the United States, maduka yan

of both shareholders in concems, and those in 'charge of them, there might be ground for apprehension should foreign capital be intro- Auced without limitations, lest foreigners seize the power of management of enterprises and use it to an injurious extent.

|

Co.'s str. Pechili. The court of inquiry will be held in Japan." The Captch of the Chishima has reported the accident to his Consul, and the Captain of the Seydlite has done the same to his Consul, The Germán mail steamer suf-

fered little damage and after standing by the other vessel for some time to render assistance if necessary proceeded on her voyage,

ATIENTSIN.

(Frein Our Own Correspondent')

September 218C

Only in Peking is anything doing, and then Russia keeps general interest alive by continu- ally sending in revised editions to her demands There is a great pretence made of treating these demands and their acceptance or refusal e quite seriously though it must be quite well in understood that they mean nothing but an empty formula to gain time. The Japanese government are reported to have sent in a note through the Chinese Minister in Tokio that Japan will hold China responsible if she fails to inform Japan fully of the text of any and all demands Russia makes. But the whole post tion resolves itself into a question whether either Japan or England intend moving if those demands are more than usually impudent. If they do not, it simply means Russia will keep all the Diplomats marking time over kalades copic arrangements of her desires while she finishes the mastication of Manchuria, and by the time the diplomatic farce has wom too threadbare to hold water any longer they will turn round to find the northern territories of Chioa have entirely disappeared, and the Southem or Far Eastern boundaries of China have taken their place.

Travellers from the new Dominion, otherwise Mongolia, report Russian surveying parties around Kalgan, and Chinese troops being raised by Russiaus, also report tha Russia talks of appointing a Russian Governor to the place. They also state that the construction of the railway from Kiachta to Urga has commenced. From Urga you will see quite open, flat coun try down to Kalgan, and from Kalgan to Peking the Chinese are supposed to be building a line, so there you are, a debated

When not wholly preoccupied with the ftus sian question, the Peking official circle is much concerned with the details of the new Board's organization. There has beep a mad scramble for office, and now official effort is concentrated on how to make the money fly. Books are being ordered from Japan on any and every "sabject which can be remotely associated with

trade and commerce; a commercial school..is. to be started, also a commercial paper to record commercial progress and doings abroad,as well Ls in China. It sounds marvellous, but no one who knows Ching expects, the slightest result, Your readers may be interested in the follow ing table of costs via the Siberian railway home which represents the expenses of a lady and her young daughter, not one ;-

Tis. Roubles. ..30.00 .31.10 2.40

Fares to Chefoo.......

Fares to Dalny

Boats at Chefoo, steward, etc. Dalay Hotel

6.60 34.70 Tickets Dalay to Manchuria, and class 135.00 'Food on train and sundries..... .................... 22.00 Tickets Manchuria to Moscow, and class 217.80 Food on train and sundries....... 5080 Cab and porters at Moscow... Tickets Moscow to Londen, 2nd class.150.20 Train German railway

7.50 Food on train and sundries Moscow to

Landon, ..................

Steamer Flushing to Queensboro'

1.50

a

"WILL NOT STOP IN HONGKONG."

Last year shipping to the extent of over 113 million tons entered the Japanese open port; of this the British ships amounted to 4,154,789. ions, Japanese to 432,577 (counting only Japa nese vessels engaged in foreign trade), and German_to_1,320,297 ton". In 1898, out of a little over 8 million tons, over 4 millions were British, over 2 millions Japanese and 698,497 German.

THE TOKYO HARBOUR SCHEME

145

Directors at the half-yearly meeting of the Affairs need no longer be withheld from our Company held on the 21st July, the position of

renders. In the first place it may be as well to state that such expressions as "Yankee Grab," "American Annexation," "American Seizure" which we have read with regiet are as far from describing the situation as our con- Temporaries are wanting in thet and circum- spection, The Press, we notice, is inclined to take an exaggerated view of the mat ter and to place undue importance upon the action of the American Authorities. We may stale at once that all that has taken place is that Lieutenant Francis Boughter, U.S.N. commanding the U.S.S. Quiras, visited in May a number of islands which he thought to be and describes as belonging to the United States In his letter to the Officer-in-Charge, Sandakan, But there are merely minar worries that

he reports that on his visit to one of the islands,

The newspapers of Hongkong, are very much ***Under this heading the Manila Times says:

have cropped up on account of the general un

Great Bakungaan to be precise, he found the Chartered Company's flag flying over a hause exercised over the determination of the

certainty that marks the situation. There is the effect of the new Bill to be considered. To the

there. This circumstance Lieut. Boughter look Philippine government to rid the islands of

opponent of the Bill it is painted out that it is

to be due to a misapprehension and he accord the undesirable, petty criminal class of Ameri-

not a new Bill at all. It has been in force, we are

ingly went to the trouble of initinting Panglima cans, The neighbour town appears to take it

told, for twenty years. But there is the radical

Duking, the paid Chief there, into the doctrine for granted that Manila's beachcombers will be

difference between the old law and the pro Gag of the United States and posted a tablet of the three marine league limit, gave him a ́shipped over and dumped into the coast towns

posed one. Wherets the Governor has the of China, and the attention of the authoritiesī

power to prohibit the importation of foreign

on the island recording the visit of the ship. of these cities has been directed toward the

coins which are not legal tender in the colony.

Lieutenant Roughter's action, which wa prevention of such an imposition. Owing to

it is now proposed to extend that power to thee in order, has now given rise to the ques. importation of any kind of coin, as well as to in the above paragraph. The purchase of tion of the ownership of the islands mentioned the fact that the Philippine Commission has determined to ship this objectionable fraternity,

the exportation of coin that are legal tender in

Cagyan Sulu by the American Government to the United States and will be just as care.

The Tokyo Harbour Construction Committee, the colony. It is added by the champions of the Bill that such powers would only be exercised

nullifies the three marine league contentino as ful in guarding against the escape of any appointed to investigate the scheme for the

to right of ownership. of its members to the coast cities of China as construction of a harbour for the capital, has at when a sufficiency of Straits Settlements dollars islands most remote from the mainland of The history of the two the authorities there can possibly be to pre-length decided upen a general plan of work, had arrived in the Colony. For example, the vent the landing of any of the fraternity, it will says the Kobe Chronicle. The cost of the great importation of Mexican dollars would be guan, affects the situation in no small degree British North Borneo, viz., Taganac and Be- really appear that the alarm is without founda undertaking is estimated at Y21,500,000, which prohibited but, as has already been said, the and may be taken as an example for all the tion. In fact the people of the Philippines sum will be raised by the issue of bonds, a circulation of those coins already in the want to purge this archipelago thoroughly of municipal tax, and a Government subsidy. Colony would be allowed to continue until

others. The chief argument employed by the its white tramp accretion. Aside from the.

there were British coins sufficient to meet all strategical reasons, to surrender its claim to Chartered Company which is not anxious, for The total cost will probably amount to at least ethics of the question, the only safe riddance V28,600,000, including the interest on the bends. requirements. Then the Mexican dollar would will be is shipment to the United States, So far as the scheme has been worked out at be demonetised. With the demonetisation of

the islands is that they have been adminis. where special conveniences exist for handling present, of the total sum, Y16,600,000 will be the Mexican dollar any inclination there might without protest from the Sultan of Sulu, tered as portion of the Company's Territory. this annoying class. The jails and penitentiaries raised by an issue of bonds, V5,000,000 by a betosmuggle the "foreign coin" into the Colony are commodious, police force ample and with Municipal tax, and Y7,000,000 by a Govern would be destroyed. That coin would be mere

ever since the original concession the chain-gang and plenty of hard, manual ment subsidy.. The harbour is to be finishedly worth its value in silver, which is at present Highness, which is a matter of some twenty granted to the Chartered Company by His labour, abend, this element will be far less

considerably less than its value as legal tender. annoying in the homeland than here or in China.

It is further argued that no cordon of sentries Hongkong and Shanghai are uncomfortably

would be required to prevent smuggling because near. The objectionable Americans who have

it would not pay anybody to smuggle demone become conspicuous in these cities the last

tised money into the country. As the matter six months bave done much to bring discredit During the discussion following the Chair- stands, however, the position is full of pos- to Americans in the Orient. The fact that they man's speech at the half-yearly meeting of the

sibilities. Chamber of Singapore

Commerce, would probably be in Bilibid prison had, they

Mr. remained in Manila is not considered. They Huttenbach, in dealing with the currency are nominally citizens of the United States, and question, said that now the Chamber had left the matter to the Government it must be left their career gives rise to impressions that are unjus ly extended to all Americans. Our neigh there, meaning that even though a mistake had bours over there may rest easy; the govther sonally, he was strongly of opinion, for what-

been made, it must now be left alone. ment of the Philippines has no desire to further humiliate respectable Americans in Hongkong ever that opinion was worth; not only that a or Manila by any attempt to pollute the Chi-mistake had been made, but that it was a mis- nese cities with the class of Americans that take which threatened the whole trade of this cannot be tolerated in these islands. This Colony. We were placed in a very different element must go where it will not be able to position to that occupied by ports on a con- tinent, because such ports, the event of return with but little effort and where it may not be able to eke out an existence to the shame

difficulties occurring, could get their trade back. of all decent citizens of the United States who

Par in the case of a port situated as Singa pore is the trade, having once been filched may be located in the Orient.

away. could never come back, If it could clearly be shown that there was a mistake made, not shown dogmatically but the pro- duction of what he might call the bacillus nf the disease-then there might be a chance of the Chamber still moving, and since the resig- nation of Mr. Chamberlain had taken place, sion being revised. On the other hand, if it there might be all the more chance of this deci-

were a dictum as laid down by the Chair- man that now that the Chamber had committed isolf it must not budge, even though with open eyes it saw the creation of generations broken down, then there was nothing more to be said. He did not think the Chamber was committed. He did not quite understand the attitude of the Chamber; it did not seem to have really done anything in a matter which should have en- gaged its attention most. It was true that the Committee had passed a resolution uphold ing the principle of fixity, but they had not accepted the scheme in detail. They could not have accepted it, because as he read the Articles of Association, a matter concerning the trade of this and the outports had to be passed by the whole Chamber, not by the com.

THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF JAPAN.

A very full report of the trade of Japan for 1902 by Mr. Padlett, of the British Legat on in

Tokio, has just been issued by the Foreign Office. The total volume of the imports and.

exports last year was £54.107,552 of which 27,739.712 was the value of imperts, and 46,368,320 that of exports. These figures show an increase of £1,624,616 in imports, and £607,038 in exports, as compared with 190', the figures of which were the highest up to then. The figures for 1902 are all the more 'remarkable that there were certain untoward

circumstances during the year, for the grain harvests were bad owing to unseasonable the important trade with Chira. On the other weather, and the fall in silver greatly impeded hand, the silk crop was abundant; and the ex- port trade in raw silk reached a height of pro- sperity hitherto unknown, and led to an inßux of specie which removed any danger to the system of convertible notes. During the whole year the import of bullion was continuous, and was always in excess of the export: especial ly in the last three months of the year. At 705.50 present the national debt amounts in 552 mil- lion yan, of which 190 millions are due in the

35.50

20.00

LAUNCH OF A TORPEDO-BOAT

AT SAIGON.

in ten years.

· THE - STRAITS CURRENCY.

Per-

mittee. If the Chamber now liked to take the matter in hand, his whole time and weak lights would be at its service that the matter might be argued to the bottom and a conclusion arrived at. There were many matters on which such argument was desirable. For instance, the pro- hibition of importation of coin bill now put forward could be rendered useless at once what was to prevent a couple of hundred thousand dollars being imported over the frontier of Kedah.

The Chairman pointed out that the resolution passed by the Committee was subsequently approved by the whole Chamber as embodied in the Report for 1902. He would only like to add, in connection with the Advisory Com mittee on Currency, that there was no secrecy at all about their deliberations. The con-

United Kingdom, and the rest in Japan itself. Ten years ago the debt was 240 million yen, and in the meantime the China war indemni ty of 370 millions has been paid and absorbed On the rath uật, the torpedo-boat & 3' was

meanwhile the ordinary revenue has increased successfully launched from the French Naval from less than 86 to over 226 million yen ; in Yard, at Saigon. This little vessel, which has other words while the debt has increased 130 per cent; the revenue has increased 161 per a displacement of go tons, is the third of her class constructed at that port. She is 113 feet cent. Of the imporis raw colton was over 8 long with a breadth of beam of 14 feet and can millions sterling, cotton gande 14, metals near- steam at a speed of 24 knots. This boat carries ly z, woollen goods over. 1, machinery and in- sufficient coal in her bunkers to cover 2,000 struments nearly a sugar nearly 14, kerosene miles at to knots. Her armament consists of over th, rice over 13, and oil cake over mil-clusions arrived were open to any member of * Q. F. guns and two torpedo-tubes and she lion sterling; while in exports raw silk amount the Chamber; and he was quite sure the meme carries a crew of 23 men. No particular speeded to nearly 8 millions, tea to over 1, silk bers of the Advisory Committee would be only was attained in her construction, however, for goods to over 3. cotton yarn to over 2, and teo glad to receive any suggestions from Mr. her keel was laid down on the 2nd July last other manufactured goods (of which matches, Huttenbach as to the dangers he had in- year:-nevertheless this is a sign of the times mats, straw plaits, porcelain, cigarettes, and cot-dicated.. The Advisory Committee would be and another proof of the go-ahead condition of ton goods were the chief) to over 4 million sleri- only too glad to bring such suggestions before naval construction in the East. Our neighing. The cotton ússues exported amounted to the Chamber and if necessary before the boars are to be congratulated on their enterprise about million sterling. The coal exported Government (hear, hear).

was valued at just over 14 millions, and the and its success. ·

copper to ever one million. The exports have increased from less than 17 millions in 1899 to over 164 millions last year. Of the enormous import of raw cotton, very nearly half is from British India, while China and Korea take the whole of the exported cotton yame.

Concluding his remarks in an interview with A representative of the Straits Times, on the Ordinance prohibiting the import of coins into the Straits Settlemente, Mr. Huttenbach ob served "In any case the passage of this mea- sure may mark a turning point in the prosperity of these Settlements, and it may mean the end of that prosperity The responsibility is a great ons-Whose is it? On whose shoulders must it rest-On those of the Commission who left the decision entirely to the perple and Gavemment of the Straits Settlements?on thean of the local Government?-on those of the public? on those of the entirely uncon stitutional Advisory Committee of the Singa pore Chamber of Commerce

THE "BANKA” ASHORE.

AN UNCHARTED REEF.

Captain Backhause of the British steamer Banka running between Singapore and the Natuna aad. Anambas Islands, reports that on Sept. 13 his steamer left the latter place for the former. The following day he sighted Peak Island, but a strong southerly wind arose and heavy rain obscured the land. Tar Banka was slowed down and the course altered to the Warth. Later the weather cleared and the gins were set north-east. Shortly after the steamer struck heavily on an uncharted reef and remained fast. A few minutes later the heavy seas arevailing forced the ship right over the reef into ricep water. this time Peak Island bare N. 40 deg. W. and Burong Rock S. 60 deg. E. As the ship made no water Capt. Backhouse proceeded to Bungarang, Natunas Islands, and here got the cargo out of the steamer and thoroughly examined her. The ship's bottom under the after hold was badly dented as it also was under the engine room. Several of the pro- peller bln'es were also broken, but as no assis tance could be obtained at the islands and the ship was not leaking the Captain decided to return to Singapore.

|

vears.

1

LOSS OF THE FRENCH STEAMER AMIRAL GUEYDON"

News reaches us of the total loss of the French steamer Amiral Guzydon, which caught tast. This wessel belonged to the Cie des fire when off the Arabian coast on the 30th July Chargeurs Retis of Havre and, at the time of the accident, as on her way out to Haiphong with a full cargo. She was a comparatively new steamer, huilt in 1901 for the new East- ern line of e Company, whose operations had previously been restricted to the South Ameri- Can and West Africau Costs. A Havas wire

only one of the crew is missing, the remainder from Paris, of the 24th ultimo, announces that

numerous, were rescued and brought into together with the passengers, who were very

Aden by a Russian steamer. The wreck of the Amiral Gueydon was last seen, in a gutted and sink condition, off the coast of Socotra by a passing British ve sel.

HAWAIIAN SUGAR REFINERY.

14

A Honolulu wire says that local sugar plant- ers do not take kindly to the idea of a sugar In 1900 the Sultan, anxious to raise à

refinery being established there, the chiefobject- Joan, quite indifferent as to the ownership of a few small derelict islands over a hundred and on to the proposition being that refined sugar, eighty miles away from his country, and quite transported to the continent in bags is very after all these years of absolute abandonment, at sea as to the illegality of his claim to them-likely to spoil and if boxes or barrels are used the cost of the package would be so large as to sought an interview with the Governor of greatly diminish the profits of such a venture. Singapore and attempted to establish his

The planters also say that the "California right to them as part of his. possessions

market is insufficient to warrant the erection of which he had never alienated to the Com-

a refinery simply to supply that market. Most pany. The claim was very properly, referred

of the raw sugar now feaving there goes to the by the Court to the Foreign Office which Atlantic Coast via the Horn, and in shipping in silggested that the Company should open

this manner planters are enabled to realize a a negetintion with the Sultan with a view to the

profit on their product which, they argue, would surrender of the islands by the latter outright

be lost should the sugar be shipped from there in u refined state. to the Company. His Highness could not, however, be brought to look upon the matter in 'n sensible light. About two years after these events had taken place the Sultan of Sulu applied for an advance of his Cession Money and in granting his request in part the opport unity was taken to again refer to the question of the surrender of the islands in the Company as a quid pro quo for the cash advance. His lighness's reply was both tardy and unaccom- Atmodating, the most of Cessinn Money asked for the two islands being a ridiculously large sum per annum. The matter was allowed to drop, at the wish of the Court of Directors who preferred not to raise any question as to the ownership of the islands. This brings us up to Febrrry of this year. In April Jast His Highness the Sultan on his way through to Singapore expressed his willingness to settle once for all the island question and His Excellency the Governor who was absent at Jesselton authorized Mr. Cook, Finance Commissioner, to make the best arrangements possible. Accordingly Mr. Cook drafted an agreement which His Highness signed in which all the islands were specified by name. The agreement is a mtification of the view of the inatter always held by the Chartered Company that the islands from Banguey to Sibuco,do belong to them by virtue of the exercise of twenty years' undisturbed jurisdiction over them and that it may be understand that they were included in the original Treaty. The terms of the agreement are eminently satisfactory to the Chartered Company.

The Ranka is an iron built vessel, construc ted by Messrs. Riley, Hargreaves & Co., and it speaks well for her strength that she was not more seriously damaged from the great strain sustained by the hull. The owners of the vessel are Teo Hoa Lye & Co. and at the time of the accident she was laden with copra. S. F. Press..

LEPROSY IN SLAM:

For the present the question is one for iplomacy and negotiation. It is doubtful whether America wants the islands. They are only valuable to us from a strategical point of view and so long as Great Britain possesses original owner, the Sultan of Salu. America them by right of occupation confirmed by the will doubtless be contented. In these times of keen competition for the occupancy of posi tions of strategical advantage all over the world it is well to make certain of the legal ownership of these "derelict" islands as Mr. Cowie aptly describes them. The ac cupation of Teganac, for instance, by a Foreign Power other than America with whom, thank God, we are on terms of Inter- national good will and friendship would be ex-

that does not isolate its lepers. Mankind have Siam is almost the only country in the world had a very extended experience of this disease, and isolation has always been deemed necessary for the general welfare of the community. Con sequently, in Siam leprosy exists and flourishes. No one who is at all conversant with the disease, can fail to see many cases as he walks along the streets, especially if he goes through the poor creatures affected are not aware of Sampeng ; and in many instances, no doubt,

the nature of their affliction. In consequence of this carelessness. the disease is bound to continue to be prevalent, and it is greatly to be feared that on preventive measures will be taken till some person high in authority contracts the diseases in his own person or immediate family. Then the danger will be realised. No one is safe from contagion:tremely undesirable and it is highly regrettable and in employing a servant few people can be sure that they are not securing one of those

that the whole question with which we have unfortunates. The danger which that implies been dealing was not definitely settled veare to the family of those employing him, should

ago. In the meantime we may rest assured be evident enough. At times the attention of that the Foreign Office will support our claims physicians is called to the fact that people of

and that the Government of the United States their acquaintance are employing servants through the Southern Philippines, will be wil whose immediate family are fepers.

ling to withdraw their claim to those distant islands that could only, by any possible concep The Hospital Department is at present con- sidering the advisability of segregating lepersion, be of use to them in the remote chance of on an island in the Gulf, where they can be

North Borneo falling into the hands of a For- isolated from the general public. In this way

eign Power. Siam will take another step forward in civi lisation. At present lepers are making cake and other Siamese food and selling it in the market: they are handling money in daily use by the general public, and are doing many other things calculated to spread the contagion among the people.—Bangkok Times.

PROPOSED NEW STEAMSHIP

LINE.

THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The reports of the British Consular officers in. Philippines on the trade of the archipelago for the past year disclose an unsatisfactory state of The total trade of the British Empire with affairs. The islands have not yet recovered Japan last year amounted to 163 millions ster from the effects of the war and insurrection; ling, or about 30 per cent. of the whole the the lack of capital and labour have hampered proportion of imports being rather less than agricultural and commercial development, for 40, and of the exports about 20 per cent. The American capital has not yet been attracted share of the United States was about 24 per thither, while Chinees immigration is prohi- cent, of China rather more than 13, and of bited; rinderpest, cholera and marauding bands Germany and France at about 6 per cent; have affected particular districts; and, lastly, each. Trade with India is growing and now the abnormal fall in silver has foterfered with (owing to the large imports of raw cotton) the import trade. The total exports for the nearly equals that with the United Kingdom, the financial year ended June 30th, 1903, amounted figures being :-United Kingdom 16,913,080 to very nearly five millions sterling, of which (imports to Japan £5,141,337), India 5,550,282 those to the United Kingdom amounted to 14 | (impons to Japan £1,033,009). million and those to the United States to fome- * Mr. Parlett notes that the Government from what less. But the latter figures was nearly foundry at Wakamatsu, after costing over two. treble that of the previous year, while the ex-millions sterling, has not proved successful, ; ports of all other countries but the United States and will require a further heavy expenditure- have decreased, mainly because of the adyan the original estimate having been £400,000, A Kagen given by American Customs legislation committee of inquiry into the matter recom- to Philippine products exported direct to the mends the Government to transfer the enter United States. Thus Manila hemp, which prise to a private company, free of all cost, * forma three fourths of the exports of the islands, and to guarantee interest on the capital of the

de entitled, if shipped direct, to an, American latter. He also mentions that of 63 railway ample, on which nobody seems to agree. It "port, to the rstum of the export duty of 51 110. engines, for which tenders ware invited may be noted, however, that notwithstanding view to develop rade between the Adriatic and per ton, and therefore laras quantities of hemp | last year, 45 fall to Great Britain, and 18 10" | the Governor's assurance that the circulation | India and, Inter on, it will be extended to the #nitharto #hipped to Great Britain for distribu? | America. The Introduction of foreign capital of Mexican dollars will not be interfered with, Far East. The agents for Madras and the

alon now go to the United States. Last year || has beenfimuch discussed in Japan of late, and ] at least for the prudent, there is a distinas desire 1 const porte are Médirk, Basi kad G70).

"Whoever may, ultimately have to assume this burden, however, it is not yet-too late to modify the measure to suit the requirements of local commercial interests. The many who believe in the watch word 'The Hinterland with the Straite have still time to organise, act, and save the situation."

Pending the introduction of the new Straits dollars, the currency question affords ample scope for discussion and speculation, says the Stratis Timer. The affect of the new Coln Import and Export Bill is a matter, for ex

A wire to the Rangaan Times from Madras Bays the "Societe Vanerinnadi Navigazione a Vapore in contract with the Italian govern ment, have started a regular line of cargo steamers with departure monthly from Venice. Ancona, Brindisi, etc., which will call at Colombo, Madras and Calcutta. Sailings from Venice will commence on the 15th inst. Steamers will load home-wards from Calcutta to the Italian ports mentioned and if necessary to Trieste and Fieme. They will call at Madras and adjacent coast ports. The company has been subsidised by Italian government with a

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN PARSEÈ GENTLEMAN.

News reaches us of the death of Khan Saheb Eduljer Rustomjee, n well-known Parsee gentleman of Ahmednagar (India), head of the firm of Messrs. Cursetjee and Sons, Vice-Pre- sident of the Ahmednagar Municipality, Secre tary of the Lady Dufferin Charitable Fund, Member of the Local Board, Secretary of the Gavrakshan Institute of Ahmednagar, and Hon. Secretary of the "Parsee Anjuman."

AN EXCITING TRIP

One of the crew of the Union Company's steamer Waikera, which was recently sold to an Eastern company, writing from Penang to an Australian Journal, gives some interesting particulars of the trip from Port Chalmers. According to a report in a Dunedin paper, the writers says the Waikora was in a frightful muddle on leaving port, but for the first two lays the crew experienceil fine weather, which gave them an opportunity to make things ship. shape. On the third day she rolled with the increased sea, and groaned most pitiably. Inwever, after being mercilessly Jumped about, she arrived at Newcastle (New South Wales) and loaded coal for Penning. While proceeding with the loading, a sailing ship banged into the Kathara's stern, carrying away her flagstaff and half the wheel-house grating, also tearing out one of the ports and entirely demolishing one of her plates. The second mate just man- aged, by a quick movement, on the principle which every truese man carries out to the letter

-one band for the owner and one for himself to jump clear in the sick of time. Things then went forward with the loading in a pretty lively manner, and at last the boat left the second and final port of the journey at 7 p.m. -As soon as the bar was crossed it was noticed

that the poor old Walhora was labouring - frightfully, and upon search being made by the third mate (who, by the way, in addition to his own duties, had to perform these of carpenter), it was found that the water was pouring in through the holes which had ben originally meant for the discharge from the sink in the steward's bar. Back to News estle the Waihora travelled as fast as the' up and inspected by the representatives of engines could carry her. After being fixed

the Navigation Department, she again sat sail, this time only in he met by a far worse calamity. In the middle of the night, when all were wipped in singular, a hum of seared voices wamed the men that all was, not as it should have been. The writer immediately jumped out of his bunk, and on putting his head just above the stokehale could hear the water rushing from side to side in a way to make even "the boldest feel uncomfortable. There were the engineers working naked, with the water up to their armpits, After getting safely into port it was found, that some large pipe connected with the engines had burst, with the result that there was a free flow of water, with 100 much fome behind it to allow of its being stopped up. She was again fixed up, and proceeded on a voyage which was varied by nothing of interest. "Hawaiian," as the writer signs himself, wishes to remark upon. "the true British pluck" of the following officers; Mr. H.de, second officer; Mr. Wathey, third officer; Mr. Mitchell, second engineer: Mr. Dunwoodie, third engineer; and Mr. Sinclair, fourth engineer,

A WELL-TO-DO ALLY.

The financial stability and prosperity of Japan is a subject which for every English- man possesses much more than a merely scien- tific interest, and the report on the trade of the country drawn up by an officer of the British Legation in Tokio and just issued by the Foreign Office is consequently a document He rendered long and valuable services which is worth close attention. It may to the Government along with his uncle,

be asserted at once that these authoritativa Khan Bahadur Nutterwanjes Cursetjes. He figures do not at all bear out the wild state- showed his ability in combating the epidemicments frequently circulated by interested part- of plague and was untiring in his endeavours ies or mere purposeless sensation-mongers that to alleviate the distress of the poor during the Japan's financial position is hollow and inse famine period. In recognition of his service cure It is quite possible to point out instances he had bestowed upon him the title of "Khan of commercial undertakings in which the mars Saheb by the Government on the occasion vellous receptiveness and enterprise of, the of the accession of H. M. Edward VII to the Japanese character has been accompanied by Throne.

equal caution and solidity in execution. Nas He died on Friday, the 4th ult, at 3 pm, omnia possumus omnes. But to argue from the cause of his death being heart disease. this that Japanese finance is a lath-and-tissue. His funeral took place on the next day at 8 | paper fabric, the misplacedconomia. am, and was largely attended by the Milltary counterpart of the native style of dontestle and Civil om cars and hundreds of citizenom, architectufe, le to form a grizultovaly *