1904-04-23 — Page 6

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1904.

England into the struggle, I do not think that the French people would care to be mixed up in this trouble."

"Suddenly a white-faced gunner pointed to. the battery of dainty quick-firers placed half way down the cliff to repel a Japanese landing. I ran down and saw a scene of the wildest battle.orgie-shells bursting, their fragments

It is curious that almost three hundred years later this "norther passage to Europe which ¡yeyain was willing to render his assistance in discovering should be proposed to be used by a people then entirely unknown to the Japanesefor

was to be used for other than mining purposes, Under the temas of the original concession granted by His Highness the Sultan in April, 1885, which, in common with all similar grants, were modified after a British Resident

To-day's Advertisements.

REQUIRED.

What is your Excellency's opinion con whistling through the air, the earth reeking the purpose of carrying on a war against Japan. was appointed to Pabang in 1889, the Cam officers remained on the train till the frontier cerning the present violent Press campaign with the stench and smoke. One shell burst | That the attempt will be actually made by the pany had agricultural as well as mining rights, WO YOUNG LADIES (European), aged.

was reached."

"Was there any display of enthusiasm in the Russian capital when news of the out- break of hostilities was received ?”.

I do not

"None at all. In fact, there was a completo lack of excitement; it seemed as if the people had no interest in the war. think it is popular, probably because very few people in Russia take much interest in Japan, or Manchuria for the matter of that Indeed, I fancy that the majority are ignor ant of the geographical situation of either of these countries" The ghost of a smile

passed swiftly over the lips of the ambas sador, conjured up most probably by the thought of the meagre instruction possessed

against Japan now going in Paris and

Berlin ?..

"That is organised and subsidised in St. Petersburg. I should say that Japan is at present very unpopular in commercial circles in Germany, and this is because, in that country, it was never seriously supposed that there would be war; consequently many mer chants have lost considerable sums of money owing to the unexpected outbreak of hostili ties in the Far East."

In answer to further inquiries Mr. Kuring stated that his voyage had been a fairly plea. sant one, though the breakdown of the N. D). L. s.8. Oldenbury in the Red Sea had caused some discomfort. Returning to the

THE NORTHERN PASSAGE.

among the gunner, and I saw a soldier lying Russians to navigate the North-East Passage disembowelled, another with his skull open, a with their warships it is difficult, however, to third delicious with three splinters in his head, believe. It is evidently a very different thing for One gan was broken like a reed. It was aa comparatively small vessel like the Vega to dreadful sight. There was blood everywhere. accomplish such an underinking compared After the battle was over General Stossel pin- with the navigation of almost unknown waters ned the St. George's Cross on my breast, but by war-ships of great tonnage. The risks are what does that matter? I am in hospital." evidently too great, for, even supposing the

perils of the sea were safely passed and a pas sage made through the ice by ice-breakers, there would be the danger of the position in the Far East having undergone a material change between the time that the squadron left a point where it could be reached by telegra phic orders and its arrival in the Pacific, with the possibility that the squadron would be entirely at the mercy of the japanese. It seems to us, therefore, that the statements regarding the proposed sailing of the Baltic fleet for the Far East are simply threats, and threats which, taking into account the difficulties to be en-

During the last few days the telegrams have repeatedly stated that the Baltic fleet, reinforced by all the available vessels of the Russian Navy, intends to sail for the Far East to assist the sorely harassed Russian squadron in this part of the world. Now it appears very certain that the Baltic squadron cannot expect to reach China waters by the Suez Canal route, if only because of the difficulty that would be ex. perienced in obtaining coal, and as the month of June is given as the time when the ex

by the great majority of the Tzar's subjects, political aspect in the North, His Excellency!pedition is to sart, it can only be conjectured countered in using either the southern or the "The lower classes, apk they favourable to } said :-"I think the war will be a very long that, notwithstanding previous denials, an northern routes, it is impossible to put into

war?"

"No, they are not but the military party, who have always desirous of secing a conflagration, Works hard to excite the enthusiasm of the people. They lay the blame on England, and, amongst other

|

ane, and the struggle has pecularities that have never, I think, attended any preceding conflict between nations. These will render a final settlement, one way or the other, ex-

attempt will be made to reach the rar East by

execution. Kobe Chronicle.

ARMS FOR CHINA.

about sixteen years, for DRAPERY STORE.

Apply

FAIRALL & Ca Hongkong, 23rd April, 1904.

[547

A SMOKING CONCERT

will be given by VICTORIA RECREATION CLUB assisted by many of the leading Vocalists

of the Colony -TO-DAY,

and specially reduced terms were granted as to opium, spirits, and tobacco duty. The Com- pany renounced all these exceptional rights and claims on receiving the mining lease, the conditions of which were, however, still very advantageous to the lessees. Thus, nc- cording to the mining regulations, the Com-THE pany was only entitled to less than 30 square miles, but the area granted was nearly double what they could have legally claimed, and this was allowed in consideration of the deed of renunciation referred to. years the Company has done much bond fide work at Penjum, and at one time their exports of gold reached several thousands of ounces annually. The decline of Penjum may be said

During the last 17

to date from 1897, from which year their gold output began to dwindle, as may be seen from the following table, which shows the quality of gold exported during the five years prior to

1991-

TRO

8,430 ounces. 6,400 ounces.

1817

1898

3,706 ounces.

184

2, 10 ounces.

1001

103 ounces.

TO DAY'S EXCHANGE

Selling

..... 9 1/99 16 .........1/91

.2.15 ...43)

1.83

tremely difficult. 1 mean this, supposing led to his leaving Finland, where his ancestors, such a large order for arms from China. London-Bank L.T...

that we are victorious, we cannot go to St.

things, do much to provoke public ange | Petersburg and impose terms; admitting settled for many generations. Driven from [ment, with extra hands, will be employed for

by publishing abroad that the new Japanese cruisers bought at Genoa were taken out to the East by oficers and seamen from the British Navy, sent down there by their

Government."

"Do you think, Mr. Kurino, that the

that Russia wins on land and drives our

the orth-East passage if at all. That passage was navigated for the first time in 1878-79 by the famous explorer Nordenskiold, who would have been a Russian subject had it not been for the suspicion aroused by his kiberal views, which

originally coming from Sweden, had been

Finland at a time when he was about to start upon an expedition for studying the geology of troops of the continent, well, I am convinc-Siberia and Kamichatka, the means for which ed, she cannot send her armies over to be obtained by winning the Alexander travelling stipend, and made incompetent by formal no Japan." As he uttered these concluding ufication of the right of ever holding ofice in words a smile was again visible; probably the the University of Helsingfors, the Russian Go Russian Government thought that war would diplomat was thinking of Russia's already vernment by such action deprived itself of the crippled navy, soon perhaps to be non-exist. services of a man whose later travels and re- really break out ?"

searches in the Arctic regions were to reflect undying lustre on the country which received ant, and the little chances there were of a Muscovite host ever traversing the narrow him and forthered those great enterprises. It

One need

is curious that it is to the man thus driven from Russian territory, and whose friends with difficulty prevented the registration against him of a decree of permanent exile, that Russia is indebted for much of the in formation regarding the most northernmost part of the territory, nominally under her rule. The famous voyage of the Pega was rendered possible by the funds supplied by King Oscar of Sweden, Mr. Oscar Dickson of Gothenburg, a munificent supporter of the Swedish exploring expeditions whose name is

"No, I do not. The Russian authorities did not believe that we were in carnest, be- cause they did not realise the seriousness of sca-way that girdled his country. Japan's intentions and attitude, notwith. not be long in the society of the able states- minn to realise that the choice that placed standing our repeated requests for a settle. ment. Russia was blufing. She thought that him at St. Petersburg at the most critical moment of his country's history was a wise Japan was doing the same, and imagined that a demonstration of naval and military one; for, he possesses all the traits and characteristics that go to make the perfect forces would suffice for us to withdraw."

"Aud, may one ask, what is the impresrepresentative of a Power. Mr. Kurino has sion of the cultured class in Russian society done already much for his country; he will with regard to the present struggle ?"

"They had not, nor have, any desire for war. Those who favour it are military men who alone have something to gain thereby."

"There have been rumours of rupture and intrigue in Court circles in St. Peters- burg; do you think there is any truth in

these?"

"There are certainly great differences of opinion amongst those forming the entourage of the Emperor, but I do not know if there is any actual division at the Court."

"What is your opinion as to the real value

to Russia of the Trans-Siberian railway as a line of communications ?"

"Well, to a certain extent it will be a help; that is, it is preferable to the ordi- ́ nary road. But I think its real value has

been considerably over-rated and that it will not give the results expected." "Only one-third of the section. round Lake Baikal is completed; there remains yet 125 miles to be covered, 36 or 37 tun nels to be pierced, and all the work is on hard rock. It is impossible that it can be ready by the middle of the present year, as has been officially stated."

"Do you think that Russian reverses would lead to a revolution in the Empire."

"It is hardly probable, though one never knows what developments might take place. Considerable trouble and discontent exist in Finland; in Caucasus there is open revolt

· and sedition is rampant in several centres, but it would be necessary to combine all these movements, and this is hardly possible. Besides, Russia has so great an army that it is easy for her to at once crush local up- risings."

"On your way home it is probable that Your Excellency passed through Paris: Did (you gain any idea there of the chances there might be of an eventual intervention vol France in the contest ?"

most certainly; do more.

RUSSIAN SQUADRON AND THE

"MARCO POLO."

We hear on good authority that the Captain of the Italian cruiser Marco Polo, emphatically denies the report that he was stopped by the Russian squadron near the entrance to the Suez Canal. He says he

would not have tolerated such treatment.

The only incident which occurred was that the Russian warships directed their search lights on the Marco Polo, and fired a blank shot to which no attention was paid, and the Italian cruiser continued on her voyage to

the East.

NEWCHWANG.

commemorated in a harbour at the mouth of the Yenesei, and M. Sibiriakoff, a wealthy proprietor of Siberian estates. The expedition started from Karlskruna on the 22nd June, 1878, and on the 19th July reached the most northern paint of Siberia and of the Old World, Cape Sevoro or cheluskid, in 77° 40′ N. On leav ing the extreme northern point of Asia a south.

easterly course was steered, the sea being found to be free from ice but very shallow, The fatter would seem to be 3 point of considerable consequence if the Baltic feet is really about to try to reach Vladivostok by this route It would seem that the sea in this part of the Arctic Ocean is free of ice for some part of

water discharged by the great Siberian rivers every year, in consequence of the mass of warm

during the summer. But it would scarcely do for the Russian fleet to be caught in the North and forced to winter there, as was the Vega. Nevertheless, Nordenskiold very nearly made the North-East Passage in one season, though. the intrepid traveller probably had no objection to staying a winter in the high latitude he had reached, as this gave him the opportunity of

The following telegrams from His Britan nic Majesty's Consul at Newchwang are pub-studying an aboriginal tribe occupying a suitle lished the Gazette:

"Russian Authorities warn steamers not to anchor anywhere within one mile above and five miles below fort on account of danger from mines."

"Vessels have been warned not to cross bar between dusk and daylight.”

IN A PORT ARTHUR BATTERY,

DURING AN ENGAGEMENT,

The officer who commanded the battery on Electric Cliff during a recent bombardment of Port Arthur has written home the flowing vivid account of the engagement:-

gentle swell rapaing. Suddenly a little speck "It was a clear, sunny day. There was a

larmed out of the baze on the horizon. It was quickly joined by another, and yet another, till fifteco ships were in view. They came nearer they were only six miles off. Then a tiny puff and nearer growing larger and larger, until

of smoko was seen, and all of us in the battery (all wondered where the shell was going to It feil eighty yards away from the cliff where we wepanding, and burst right under the bows of Peresvied splashing ber decks with spray. Another puff, and a projectile whistled overhead crashing into the rock behind us Then a bird shell followed, and after a mo-

*I am sorry," replied. Mr. Kuring, smilment of tim suspense, it exploded, with terrific ing the while, "but I cannot answer that, violence Just over our heads. They had got as such information is of too diplomatic a our ran to exactly.s

character to be allowed to transpire."

was the signal for us to open fire with

Do..

demandi

Do. 4 months' sight France-Bank T.T. America Bank T.T..

The United States Consul at Leipsic re- ports that the factory at Steyr has received

that the whole strength of the establish.

several years in executing it. The Imperial Government has not been hasty, in utilising its freestor to import warlike stores, for the pro- hibition came to an end on August 25 las: Germany-—-Bank T.T. year; but perhaps it is making up tar lost time by importing a vast quantity when it begins. Much will certainly happen before that con signment from Steyr is delivered. But the

arsenals and factories in China itself are not to be overlooked. Some months ago, we beard that Japanese advisers had been appointed: they may have been recalled to the Army, but it is quite possible that they remain, seeing how important the role of China may become. The New York Heruld makes merry over their Consul's announcement, advising the sheep China to take refuge with the International shepherds, and "not pretend to be a carnivorous animal." Other American papers show more wisdom, we trust. Al a moment when one of the great Mongol races is exhibiting such intelligence and "grip" and resolution as Europeans could not excel, it is curiously incpt to jeer at the capabilities of the other.

RAUB CRUSHING.

The detailed milling return for the month ended 26th March, is as follows:-

Stamps working—40.

Period of work,-28 days-less lost time 1.75

day (41 hrs), of which 20 min. was due to

repairs. Sempan and remainder to clean up and mili

Ore milled: Koman 2,83 tons. Bitam 106 tons, Jellis 108 tons, total 3,045 tons.

India 'T.T.

Do. demand ..... Shanghai-Bank T.T. Japan-Bank T.T., Singapore-Bank T.T.. Java-Bank T.T..

Buying

4 months' sight L/C.... 6 months' sight L/C.......

.1331

the 2 rd April, at ŋ) P.M. Sharp,”,

in the Club GYMNASIUM, Kowloon.

Admission

**

$1.00

at 8.30 P.M. Arrangements have been made with the STAR FERRY CO., LD, to run a late Launch from Kowloon, at 12.15 A.M.

Aaunch will leave BLAKE PIER for Kowloon

HAROLD C. AUSTEN, Acting Hon. Sec. Hongkong, 23rd April, 1994.

PUBLIC AUCTION.

[536

*HE Undersigned have received instructions

to Sell by

PUBLIC AUCTION,

FOR ACCOUNT CONCERNED,

០៧

SATURDAY the 30th April, 1904, at Noon, alongside the Douglas S.S. Co.'s Whart

The Stearn Launch

" BERTHA,"

Length $9 feet;

Breadth 9 feet 6 inches;

Depth 6 feet 7 inches;

Built of Teakwood, and Copper Fastened, Metal Sheathed with Awning Complete. Boiler

4 ft. 4 in. by 5 ft. 6 in. in good order. Certifi ..1339 | cate granted for 75 lbs, pressure. Size of Engine Cylinders 9 and 15 inches by 9 inch Stroke.

TERMS:-As usual. For further particulars aaply to

HUGHES & HOUGH,

Auctioneers.

.72 ..88)

Nominal

......108

Hongkong, 23rd April, 1904.

../97

....1/10

30 days' sight San Francisco & New York 444 4 months' sight

do.

30 days' sight Sydney and Melbourne 4 honths' sight Francs 6 months' sight

1

4 months' sight Germany Bar Silver......

Bank of England rate

OPIUM, QUOTATIONS.

Today's quotations are as follows:-

Malwa New

M

+1

Old.........m Older Oldest......

Patna New

*

Old

-Benares New

Old

01

Mill duty 2.9 tons per stamp per 24 hours. Amalgam yield: 2,368 oz. giving 773 0 Persian (Paper: melted gold 31.37%-

Ballion yield: 5.08 dwt. per ton -80.12% of

contents.

Bullion fineness: 938.45 average.

Mercury loss: 4.6 lbs. per 100 tons milled = 2.63 oz. per or. bullion.

Tailings: Assays 1.26dwt.19.88% of contents.

PUNJOM MINING CO.

UNITED STATES & CHINA-JAPAN STEAMSHIP LINE.

45 1/10}

.2.201

THE

FOR NEW YORK VIA SUEZ CANAL.

HE Steamship

..2.31

"INDRAVELLI"

[544

Captain Craven, will be despatched as above

1.87 | on Friday, 29th inst., at 2-1.M.

..251

3%

Per cheal

970/1,03

.@ 1,020/1,080 @ 1,100/1,160 ..@ 1,180/1,220 ....@ 1342)

@ 1,3524

...( 1,343 ......@ 1,3371

......@ 38'910

Co-day's Advertisements.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

JARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS of

The Pahang correspondent of the Straits Petting by Public Auction Sale, to

Times writes in that journal, under date the 14th inst., regarding the Punjam Mining Co. as follows:--

We hear that the Penjum mines have shat down, the decision of the Directors at Hang kang, to stop work being doubtles» due to Mr. Warnford Lock's report on the property which is believed to have been unfavourable. Mr. J. R. Coates left Panggong on the 31st ultimo. and Messrs: R. H.ngan, J. O. Morris, and A. Murchison have each received a month's notice and leave at the end of April. Mr. W. Kerfoot Hughes, the Manager, is expected to return shortly to Hongkong,

Work on the Penjum property has been

ment on a low plain off the shore of which the Vega became frozen in towards the end of September. On the 18th of July, 1897, aftre having been imprisoned in the ice for two hundred and ninety-tour days, the Vega pro ceeded on her voyage and passed Behring Strait on the 20th of the same month, thereby succeeding in navigating for the first time the northern coasts of Europe and Asia which had originally been attempted by Sir Hugh Willoughby as long ago as 1553 Thas, as one chronicler puts it, the North-East Passage had at length bern accomplished, after the lapse of three hundred and twenty-six years, without the loss of a single life and without damage to the vessel undertaking the remark able enterprise Doubtless some of our readers

Sungei Dua Semantan Mining Company", will recollect the arrival of Baron Nordenskiöld au its concession included the Sungei Dua

September, 1879, after the successful accom- with the Vega at Yokohama on the 2nd of district in the Semantan, but this district was voluntarily surtendered in 1832 and plishment of the memorable journey.

the Company was re-constructed under the It may be mentioned as an interesting ciritle of "The Penjum Mining Company." cumstance that lyeyasu, who probably obtained bey gave up Sungei Dua with the object of master shipwrecked on the Japanese coast in the idea from Will Adams, the English ship devoting all their attention to gold mining at Penjum. In 1898 the Company obtained a 1600, showed considerable interest in the dis- new lease from the Government, the document covery of a North-East or North West l'assage, conveying mining rights over an area of zo by which Europe could be reached. to his

Diary of the fortunes of the English factory a Hiradu (1612 to 1624) Cucks has several pas saves dealing with the subject. In one place be says:-

carried on during the past 17 years. The Company was originally called "The Peojum

square miles for a period of so years from the

27th April, 1848, the land being held under a nominal ammual rental of one dollar. The labour conditions for shis large area were very light and provided for the continuous employ Mr. Adams is of the opynion that, yf eaverment, for mining purposes, of not less than one the north-east of north-west passages be fwnd labourer for every tea acres of land leased. In out, it must be from these partes, and offreth the event of this provision not being carried his best services therein, the Emperour promis- out literally, the Company had the option of inge his best fortherance with men or letters employing the equivalent of such labour in machinery and local supervision, the working entrance allready into an iland called Yedzo, value of an Asiatic mining labourer being, which is thought to be rather som parte of the under the lease, reckoned as equal to $ico per continent of Tartaria.

annum, and in machinery one horse-power

ten se batteries. Our twelve warships join-of recomendacions to all prinses, and hath

“It is the general impression in Englanded that. Frances' statesmen would be adverse to ¦ indey

engaging their country in so perilous au

ed

wor

adventure?" we vouchsafed

ឥរ

Ob certainly replied the statesman,

fal

and Fthink there is little chance of any such thing occurring so long as the present able blis Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. L'elcassé, mei remains in power...”. Besides any such move-

ment on the part of France would draw

sira

the reply. What followed was almost bable. The sea underneath fairly boil, the swishing, plunge of shells. The

of command were inaudible to the gun- . Again, under 25th November, 1614, Cocks J tried vainly to make my orders under- | writes:—

|

being taken as equivalent to 25 labourers.

All rights of water, way, and other ease- ments were fully provided for, and the lessees were exempted from the payment of all

be held on MONDAY, the 2nd day of May, 1904, at 3 F., at the Offices of the Public Works Department, by Order of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, of One Lot of CROWN LAND, at Star Street in the Colony of Hongkong, for a term of 75 Years, with the option of renewal at a CROWN RENT to be fixed by the Surveyor of His Majesty the KING, for one further term of 75

years.

Registry No.

PARTICULARS OF THE LOT.

LOCALITY.

Stay Street

Honorary

heroients,

2. A.

W.

ㄇ

16

{%

* Uphet Price.

74 B5 49.6

3.915 54 2,361

(542

Hongkong, 25rd April, 1904.

PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

NOTICE.

"ONSIGNEES of CARGO per Steamship

"ALGOA,

Co

The aboveSteamer having arrived, Consignees of Cargo are hereby requested to send in their Bills of Lading for countersignature, and to take immediate delivery of their Goods from alongside.

by WEDNESDAY, the 27th instant, at 5.P.M., Cargo impeding discharge and undelivered

will be landed and stored at Consignees' risk and expense.

No Fire Insurance will be effected.

E. W. TILDEN, Agent. Hongkong, 23rd April, 1904.

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.

FOR SWATOW, AMOY, TAKAO AND FOOCHOW.

THE Company's Steamship

"HAICHING,"

[1

amid the belching of 155 guns, and the He [Adams) balb a great desire to find out ged roar of the thells bursting with feat::| the nonher passage for England from hence, ashes "overhead. The smoke and duir - and thinketh it an casie matter to be donne in duties or taxes then or thereafter to become Captain Hodgins, will be despatched for the @did not experience any excite. respect the Emperour of this place offreth bis payable id' Pahang, excepting duties on mia- above Ports, on TUESDAY, the 26th instant,

at to A.M. husistance. Your Wor. [Cocks was writing toerals exported and on opium, spirits, and teeth began to ache, and

stion of in the scenes of the East ludis Company] shall and me as tobacco imported, which were to be paid at the thewilling as any man it shall please yow, to em- rates in force from time to time. it was pro-

ploy in these partes to second hym.

vided that no part of the 50 square miles lazued

For Freight or Passage, apply to

DOUGLAS, LAPRAIK & Co, General Managers. Hongkong, 33rd April, 1904,

For Freight apply to

JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.,

Agents,

Hongkong, 23rd April, 1904.

THE PORTLAND AND ASIATIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES.

[545

S.S. INDRAVELLI,” FROM PORTLAND (OR), YOKOHAMA, KOBE AND MOJI.

THE

"HE above steamer having arrived, Con- signees of Cargo are hereby requested to send in their Bills of Lading for Countersigna- ture and to take immediata delivery of their goods from alongside.

Cargo impeding the discharge of the vessel will be landed and stored at Consignees' risk and expense.

No Fire Insurance will be effected by us in any case whatever.

ALLAN CAMERON, General Agent.

Hongkong, 23rd April, 1903.

Entimation.

972

THE POPULAR

SCOTCH

IS

"BLACK&WHITE"

SCOTEKANNIS

JAMES BUCHANAN & CO. SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS, By Appolniment to H.M. THE KING

HRH the PRINCE of WALES

and

[543

Supplied at all the LEADING CLUBS

and HOTELS, and to be obtained from LANE, CRAWFORD & CO, Queen's Road

[$45 Contra