TELEGRAMS.
(Reuter's.)
Brigandage in Morocco.
LONDON, 29th May.
:
The Moorish bandit Raisuli has captured
an American named Perdecaris and an
Englishman named Varley in the vicinity of Tangier. The United States have refused to agree to terms for ransom and have order ed seven warships belonging to the South Atlantic and European Squadrons now at Tenneriffe and the Azores, to proceed to Tangier..
The British Press on the
Japanese Victory. The Japanese victory at Kinchan is hailed by the London Press as establishing an even stronger claim than the Yalu victory to superiority on land as well as on sen, since
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
SPORT IN HONGKONG.
THE V.R.C. ANNUAL MEETING. Speaking at the annual meeting of members of the Victorin Recreation. Club 1st evening, the Chairman (Mr. A. Chapman) said it was last season, although he felt that members had refreshing to note the interest laken in rowing
had too many irons in the fire-entered into many engagements in different branches of sport. He strongly recommended that a couple of representative crews be got together early, and exercise some unselfishness in giving up part of their other amusements, and devote more time lo training together in the boats to uphold the honour of the old V.R.C. It is a matter for regrel, he sai', that their crews were again unsuccessful in the inter-club events at the last regatta, but the committes hoped a special effort would be made at the next incet ing to regain some of the inst laurels. Those who were best able to judge said that that could only be attained by a keen esprit de corps; peity jealousies must be set aside, and beller attention given to practice. Con- tinuing, he said-Everyone connected with the club must have Been very pleased to see the great interest taken by the public in our aquatic entertauments last season, and partí- cularly gratifying was it to observe the large numbers of ladies who graced our meetings
with their attendance. I have no doubt the
the Russians at Kinchau had ample time to prepare the defences. The Daily Telegraph says the victory is one of the most perfect examples possible of how fighting ought to be conducted, and of qualities which go to make an almost ideal Army. The Japanese goldier is the compeer of the proudest Eu- ropean soldiery. The Standard says the new commitice will this year be able to pre- valour of the Japanese soldiers has again ent equally attractive programmes. refused to recognize any obstacle as insur-Gymnasium Sub.committee are disappointed that the anpliances provided by them have not been availed of better. Lately some members expressed a "esire to have the benefit of a regular instructor, but the efforts of the committee in this direction fell through for want of support.
nountable.
LATER,
The War. The Japanese losses at Nanshan are now estimated at 3,500. The Russian guns daptined exceed seventy,
The Japanese hope to be able to storm Port Arthur within a fortnight. They realize that their loss will be most severe, but con- sider it is better than keeping a large army idle for three months,
+
The
Perhaps at the commencement of the next cool
season classes may be arran, ed, when it is hoped members will take full advantage of them. The bar account show a good result. The balance-sheet, on the whole, I think, may be considered fairly satisfactory: true, the
working account does not show up too well, but you will perhaps have noticed it has suffer- cd through extraordinary expenditure for making good damage by typhoon. These repairs necessitated 1500 being withdrawn from the typhoon fund, and the hon. treasurer recommends that that amount be now trans-
(Manila Cadienews) Mount Pelee.
Washington, 27th May. There are indications of another great erup tion at Mount Pelee in the island of Martinique.ferred from the bar account to the credit
Several very heavy explosions have occurred and considerable quantities of rock and lava have been ejected. So far no lives have been lost but the inh-bitants are fleeing in terror, most of them taking refuge on the ships now in the harbour.
RAILROADS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
a
The House of Representatives has passed bill supplementary to the Philippine art, one important feature of which is the granting of power to the Philippines Commission to guar-
of the typhoon fund to bring it back to the position in which it stood at the be ginning of last year. I may say that the retir ing committee concur in the recommendation. The item, "Loss on Regatta, $115.:8," is due to some misunderstanding in the supply of refreshments, which is not at all likely to occur again. I do not think I need say anything further regarding the accounts, but the treasurer will be able and pleased to answer any questions
members may wish to ask! You will have seen
that the commilllée have recommended a pro- from the slip circulated with the printed report
the annual subscription be increased from Sto
mert, A. P. Nobbs, S. A. Seth, A. Humphreys, F. Lammert, F. W. White, and M. McIver.
Messrs. Frank White and Frank Lammert resigned.
The Chairman then nominated Mr. R. C. Witchell as a member of the balloting com- mittee.
RULES.
The Chairman proposed that Rule zoa should be altered to read:-The General Committee shall have power to appoint such Sub-Com mittee as they think proper from the Members
of the Club, but one Member of the General Committee at least shall serve on each such Sub-Committee.
Mr. M. E. Asger seconded, and it was car ried.
The Chairman proposed that Rule 12 be altered to read as follows:-The Subscription for Resident Members shall be Fifteen Dollars per annum, payable prior to the 31st March, and for non-Resident Members the Subscrip tion shall be at the rate of Two Dollars per month, payable in advance while in Hongkong
Mr. C. D. Silas seconded and it was carried. Mr. W. G. Humphreys proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman. (Applausn.)
MILITARY ASPECTS
THE
OF TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY.
A very interesting article under the above heading appears in the Scientific American. It gives at once a history of the great under taking and an idea of its value to the Russians in the present war. The writer says that although the Trans-Siberian Railroad is just use the most valuable asset of the Russian Government in prosecuting its war with Japan, this vast system was not originally planned for military purposes-not, at least, if we are to believe the original proclamation or "rescript" of the Emperor Alexander in which the con- struction of the rad was authorised. It is given herewith, and the reader may judge for himself. This rescript is dated the 14th of May, 1891, and was received by the Grand Duke Tsesarevich on his landing in that year fom an important tour of inspection of the Far Eastern countries. "Having given the order to build a continuous line of railway across Siberia, which is to unite the rich
Siberian provinces with the railway system of the interior, entrast to you to declare my will apon your entering the Russian dominions, fter your inspection of the foreign countries of the Far East. At the same time I wish you to lay the first stone at Vladivostos for the construction of the U'ssuri hue forming part of the Siberian Railway... Your participation In the achievement of this work will be a
testimony of my ardent desire to facilitate communications between Sibèria and the other countries of the empire, and to manifest my extreme anxiety to secure the peaceful pro- perity of this country,—Alexander."
Thus was inaugurated a railroad which, in
together without a parallel even among the
TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1904.
Returns for the twenty-four hours ending to-day at neon show that six cases of plague (all Chinese) have occurred-in-the Colony. All were fatal.
that the road has been hastily and wretchedly THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY. built, and that under the severe strain of the war, it will be subject to continual breakdown, and probably fail to perform the military duties for which it was sup- posed to have been built. This impression (says the journal quoted) we do not at all share. In many respects the road is built in accord. ance with modern ideas and with structures
that are well up to the very latest railroad practice. In the first place, the construction of the Siberin Railroad has been under the
care of Prince Khilkoff, who was for several years a resident of the United States, and who acquired a thoroughly practical knowledge of the construction and operation of American railroads. Consequently, it is fair to assume that the Siberian road has been built on care- fully.considered and well-ordered plans, and that if there has been economy it has been of a judicious kind and exercised under the re- straining hand of Prince Khilkoff, who is thoroughly familiar with roads of the same type in the United States, that have been built under the same restrictions of economy as this Siberian enterprise.
As a matter of fact, the road corresponds very closely to a pioneer American trans-con- tinental system. It is single track, and built for the comparatively light loads and engines which characterise a new railroad through an undeveloped country. In some respects it is considerably better built than were our own early Western railroads, as is shown by the in- variable use of stone piers and abutments, masonry culverts, and steel superstructures.
The weakest point in the construction of the line is, or rather was, the very light rail that was used. The first 600 miles from Chelinbinsk was Jaid with ra that weighed but 54 pounds to the yard. This was found to be too light for the trains, and a heavier section, more suited
has been laid over a majority of the road. The to modern rolling stock, was adopted and
gauge is the standard 5-foot gauge of all Rus- stan roads. The road is hampered by want of sufficient sidings at the stations. On the stretch of road from the European frontier to Lake Raikal, the track is laid over country that per- stretch of 880 miles in the western section, from mits of long tangents. Thus for a continuous
Cheliabinsk to Pochitanka, the road is so
stenight that its total distance exceeds an air line by merely zł per cent, and in this division there are three stretches of absolutely straight line, ene of which is go, another éz, and another 86 miles in length,
the section that includes Lake Baikal, which The most troublesome portion of the line is lies in an exceedingly mountainous and rough country. For the present, freight and passen gers are disembarked at the western end of Lake Baikal and ferried across to the terminus of the eastern end. When the location of the line was made, it was found that the work of such magnitude and would consume so much ume that it would be impossible to await its
REPORTED NAVAL CONFERENCE
Cooper left for 1longkong he received lengthy It is ascertained that shortly before. Admiral instructions from Washington concerning the future movements of the vessels of the United
States Asiatic fleet.
10.5
To-day's Advertisements.
THE CHINA LIGHT & POWER
COMPANY, LIMITED.
TETTING OF SHAREHOLDERS in HE THIRD ORDINARY ANNUAL
THURSDAY, 9th June, 1904, at 11.30 AM the Company will be held in the Company's Offices, No. 14, Des Voeux Road, Victoria, on for the purpose of receiving Statement of Account and the Report of the General Managers for the year ending 29th February, 1904, and electing a Consulting Committés and Auditors.
A prominent official here, says the Manila Cablenews, when asked his opinion as to the will be CLOSED from Monday, 6th, to Thurs- The TRANSFER BOOKS of the Company cause which induced the Washington Govern-day, 9th June, both days inclusive. ment to order the entire Asiatic feet to Hong- kong, expressed himself to-day as follows: "When Secretary Hay proposed to the Powers asked the belligerents to exclude her territory to jointly guarantee the integrity of China and
as much as possible from the zone of military
SHEWAN, TOMES & Co, General Managers. Hongkong, 1st May, 1904.
NOTICE.
[67%
ADAME FLINT & Co. beg to notify
MAD
*ཏ
their clients that they have secured more commodious preatises, (No. 4 DES VEUX ROAD, next door to the HONGKONG BANK) and will move therein this week. During this period they will be compelled to
operations, favourable replies were received from all the Powers, even from Japan and Russia. But the expressions of the St. Peers barg G verament were accepted with scep- ricism at the time and the investment of the Chinese provinces since by Russian troops shows that the Bear's designs in this matter! were at: cipated by the American Government! close business, but the appointments made
"It is
part ol
open secret that this policy on the e American Government is backed by one not more of the great powers that: stand pidged to uphold this policy by force if nece ry. We are all awar: that "Russia: has openly broken faith with the powers by thus invading Chinese territory outside of what she held of Manchuria, and right there are the causes by which the future movements of the' decided." United States Asiatic feet are likely to be!
with ladies for Dresses will be kept at the old address, CONNAUGHT HOTEL
Hongkong, 31st May, 1954.
<
*
[673
AMERICAN TIC STEAM- SHIP COMPANY, POR. NEW YORK vì, SUEZ CANAL. THE Steamskip...
"RAS ISSA THURSDAY, the 2nd June, at 4 P.M. will be despatched for the above Port, on
For Freight, apply to
SHEWAN, TOMES & Co., General Agents. Hongkong, 31st May, 1904.
4.
[536
JAVA-CHINA-JAPAN LYN. FOR BATAVIA, CHERIBON, SA MARANG, SOERABAIA AND MACASSAR, (Taking Cargo at through rates to all. Parts in Netherlands India).
kong, and it is rumoured in official circles Washington orders the entire fleet to Hong- that Admiral Cooper will confer with the representative officials of the British admiralty there. It is further believed that a programme will be mapped out which will be enacted jointly by American and British war-ships express himself more directly as to what sort now on the Asiatic station. When asked to
official again expressed himself saying. In of programme would likely be enacted, this all likelihood Admiral Bridge on His Majesty's battleship Glory commanding His Majesty's THE Company's Steamship ships on this station, and Rear Admiral Cooper,
"TJILATJAP," commander in chief of the United States naval Captain Koops, will be despatched as above on • and cruise along the Siberian coast, lie off forces, will in the near future proceed north TUESDAY, the 7th of June, P.M. Vladivostok for awhile, then return to Hong. Apply to
For information as to Passage and Freight,
kong. Such a joint manoeuvre at this critical
THE HEAD AGENCY time will be up to the Tzar to speedily with-
of the Jaya-China-Japan Lyn, draw his soldiers from the forbidden Chinese
Alexandra Buildinga. territory or have America and England arrayed
Hongkong, 31st May, 1904.
[671 against him. But just how far the Tzar will go.. for in this present course is a matter for con- jecture, and if such a move is made by America
antee interest on money invested in Philip. Posal, which will be put to this meeting, that paint of continuous distance covered, is completion. In about eighteen months' or two and England as jast mentioned, the peace of
to $15, and, in view of the heavy expenditure large railroads of the United States. It had years' time from now it is expected that this the world will depend upon the outcome.
pino railroads up to a certain limit. The incidents 'attending the passage of the act indicate very well the difficulty, forcibly de scribed by Montesquieu more than 200 years Ego, sure to be experienced by a republic in the government of dependencies. The pro-
that is before the club in the near future, I am
pedient. The committee have welcomed evi- sure members will agree that this step is ex.
dence of a strong and very proper desire on the
been under advisement and more or less ar
object of solicitude on the part of the Russian Government for a third of a century past. Actual construction was commenced on
circom-Baikal route, as it is called, will be finished. The country is extremely difficult, and we are assured by one who has been over the route and is very familiar with it, that it is even more difficult of construction than the
position was a purely business maiter. The Part of younger members-that is, the active the 19th of May, 1891, when the Grand Duke heaviest stretches of work on the Colorado!
will
members to be permitted more voice in the conduct of the affairs of the club, and to meet
this, have framed an amendment to the bye- laws, which you have seen, and which, if
islands must have railroads. They cannot get them without either guaranteeing interest on money invested in them under Govern ment supervision, or granting "concessions" for long periods upon terms which
carried, will give your new general committee permit investors to exploit the country.ittee to serve on the various sub-committees. power to a point members outside of such com. Capital must have either interest or it will The intention is that all members of sub- lie idle. Nobody can foresee how long it committees shall attend meetings of the gen- will be before Philippine railroads will can
eral commit ee. revenue. Too many contingencies have to be
I now come to the subject considered to make any financial forecast pos- site; and no doubt you had hoped the com- you are most anxious to hear about-the new sible, and in one form ar another the people of the islands must pay for the risk or go without mittee would have been in a
position to lay railroads. The Commission and the Adminis- before you some definite proposal at this tration are of the opinion that it will be cheap-meeting. Unfortunately, that time has not est and best to pay for the risk in the form el a yet come, neither is the matter ripe for dis guaranty of interest, with accompanying govern.
cussion here. All I can say is that we have ment supervision of investment.
Tsesarevich filled a barrow with soil and emptied it on the railroad embankment.
The longest continuous line on the North American contineut is the Canadian Pacific
Railway, whose main line from Montreal to Victoria has a total length of 1,999 miles. The line of the Siberian Railway from Cheliabinsk to Vladivostok measures 4.770 mules. The branch from Harbin to Port Arthat measures
273 miles, so that the man fine sys'em, in- dependently of its feeders, covers over 6,000 miles of track. From Vladivostok to St. Petersburg is abou! 6,700 miles, and from Port Arthur to the various harbours of the North
Sea is about 6,900 miles by the Dearest route.
The road may be divided into six sections. The first or western section extends from
The third section in- cludes Lake Baikal and this section the
road reaches its utmost elevation, from which it drops to the Pacific slepe, running through country rich in minerals, from which some $15,000,000 worth of
Ji annually ex-
Midland road in Americ. This location is so mountainous and precipitous that it is called by the Russians themselves the Switzerland of
Siberia.
The impression that the Siberian road is pools built and is liable to break down under the stress of military service iz based upon the cany condition of the line, before the heavier steel was laid and time had been given for ballasting and bringing up to standard such portions of the lines as were hastily laid in the endeavour to get line pushed through to com- pletion. An enormous amount of filling in and ballasting has been accomplished during the past year, and to-day the road is equal to taking care of trains and locomotives of the kind that One advant-
Cheliabinsk, which is on the European frontier, have been supplied to the line. been informed that, so far as the Admiraly.to Fochitanka, a distance of 1,080 miles. age which this line has over some of our There is perhaps not another important works authorities are concerned, the site will runs for about 900 miles over a highland pioneer Western roads is that the Russians country in the world whose national legislature be ready to be handed over in September plateau that is practically level. For over 600
next. Matters are in train for discussion of a miles it traverses an excellent agricultering these to the more-hastily-built and less have made very free use of embankinents, pre- would not consider so simple a business pro- position on its merits, but in the present settlement of the questions in connection with country, while 300 miles west of lumsk the Permanens pite restles, which form such a degraded condition of the Democratic party the new site, but it would be inadvisable, in it cannot be permitted to pass without the present state of affairs, to discuss the trict. The central division extends from Tomsk
hac is laid through a good steck-raising absconspicuous teicie of our own Western roads. The ear h of tuck embankment, once made, becoming the subject of dirty political matter in any way at this meeting. I assure attack. The people of the United States you your committee have devoted much time climate and soil are both unsuitable for agri.sequently the great amount of time spent in ta Irkutsk, throu,h upload country, whose requires very late subsequent care, and con- are bound by all the obligations which and earnest deliberation to this question, and cultural settlements.
maintaining ordinary trestle construction will can be supposed to influence decent men to am sure the new committee will not fail to
be saved on the trans-Siberian road. The same give to the Filipinos the best possible form of give the subject their very best attention, and
is true of the culverts and piers which, as we government and the best possible administra
as soon as they are in a position to formulate
have said, are practically all of good masonry. tion says the S. F. Chronicle. If there be eac
a definite scheme the whole matter will be laid
We think, however, that it would have subject of legislation which should be sacred from
been a wiser policy if the engineers had partisan treatment it is legislation in regard to the Philippines. The Democrats Congress,
adopted a better class of track tie. Many ut the ties consist merely of soft-wood trees however, are so destitute of patriotism that they will not forbear to impede and cload legislation by attacks on the motives and character of the men who are charged with the government of the islands. They must declare that the object of the prop sed law is to make an opening for corruption in its execution. And yet the Governor of the Philippines is a Democrat, whose capacity and integrity no Republican disputes, and the character of all the Philippine Commissions has been of the highest that the Nation can produce.
The only way by which insular affairs can be prevented from demoralizing our own home. politics is to place the islands in the same position with our other territories and to grant local self-government as fast as the character of the people will permit."
THE Japanese soldier is described by M. Pichon as a man with muscles like whipcord, n. sure. shot, baving an eye for landmarks and a splendid memory for locality. Moreover, he has wonderful endurance, can do with three "hours" sleep out of the twenty-four, is clean in his habits, attends conscientiously to sanitary instruction, is ardently patriotic, and costs the the state only 9 cents per day. He never grumbles at hardships and is always ready to attempt the most desperate service, :
belere you at a special general meeting Before proposing the adoption of the repurported. and accounts, I will be pleased to answer any questions to the best of my ability.
There being no questions asked, the Chair- man groposed, Mr. F. Lammert seconded, and it was agreed, that the report and statement of accounts as printed and circulated be passed,
OFFICERS.
Mr. E. W. Mitchell proposed, Mr. J. R. Michael seconded, and it was agreed, that Mr. A. Chapman be re-elected Chairmap.
Mr. Frank White proposed that Mr. Frank Lammert be elected Hon. Secretary. Mr. C.
W. Silas seconded.
Mr. J. Oxberry proposed that Mr. Harold Austen be asked to carry on as Hon. Secretary. Mr. T. C..waby seconded.
As a result of the ballot Mr. Austen was
elected:
Mr. S. A. Seth proposed that: Mr. R. II. B. Mitchell be asked to continue as Hon. Trea-
Mr. L. G. d'Almada e Castro seconded. Carried.
surect
Amor, which extends towards the Pacific The fourth sectio is that of the
for a distance of 1,600 miles. This is the to length and split in two. These are
of future agricultural development. district which gives the greatest promise laid with the face down and a notch It is adaed, in each to receive the rails. The richly timbered and contains large sections of weak features a this type of tie are that it alluvial land and is favoured with a more rem-
presents but small bearing surface for the base perate climate. Then follows the Ussuri sec
of the rail, which quickly cuts down into tie, tion, which extends to Vladivostok, on the and also it is liable to rot out quicker than the Pacific, running through a billy country suit- square tie that is bewed on opposite faces. able for agriculture and stock-rising, and
Probably it will be found, as the war pro- containing an excellent bituminous coal. The ceeds, that one of the elements of weakness in branch through Manchuria from Harbin to the line, for operation purposes, is that the farming country. Although much of the however, can readily be lengthened so as to Port Arthur is laid through a thickly-settled sidings are not of sufficient length. These, country travelled by the Siberian road is inhos. accommodate several trains at a time, and estimated that the valuable territory tributary should be able to land at the seat of war a pitable and barren, a competent authority has with ample provision of this kind the road
agriculture is equal to the combined area of supplies of food, ammunition, etc., and it to this great system that will be suitable for minimum of 800 troops a day with their Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, might be able by excellent management and and Denmark, an area that, when once popu good luck in the matter of break-downs to lated, will be fully capable of sustaining the place as many as 1,200 troops a day at the railway out of local traffic alone. The only front. We are informed by an eye-witness, stretch of country which must be regarded, who has just arrived from Lake Baikal, that from the standpoint of railroad operation, rs1,000 troops a day were being transported altogether unpromising is the 1,500 miles ex during the latter part of February, and it is tending from Tomsk to the head waters of the likely that the lengthening of the sidings that Is.how going on coupled with the experience
The following members were elected, by bailot, on the General Committee:-Messrs W. A. Armstrong, W. G. Bailey, G. A. Caldwell, E. N. Hozeland, C. H. Grade, W. G. Hom phreys, Thosi Meek, E. W. Mitchell, and A. Amer. Rodger.
4.,, ;
It is as a military road, however, that the that is being gained, will enable Russia to The following members were elected on the Siberian enterprise is just now vested with its place troops at the front during the summer Balloting Committee-Messm. C.E. A. Hance, chief interest. There is a popular belief, which months at the rate of from 30,000 to 4,000 J. H. R. Hunce, R. Henderson, H. A. Lam-seems to have grown by the relating thereof month,
↓
COMMERCIAL.
SHARE LIST.
3 p.m.
Following are further alterations in Messrs. Benjamin, Kelly & Pants' share quotations no tified to us after the list had heen printed :-
Indo-Chinas...
China Sugars Green Islands
TO-DAY'S EXCHANGE.
Selling.
ondon-Bank T.T.........
Do.
.de n. 1......... Do months' sight France-B.nk T..
America-Bank T.T. Germany — Bank TT.
India TT.
Do. demand.... Shanghai-Bank T.T. Japan-Bank T.T.. Singapore-Bank T.T.
Buying.
Java-Bank T.T.
mouths' sigla L/C
6 months' sight L/C,
Intimations.
$119 sa. & b. 16 sa, & b.
28 sa.
THE POPULAR
1/9 11 16:
191
.1.26.
431
1.AJ
1349
35
7:
..88% Nom
30 days' sight San Francisco & New York 44 4 months' sight
do.
30 days' sight Sydney and Melbourne....../ic 4 months' sight Francs............. 6 months' sight 4 months' sight Germany Bar Silver.......
#
Bank of England rate
SCOTCH
IS
"BLACK & WHITE"
Scones ASAY
451
..2.301 2.31
1.881
1%
OPIUM QUOTATIONS. To-day's quotations are as foliowy -
P'er chest. @ 950/980 @ 1,050/1,100 @ 1,140,1200 1,240/1,280 1,250
Malwa New
10
Old....
Older
太阳
Oldest.
.@ 1,260 1,230 @ 1,230
@ 900/940
JAMES BUCHANAN & CO. SCOTCH WHISKY DISTIEZERS. By Appointment to
B.M. THE KING
and
HRH the PRINCE of WALES
Supplied at all the LEADING CLUBS and HOTELS, and to be obtained from LANE, CRAWFORD & CO, Queen's Road Central,
[F
EYE-SIGHT.
Patua New Old Bedares New
Old
#
Persian: Paper)
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May be personally consulted for SPECTACLES. No charge for testing the eyes. Glasses and frames of all kinds and qualities. Prices from $2 upwards.
16, QUEEN'S ROAD, CENTRAL,
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