1908-01-06 — Page 5

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH MONDAY JANUARY 6, 1908

SERIOUS STRIKE IN

HONGKONG.

TWO THOUSAND RICKSHA

ABANDON WORK. PULLERS

AN OTCROP OF KUNGURE Directing his steps to quarters likel informed of the causes leading to the unto spectacts of a number of rickshas tied up mi the eastern end of the city, our reporter gathered much fact, and with it an outcrop of tumours,

The earliest

ist Information, this morning, whose accuracy has been authenticated al official quarters, is to the effect that about two thousand schaba pullers want os sinks At 7.30 am. 10-day. By a A strange coincidence, the west-bound wam-cars became tied up at sbont. the same hour. We are, however, in a position to assert authoritatively that there is abralotaly no coupection between the two incidebis as will

DISPUTE INVOLVES THE OLD be explained Inter

CURRENCY PROBLEM.

THE ORIGIN, OF THE STRICK.

it has not been difficult to discover the or gir of the strike, although, us most bappan in such cases, there are slight variations in detail. From our information wo incline to

STRIKE AGITATORS AND FOMENTERS the view that the strike had its origin

OF DISTURBANCES ARRESTED.

ARMED PATROLS GUARD THE STREETS. TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT OF THE DIFFICULTY.

".

without their host, and where the hires had an opportunity to prove that they wore not tied hand and foot to the owners, or bound to obey their behests.

"all

a

Co-day's Adocrtisements.

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.

FOR SWATOW. AMOY AND FOOCHOW.

THE Company's Steamship

Captain Hodgins, will be despatched for the above Porte on FRIDAY, the "roth" instant," Miro a'clock a

·For Freight or Passage, apply to

DOUGLAS LAPRAIK &” Co. General Managers. Hongkong, fih January, 1908.

THEATRE ROYAL

THE CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA, BEAUSTRALIA AND CHINATA

NCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER, 18§3. HEAD OFFICE-LONDON.

10.0* C*PITAL MUTUANAJUAT MIN| £1,200,000 +18! RVS) FOND, ** 2:00 £1,475,000 Perovs LIABILITIES OF PROPRIE»;

*****£1,200,000

NTEREST ALLOWED on CURRENT

Intimation.

THE

ACCOUNT at the Rate of a par cact, par ROBINSON PIANO

annum on the Daily Baluncas.

Du Fiend Deposits for a months, é per cent.

JOHN ARMSTRONG,

Land Manager: Hongkora 6) January, 100%.

CITY HAL.

TO-NIGHT.

POLLARD'S LILLIPUTIAN O ERA CO.

"Mr. C. A. POLLARD and Mrs. N. CHESTER, SOLE OWNERS.

THE BELLE OF NEW YORK"

MORROW (TUESDAY), January 2154:

IN TOWN."

“LA POUPEE.”

WEDNESDAY, January 6th:

THURSDAY, January 9th';

SKETCHY BITS."

PRICES: 53.00, $100 and $1.00,

BOX PLAN AT THE ROBINSON PIANO CO.

Late Trams to the Peak 15 minutes after each performance.

A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE.

a

CÓ LD.

INVITE INSPECTION

NEW STOOK

Steinway,

Bechstein,

Russell.

Krauss,

[11

Romhildt,

over, we give the men the option of either pay.

· SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT.

In the course of the forenoon, as might being us in the legal tender of the Colony at the guessed without any effort of imagination, the old rate of 35 cents, or to make good to us the executiveamborities at policeheadquarters were loss, if they pay us in debased currency," kept unarally busy. Upon Capt F. Lyon, Captain Superintendent, and Inspector Willen, At 4.15 p.m. when our representative agala vehicle inspector, fell the burden of the task called at the Registrar-General's office, Ms, in devising plans to cope with may on Brewin said that a meeting had been held at urgency, although, of course, from the present which there were present Capt. Lycus, some outlook there is little fear of the mob breaking Chinese, geallemen, the representatives of into any rolou disturbance. However, as owners and of the coalies, besides himself. The wise precautionary measure the West Point facts elicited at the meeting as to the cause ofite

Two sqand hinese.

have now decided to withdraw the artice raising. police was strengthened by eight o'clock by strike have been detailed above. The owDBIR the hire of the vehicle. The cholies, with this 1 assurance, promise to resume work to-night and it is expected that they will again ply their vehicles for hire as undertaken. – Meanwhile, owners will consult Government as to the step to be, taken before issuing another antica, Thus has a temporary settlement of the culty been arrived at,

Two squads Indian" poljće, mad armed, patrols,

All these men have been detailed to special duty in the districts comprised within Des Vœux Road. West and Queen's Road East.

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL INTERVIEWED.

When seen at his office in the course of the day the Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewn, Registrar General, kindly informed a member of our staff the Capt. Lyons wasgalling the men together that is, rep esentatives of the owners and of the coolies-with a view of conference at the

to

CANTON DAY BY DAY.

[From Our Own Corrispondent.]

Capton, 4th January. The German Consul here is reported to have

Werner, &c.

GRANDS & UTRIGHTS,

BUILT UNDER OUR PERSONAL SUPERVISION

EMBODYING 30 YEARS LOCAL

EXPERIENCE: '-

Hongkong, 5th December, 1907:

To Let.

TO BE LET.

CO. Mr. Brewin did not think that there would be no difficulty in getting the con ficting interests to arrive at an amitable set disapproved of the interference of the Cinton sirment. He had information that men of the General Chamber of Commerce in an action Chinches clan were not unwilling to submit concerning the German firm of Messrs. Wendt

owners terms. But the Hoifung coslies and Co., of Shameen, and a native from called THE Whole jED FLAT of No. 3, PEDDERS imm grants from districts on the mainland Shun Chan, of Sap Sam flong, and be has ron, balween Hongkong and somewhere near Sw** requerily communicated with H E. the Vicery tow-were not so smenable as their confreres, complaining against the said Chamber and at Asa meeting would be held some time in-day the same time quotieg Articless of the Treaty our Lepresentative called again inter for the result of the discussion,

In demand by the owners of vehicles for an increase of four cents more per day from each puller for the bite of the rick- shasan increase which the pullers cannot agree among themselves to concede. The ver sion given by one of the farmers of the raison d'fire for the increase is plausible, and it will be- found that the vexed question of the currency is daddied with the blame for the present de.d. 10.k. Yet another story, the least authentic What developed into little less than a

and the most unlikely, le the report that the sensation was created in Hongkong to day,

siriks is partly due to the fact that, for the fist when early morning pedestrians on their way

ten minutes, the tariff charged by firn-class machines, as distinguished from the second- 10 business discovered that the army of

Following a practice which is daily becom class vehicles, is the same as that in force for rickslia pullers who usually block the streets, and besiege all and sundry who seem likely ing more common, the spallers held a mass, the latter, viz, five cents. These can, however, fares, had gone on strike. The main the meeting last night at which the demands of be no connection between this and the origin of the present difficulty from the fact that there roughfares were deserted of their daily flying the owners were presented and discussed. has been no collision-ur the sugestion of one. -as between Unsaction of the pullers and squadrons, and residents living in the out-What the result of that meeting was there is skins of the city had either to invoke the no need to say, "the appearance of a couple the other.

BEGINNING OF THE TROUBLE aid of the traincars in order to reach the of thousand idle pullers and the double rows

The fut indication of any trouble brewing city or to adopt natures provision for the of deserted rickshas which lined the streets journey. At various corners crowds of coolies being eloquent testimony of the coolies' might be traced ja a mais meeting of ricksha were congregated, undoubtedly with the ob determination to resist the owners' ultimatum.pullars held in the western district last ject of preventing blacklegs from interfering At the same time, it is absolutely certain night. The police had had no votima tion that such meeting had been con with their plan of campaign, and from all'ap-that a proportion of the pallers were by no

vaued, since, in pursuance of the terms pearances a very ugly and menacing state of means inclined to throw up their employ- of the Regulations of Chinese Ordinance, the affairs had arisen apparently in a single ment on the spur of the moment. Many were authorities were empowered to prevent night. Fortunately, for all concerned, the doubtless eager to contest the claims of the such a meeting without the expressed authorisa strikers and those who aspired to the position licence-holders, and many more were intimid- tion of the Registrar General Notice of the of leaders, kept within the bounds of theated into acquiescence, or, at last, were willing meeting was given by runners. No leaflet law, and, although at the Western end of the to adopt the views of the leaders, but there was has yet been discovered summoning the city a few lawless and turbti'eur characters, a certain proportion who refused to be bound "solemn copelave." At the appointed time the parties me, it is presumed, at "their quartets, There the deliberations pro-, 'took advantage of the unwonted situation to by the "union" verdict, otherwise how can create disturbances, there was, on the whole, we account for the roving gangs of strikers ceeded. The demand by the cwners of the four-cent impost was considered and it, was, a wire inclination to await the peaceful adwin ranged the city and "held up" justment of the grievances which had led up public rickshas which were plying for hire? ultimately, resolved not'te yield to the demand if course the few isolated cases where pull. which was considered vexanon. A second to the strike.

Considerable difficulty was experienced ers were found to be disregarding the orders resolution determined the attitude of the men, at first in obtaining. a definite and of the central body were speedily submerged which was that of passiva resistance to the precise account of the circumstances which in the ranks of the majority. Down at West owner of vehicles. A strike was decided upon for this morning, and, true to pre- had ind something like two thousand rick-Foint, indeed, several coulies, who were concerted action, not a man picked up his aha pullers to wander aimlessly through the probably innocent of any intention, to shafts after hall-pasi seven this morning, streets instead of seeking to make an honest act as blacklegs, and had no knowledge should be remarked that the sizike, not be penny at the busiest hour of the day. If of the fact that a strike was in progress, ing aimed at any Governmental measure, the "was beyond question that the grievance were somewhat mauled and beaten by the grievance being one only against the owner, which had suited the diverse interests repre- blustering scamps who invariably hang on to it is confined only to public ricktha-men; sented by the pulers and i duced them to the skirts of those who are fighting for. pullers in private employ not being affe ted have os joined the ran's of the strikers and risk their livelihood by refusing to work was principle, whether they be right or wrong.

STREET sturally the police authorities, on being from every indication have not manifested any no visionary or mythical afixir." But the curious thing was, that nobody seemed to apprised of the excitement among the rick sympathy with the movement. have heard any premonitory news tintasha-pulles, and their determination to harry strike was in contemplatio even the and disincate the ricksha service, made in pullers of private rickshas, although it may mediate preparation for eventualities. The very well be that the aristocracy of Captain Superintendent of Police, Captain the ricksha tibe had been pledged to Lyons, managed to get a number of secrecy. "At all events, from Wanchai to West representative men of the pullers' guild to the Point, the principal arteries of Victoria, were together and conveyed theni thronged with bands of wandering pullers Registrar-General's Office, there whose only common bond was that of re-relate their grievances and to obtain a sistance to what they deemed the unwatrant-itlement of the dispute if at all possible. able attitude adopted by the owners of It was then decided that there should be públic rickshas in respect of the lure-tariff, joint conference of owners and pullers and Meanwhile, citizens suffered the greatest in the inatter stood adjourned. It was brought

at the time of our visit, but not long Seeing that in recent times, the books used. conve-lence by reason of the pullers' defec. o. at the informal gathering, however, that

As soon as the strike was declared, a affer, in reply to questions, Mr. Scott klacly in the different schools and colleges are quite NAUGHT ROAD, facing the Cricket tion, and for the first time in years partly one party of coolies, the Chiuchown, were

was glad 10 say, books have been changed to suit the wants of upholders of the commercial prosperity of prepared to acquietes in the owners' de fer of the more rowdy element sit them confirmed the fact of the existence of the different from those used in old times, as most the Colony were compelled to indulge in a mands, but the Hoifungs, on the other hand, selves the task of intimidating the plastic rumour which, be

opes and inciting, the willing workers was without any truth at all, Mr. Scott bad the students of modern learning, and that the old purely plebian form ofexercise, to make mat-were rezolutely obdurates ».*

to join the sirkers. The loafers and the bard-personally proceeded to investigate the cause classical bai ks, etc, will srga be out of date with ters worse, the tramway service collapsed, In the course of the forenoon there were as the result of something going wrong several minor conflicts with the police of malcontents who are invariably to be found of the slight breakdown which can never be the present generation of Chinese youths, the in any such crisis gathered in large numbers avoided in the continuous maintenance of Canton Authorities have now proposed to es had private grudges 10 in the Eastern district, and their demeanour, ata service under the peculiar conditions obtain tablish a college under the style of the Chuo with the underground wires, and it was not by antiyes who

may not be generally Ko (college for the restoration of the old one time, wore a threatening aspect. The ing in Hongkong. It may until 11:45 in the forendon that matters in settle. Some thirty Chinese were arrest

ed at Wanchai for preaching the gospel palice quanored in No. 2 Station, at Wancha, koown that the Electric Tramway Co, hava to learning)'in which a number of students will be Apply

siground wires. In the section admitted jo sudy Racient literature, and com thin

jespect were righted. ' From what has been gathered from

of strike Angiber. five men were arrested promptly took in the situation and Inspector rao some underground multitude of sources, it would appear that an a charge of disorderly conduct at West Coulay despuched a posse of men to disperse between Arsenal Street and Naval Yard some position in order to preserve the teachings of the crowd. With the appearance of the police thing had gone wrong. What the exact nature the old schools. It is reported that this institu the strike of the ricksha pullern was due pri-Point; but these arrests represent in no marily to the currency question, which has degree the temper of the swarming hun the mob began to melt away; those that reluted of the mishap was the company were not then tion will be started at the beginning of the

to move, or that offered resistance, were roped in a position to slate, since it had not hear coming year, affected all classes of the Colony. The dreds who scoured the city from end to end,

", and soon a batch if some thirty men were possible to recre colecidane, CA Fapban correspondent writes that owing A HOUSE is KNUTSFORD TERRACE. owners of the public-rickshas are re-revelling in an unaccustomed holiday. To marched into the station, ad detained onder was mere coincidence," an Mr. Gray to the importation of firewood to that town from quired by the Government to pay cer guard against disturbances two squads of police surveillance pending farther develop Scott stated, "that the tram-service should be the districts along the West River, having 44 44 temporarily disorganized at the same time as decreased during the past few weeks, the price tain fees which are set forth in the Indian constables were ordered out and they meals. Ordinance, and these fees must be defrayed were followed by another couple of aquads - At the other end of the city, torpector the sicksha strikes andounced. You have of this commodity has considerably risen; a for stating that there is no cor- picol costs from 4.8 mace to 5.4" maca' and' it. by banknotes. The ricksha-puller, who of Chinese. Along Queen's Road West and Collet, in charge of Station No. 7, had his my ambor hire the vehicles from the owners, are. Des Voeux Road West-where the crowds men fully employed in preventing rowdies negjion whatever between the two incidents" is expected to frise Ligher during the next few charged 15 cents per day for the use of the manifested considerable impatience and at congregating. It was no easy task, at the same The service was resumed in the forenoon weeks or so,

men belog the day. machines, but not as a rule being wealthy times seemed ripening for a row-armed sima as considerable tact and discretion bad and continued without interruption throughout

actual collision with the

VEHICLE OWNER'S VERSION. individuals the coolies make payment in patrols preserved the peace. Up to the time to be used in order to avoid the men

brought into Chinese copper cents and Chinese coins. of writing nothing seriously untoward has

ment in person, Inspector Collett, an old and If the ricksha owners would accept payment ocurred, but the air is full of electricity. Police Directing the dispersisy move. in Chinese cash, the pullers would probably.

experienced officer on the face, welf ac find it advantageous to turn their coppers The result of the conference at the Re- quainted with the semper, end aulinda of a Into broniche ticksha owners have gistrar General's Office temporarily settles Chinese mob jasued Instructions to his min to borne with this condition of things for many the dispute. The owners withdraw their keep the coolie bands in motion all:jkt, while nding, that the conversion Cemand for an increased rents, the drivers The main object was, of carora to prevent the months, but on finding, of the Chinese copper and silver currency promise to return to work to-night and ignorant coolies from being gathered together into "Hongkong money meant loss, to Government is to be consulted by owac an whereby way of the recton them of from 10 to 12 per cent, accord to a way out of the difficulty.

LATER.

io

KICKSHAS TIED UP.

between Chion and Germany, which justify kia complaint; The Consul has requested H.E. to prohibit the Chamber from such similar inter- ference in the futura.

It has already been reported that the Canton

In consequence of the strike rick-las, in large numbers, were tied up two deep in Queen's Road Eus, Queen's Road West In the Vœux Road Weste And Des

Certain

GENERAL MANAGER, TRAMWAY.CO. city they might be seen along

INTERVIEWED, side-channels, and the partial' cessation of vehicular traffic gives the city an air of holiday. Ai a tumour. 'was given broad circulation aspect. The disorganisation of traffic has caused that the tempora y breakdown in the electric Self-government League has decided to float considerable individual inconvenience, specially tramway service this morning was instigated a shipping company to place steamers on the to residents in this suburban districts, of the is by the ricksha-men, our reporter made it different rane in competition (with foreign * plint to see Mr E Gray Scott, general companies, and it is now ascertained that and not within easy reach of the trainways, thanks to the energetic management, of which manager of the lower level tramways, for as subscription in shares of $5.00 each will be affected residents' discomfort is considerably authoritative version of the story. Mr. Gray collected from the sat day of the and moon

Scritt-had-unt returned to his office next year," reduced under the circumstances,

A THREATENING OUTLOOK.

be afforded an opportunity of beroroloj men, Concerted act

ing to the market price of silver, they "What for? No wanchee !! Such was the coblies must be aval decided that the pullers must either pay the impudent reply returned, with

mts in local currency or 38 cents in

money, which would about equallec

the Differe In excl

values,The

I'far a'ricksb

must be granted to the they succeeded to-day:

the course of

THE WRATHER,

The following report is from Mr. F. 0:31gg. to complete the narrative of the day's events, Director of the Hongkong Observatory

Another side of the story had to be presented and that is the vernlod of the deadlock On the 6th at 11.55.—The barometer has from the wwner's standpoint. One of these risen moderately over N. China and E. Japan" gentlemen was seen by a Flonekong. Tele- and fallen slightly at the stations around, the The anticyclonic ares covers China and graph representative. We gire, briefly, his Beyern Bea, er de

We are charged by the coalies as being ex-Japan, pressure being highest over N. China. statements es obtained by es

Iemphatically deny You will

Gradients are slight to moderate. Fresh nsoon may be expected in the Formota “hen we are demanding no morethan the circ

innel and the China Sea,rom leaderpass the case: entitles us to Wo

Indgkong Rainfall for the 24 hours, ending per day for the

oam, to-day,001 inch,

have to pay.

{FORECASE, V

kong and saighbourhood,ɛRE.

Apply-

MY, ZA Clo Hongkong Telegraph Hongkong, December, 1907

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tr

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[68

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TJOUSE

(69

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