1909-12-18 — Page 9

NEW SERIES No. 8083

CONTENTS.

Births, Marriages and Deaths.

· Leading Articles :---

1:

When Divorce is Impossible. Canton Self-Government Society. Telegram:

Hupan-Hupeh Railway, Kalgau Railway. YUDDE-Szechuan Railway, Chinese National Costumes, Liang Tung-in,

Foreign Affairs Commissioners. Shanghai Tastai,

Foreig

Affairs.

Kai-nai.

Chinese in Dutch Colonies. Financial Supervisors, Customs Taoni.

Foreign Loans.

Chibli Vicemyalty.

Netherlands Indies..

State Telegrams.

Tang Shao-yi.

Harbin,

Brussels Exhibition..

Naval Reorganisation.

The Late Chang Chih-tung.

Meetings -

Legislative Council,

* South China Morning Post," Lið.

Nippon Yusen Kaisha,

Legal Intelligenon

Hongkong Newspaper Sued.

Special Jurors Exempted.

A Comedian's Claim.

Police:-

Bogus Opium Farmers.

Serious Charges Against à Lukong. American Tourists Robbed. Arrest at Sbek-tong-isai.

Correspondence-

A. A. A. Meeting.

Tasmauja's North-West Coast..

The Hongkong Telegraph.

Miscellaneous Articles and Reports?—

N.D. . Prin Lubinig.

Centon Self Government Society.

Serious Afray, nt Macao.

Rear-Admiral Gracey.

V. R. CRegatta.

Timor Oil Fields, Ltd.

Dr. J. C..Thomson's Retirement. Pleasure Trips to Macan,

Peak Tramway.

Notes by the Way.

"Canton Factory Days,"

Ice House Street,

Trade in the Far East..

The Minstrel Performnoce.

Subscription. Griffind.

Chinese Journalism.

A Soldier's Death.

Gol

To End Opium Traffic.

Volunteer Corps Orders

'U. S. Consulates'in China.

Typhoon Warning.

Canton Day by Day.

Fire at Shanghai.

MAIL SUPPLEMENT.

(ESTABLISHED 1881)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1909.

Telegrams.

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH”

SERVICE,

大拜禮

號八十月二十美港·香

****S13 TER ANKUM.

SINGLE COPY, as Cents.

respects before the tablet of the ceived from China or abroad should deceased,'

be submitted to him without delay instead of on the following day sa

His Imperial Highness was much affected by the poverty of the heretofore.

HUNAN-HUPEH RAILWAY appointments in the house,

THE LOAN AGREEMENT,

[Dy courtesy of the "Sheung Pa."]

Peking, 10th December. On the 8th inst., the British Mi- mister called on HE. Hsu, Shih- chang, president of the Ministry of

巍六初月一十年元統宣

that the process of the divorce court should official opinion which could be draw be reduced in order to give the poorest class upon by the Provincial Government in of plaintiffs an opportunity of having their times of difficulty not necessarily, involving wrongs, righted, before greater harm is dous international questions. As a matter of to the family life by the illegal or fact we hold that it is pure impertinence on mutual dissolution of the marriage bond on the part of a self-constituted society of pro- the part of one of the parties to the case, gressives, we will call them, to seek to inter leaving the other with no redress, no chance fere, in the foreign affairs of the Imperial of entering into such relations with another Government. Such conduct is only calculated party as would befit the re-formation of a to lead to irritation on the part of all concern. home. This new Commission is pledged to ed, and to handicap the diplomatic doings of frame a scheme whereby such an illogical the Chinese Government. Ifthe society were condition of affairs should be remedied and to confine its exertions solely to the material the boon of the rich extended to the poor. improvement of the Provinces of Kwang- But if this Commission is to do its work pro tung and Kwangsi it would have quite perly and thoroughly it must turn its attention enough to do, without cobroiling and handi to the Crown Colonies and extend the pricapping the Provincial Government in vilege of establishing local divorce courts to outside squabbles. What, for instance, Posts and Communications, and con- them also. In the course of a case which does the average Cantonese member, no ferred with him on the subject of the was mentioned in the uproine Court of this matter how travelled and experienced in diloan for the construction of the Hu- Colony some time ago, it lanked out that the plomatic ways, know about conditionr cost of severing a tangled marriage tie ran in Manchuria at the present time? To nan-Hupeh Railway.. away with $20,000 or $30,000 and the pro- those who have been studying the subject it j ceedings in that instance were exceedingly would seem as if no two opinions which cap siniple. What it would have been had the be reconciled are yet forthcoming, And yet questions of fact been complicated it is im the Self-Government Society of Caulon in possible to say. But surely it is absurd that its egotism and unblushing assurance would if two parties-being mutually antipathetic adopt the role of Imperial Censor and to such an extent that one knowingly wrongs denounce the action of an official, although the other-if the parties having arrived at they can have no reasons, for that action that stage when divorce is the only cure for before them by which they would, form an what is obviously a life's blunder and con- accurate and reasonable judgment. Now, sequently desire to obtain a decree of divorce such pretensions on the part of a number of are prevented from doing so because of their private individuals are not only foolish but poverty there is something decidedly wrong they are imbecile, to say nothing of their with the law. As it is, if a party resident in being subversive of good order and good Hongkong wished to obtain a divorce he or government. As for the letters which she would have either to be a taipan'well on had been received denouncing the Pre-

the way to being a millionaire or simply absident of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

scond from the Colony and leave the other-well, there are always grumblers and de- individual, to make the best of a bad jobí, | tractors, for it is a trait of human nature That is not as it should be by any means that it is always more ready to depreciate than ́and if the Commission fails to recognise the to praise. And what was the result of this disabilities under which Hongkong rests ja academic discussion at the meeting of the this respect it will have failed in part of its || Self-Government Society held the other day most important duty. In America the reformat Canton? It was resolved to "telegraph of the question of divorce was investigated by a commission appointed by President Koosevelt and as the result of that in quiry it was reported among other interests ing facts, that there, were in 1900 more than

Consecration of the Bishop Houre Memorial do's simple remedy for all forms of disease

Chapel.

Ellis Kadoorie Public School for Chinese. The Loss of the Daini Kinakata maru,

The Pratas Island Question

Japan's Foreign Trade.

Recovery of National Rights in China.

Cotton-spioning in Japan.

My Japanese Nurse.

Opium Smuggling in Australia.

Interport

Captain tests.

Wreck of the King George. Raub Australian Gold Mining Co. The Opium Question. The American Tourists. The American Invasion. Outward Bound.

Pursuing the Grzeeka. Rubber Returns.

Commercial:

Yarn Market.

Freight Market, Weekly Share Report. Bullion.

Exchange.

Local and General,

HUSTHS.

On December 7, 190g, at Shanghai, the wife of J. T. Ford, of a daughter,

On December 8, 1909, at Postang, the wife of Hourihao, of a son.

On December 9, 1909, at Shanghai, the wife O. A. Mader, of a son.

MARRIAGES.

On December 4, 1999, at Shangbai, William Sime Featherstonbaugh to Mary Sydney, elder

daughter of the late. Thomas Boyd and of Mri, David Campbell, of Shanghai,

On December 7, 1909, at Shanghal, Kenseth, son of Stephen Wation, of Birkenhead, to Kate Alice, daughter of the late Wiliam Saker and Mrs. Baker of Southsea, Hauts.

DEATHS.

1..

Ou December 4, 1909, at Shanghai, Florence Eliz, beloved wife of Capt. Patersson (late 1. M. Customs), 16 Range Road,

On December 8, 1909, at Huchow, Emma P. Pillay, wife of the Rev. Edward Pilley,

to the Chinese residing in foreign, countries asking them to submit jointTM telegraphic, petitions to the Imperial Goverment to urge the dismissal of H. E. Liang Tun Yen from his post.". "All, we can say about that

twice as many marital separations in the idea is that the shareholders of the telegraph United States than in any other country in companies are not likely to object to such a the world. In attempting to define the practical scheme which will put money relation of divorce to social morality the their pockets. But it is a sorry waste of Boston Transzip! finds itself upon very deli-hard cash, and an absurd proceeding from cale ground and dealing with an extremely start to finish. Once upon a time, there ex- difficult problem. To the ecclesiastical criticisted in Hongkong, and perhaps it still exists, the bare fact of legal divorce is conclusive a society known-**-the Parliamentary De- evidence of immorality, And, in his mind, bating Club, if we remember aright, at whose the morals of society can only be preserved meetings members holdly set out to solve the by its entire abolitiou. This is a short and financial, commercial and social questions easy method, but it resembles Dr. Langra- of the Colony in a single night. It did not affect the matter that such financial problem's which, having the merits of simplicity and as those of subsidiary coinage, excessive consistency, had also the conspicuous defect mintage of silver, and methods of raising of not curing the patient! Divorce may be fresh revenue were taxing the deepest thought revealing the presence of selfishness and who had to confess that they could not the absence of healthy self-restraint in the in many cases arrive at a solution which body politic. But it may mean and often would not adversely affect the general does mean qualities of an entirely different interests of the community. Our amateur type. It frequently offers escape from an politicians brushed aside difficulties as enforced bondage fatal alike to happiness and a housewife sweeps away cobwebs and self-respect. Bernard Shaw says: "Mar settled everything to their own entire satis riage as modified by the divorce laws in faction in a couple of hours.. Of course, it

·South Dakota would be called mere pro- must have been all very amusing to the miscuity in Clapham. Yet the Americans, visitors and pleasant for the speakers to hear far from taking a profligate and cynical view their resonant voices thundering out splen of marriage, do homage to its ideals with a did periods about matters in regard to which seriousness that seems old fashioned in Clap- they had formed definite and irrefregible ham." And Clapham' is the synonym of ex- opinions, but best of all, it harmed nobody. treme conservatism. The great Irish satirist It humoured the young generation and the is entirely justified. Paradoxical as it may Goverment could afford to smile at the scem, the very communities in which divorce earnestness of the orators. But in the case has popular approval often have a higher of the Self-Government Society of Canton, sense of the sanctity of the marriage relation although it cannot claim a higher status than, is found among peoples who will not than that occupied by the debating society tolérate divorce, but look with complacency here, real mischief may be caused on upon serious, irregularities. Beyond ques- account of its active meddlesomeness in tion a rational divorce system in America matters which they cannot possibly compre has come to stay, and many people are hend. That they could do much good in a asking the pertinent question: Will it small way by leading public opinion in the advance the interest of the public welfare direction and keeping the Government in so to amend the Federal Constitution as touch with the people we do not doubt for to permit the creation of a national law an instant, but, as it is, their capacity for evil

the symptom of a serious moral disease, of the Colony's most talented advisers,

of divorce? Once. recognize that a South Dakota divorce, with all its legal conse

is infinitely greater as the tendency appears

KALGAN BAILWAY

A DIFFICULT PROJECT. [By courtesy of the "Sheung Fo."]

Peking, 10th December. The Ministry of Posts and Com- munications has memorialized the Throne to the effect that the cons- truction of the Kalgan Railway is a very difficult undertaking. The cost, will be enormous.

The Ministry recommends that this line should be built gradually,

"YONNAN-SZECHUAN BAIL WAY

AMERICAN ENGINEERS

APPOINTED.

[lly comurleng of the" Sheung Po"],

Peking, 10th December. Two American Engineers have been engaged for the Yunnan- Szechuan Railway, but they are under the direction of Taotai Jeme Tien-yow, as Engineer-in-Chief. CHINESE NATIONAL COST UMES.

RUMOURS IN PEKING.

[By courtesy of the "Sheung Po"]

Peking, 12th December; There are persistent rumours in Peking that the Prince Regent has given instructions to the Board of Civil Affairs to consider the expedi- ency of cutting off the queue and the changing of the national costume.

LIANG TUN-IN.

ACCORDED SPECIAL PRIVILEGE.

By courtesy of the "Sheung Po

Peking, 12th December. An Imperial edict has been issued granting Liang Tun-in permission. to ride on horseback within the Forbidden City,

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COM- MISSIONERS:

CANDIDATES WANTED.

{By couriety of the "Sheùng Po"]

Peking. 12th December.. The Waiwupu has telegraphed to Hapel, Kiangai, and Kwangtung to. to be more pronounced in the latter direc-be on the look out for able officials quences, is valid in every State in the Union, tion. So far as we can make out the only and there will be no need of a constitutional legitimate subject touched upon by the So for appointment as Foreign Affairs amendment. People who are clamouring ciely at its récent meeting was that dealing Commissioners." for a uniform divorce law fail to see the in with the salt monopoly of Kwangtung. I estimable value of the dual system of govern the members stuck to such subjects they ment. All legislation is still in the expert would prove of invaluable assistance to the mental slage and should, therefore, be state but when they dive into abatruse ques flexible, and easily adjustable to changing tions of diplomatic concern they are likely social conditions. And to have fifty closely to become a danger to the peace of the pro- related but independent governments profit- vince as well as a public nuisance. There is ing by each other's successes and avoiding in every enlightened community a place for a each other's mistakes, is an advantage shared body of citizens qualified to express an in- Celegraph idea but it to not That may be the Boston idea but it is not the opinion held by the world. However, we are not interested to argue the point as to the advantages of "divorce while you wait" the principle in force in certain American HONGKONG, Saturday, DecemBER 18, 1909. States, but we will say that better a diversl

WHEN DIVORCE IS IMPOSSIBLE.

The Hongkong Celegraph

MAIL SUPPLEMENT,

ISSUED GRATIS TO SUBSCRIBERS,

(13th December.)

Recent London papers have announced the formation of a Commission to inquire into the question of divorce for the common people. At present the cost of a successful divorce suit is so prohibitive that the poor man or woman in England has no remedy for an action which would be lightly entered

fted divorce law throughout the Empire than no law at all, or what amounts' to the same thing-a law which is so costly to put into operation that only the wealthy can afford to invoke its ald.

CANTON "SELF-GOVERNMENT.

SOCIETY.

(14th December.) By all appearances the last meeting of the

SHANGHAI TAOTAI,

PROSPECTIVE PROMOTION.

[By courtesy of the "Sheung Po"]

Peking, 12th December. Chan Kwei-lung, Viceroy of sooner the Self-Government focs, and the Chihli, has recommended Taai Nai- sooner the Self-Government Society recog hung, Shanghai Taotai, for ap mises that fact and limits its operations ac cordingly the better will it be for the mem-pointment to a higer office. bers themselves and for Canton.

TYPHOON WARNING,

The following telegram was received at the American Consulate General from the Manila Observatory at 10.30 a.m, yesterday:--

December 17th, 9.30a.m. Cyclone or typhoon

known.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS..

MUZZLING THE PRESS,

"[By couriery of the "Shaung Po"]

Peking, 12th December.

CHINESE IN DUTCH COLONIES.

MINISTER'S SOLICITUDE.

By courtesy of the " Sheung Po."]

Peking, 13th December. The Chinese Minister to Holland has telegraphed to the Central Government asking that immediate steps should be taken for the pro- tection of Chinese residents in the Dutch colonies, otherwise they will be compelled to become Dutch subjects...

FINANCIAL SUPERVISORS.

TREASURERS', OBSTRUCTION.

"[By courtesy of the "Sheung Po."}

TAUSTAK

NETHERLANDS. INDIES, CHINESE CONSULATES. [By courtesy of the "Sheung Pa."]

Peking, 15th December. The Grand Council proposes to te legraph instructions to the Chinese Minister in Holland to arrange with the Dutch foreign office for a special treaty providing for the establish ment of Chinese consulates in the Netherlands Indies,

The Minister will, at the same time, be requested to recommend competent Chinesa residents for ap pointment as consuls,

TANG SHAO-FI.

SERIOUSLY ILL

{By courtsy of the " Shiung Po"]

Peking, 15th December. Yesterday Tang Shao-yi was end- denly taken ill with pain in the region of the heart; he was spitting blood at the same time.

Poking, 13th December. Most of the Financial Supervisors sent out by the Ministry of Finance, have reported to the Ministry that the various Provincial treasurers, have placed obstacles in their way. Both European and Chinese physi The finance ministers are so in- cians were sent for, but so far the censed that it is proposed to memo-patient has made no progress towards rialize the Throne to have the recovery. treasurers severely dealt with.

CUSTOMS

AOTAL

PROPOSED ABOLITION.

[By courtesy of the WSheung Pe."]

Peking, 13th December. Government to abolish the posts of It is proposed by the Central

Customs Tuotai,

FOREIGN LOANS.

TIENTSIN CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE PROPOSAL.

[By courtesy of the “ Shaung Po,”]

Peking, 13th December. The Chinese Chamber of Com merce at Tientsin has wired to the Chamber of Commerce in different Provinces asking for joint action in raising funds to pay off the foreign loans.

It is reported that the majority of the Chambers communicated with acquiesce in the scheme.

CHIHLI VICEROYALIY.

TAKING OVER OFFICE.

[By courtesy of the "Sheung Po:"]

Peking, 14th December. Chen Kwei-lung has fixed the 18th inst. for taking over the seals of his new office as Viceroy of Chihli.

NETHERLANDS INDIES.

PROPOSED CHINESE CONSULATES,

[By courtesy of the ** Sheung Pa"]

HARBIN

RUSSIA IN POSSESSION.

[ By courtesy of the" Shrung Po."]

Peking, 15th December." Russia has taken possession of Harbin in spite of the protest lodged by the other Powers.

BRUSSELS EXHIBITION. CHINESE PARTICIPATING,

[By courtesy of the “ Shaung, Po,”]__

Peking, 15th December. The Ministry of Agriculture, Com- merce and Industries has telegraphed to the Chinese Minister at Brussels instructing him to apply to the Bel- gian Government for the allotment of a space on the Exhibition grounds for Chinese exhibits.

NAVAL REORGANISATION. ENGAGEMENT OF FOREIGN INSTRUCTORS.

[By courtsey of the "Shrung Po"]

Poking, 16th December. The Central Government has wired to Prince Shun Pui-lap and Admiral Fah Chen ping, the Naval Commis- sioners now in Europe, to the effect that, should they contemplate the engagement of any naval instructors, they must in the first instance consult the Chinese Ministers accredited to ~ those countries at which the instruc- tors are to be engaged.

THE LATE CHANG, CHIH- TUNG

EXCHEQUER DEFICIT [By courtesy of the "Showing Po"]

Peking, 14th December,

received telegrams from the Chinese The Waiwupu, having repeatedly Minister to Holland urging that

Peking, 18th December. steps should be taken for the protec- tion of Chinese residents, appointed Chen Kweilung, the new Viceroy of The Prince Regent inquired of the 14th inst. for discussing the Chibli, what was the amount of the matter with a view of establishing deficiency in the public funds of the Chinese consulates in the Netherlanghu Provinces during the Vice- lauds Indies.

royship of the late Chang Chih-tong.

SHANGHAI TAOTAL

DECORATED.

[By courtesy of the "Sheung Po

Peking, 14th December Chen Kwei-lung, in a memorial to the Central Government, recom mended that Tasi Nai-huang, "the Shanghai Taotai, be decorated with the First Rank button, for having

It is proposed by the Grand Coun-given a substantial contribution

towards the flood relief funds.

in South of Western Carolines, direction uncil to prohibit the Press from pub- lishing reports of negotiations with Foreign Powers.

REVENUE Officers Wilden and Mackenele în" the Police Court last Saturday charged two Chinese with obstracting them in the execution into as a diversion and a sporting event, by the Self-Government Society in Canton was of a of their duty. From the evidence adduced, it rich and which would be for the benefit of the very peaceable character and the members appears that the officials yesterday boarded the parties concerned. Nobody can deny that behaved themselves with that decorum and Siberia at Quarry Bay with a view to detect. two people who have, discovered that their | gravity, which is expected of a body or ing any smuggled goods. On board they saw views of life and their temperaments are ganised, without any authority whatever, to a Chiness woman, whom they waked for some wholly incompatible should be allowed to discuss matters of national or civic import, beer, which Chinese lad supplied and for looten the shackles of matrimony, so long If the officials of the Self-Government So which the woman was paid. The raveDNE and the boy arrested when the defendants are officiala wars, then about:ts, hava tha woMES

as the procedure ensured the maintenance clety would abide by that attitude it is pos of high moral principles in the state. In sible that in the future they might come to England, the Ides has long bean growing * be recognised au m2 yaluable soures of un-

+

SHUN KAI-NAL

THE REGENT'S RESPECTS,

(By burkey of the "Sheung Poj

Peking, 12th December.

On the 11th inst,, the Prince Ro

said to have interfered. A fine of 525 was tot gent proceeded to the residence of posed on each of the defendente,

| the late Shun Kai nai and paid hia

It is reported that an Imperial decree has been issued sanctioning the recommendation,

STATE TELEGRAMS,

THE REGENT'S INSTRUCTIONS.

· [By couriary of the * Sheung Po"]

Peking, 14th December. The Prince Regent has given instructions to the Grand Council. that all important "taler

T

Chen Kwei-lung reported that it was four million odd taels, but that the entire amount had been spent in the public interest.

The Prince Regent observed that, even assuming a part of that money had been applied by the late Grand Councillor to his own use

usea, His Highness had no intention of pursuing the matter any further.

10 END. OPIUM TRAFFIC.

The Pakin correspondent of the New York world telegraphs as follows China's approval of America's proposal that a second Opines Conference be held at The Hague and that the delegates be empowered to negotiate an in- ternational treaty for the suppression of opium ls regarded as certainThe Wa-Wa-To (Chinese - Foreign Office) strongly the proposal but the approval details by the Boards of Finance and Affairs in necessary for its formal coe The proposed treaty, would growide for mapen pression of opiumTM this a prescribed pas and the declaration of the drog las conditind Tas sight of search would be grant signatory Powers together with the