July 18, 1895.1
which was well liked, but as its principal object is to make beet sugar, the product can scarcely compete with Hongkong refined sugar. Formosa brown sugar might be successfully dealt with by the refinery, but it is a question whether the Japanese product could compete with that from Hongkong, which is manufactured by firms or companies with large capital, and who almost monopolise the sale of refined sugar in the East. LI AND ITO ON OPIUM IN FORMOSA. At one of the interviews between the peace ne- gotiators at Shimonoseki the following was part
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE WOOSUNG BAR.
THE FORMOSA CABLE. It will be a matter of satisfaction to the shipping community of Shanghai to learn that Mr. Asano, an expert in the Communications Various preliminaries having been completed, however much their interests are neglected and Department, accompanied by eight assistants, treated with official apathy by their own re- presentatives in Peking and elsewhere the Japa. to survey the best route for a submarine cable will leave in a few days in the Sumiyoshi Maru nese Minister is moving actively in the matter of between Japan and Formosa. The party will the Woosung Bar. We now understand that the begin their investigations at Naba in Okinawa reason that this point was abandoned in the Prefecture, whence they proceed towards Kelung general Treaty of Peace between Japan and via one important port in the Yayeyama Islands, China was not that the Japanese unwisely lost They will take some thirty or forty days survey. sight of it, or were oblivious to the enormous ing the route. The route between Kagoshima interests involved by the retention or removal and Naba was surveyed some years ago, and if of the heaven.seut barrier." The foreign time allows they will conduct a new survey. diplomats
have for years been tickling The question as to whether it would be better to the Tsungli Yamen with the question adopt the upper route or the middle one will in a playful sort of way, and with about as much bo devided after the survey is completed.-Japan H. E. Ito. When we take Formosa we shall for success as that with which they have approached
Mail. bid opinm-smoking,
that august body of obstructionists on a hundred H. E. Li. It is an old habit with the Formosans. other points. Count Ito, we understand, consented H. E. Ito.-Yet Formosa was populated before to waive that issue during the discussions at Shi- opium was produced. We have kept opium monoseki, not because he was willing to forego it. out of Japanese ports by the most stringent the matter was really one which more fitting
but because after consideration it was decided that prohibitions and have consequently noopium-ly belonged to the extra Commercial Convention
of the conversation :—
R. E. Li.-Formosa is very malarious. You lost
many lives there before. Most of the For mosins smoke opium in order to counteract the effects of malaria.
smokors.
H. E. Li.-I admire that.
H. E. Ito.-I discussed the question of the
Great Britain will not consent.
pro-
H. E. Ito-Opium-smokers are all indolent; you cannot make good soldiers of them. A. E. Li-Great Britain has forced opium on
us and we cannot stop it. H.E. Ito. If you devised methods to stop the consumption it would soon cease to be imported.
MYSTERIOUS SHOOTING OF THE CHINESE ENVOY TO RUSSIA.
44
•
TROUBLES IN SEOUL.
BOKU EIKO A FUGITIVE.
THE GROWTH OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING AT SHANGHAI.
sorts is attracting so much attention in Shang- Now that the growth of industries of various bai, it may be interesting to remind the public to be subsequently arranged. But we under that no local enterprise has expanded so much in stand that Mr. Hayashi has received in-recent years as electric lighting. At the time hibition of opium with Minister Yen and be conclusion of a definite understanding with perty of the New Electric Company that con- structions which ought to lsad to the the Council took over the plant and pro heartily agreed with me. H. E. Li-Great Britain insists on bringing of the water approaches to Shanghai and the directors, was not, to put it mildly, in the most the Chinese Government upon the clearing cern, in spite of the brave show made by the Jopium into our ports. We have increased
the duties, but what more cau we do?
improvement of the upper reaches of the flourishing circumstances; but now the electrical H. E. Ito. The duty is much too low. Treble
Yangtsze, as far as the recently opened Treaty department which the Council then started is the amount would be none too much.
ports, by the placing of lights and buoys to iu a fair way to yield a handsome return to the H. E. Li. We have spoken of is frequently, but mark the navigable channel. The Japanese are municipality. A couple of years ago there were as much interested in the question of the re- only about seven miles of streets lighted by moval of the Bar and the improvement of the electricity, for which 60 upper portion of the Yangtsze as we are, and quite sufficient, and there was not a single are lamps were judging by the thoroughness with which they iucaudescent lamp in or around Shanghai. Now have handled China in other matters, we have the electrical department of the Municipal great hopes that they will succeed where the Council runs 140 are lamps, lighting some 15 played-out diplomacy of Europe has failed. It miles of streets, and there are about 13 miles of will be a pretty comment upon the lofty notions line wire laid, in addition to 6.100 incandescent held by the older Powers with reference to the lamps of 8-candle-power each for domestic pur- status of Young Japan, if it is left to Mr, poses. The customers for incandescent lighting Hayashi to carry through what three generations have increased from one to 55 in number, since of British,. American, and other Ministers in the Council took over charge of the depart- Shanghai, 9th July.
Peking have failed to accomplish-China ment. The solitary user of incandescent light Wang Chi-tsuen, the special Chinese Envoy
Gazette.
in Shanghai in 1890 had to be supplied with a who bore the presents from the Emperor at
complete installation, free of cost, for 500 Peking to the young Czar upon his accession to
lights (valued then at, say, Tls. 4.000) before he the throne, arrived, as we have already reported,
was convinced of the value. of electricity as an by the Yarra on Saturday from Marseilles. It
illuminant. Now the Council, independent of was reported to us last night that the Am-
There is serious news, if true, from Seoul; the lamps supplied direct from their mains, have bassador was seriously wounded, but we could news that may eventuate in very serious practi-fitted nine cotton mills, totaling 10,880 lamps learn nothing at the time. Upon making en-
cal complications. Distrust has been excited for of S-candle-power each, and three silk filatures quiries to-day at the French mail office we
a long time past; the rival parties will now be with 800 similar lamps. In addition to this found the agent of the Messageries Maritimes more bitterly and we fear more actively op.several of the local shipping companies are in total ignorance of any accident or mishap posed than ever. Those who have followed having their vessels fitted with the light, tho having occurred to the distinguished travelier. recent events most closely will be the most Council having already fitted 2,500 lamps for No report was made by the captain or
ready to see a hand behind the apparent this purpose.-China Gazette. commissaire of the steamer by which Wang over in the attempted crime that is now al- travelled, and we were inclined to set down is the known characteristic of one of the most leged. Unscrupulous although patient plotting the report as a mere Chinese rumour. But upon making closer enquiries this afternoon, powerful factions-the Russian faction, to wit- accompanied by a Chiuso reporter, at the in Korea to-day: Boku Eiko's evident auxiety Temple of the Queen of Heaven, where to prove his thorough allegiance to that faction's during the week. The first consignment of the new Nothing of very great moment has happened the Ambassador is staying, we learned that he enemies has precipitated his downfall.
British dollar has arrived, and nobody seems to is severely wounded, but our reporter was told
A Seoul telegram, dated Sunday morning take kindly to them. In the Supreme Court on by the yamen runners that they had strict orders (7th inst.), arrived in Tokyo on the 8th. It Tuesday the Acting Chief Justice made a fore- to say nothing about the condition of the Envoy reported an attempt by the Queen to murder closure decree in the case of the Hongkong Land beyond the fact that he was being attended by the Home Minister, Mr. Boku Eiko, on Satur- Investment and Agency Co., Limited, v. Brodie several Chinese doctors, and was confined to bed. day night. Ile, however, obtained timely notice Through one of the higher members of the of the plot against his life and escaped to Jinsen. On the 10th inst. another successful entertain- and others. The defoudants did not appear. staff, however, we were subsequently informed The War Minister. Mr. Shia Kizen, we are toldment was given by Mr. Brady in aid of the Kow- that while the Envoy and one or two members further, is guarding the capital (or the palace) on Institute. of his suite were ashore at Saigon he was isers are discussing the matter at the Legation. for selling intoxicating liquors during prohibited with the disciplined troops. The Japanese Ad. Victoria Hotel was fined $25 at the Magistracy The manager of the New mysteriously attacked by two men who looked like Chinese, one of whom discharged two bullets If the facts are as represented there has been at close range at the Envoy, both missiles taking declaration of war by one of the parties in Seoul
On Friday the chair traffic was tem- effect and lodging in his left arm.
hat can betoken only absoluto preparedness on
p. rarily suspended because many of the coolies The alleged
were unable to find security for the renewal of assailants are reported to have then made off their part for a life and death struggle. and escaped in the darkness.
licences. The trouble, however, was over in a will not anticipate evil, but we cannot hide
day. The object of their attack is unknown, if such our opinion that this attack is ominous of inter- an attack were ever made, which
national disquiet-Iyogo News. rather inclined to doubt. Wang went on board the steamer again, and nothing was said by A Focchow gunboat arrived at Canton on the himself or his attendants of the alleged attack. 1st inst. with seven hundred disbanded braves The whole affair is enshrouded in mystery, and on board, being another batch from Tamsui
The Norwegian steamer Bygdo, we learn, is to be the first boat of the new line to run between the greatest efforts are being made to hush it up. They were treated the same as previous arrivals, Shanghai and Canton, and will commence the No report was made by anybody on board each man being given a dollar to pay his pas-servicú in a few days. The line is starting with the steamer. We are convinced that there is sage home. This batch brings the number of four chapered boats, but new boats are being something behind it all which is yet to be ex-returned braves up to about two thousand. The spically built in England. The steamers will plained. Since his arrival in Shanghai the Envoy has applied to the Throne for two months' leave of absence in consequence of his mysterious in- juries.—China Gazette.
we are
a
We
natives at Cauton now take less interest in the fighting in Formosa and do not seem so confident as formerly about the prowess of the redoubtable Black Flags.
hours.
HONGKONG.
Mr. J. J. Keswick returned from Peking to Tientsin on the 29th ult.
Revised leave and pension regulations for the police are published in Saturday's Gazette.
call at the Coast Ports when sufficient induce- went offers. two river boats on the Hongkong-Canton line, The Company proposes also to run which will bring the total fleet up to six.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.