July 18, 1895. Į
THE SITUATION IN FORMOSA.
The Douglas steamer Formosa, Captain Hodgins, arrived here on the 11th inst. from Tamsui, which port she left on the 7th inst. Business was proceeding smoothly at Tamsui, the Japanese conducting the Customs on the same lines as when the service was under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs of China. The relations between the Japanese, the Chi nese, and the foreign community were satis factory.
Japanese transports wore lying at Kelang ready to couvey Japanese troops to tho South, and as the weather during the last few days has been favourable we may any day ex- pect to bear that a landing has been effected -in the neighbourhood of Anping. Until recently the weather was unpropititious and this is supposed to be the reason for the delay in the movement of the Japanese ou the Southern
:port.
At Auping affairs appear to have remained quiet and business has been to some extent re- sumed, the Thales having been able to land her cargo and the Bonnington having left with a cargo of sugar..
The Douglas steamer Thales, Capt. Bathurst,
arrived at Fainaufu on the 3rd inst., but as there was a heavy sea on she could not land cargo or passengers, and had to put into the Pescadores for shelter. The Japanese were in full posses- sion of Makung harbour. The city had a very deserted look. Inside the city gate a stack of cannons may be seen, from about five to eight inch calibre, in a very rusty condition, and all with Chinese characters on them. The Japanese troops at Makung num ber about 1,800 and there are 600 Chinese prisoners. There were two Japanese inen- of-war, five torpedo boats, and five trans- ports in port. The Thales left Makung on The 5th and arrived at Tainanfu the satne day, but owing to the heavy swell could not land the passengers and cargo until the 8th inst. She left again on the 10th inst. There were then two British men-of-war in port, the Rainbow and Plover. The Japanese were expected daily. The Black Flag General ap- peared to have good hopes of beating them off. He is now running the Customs.
3
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
ANPING, 4th July. The 'evacuation of Auping" bas, doubtless, been duly reported and fully discussed before this can reach, but it may be interesting to those with friends in South Formosa to hear a full account from your own correspondent, who, with H.M. Consul and a few others, have elected to remain and guard their property and interests. For some days previous to the return of H.M.S. Plover from Amoy it was generally understood that an important telegram had been received by the senior naval officer, and speculation ran high as to the purport of this message. general impression was that hostilities, apart from the existing complications, were pending, but that the evacuation of Anping was seriously contemplated never seems to have been thought of for a moment; When, however. Mr. Hurst was or Friday, the 28th June, notified that "in consequence of the impending hostilities between Japan and the Black Flags," the guard would be removed, and that foreigners were recommended to leave the port, there was, naturally, a general feeling of intense alarm.
The
Mr. Hurst, with that promptitude which has marked his conduct of affairs throughout, this trying period, immediately despatched an urgent telegram by the Plover to Amoy for transinis- sion to Peking strongly protesting against the removal of the land force. Meanwhile every preparation was being made on shore for the withdrawal, fixed for Sunday, the 30th. Hopes were still entertained that the order would be countermauded, and when the Plover returned on Sunday morning with a telegram from H. M. Minister to the Cousul saying that the force would be retained there was general rejoicing, ringing cheers being given by the bluejackets quartered at the Consulato, where the news was first received. Captain Forsyth, of H.M.S. Rainbow, however, declared that, in the absence of further orders from the Admiral, the embarka tion, as arranged for 2 p.m., must be proceeded with. Mr. Hurst then semaphored asking if a ship could not be despatched to Amoy, in order that the Admiral might again be communicated
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ANPING. 14th July.
with. The reply came back that no further instra otions were expected from Admiral There has been a period of absolute peace and Buller, that the force would be removed, and quiet since dite of last advices. H.W.S. that the community were urgently recommended Rainbow leaves for Hongkong to-day for the to withdraw. The Consul then signalled that purpose of coaling. No one will grudge Cap. strongly protested, that he could not desert lain Forsyth and his officers this change, after his post without instructions from his Minister, the discomforts of a roadstead like Anping. and that he and the community declined to The acknowledgments of the community, aro leave the port, At2 p.m. the bugle sounded to due to them for standing by during the late fall in " and shortly afterwards the whole force bad weather, when there seemed every excuse was drawn up on the Bund. all the community for a run to the Pescadores for shelter. The being present to bid them farewell. By five Plover left for Shanghai yesterday and the o'clock all were safely on board and the Rainbow Redbreast remaius. In spice of the calmest lett just before dark for Amoy. The Spartan weather possible, the Japanese expedition has sailed on Monday, taking Mr. Spinney. Commis not made its appearance, and there are strong
44
rumours that the force will march overland from Tamsui.
The new Custom-house works well, and trade goes on as usual.
sioner, and several members of the Customs staff. It is difficult to express the amount of regret felt at the parting with the officers and men, who throughout the occupation of Anping won the esteem and admiration of the entire community. Five hundred savages were marched through farewell dinner was given to the officers the the settlement a few days ago. It is supposed night previous to their departure. It would be that Lin wishes to impress the people with the difficult, too, to particularis the individual exer-force at his command. These aborigines are tions of any officer of the defending force, but reported to belong to the Bhotan tribe, with it may be said that much credit is due to Lieut. whom the Japanese came into collision during Smyth. of H.M.S. Spartan, who landed with the the expedition of 1874. first contingent, and naturally had the burden of arranging details in connection with the defence of the settlement, together with Lieut. Wylde, of the Marines, who, to the regret of all, was recalled to his ship, the Leander. at an early stage of the proceedings. The names of Lieut. Grows of the Rainbow, and Captains Shubrik and Brabazon, of the Marines, will not
to
easily be forgotten by the many friends they made in Auping. It is certain that all, from the commanding officer the bugler, were sorry to be recalled just as matters appeared to be coming to a critical point. To those uninitiated n the mysteries of Government d'plomacy, the sudden withdrawal appears more than er raordin- ary, particularly when the reason given was because bostilities were pending between the Japanese and Black Flags, a time when proteo tion would se m to have been absolutely necessary? The Redbreast and Plover have been detailed to remain in the roadstead, and unfortunately a heavy bar has prevented communication with the shore for several days.
|
The Black Flags are perfectly quiet, and it must be acknowledged that Lia has full' control of his men.
SUPREME COURT..
9th July.
IN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE THE JON. W. M. GOODMAN (ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE).
THE HONGKONG LAND INVESTMENT AND AGENCY COMPANY, LIMITED, V. BRODIE AND OTHERS.
An action was brought by the Hongkong Laud Investment and Agency Co., Limited, against William Gibson Brodie, gentleman, of Elmbourne, Elmbourne Road, Upper Tooting, London; Thomas Abercrombie Welter, account ant, 19, Old Broad Street, London; The New Oriental Bank Corporation, Limited, 19. Old Broad Street, London: Henry Liston Dalrym ble. merchant, Hongkong; B. Layton, broker, Hongkong; and E. F. Duncanson, merchant, Whittingson Avenne, Leadenhall Street, Lon. don, to recover $103,000.
Mr. J. J. Francis, Q.C. (instructed by Mr. Ellis, of Mr. V. H. Deacon's office), appeared for the plaintiffs, and the defendants did not appear, nor were they represented.
The sudden and somewhat unexpected with drawal of the Customs and consequent collapse of trade, appeared, at the moment, to be a serious obstacle in the way of peace and to again threaten the safety of foreigners. Liu Yung-fu has, how- | ever, been equal to the occasion. On Wednes- day, the 3rd, he summoned the Chinese staff of the Customs, who had been unable, owing to a rough bar, to reach the Spartan, and ordered
Mr. Francis said that as there was no appear. them to take up their former positions and to carry on the work of the Customs as before ance on behalf of the defendants the suit would Mr. McCallum and Mr. Burton, both in the ser- have to be heard ex parte. All the necessary vice, who had also been prevented from boarding proceedings relating to the order for the ez purts the Spartan, have been appointed as Commis- hearing bad taken place, and he had formally to sioner and Harbour Master respectively. The prove the case. He therefore put in deeds and is general satisfaction at this
affidavits filed in the suit. The defendants were for with sugar and camphor awaiting | lent $70,000 on a mortgage, which gave power of
it Was difficult to seo shipment
sale, and subsequent advances of $30,000 – were matters could be arranged. There is now no also made. The remaining $3,000 was for inter reason why business should not be carried on as est-aud necessary expenses incurred. heretofore, although shipments from this will, doubtless, be treated as foreign and thereby subject to full duly at the different treaty ports in China. In any case the prompt action of Liu has restored confidence, and the foreign merchants feel that the present Government is, to a certain extent, dependent upon them, and that it will be his object to make matters ran as smoothly as possible.
J
move,
how
Under the present circumstances there is nothing to point to immediate trouble, but the arrival of the Japanese will it is expected, necessitate the temporary withdrawal of foreigners, and arrangements for this move are already made.
9th July.
In consequence of the repeated and urgent appeals from the senior naval officer, the com. munity have now nearly all withdrawn. Some have gone to Takow, others have taken refuge, through the courtesy and kindness of Captain Bathurst, on board the Thales, in the roadstead, to be transferred, when she leaves, to one of the men-of-war.Matters on shore are perfectly quiet. The reopening of the Customs as been of infiuite assistance, enabling shippers to get their sugar and camphor away by the Thales, which steamer takes a full cargo and a large number of Chinese passengers. The arrival of
be Japanese is anxiously looked for,
The Acting Chief Justice was examining the mortgage, and he remarked that $70,000, was the only amount mentioned; there was nothing mentioned about further advances. How did counsel get over that ?
Mr. Francis-We can prove the further að vances by Mr. Hooper's affidavit. The $30,000 was advanced on the security of the deeds and the papers now in the bands of the plaintiffs.
The Acting Chief Justice-Ove çlanse states that whereas the mortgagees have agreed to lend the $70,000, and also the sums herein. after mentioned." Are there any sums mẹn. tioned afterwards ?
Mr. Francis-l'here are no further sums here- inafter mentioned, my lord.
A
The Acting Chief Justice-That is a funny way hereinafter mentioned,” and no sums are mentioned. You claim something over $100,000 ?
Mr. Francis-$103,000, my lord.
The Acting Chief Justice-In order to make the deed complete it ought to have had the sums mentioned somewhere in it. Have there been auy payments of interest on account covering the further advances to show that they were made under the mortgage?
Mr. Francis-I have no doubt there have been; but it is a question I cannot answer. As a mat. ter of fact, though, interest was paid up to the time we took possession.
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