324
counts published in our columns at the time. In the late war the Japanese were blamed by some critics for over caution; in the Franco-Chinese war the French suffered for their recklessness. The Japanese were more completely successful than the French because they approached the task they had in hand with greater seriousness of purpose. The lesson is obvious: China is at the mercy of any military power that chooses to attack her, but the attacking party cannot afford to disregard the ordinary precautions of war.
GERMANY AND CHUSAN.
According to Reuter, Prince HOHENLOHE regards the new German settlements at Tientsin and Hankow as inadequate and strongly urges the acquisition of the Chusan islands, regardless of the ill-will of other powers. It is difficult to believe that the Chancellor has given expression to any such opinion. It is only the other day that it was stated the feeling in Germany was hostile to territorial acquisitions in China but was strongly in favour of commercial expansion. Perhaps commercial expansion might be held to necessitate territorial ac- quisitions of some sort, for if a large fleet has to be maintained for the protection of German commerce in the Far East, the pos- session of a coaling station might be deemed essential. England could raise no objection to Germany acquiring such a station, but she could hardly fail to object to Chusan being selected for that purpose. Chusan was occupied by England in both her wars with China and it was given back only on the condition that it should never be ceded to any other power without England's consent. It was unfor- tunate that it should ever have been given back at all. Had it been retained the great trade that now centres at Shanghai would have been conducted there, under the protection of the British flag, and free from any of the restrictions to which it has been subjected by being conducted on Chinese territory, such as the prohibition of the importation of machinery, now happily removed, lekin difficulties, and so forth. Given back it was, however, but under the condi- tion already mentioned, and England is not likely to waive that condition, for Chusan occupies a most commanding position, and all our Northern trade would be at the mercy of any power occupying the island. There would be less objection to Germany's installa- tion there than to that of any other power, but it is not advisable to place oneself at the mercy of another, even though that other be a friend. If there is any serious talk of the acquisition of Chusan, either by Germany or any other power, no time ought to be lost by England in stepping in and herself resuming the occupation which was so unwisely surrendered.
LIU YUNG-FU.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The great LIU YUNG-FU having igno miniously bolted from Formosa, it is rather interesting to glance at his career and see what an empty thing his reputation was. It seemed as though he intended to make a stand against the Japanese and justify his reputation for determination and bravery, if not for ability. But no; as soon as the enemy came fairly into view LIU scuttled out by the back door. Originally he was the chief of the Black Flag band on the Tonkin frontier, the Black Flags being former rebels and their descendants who established themselves in that region, living
com-
as freeboothers and levying toll on the trade between Tonkin and China. Probably he possessed some administrative capacity, in- deed he gave evidence of that in Formosa, and he was able to keep his men under con- trol and consolidate his own power. When the Franco-Chinese war broke out his assist- ance was gladly availed of by China and he carried on a tolerably safe guerilla war- fare, acting independently of the Yunnan and the Kwangsi armies, but in munication with both. It never transpired that he accomplished any feat of bravery, but his assistance, such as it was, was deemed of some value 'by the Chinese Government and when the war was over it was necessary to deal with him in some way. It would have been inconvenient to leave him in his former position, because the French would have objected to that, and it would not have been a very easy thing to destroy him and his band in their mountain fastnesses, for the Black Flags, small as might be their value from a scientific military point of view, were a great deal better than the ordinary rabble that goes to make up a Chinese army. It was therefore decided to confer upon him a military title and give him official employment. Years passed by and once more China was plunged in war with a foreign power, LIU was sent off to Formosa, and great hopes were entertained as to his ability to preserve the island, even after its formal cession had taken place. He held his position in the South after the North had been occupied and talked boast- fully of what he would do when the Japanese appeared. The Japanese did at last appear, and LIU, basely deserting his own troops proved himself to be after all only a braggart.
t
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EM- PLOYERS FOR THE ACTS OF THEIR SERVANTS.
on
|
October 30, 18539,
ception in the case of marine store dealers, either constructively or by the plain reading of the Ordinance regulating them, is question on which we refrain from entering. But further on in Roscoe we find another case, even stronger. A public or common nuisance is indictable, and it has been ruled that the directors of a gas company are liable for an act done by their superinten- dent and engineer, under a general authority to manage their works, though they are personally ignorant of the particular plan adopted and though such plan be departure from the original and under- stood method, which the directors had on reason to suppose discontinued. * Cases might also be cited under our local Ordinances. For instance, the owner of a river steamer is liable to a fine if the vessel carries an excess of passengers, although it is not usual for owners to go down to the wharf and personally count the passengers and under the Building Ordinance property owners are made liable for various acts that in the ordinary course would only be per formed by their servants.
1
:
THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON SOUTH FORMOSA
OCCUPATION OF ANPING AND TAINANFOO.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS.
ANPING, 21st October, via Amoy,
23rd October,
At five o'clock this morning the Japanese war- ships approached Anping fort. The Japanese did not fire. Then the Japanese landed marines.
The Chinese fired a few shots. The warships answered and the Black Flags retreated. There was no less of life
The foreign residents and their property are asfe.
The Southern Army now occupies Tainanfoo. Five thousand Black Flags surrendered.
[FROM OUR ANPING CORRESPONDENT]
ANPING, 19th October, On the morning of the 19th it was rumoured
that Lin had escaped during the previous night, and at about noon Mr. Perkins, of H.B.M. Consulate, received authentic information that the General had left with his body guard, that the forts were deserted, the soldiers willing to surrender, and the people most anxious for the Japanese to land at once.
Consul, immediately decided to communicate the
Mr. Perkins and Mr. Bain, Netherlands
news to the Commander-in-Chief, and throngh the courtesy of the Commander of HI.GM.S. Arcona a ten-oared cutter was placed at their disposal, and after a long pull they Yoshino!
the
BJ
No definite information could be obtained to the intention of the Japanese, but it is hoped that & bombardment may now be dispensed with. It is conjectured that the forts will be occupied to-morrow without resistance.
A curious and interesting point has arisen at the Police Court in connection with the prosecution of a marine store dealer for the unlawful possession of stolen goods and neglecting to make proper entries in his book. The accused was discharged and on application being made by the Crown for a rehearing of the case the Magistrate refused to grant it. As we understand there is a probability of an appeal being made to the Supreme Court it would perhaps be improper to comment the cir cumstances of the case; the Magistrate may have been correct or incorrect in dis charging the accused; but an abstract pro- position of law that he laid down challenges attention and contradiction. He is reported to have said that "In criminal law you can- not make a master responsible for the acts "of his servants." As a general rule a master is not responsible for the criminal acts of his servants, but like most other rules this one is subject to various exceptions. Under the licensing law, for instance, master is responsible for the acts of his ser- vants, and if drunkenness be permitted on licensed premises or liquor be sold during prohibited hours it will be no excuse for
TAKOW, 18th October. the holder of the licence to say that
4 p.m. on October 3rd.-The Kyoto Maru he happened to be in the next street at steamed out of Kelung harbour for the Peson the time and knew nothing about it. In dooos with General Baron Nogi and his staff, two Roscoe also we read that "A bookseller companies of soldiers, and a few civil attachés "or publisher whose servant publishes a two or three Japanese correspondents and my "libel is criminally answerable for that actself and servants.
though it was done without his know- The trip was an exceedingly pleasant
and we arrived at the Pescadores at 'ledge" This rule, Roscoe goes on to
1.30 p.m. state, is an exception to those which govern The Kyoto Maru is one of the smalle the other branches of criminal law and ports engaged in the service, and, appears to be founded upon a principle of and crowded state, one policy. Whether there is a similar ex-thoroughly uncomfortable. I was gre
Cf
The steamer Thales upon leaving for Amoy with passengers was boarded and searched by an armed crew from the Japanese cruiser Yayeyuma, and after an hour's delay she was allowed to proceed
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT WITH THE
JAPANESE ARMY.]
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