April 1, 1896.]
reverence for the better-to-do Chinese, and too much in common with the lower classes to be
of much use, So quite fifty per cent. should be discharged and their place filled up with more European and Indian constables. This would considerably strengthen the defensive power of the colony.
Fifth-Jinricksha and chair coolies should pass a medical examination as regards their fitness for their work. Before having a licence issued to them, they should be required to sign an agreement to do military transport work when called upon, such as dragging guns into position, carrying sick and wounded, taking ammunition and stores to the front For this
they would of course be paid. These jinricksha uniform, and should occasionally be drilled in small batches in transport work. In doing this the colony would get a better lot of men and more useful. As the users of chairs and jinrick shas are people that can afford that luxury, the fares might be raised ever so slightly just suf ficient to pay for the uniforms, &c.-Believe
and chair coolies should be made to wear a
me, yours &c.,
BRITISHER.
Hongkong, 30th March, 1896.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DAILY PRESS. SIR-My attention has just been called to the letters in the Hongkong Telegraph signed by T. Atkins and Staff-Sergeant A. Morrison in connection with the Athletic meeting held under the auspices of the Victoria Recreation Club on Saturday last. If what is stated took place I can well understand their feelings of indignation and disgust with the arrangements. I myself as far as possible supervised the management in connection with the course. The enclosure referred to I take .to be that at the
left hand side of the stand, which was put up with the view of accomodating members and subscribers, the stand being considered insuffi- cient.
When I arrived on the ground at about 2.30 p.m. I found this enclosure already filled by others than members or subscribers and made the remark that such was not my original in- tention, but as it was now full nothing should be
done.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
8
SIR ROBERT HART.
24th March.
We are able to confirm our report of last evening respecting the movements of the In- spector-General of the I.M. Customs, who is already preparing for what would seem to be an absence of more or less uncertain duration from the post which he has stuck to with such slavish constancy for so many years. We are sorry to say that Sir Robert Hart's health has been so poor of late that an extensive change of scene is considered imperative by his medical advisers. The trip around the treaty ports and light houses has been consequently arranged, and it is even quite on the cards that the I. G. may extend his travels as far as Europe. If so, Mr. Robert Bredon and Mr. Hippisley will most likely jointly manage the affairs of the Inspec- torate-General at Peking, and Mr. Bredon has already been advised by wire of the necessity for his immediate return to China.-China Gazette.
287
THE ABANDONMENT OF THE JAPANESE COTTON INDUSTRY AT SHANGHAI.
The
Shanghai, 23rd March. One hears so frequently and so untruly that the I.G. is about to leave his retreat in Peking Referring to the abandonment of the pro- for a trip abroad amongst his fellow men. that posed Japanese cotton industry at Shanghai, scepticism is the recognized correct attitude the Japan Mail, after quoting some statements towards all such announcements. But a well in its vernacular contemporaries to the effect informed correspondent writes us on the well that the step was due to the delay in the con- worn subject from the capital in a tone that clusion of the commercial treaty, says-It commands more than usual attention, and is certainly strange that such misconceptions this time it may be true. He says:“ Sir should exist as those entertained by the vernacular Robert Hart, G.C.M.G., &c., &c., &c., In- journals quoted above. The delay in concluding spector-General of the Imperial Maritime Cus- the new commercial treaty between China and toms of China, I hear will make a round tour of all Japan has nothing whatever to do with the the lighthouses and treaty ports early in May abandonment of Japanese cotton-spinning pro- next, and acting under the orders of his medical jects in Shanghai. The difficulty lies in quite advisers he will remain on shore at the various another direction. It was fully explained in these points touched at as little as possible during columns more than two months ago. The Chi- the night time. The I.G's yacht Pingching nese are at present in a position to impose will proceed to Tientsin at the end of her annual any taxes they please on cotton carried from cruise (to the northern lighthouses upon which the interior to an open port for the purpose of she left yesterday), the revenue cruiser Chunteao being there manufactured into goods intended or one of the southern cruisers is expected to for consumption in China. Were the goods act as consort to the Pingching." We heartily destined for export abroad, it is possible that wish that the trip may be most beneficial in raw cotton for their manufacture might be every way to the health of the I G., who is with allowed to reach the mills on payment only of out doubt the greatest standby the large empire the transit duties conventionally leviable in the of China has ever had, and to whom she owes case of exports. But since the manufactures are
debt of gratitude can never repay.
to remain in China, their raw material cannot money
claim any of the exceptions accorded specifically to exports. Under such circumstances it is plainly within the competence of the Chinese local authorities to impose prohibitive taxes on cotton travelling from the place of production to foreign factories in Shanghai. Two obvious reasons might operate to encourage the imposi- though bound by the provisions of the Shi- tion of such transit duties. One is that, monoseki Treaty to permit foreign manufactur- ing enterprises in the settlements, the Chinese and would be glad to prevent it by interfer are distinctly opposed to such an innovation, ing with the supply of raw material. other is that certain influential Chinese in high positions are pecuniarily interested in securing their own cotton-spinning enter- local foreign competition. prises against It would be oversanguine, and altogether contrary to experience of Chinese ways, to anticipate spontaneous liberal action in this matter. Japanese capitalists seem, therefore, to be adopting a prudent course when they refrain from erecting factories and setting up costly plants of machinery before they know whether a supply of raw material will be pro- curable on reasonable terms. As for the com- mercial treaty now in process of tedious negotia- tion in Peking, its provisions will certainly have no effect in solving the difficulty. The Japa- nese Government are not entitled to ask for any concessions other than those specified in the Shimonoseki Treaty. They certainly can- not ask to have their subjects in China placed on a more favourable footing than Chinese subjects for purposes of manufacturing enter- prise. Even if they were entitled, we greatly doubt whether they would now be disposed to advance any such proposal. Their experience has been deterrent. It is not conducive to Japan's interests that European and American · capitalists should set up cotton-spinning factories in Shanghai. Her own cotton yarns would there- by be exposed to almost fatal competition in Chinese markets. Thoroughly sensible of that fact, her statesmen nevertheless caused to be in- cluded in the Shimonoseki Treaty a provision legalizing foreign manufacturing enterprise in the settlements in China, their object being to show the world that they did not seek to reap any selfish or exclusive commercial benefit from their country's victories, but that they desired to utilize the occasion for the general good of all nations. Their action received no manner of recognition. On the contrary, the proprietors of the first foreign cotton mill in Shanghai announced. in their pro- spectus, that the inception of undertaking had been rendered possible by the exertions of the British Minister in Peking, and foreign critics generally tried to convince the public that Japan-Japan whose education in the matter of the most-favoured-nation clause had been so long and painful-sought to reap an exclusive benefit for her own nationals when she inserted that particular provision in the Shimonoseki Treaty, and was intensely chagrined to find
CANTON NOTES.
[FROM THE "CHUNG NGOI SAN FO."] The Commissioner of Customs has been re-
This remark was evidently overheard and mis- construed by some one, with the result of the unpleasantness referred to, which I knew nothing of until my attention was called to the letters in your evening contemporary. From the remarks made in the local press the arrange- ments generally were considered satisfactory and the Committee much regret to find now that they were marred by this unfortunate incident.quested by the Viceroy to take charge of the Mr. Atkins and Staff-Sergt. Morrison may rest assured that no orders were issued by me or anyone with the knowledge of the Committee to exclude the Queen's uniform from places where others not connected with the sports were admitted.
I would also point out that the uncalled for and unjustifiable attack of "Improve" upon the military receives no sympathy from me.-Yours faithfully,
E. D. SANDERS, Hon. Secretary, V. R. C.
Victoria Recreation Club,
27th March, 1896.
RAILWAYS IN KWANGSI.
The N. C. Daily News of the 25th March says:---News was received by wire from Peking yesterday that M. Gérard, the French Minister, has succeeded in persuading the Tsungli Yamen to issue an order to the Governor of Kwangai to take prompt steps to continue the French railway that is now being built from Phulang- thuong to Langehow, northward from Lung- chow. The design, of course, is to intercept the merchandise that will go down the West River -as soon as it is opened, and divert it to the Tonkin route. There is nothing to object to in the scheme, for the more railways that are built in China the better; but Kwangsi is such a poor province that the railway is not likely to get on very fast, nor to divert a very great quantity of trade when it is built. It is to be hoped that it will get on faster than the French railway from Phulangthuong to Langson did.
registration of boats and junks. They are to be numbered and proper anchorage regulations are to be enforced. The Commissioner has con- sequently, issued a notice requiring the boat people to register their boats.
The great fight between the east and west dis- tricts of Kamlee has been stopped. Several hundred soliers are now stationed there. About one hundred old women and widows belonging to the west district have sent a petition to the Taotai there complaining that their husbands and sons have been killed by the east district people. The Tactai replied that he could do nothing for them, as the deaths of their husbands and sons were caused by their own fault.
Viceroy Tan Chang-lun has received an order from Peking to disband seventy per cent. of. the soldiers throughout the whole province of Kwangtung. His Excellency has memorialised the throne to cut off twenty per cent. only, for he says that robberies are daily reported.
The gods of the Wa-lum Monasteries have been all skinned by thieves, for they were made of clay and covered with gold. The thieves sold the skins to the goldsmiths' shop.
It will be learnt with very great regret, says the N. C. Daily News, that the illness of Mrs. George Jamieson is so serious that it has been thought best that she should return to England by an early steamer. She will be accompanied by Mr. George Jamieson, who has been granted leave for that purpose. Mr. Bullock will act meantime as Consul and Assistant Judge, Mr. L. C. Hopkins will replace Mr. Bullock at Chefoo, and Mr. H. P. Joly will succeed Mr. Hopkins at the Shipping Office.
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