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April 9, 1896.}
the Admiral or the force maintained constantly here in the colony under the command of the Major-General. (Cheers). I ask you, therefore, gentlemen, to join me in drinking to the Naval and Militar, Forces of the Crown, to H.E. the Vice-Admiral, to H.E. the Major-General, and to the Officers of the Nary and the Army who add so much agrément to our existence in Iong- kong. Gentlemen, the Navy and the Army (Lond applause).
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language, I may say-laughter) and I am convinced that a nation of 350,000,000 of in- self they could have chosen a better man than of this colony. (Cheers.) I do not think my- telligent sober people is a factor that ever must Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, because he has had be most important in the highest politics.a large experience of China, both here and clse- (Cheers.) To this great Empire Sir Claude where, and it must be always of great assistance MacDonald has been appointed to represent his to those who have to decide the great problems Queen and his country. I do not know that a which come before Her Majesty's representative man could possibly have a very much higher to be able to look to some institution which calling. (Cheers.)! He is not one, as the represents, and fairly represents, the opinions of Scripture says, among ten thousand; he is one His Excellency Admiral BULLER, in reply among a hundred millions, who has a chance of difficult subjects. The China Association, as I those best qualified to form an opinion on these ing for the Navy, said-Mr. Chairman, your this kind. I think it does not need the gift of understand, consists mainly of the heads of the Excellencies, and gentlemen, on behalf of the prophecy to say that the great influence he will different houses and hongs which have evory Navy I thank you for the cordial way in which wield will be in the cause of civilisation and of day these questions brought before them-ques- you have received the toast of the Navy. Judg-progress. (Cheers) I can say, as it was at tions of varied kinds, from the questions of ing by the telegrams we have been receiving Tel-el Kebir, so will it be at Peking, Sir transit passes and things of that kind-up to lately one would think we were approaching the Claude MacDonald will do his duty with honour typhoon season in every part of the world-(hear, to himself and with advantage to his Queen and long more to the higher places in politics. the still more important questions which be hear, and laughter);-but I hope that, after all, his country (Cheers.) Your Excellencies, and I am sure, gentlemen, it must be of great it will be only a little storm in a teacup. (Ap- gentlemen, I call upon you to drain a bumper assistance to Her Majesty's representatives to plause). But certainly it points to one thing, to the success of Sir Claude MacDonald. (Loud feel that upon all these questions. instead of that England must look to herself and must applause,)
having to ask a great number of individuals, keep up her forces, both naval and military, unless she wishes her course dictated to her by
they can get information, and well procured and well-founded information, from representativo other Powers. (Cheers). I had the pleasure of
bodies such as the China Association. Per- being in Hongkong over thirty-two years
sonally, as the guest to-day of the China Asso- ago, and then the greatest cordiality existed
ciation, I can only express my great thanks on between the community of Hongkong and the navy; and I thank the China Association on
behalf of myself and other guests for the admirable entertainment they have given us, behalf of the navy for having invited us here to-day to this banquet. (Cheers). I trust the
and for the opportunity they have given us to cordiality between the navy and Hongkong will
welcome Her Majesty's representative. (Cheers.) ever be maintained. (Lond applause).
In proposing the toast of the China Association I have much pleasure in coupling with it the name of Mr. Henderson, who is well known, and who has done yeoman service in his time. (Loud applause.)
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His Excellency Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD was r. ceived with loud and prolonged applause. He said—Mr. Chairman, Four Excellencies, and gentlemen, I have to thank you most cordially and from my heart for the warm welcome you have given me here to-day and for the extremely enthusiastic manner in which you have drunk my health. As our genial Chairman-a very eighteen years ago I had the honour to serve old and valued friend of mine has pointed out,
Her Majesty as a subalteru of infantry in have accepted, the doubly onerous and this colony, and now I am appointed to, and I sponsible post of Her Majesty's Minister at Peking. (Cheers). I can assure you I have accepted this post with a fill and deep sense of the great honour which has been conferred upon me ud of the responsible, anxious, and import- aut duties which are before me.
re-
His Excellency Major-General -BLACK, on rising to respond for the Army, was received with loud applause. He said-Mr. Chairman, your Excellencies, and gentlemen, it is very kind of you in thinking of the
poor sodjers (laughter),when I know your attention is naturally directed otherwise. But the army. gentlemen, is simply the reflection of the nation. If the nation is firm and vigorous and detering over the future and the many anxions mined to hold her own, the army will be found the fitting implement of her wishes. (Loud cheers).
Mr. F. HENDERSON-In the name of tho members. I beg to thank you for the flattering terms in which you have referred to the China Association. Had I been aware that this con- provided with a statement of facts as to what In think-pliment was to be paid to us I should have come
statement of facts as to what we have left un- we have done, and perhaps with a still longer done. (Laughter). Speaking for this branch of low stage, and the words which have fallen the Association, we are at present still in a cal- from the lips of Mr. Goodman are very en- couraging, and I am certain that they will prove an incentive to us to make yet further efforts even to the extent of disturbing Her Majesty's representative at Peking and of laying before him our grievances. (Laughter and cheers). Hongkong is very much like indi- viduals, and takes considerable delight in airing its grievances, and we naturally suppose that as the colony extends the grievances will extend in the same proportion. (Laughter). Many great measures have been associated with feasting. This is the first occasion upon which we have ventured upon strong food-(laughter)
and serious questions which must arise, it bas been a great comfort to me to think that if If the nation is weak at the kuces and the lion permits his tail to be twisted, I hope the army by the same kindly feelings, by the same the China community of to-day is actuated will not be such a just reflection of the nation. eyepathetic good sense, which it was in days (Laughter and renewed cheers). After forty gone by, my task will be rendered very much years service, the Duke of Cambridge has easier and my anxieties very much less." (Loud retired from the post of Commander-in-heers.) Gentlemen, from communications which Chief, carrying with him into retirement the love and admiration of those who have served under him, and perhaps the main point in his favour is that he always re. sisted innovation for mere innovation's sake, but was always ready to advance the cause of true and just reform. (Cheers). So it has happened that, except so far as numbers are concerned, the British army is abreast of the military organisations of other lands. (Applause.) To him has succeeded as Commander-in-Chief one who bears to that high office the confidence of all under his command. Lord Wolseley is a man of action and a man of thought, and I know that by his wise administration and by the qualities of the officers and men under his command the British Army will retain in time to come the reputation it has had in the past. (Cheers.) On behalf of the army I thank you, and for myself I thank you for the honour you have done me in coupling my name with this toast. (Loud applause.)
The CHAIRMAN-Your Excellencies and gentlemen, on behalf of the members of the China Association of Hongkong, it gives me great pleasure to welcome amongst us Sir Claude Maxwell MacDonald. We also wish to congratulate him on being appointed to represent Her Majesty in the great empire of China. (Cheers.) I need not say that Lord Salisbury paid him a very great compliment indeed when he selected him for this very important post- a post important at all times, but more especially important at the present time. (Applause.) Some of the older members of this community who will remember the young subaltern of the 74th Regiment were prepared to applaud the selection of Lord Salisbury, and they were convinced, and they are more convinced now, that His Lordship's faith will be abundantly justified. (Applause.) At the mention of the word China I am not disposed to exclaim "Ichabod." On the contrary, I am convinced that the "Middle Kingdom" is destined to play a great and important part in the history of the world. (Cheers.) I know a good deal of China aud I know a good deal of Chinese-not of the
have received, amongst others the exceedingly warm welcome which I have had here to-day, I can say that though times have changed my friends have not-(applause)-and I am sure that if I fearlessly do what 1 consider right and best for the benefit of the general community I shall receive the cordial support of every individual member. (Loud applause). Gentlemen, it would ill befit me here to address you in a political sense or to discuss with you, however slightly. the numberless and burning questions it will be my lot to look into, but I venture to remind you and we are hopeful of the result. (Renewed that our forefathers have here in the Far East laughter). It has often been noticed that after and political, which it is our houden duty to carried a dejected and almost sorrowful look handed down to us a legacy commercial, industrial the historical Whitebait dinner the members maintain at all hazards. (Loud applause). China which was very rightly attributed to their deep is, as my good friend the Chairman has deliberations over national affairs on the previous said, a great nation, but it is, so far as night. (Laughter). I think no happier opportu. concerned, still in its infancy. We must see the possibilities of trade and commerce arenity could have been given to us for inaugurating a system of festivities than the present, which that we make the most of these possibilities and has given us the opportunity of welcoming Sir also get our fair share of these possibilities. Claude MacDonald while passing through on (Applause.) But we shall not do so, gentlemen, his way from the darker side of nature to the owing to competition, without a severe struggle, Celestial Kingdom-(laughter), and I feel per- and it behoves every one of us, no matter infectly certain that I am in no way over sanguine what capacity he may be, commercial or political, when I think and state that the Association on to stand and fight if necessary shoulder to his return from Peking will take the oppor. shoulder as one family, firm to maintain and tunity of congratulating him upon his successful extend that uoble legacy which our refathers diplomatic career in China. (Loud applause). have handed down to us. (Lond applause.)
For he's a jolly good fellow was sung, and three cheers and a "tiger" were given for the new Minister.
forget
!
the foot
Major-General BLACK-You Hieland honours. I'll bet he's had his on mony a table." (Laughter).
Hon. W. M. GuopMAN-I have been asked on a moment's notice to propose a toast which 8 am sure will be received in this room with the greatest applause; the tonst is that of "The China Association." (Cheers.) The China Associa- tion here is. I suppose, a branch of the greater institution in Loudon. When they sought for a Chairman of the London institution they could not find anybody more acceptable than a Governor, a former Governor of the Straits Set- tlement, who was at one time Colonial Secretary
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Hon. J. II. STEWART LOCKHART-Your Ex- cellencies and gentlemen, at a second's notice I have been selected to propose a toast, but even at this short notice it gives me great pleasure in proposing it. I have been asked to propose Success to Hongkong." (Cheers.) As one who has been, I won't say quite born here but brought up here, it is perhaps fitting that should propose it, and I have groat pleasure in doing so. Hongkong has not been established many years, but during those years it has proved itself a colony which can succeed. What that success may be owing to may be doubtful, but there can be no doubt about this fact, that it due not only to the Army and to the Navy but to the energetic and go-ahead community inhabiting it. (Cheers.) I feel certain that so long as this community
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