THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
thips on voyages of not more than seven days dura- tion: which was duly forwarded by the over- nor of Hongkong, and having consulted the -Marquis of Salisbury and the Board of Trade | on the subject, he has given instructions that the Bill shall be withdrawn, thereby concurring in the advice which was tendered to him by the Hongkong Government.
HONGKONG COMMITTEE TO GENERAL COMMITTEE.
Hongkong, 17th July, 1896. Sir, I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed favour of 12th ultimo, handing copy of letter from the Colonial Office. from which the Committee learn with much satisfaction that instructions had been given for the withdrawal of the Bill intended for the further control of British vessels carrying Chinese passengers on voyages of not more than seven days' duration.
The Committee have again to thank you for timely assistance in agitating against a mea- sure which, if persevered in, would certainly have proved detrimental to British interests.
(Signed) F. HENDERSON,
Hon. Secretary.
[January 6, 1897
ain of
the CHE
sion was then formed to the Cathedral, where an globe. People in China imposing religions ceremony took place. In notions and annoyances city in the Far East could such a remarkable the Chinese authorities mise-en-scene be presented, for Manila is mar- But they know nothing of Man vellously picturesque, medieval, with all the would not complain. It imply colour and architectural beauty of an an- to hear how every regu cient city of Southern Europe. Except for the local officials to annoy and the patches of Asiatic colour leut by the pre-merchant, whether Spanish, Mr. Chamberlain is confident that the China
sence of Philippinos and the Chinese in the nose, and the wonder is, not that the Association will use their endeavours to dis-orowd, the scene was entirely European, and this magnificent country is disgracefully small countenance such overcrowding on British-Spanish. The Cathedral itself is a lovely after nearly four hundred years of f owned vessels as gave rise to the present corre- old building, such as exists in hundreds in administration, but that any exists at spondence.
the old cities of the Peninsula, and the subsequent letters I will deal with this subject (Signed) EDWARD FAIRFIELD. assemblage of Europeans, including Spanish more fully. R. S. Gundry, Esq., Hon. Secretary China grandees, resplendent officials, and soldiery, The address which the new Captain-General
Association.
must have numbered as many as half the delivered to the inhabitants of the Philippines foreign communities in the Far East could and the troops is worth translating as disclosing muster altogether. There are at the pre-in some degree his intentions and the line of sent moment in Manila alone at least 16,000 policy he intends to pursue. The address to Spanish troops of all arms. This estimate does the inhabitants proceeds: not include the Spanish volunteers (1,000), the At a most critical time, indeed, I have come native regiments, which number ten, and give to take charge of the government of this a total of about 8,000 troops. It can therefore archipelago. Ingratitude and forgetfulness of be easily imagined what, a great pageant the benefits received by the natives of the is like in Manila, where every one is at-islands are united with despicable sentiments of tired in full dress or uniform upon such criminal ambition with which an insignificant occasions. Under the magnificent doric gate-minority have succeeded in inflaming the ignor- way of the Cathedral, members of the most ant masses, who without knowing what they want, ancient European corporation in Asia stood and where they are drifting, have spread terror and alarm over a country that has always in their official robes, with military band dis coursing patriotic airs to receive the new Gov. hitherto been a model of tranquillity and repose. in full canonicals were around the entrance. It my sincere salutations to the loyal inhabitants of eruor-General. Crowds of church dignitaries In taking supreme direction of affairs I tender
the Philippines whose noble sentiments are characteristic of the Spanish people. When honoured me with their confidence they were H.M. the Queen Regent and the Government
fully acquainted with the policy I generally adopt in governing. For the loyal I have nothing but affection and protection. For traitors all my energy appears to me too little, all my vigour seems disproportioned to the magnitude of the crime of which they are guilty against their King and against their country. But I shall none the less make a distinction between those who fell to ambition and weakness and those who were carried into the criminal current merely through ignorance, or who were seduced by misconception and calumny. To those who are repentant and fully understand now their heinous and foolish conduct I am pre- pared to grant full pardon according as the sincerity of their repentance merits. those who persist in their evil conduct and disloyalty I shall apply the full rigour of the law. Do not expect any special programme of government from me. I am prone rather to prove practically my patriotism and intentions by deeds than to bespeak happy and prosperous days by shining promise. Relying upon your, co-operation and your loyalty I hope within short period to be able to report to the Queen and the Government that the people (of the Philippines) have again returned to their ordinary life and are prepared to develop that material prosperity whose foundations are honesty and labour and that the sad events of the present time are not likely to be repeated again in this fine country, or that the great benefits the people have received will be again forgotten while they have been the constant care of the king and country.
R. S. Gundry, Esq., Hon. Secretary Chip
Association, London.
THE RIBELLION IN THE PHILI PINES.
SERIOUS REBEL DEFEATS.
We are indebted to the Spanish Consul for copies of the following telegrams received from the Governor-General of Manila
MANILA, 2nd January. On the 1st January our troops carried on operations at Cacarong, Bizaa, and Bulacan, taking six trenches, the manufactory of cart- ridges, seven guns and several small guns, many rifles, and other weapons.
The rebels had 1,100 killed (counted), amongst them the greater part of the native soldiers who have deserted.
Our casualties were 24 killed and 68 wounded.
MANILA, 4th January, General Galbis, with 200 men, supported by columns under Serradi and Albert, at Taging and other places in the region of the river Pasig, routed 3,000 rebels from Cavite commanded by a man known by the rebels as General Aquinaldo, taking several trenches, one large gun, several small guns, and military effects. Many rebels were killed, 32 being counted. Our casualties were 10 killed and 18 wounded. The marine helped efficiently the operations. Our troops are actively pursuing the enemy. Bulacan and Bataan, the Pasig region, now free of rebels.
is difficult for an outsider to realize how inti- mately associated in every phase of life in Spain mingled. The two must be taken together and and her colonies are the church and state inter-
reckoned with everywhere, but whether this ar- rangement, this complete co-operation, or rather fusion of spiritual and temporal interests works well here, it is too early yet for me to discuss. Even amongst the Spaniards themselves there is fierce difference of opinion thereon. Amongst the natives of this most prosperous part of the Philippines there is none. And herein lies a vast deal of the present trouble. Sunday's brilliant fanction in the Cathedral, however, symbolized the entire relations of the church and state. If the new Governor-General of the Philippines has the power of life and death orer some eight millions of people to whom he is the vicogerent of the young king of Spain, the Archbishop of Manila and the friars wield a power that is scarcely inferior to his. In- deed, it is in some ways superior, as it can make or unmake, and procure in Madrid the appoint- ment or recall of the Governor-General, as it has undoubtedly procured the recall of General Blanco. But that respected and worthy representative of Spanish chivalry, though he has been superseded in the govern- ment of the Philippines, has been appointed to the command of the Queen's Bodyguard, a post which General Polaviejo, his successor here, held up to the time of his appointment as Captain-General of the Philippines. Officially viewed, the command of the Queen's Bodyguard is a post of the highest honour, but under the circumstances General Blanco's promotion to a post of dignified inactivity, however honourable, is rightly regarded as an admission on the part of the Ministers in Madrid that a Governor- Manila, 14th December. General of more decision and energy is required When I arrived in Manila, nearly a week for the Philippines, if the rebellion is to be ago, affairs there were in a state of transition suppressed. It was a somewhat curious feature owing to the change in the government of the in Sunday's fauction that the Archbishop of islands, the Marquis Polavieja having only Manila did not attend it in person, but re- arrived a day or two to take over supreme mained in his palace, where he was afterwards command from General Blanco (Marquis Plena waited upon in state by the new Governor- Plata). General Blanco was relieved of the General. An odd feature of the procession- duties of Governor-General and Captain-Ge-which mustered in the plaza on the occasion- neral on Thursday, 10th inst., when he handed over his responsible and arduous office to his successor, but it was not until Sunday, 13th inst. that General Polavieja officially assumed the post. That function was attended by a striking cere- mony inside the ancient walled city of Manila. as distinguished from the greater city which has grown up on the north side of the Pasig River. Attended by his full staff, all in brilliant uniform, and in the presence of many thousands of people of many nationalities, the new Gover nor-General received from the hands of the chief municipal dignitary the massive silver key of the city and briefly vowed to guard well and truly, and keep it secure against. the attacks of all enemies. A gorgeons proces-
A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT'S IMPRESSIONS,
rope.
were the thousands of natives dressed in fanciful custumes, something like old guildsmen in Eu- and the Chinese, who turned out in strong force, dressed in their best silks and the para- phernalia that we in China see so much of about China New Year; but every man had his tail tied up in a knot under his hat. They do not wear them hanging down in Manila for obvious reasons. They are hated and oppressed here as much as in the wooliest part of the wild and woolly West, but despite all their disabilities they contrive to amass great wealth. The Chinaman excels all foreigners here in his ability to "square" matters with the Spanish officials, who are probably the hardest and most difficult to deal with in any part of the
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To
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To the Soldiers of the Army and Navy The whole world admires and proclaims your military virtues, valour, sobriety, abnegation, and discipline, and they are universally acknow- ledged as belonging to the Spanish soldier The country requires your services now. Queen has rested her hopes upon your loyalty, both Peninsulars and Natives. ・・Your com- mander-in-chief, relying upon your cour and loyalty, is assured of victory. I remind you of what is your duty. Nobody need teach the Spanish soldier his duties knows them when he is born; he them and knows that he must have cou to the last and he is also aware th out discipline no triumph is possible, offence must be washed out and that life is of no value of the country has to be for the struggle has arrived good soldiers and we will worthy of those who I
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so high the most glorious
To the Volunteer,
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