August 18, 1897.}.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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standing. The kindliness of the old man-such contrast to so much of the roughness one meets in life-raised both him and the Chinese eharacter in my estimation. I cherish the Once in con- memory and I venerate the man. versation he said to me something like this, after reading through a short document I had Oh, prepared on The Needs of the Time.: what a change has come over China! For the last thirty years she has been getting weaker. The trouble is with the officials, for they have lost the confidence of the people. It is not like former days when we had Tsêng Kuo-fau and Tso Tsung-tang. It looks as if nothing could be done." He wanted to see his country pros- perous and secure, but he saw no way to bring it about. The friendship of this man, begun only some two years ́and a-half ago, remained until I left the city of Peking. For many months, he was on sick-leave, not expected to recover, and yet at different times matters that | I had discussed on paper were referred privately to him, and always he showed interest in them, and what is more, was ready to speak a good word to others. His two sons are favour- ites of mine, well brought up, studious, thought- ful, unassuming, and steady in their habits. While the great Chinese families become useless, if not extinct. in one, two, or three generations, the moral character of these young men seems to guarantee that the race and name of Li Hung-tsao will not cease to be. As the old men are one by one passing away, it is to be hoped that the younger men with all their progress, Western ideas, and knowledge of English, will not forget to imitate and live out the moral teachings and example of Li Hung- tsuo and all China's truest men.
A JAPANESE JOURNAL ON JAPANESE VANITY,
shipping at the shrines of imaginary deities ? And do we not see that even men wearing foreign dress and professing to be leaders of progress are tainted by the same superstitions and traditions This progress so much vaunted is in truth; only relative; it looks large because the unit of measurement is small. There is indeed one solid fact, namely, that since the war foreign countries have begun to pay attention to Japan and to think it worth their while to place obstacles in the path of her national development, and the Japanese have the pleasure of feeling that their condition is described by the old aphorism gashin shotan sleeping among faggots and living in dre But there are few indications that the situou is appreciated. Scholars and leaders of thought seem content to let things take their course, and to amuse themselves eom. posing verses, making tea, collecting objects of art, and gazing at pictures. There must be a large access of earnestness and honest apprecia- tion if real progress is to be achieved,
OFFICIAL CHANGES AT PEKING.
By the death of H.E. the late Li Hung-tsao, there seems to have been a general redistribu- tion of posts in the Metropolitan and Court administrations. Any one versed in mandarinic lore and acquainted with the working of the wheels within wheels of the Chinese official hierarchy, can read between the lines and see within them the popularity of this or that offi- cial with the Emperor. For in this redistribu- tion of seats, authorised by the decrees of the 3rd and 4th instant, some have been advanced whilst others have, on the other hand, received By a fall from their original positions. an edict of the 4th instant Kang Yi-called to Peking in 1894 from his Governorship of Kwangtung and a prime favourite of the Em- We learn from the "Spirit of the Vernacular peror-President of the Board of Works, is Press" in the Japan Mail that the Jiji Shimpo made to interchange posts with Sung Kuei, addresses to its readers a wholesome warning President of the Board of Punishments. Both are Manchus. But after the Boards of Civil against the spirit of inflated vanity that seems to have taken possession of so many Japanese Appointments and Revenue, the post of Pre- in recent times. People talk largely of Japanese sident of the Board of Punishments comes next, or third on the list, in point of remunerative progress, but, after all, what is that progress? By what standard is it judged? If Japan's ness, amongst the Six Boards of Peking, while it is also senior in rank to that of the Board of former condition be taken as a basis of com-
Works, which is lust on the list. Hence, parison, it is undoubtedly true that she has made great advances, but if the condition although the interchange may seem common- of Occidental countries be considered, she place enough to outsiders, the fact is that is still in a very poor state. She conquered Kang Yi receives a promotion while Sung China, it is true, but victory signified very Kuei drops a point in the estimation of the little, for China was already tottering, and Court. Another edict of the same date ap- a slight push from Japan sufficed to over-points Li Tuan-fen, Senior (Chinese) Vice- throw her. Thirty-five years ago, England President of the Board of Punishments, to be and France, with a handful of men, marched Director General of the Imperial Granaries at N. Tungchou and Peking (lit. Vice-President across China and seized the capital, and in more recent times, Admiral Courbet, with a small of the Imperial Granaries under the Board naval of Revenue) vice Liao Shou-heng. promoted squadron, effectually paralysed the strength of the Chinese. Undoubtedly the China to the Presidency of the Conrt of "Censors. Then comes the greatest surprise of all, for the of 1894 was much better equipped than the
same edict commands Chao Shu-ch'iao, Gover- China of 1861 or 1884 but the Chinese them-
nor of Kiangsu, to take the post vacated by Li selves had not changed: a victory over them cannot be taken as any indication of special Tuan-fên and be Senior Vice-President of the the part of the conqueror. Board of Punishments-in other words, Gover- prowess
nor Chao is transformed, at a stoke of the Em- Since then, Japan has elaborated a scheme of military and naval expansion, and many of peror's pen, from a provincial magnate to a Court her people are astonished at its dimensions. Minister. Many people amongst the Chinese offi- But what a paltry affair it will be, after all, in cial classes will consider this a grand advancement comparison with the armaments of Occidental to Governor Chao, who only a short three years Powers! Some folks point with pride to the ago-June, 1894-was merely a 4th rank officer or Taotai of the treaty port of Wenchow, and growth of Japan's foreign trade. There has
doubtless the Emperor, who is a great admirer certainly been a great development. From a total or sixty million yen, it has grown to nearly of Governor Chao, thinks that the latter ought three hundred millions. On the other hand, to be thankful for this distinction that has been is such a figure worthy to be mentioned in conferred upon him. But if we know anything the same breath with England's 738 millions about it, we do not think that this official will sterling; France's 724 million francs; Ger- feel very much elated at his translation to many's 794 million marks; Russia's 1,228 mil- Peking to play twentieth fiddle in the Court or lion roubles, and America's 1,642 million chestra, when he is first fiddle-nominally second -in Kiangsu. And what is of infinitely more dollars? The fact is that Japeu haring so
importance to the progress and welfare of this Smuch lee-way to make up, her progress is re-
markable in comparison with her former back-province, the inhabitants of it will lose a very able Another edict of wardness, but all the while that she advances, and clean-handed Governor. Western countries are advancing also, and it the same date appoints K'uei Chün (Manchu), will be time enough for her to feel some satis- the former Governor of Kiangsu who went into faction when she gets fairly within sight of mourning in 1894 on the death of his nonagen them. A similar criticism applies to the field of arian mother, who died at this port in August education. The number of public schools and of that year, to be acting Governor of Kiangsu private schools has increased largely, but has In other words, the Emperor kills two birds the intellectual condition of the people been with one stone by this action. He gets his greatly raised? Do we not still see folks favourite by his side and appoints another Manchu into the provinces-a policy similar to believing in charms and amulets, and wor-
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that of his uncle Hsien Fêng, which was one of the main causes of the Taiping Rebellion, and will doubtless be made the most of by the secret society emissaries scattered like ants, just now, throughout the empire.-N. C. Daily News.
SALVING THE “LAIYUEN,”
on
The Yomiuri prints an account of the opera- tions proceeding at Weihaiwei from the chief of the salvors. We use the translation in the Japan Times :-" My first project was to float the vessel as she lay. The impossibility of this, however, was soon demonstrated, by experts and the officials of the Naval Department, and the idea was abandoned. As the only alternative, the application of dynamite was thus neces sitated, to break up the wreck and raise it piece by piece. On examining the sunken ship, . we found that the Japanese fish-torpedo discharged from No. 9 torpedo-boat in the course of the attack Wei-hai-wei had struck near the electric apparatus, smashing the ship's side to the extent of about two tatami without and About twelve tatami within. Un further search, the tail of the very fish- torpedo, over 4 shaku long, was discovered. This valuable relic of the late war was at once forwarded to the Navy Department, and it is now in the custody of the Imperial Household Department. Parts of the engines, stores, magazine, a torpedo, a cannon, and a large quantity of steel have so far been saved from The profit realized by Mr. Nakamura from these operations is said to be over 80,000 yen, and if the earnings of those engaged in raising the Teiyen and Iyen be added to this the aggregate sum will exceed 400,000 yen.
the wreck."
MACAO..
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.}
-Macao, 13th August. The Harbour Improvement Committee, other day presented to H. E. Senhor Galhardo having held meetings daily for over a month, the the first section of its report. It is an able document and much credit must be given to the committee, which is composed as follows :—Mr. Abreu Nunes, Director of Public Works, Pre- sident; Mr. Talone e Silva, Harbour Master; The report Mr. Barbosa, Inspector da Fazenda, and two covers the improvement projected by the Go- officers of the Thomas Andrea. vernment in connection with the Praya Grande Government House to the Public Gardens and to reclamation. It is proposed to draw a line from reclaim the ground within the line, that is, to build a new Praya wall twenty-five or thirty metres The reclaimed ground outside the present one. would be available for building and the present Praya Grande would become an inland road with houses on each side of it. From the east end of the Praya Grande below S. Francisco Fort it is proposed to run out a breakwater, so that between the new Praya Grande and the breakwater there will be a large bay suitable for anchorage. If the scheme is carried out on Senhor Galhardo. No doubt His Excellency known great credit will be bestowed
home Government the importance of allowing what should be done and will impress on the all the colony's money to remain here for use in effecting local improvements. The longer the work is delayed the more it will cost, and carried out a few years ago. At that time the at present it will cost more than if it had been eyes of the home Government were shut, but now I believe they have awakened from their influence perhaps his representations respecting long sleep, and as.Senhor Galbarde is a man of the necessity of harbour improvements will be attended to. I sincerely hope so and that the pains and labour the Harbour Improvement Committee have bestowed on this matter will not go for nothing. If the scheme is not exe- cuted in its entirety let us hope that at least part of it will be carried out.
Last Monday about noon the weather became very threatening and every one expected that the colony was about to be visited by a typhoon, and the junks and even the steamers on their was very low, but fortunately the expected arrival sought places of shelter. The barometer storm did not break.
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