January 5, 1898.] ́
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE RUSSIAN FLELTAT PORT
ARTHUR.
There were several Russian men-of-war in
Port Arthur at the time, and these the visitor saluted in the orthodox way. The salute was, of course, returned. After a stay of a few hours, and a visit from some officers on shore, the British man-of-war steamed out to sea.- Mercury.
FAILURE OF A WELL KNOWN
ATIVE MERCHANT AT
SHANGHAI,
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the interior of the country to visit a relation or
southern China. The most superficial observer has she been imported by some speculative Chi-
could not mistake the import of England's nese in order here, like Ere, to undermine the
action on that occasion. It was an open de- morals of our hardy warriors? Here we have On the 22nd December a British man-of-war claration that she intended to preserve the decidely more innocent picture, a little ass was steaming into Port Arthur, when signals continuity of the policy mapped out in the led by a countryman, out of the baskets slung were made to her by the Chinese, military Convention of 1846, and that her resolve was to across on either side peep out the heads of two authorities to turn back and under no cir- guarantee complete freedom of trade, and full little children who gaze with astonished eyes cumstances to enter the harbour. This message security from foreign aggression, for the re- upon the "Red Devils." Of course there is was disregarded--the British man-of-war steam-gions tapped by the Yangtze River. The idea here no question of the abusive language so ing into the land-locked waters as though no of England's entering into an agreement, or freely bestowed on the European in China--such order had been given or else the Captain accepting even the bare suggestion of an un. often with the accompaniment of stones, filth, put the telescope to the blind eye.
derstanding, with any European Power to map and clods of earth,-not even in the interior of
out mutual spheres of influence or lines of the occupied territory. You may wander alone |
partition in China is not to be entertained for or ride through the surrounding villages and
an instant. Without pretending to claim any you will be absolutely unmolested: indeed
high standard of international morality for the around Tsingtao you mostly get a friendly
British nation, we do allege that a plunder- salute copied from our military salute. May it
ing project of that nature would be hòot- ever be thus!
ed throughout the length and breadth of the land. But during the long course of Eng- land's commercial relations and unhappy quar- rels with China, extending over an interval of 57 years, there has been clearly indicated a policy which may be said to have been traced with the blood of her soldiers not less than with the pens of her diplomats. Virtually by her strength alone the coastwise provinces of Kwang- tung. Falkien, Chehkiang. and Kiangst. have been, opened to foreign trade, and water-way from the two last to the
Seven inlaud
China the
provinces of -the provinces extending from Burmah to the lower reaches of the Yangtze--has been kept open. That there has been
deliberate scheme of aggr ssion on such a huge scale, we do not think of asserting. But events have assuredly shaped themselves so that England, if confronted with the contingency of foreign aggression in the districts lying between the month of the Yangtze and Hongkong, would be justified in pointing to the history of her relations with China since 1840, and in claiming that a sphere has been delimited for her byla train of incilents not to be misconstrued or minimized.Japan Mail.
When the wind blows strong from the North, a walk through the country or even a stroll through the streets of our little town of Tsing tao, does not afford much enjoyment; walking against it, the wind fairly takes away one's breath and one does well to cover up the ears. Then on the broad waters which look so pleasing from afar white combers rise up, unpleasant enough when one is close to them and which, though they leave our stately men-of-war nn- disturbed, play haro: with the small steam- launches and the drafts of men being landed from them at the pile jetty. But, when the stiff breeze drops, and the sea is once more like a mirror, and the sun warms up the landscape once more, then we gladly set out on a walk over hill
and dale. The various hill ranges lie right across our direction and close to us. Some dozen higher and lower peaks project from the range, some crowned by most marvellously-shaped rocks. The highest peak, as already stated, barely exceeds 160 metres. Paths lead over the low pages uniting the villages which nestle in the galley bottoms. The hard and frozen paths are bad for our ponies, but at times we come upon the sandy beds of watercourses where we can gallop our animals. Most picturesque are the ravines winding upwards between rocky walls as they are cut deep into the earth; the broken rock material lends itself to most fantastic shapes. We have before us a model of the earth's evolu-
tion under the action of wind and water.
Shanghai, 28th December. Yesterday Foo Chong, the well-known coal- merchant, speculator in opinin, metals, otc.. suspended payment. lis liabilities reach Tls. 350,000, against which his assets are variously estimated at Tis: 250,000. His failure is believed to be due to over-speculation in shares of all descriptions, besides losses in his own business. It is thought that the settlement of the 31st inst. will be considerably hampered by the snapping of this solid link in the chain of share dealers. Several of the native bankers have seized his books and are examining into his accounts. A meeting will shortly be held to ascertain the possibilities of carrying him over the difficulty, and it is held that he will be able. if sufficient time is given him. to meet his liabilities.-Mercury.
ENGLAND'S SPHERE OF
INFLUENCE.
MACAO,
any
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
What is meant by Chusan and its depen- The Bocca Tigris Convention was dencies?' negotiated mainly with reference to China's protracted reluctance to admit British subjects to Canton. The first epoch of that reluctance culminated in acts of violence in 1840, the im- Germediate results of which were the despatch of Sir Gordon Bremer's expedition, the occupation of Chusan and Kulangsu and varions military operations. These islands were subsequently held as security for the fulfilment of the engage- ments made by China in the Treaty of Nanking (1842), namely, residential and tradal facilities for British subjects in Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo and Shanghai; the cession of Hong-high order. kong, the payment of an indemnity of 21 million But in dollars, and certain miuor concessions. the one point of opening Canton, China found herself unable to keep faith, and after four
The sportsman, too, need not wander in vain over these fields and mountains. Our old man friend, the hare, is seen everywhere fleeing from the approaching stranger. The Chinese seem to have left him alone formerly, not car- ing much for game. But now that buyers for the dainty roast are steadily to be found in Tsingtao, the Chinese are pursuing it with great energy, driving them into nets, as, for tunately, they do not possess fire-arms. This will soon make au end of the hares in this neighbourhood and when our German forester arrives on the spot, there will be little for him to do; for it will be long before it will be possible to put in force game laws against the Chinese. Pheasants are also said to exist but I have so far seen none. One the other hand, huge flocks of wild geese are to be seen as also the heron, a large handsome grey bird; one sees dozens of these beautiful animals in their long line of flight: it seem to take the place of the stork with us and, to judge by the appearance of the Chinese houses, he here fulfils his deliciate office far better than does his long-legged brother in the old home.
THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE BRITISH FLEET.
Shanghai, 29th December. The following native despatch was received here yesterday from Tinghai, the chief town in the Chusan islands :-On the 27th instant there were eleven British men-of-war in the vicinity of the islands, viz: seven in ar inlet to the S.E. of Tinghai, while four more were reported to be at anchor at Pootoo, one of the islands of the archipelago. The British ships seemed to be constantly on the move, going and coming at frequent intervals, but apparently the flagship is at the inlet, for that place seems to be the rendezvous for the others. There have, how- ever, been no landing parties anywhere except to get water and fresh provisions from the people of the inlet.-N. C. Daily News
years of waiting. the British Government withdrew the garrison from Chusau, conclud- ing, at the same time, the Bocca Tigris Con- vention. Looking merely at the letter of the Convention, Chusan and its dependencies' may be interpreted to mean the group of islands at the mouth of the Yangtze River. But looking to the
circumstances under which
the convention was concluded, its intention would appear to have been the insurance of the whole coust between Canton and the mouth of the Yangtze against foreign aggression. Ger many at Samsha would be plauted between Hongkong and Chusan. She would virtually command the mouth of the Yangtze as compared with England at Hongkong. Is it probable that England, with the Bocea Tigris Conven- tion in her pocket, would submit to that very material change of conditions? We can not think so. At the time of the Liaotung affair, when public excitement ran so high about
made by the | the transfer of
Three Powers and
the
coup about
the centre of gravity of Far-Eastern politics to Berlin-St. Petersburg would have been a more accurate analysis-we ventured to point out that England. quietly and without seeking any one's co-operation, had made a more momentous and significant stroke off her own bat by sending a squadron up the Yangtze and guaranteeing the neutrality of the greatest water-way in the East, the line of division between northern and
Macao, 30th December. The theatrical performance and concert given by amateurs on Sunday last at the Theatre D. Pedro V. for the benefit of the Italian convent was most successful. The public know how deserving of support this institution is, and this, coupled with the excellent programme, secnred a large attendance. The orchestra was com- posed of mandolins, violins, guitar, violincellos, flutes, and piano, and the music, was highly appreciated, the execution being of
The acting was also good. The receipts, I hear, amounted to $2,000. The public, I am sure, would be glad to have more of such entertainments.
a very
Before the Chief Justice, Dr. Alpoim, Messrs. Barbosa, Vasco, and Poiares, all Government servants. yesterday summoned the editor of the Echo Macaense for abuse of the liberty of the press, because in the last few numbers of the paper abusive articles have appeared in refer- ance. to the said gentlemen. The petition claimed 100,000 reis damages for each of the complainants. 640 reis being equal to one dollár,
The hearing occupied about three hours. The court found the editor guilty and passed sentence of ten days' imprisonment, or 10,000 reis, and a fine of 40,000 reis, the ques- tion of damages being left over; the de- fendant to pay the costs of the hearing and to publish the judgment in the Echo. The court was crowded during the hearing. This is, I believe, the first case of its kind that has taken place in Macao.
The Batavia Nieuwsblad gives particulars of the wreck of the American barque Conqueror, already reported. The Conqueror stranded on · one of the Thousand Isands group near that port. She was laden with gambier, rattan, and tapioca, all of which are a total loss. Eight feet of water stood in her hold. The crew left the wreck in boats, and arrived at Batavia on the 16th December. The Conqueror is said to be an old vessel. It was launched in 1874, and measured 1,540 tons, net. Eighteen of the crew of the wrecked vessel arrived at Singapore from Batavia on the 20th December.
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