424
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE
PHILIPPINES APPOINTED. Major-General Merrit, a veteran of the civil war, has been appointed Governor-General of the Philippines, and he is now on his way there in one of the vessels containing the re-inforce- ments for Admiral Dewey. Major-Generals Utis and Anderson are with him.
THE "BALTIMORE "GOING TO ILOILO.
F
When the Akitsushima left Manila it had been arranged that the Baltimore and the Callao were to start for Iloilo for the purpose of re- capturing the Saranak, which was seized by the Spanish gunboat Elcano.
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE WAR. Congul-General Wildman bas during the past few weeks been deluged with offers from Americans in Eastern ports offering their ser- vices in their country's cause. No less than 400 such applications have been received by him, and in many cases the applicants offer to pay their own expenses to any place at which they can be enrolled. Some of them have served in the French foreign legion.
Consul General Wildman is winning golden opinions for his untiring exertions in his coun- try's cause and by no one are bis services more appreciated than by Admiral Dewey.
REVOLT OF THE CAROLINES. It is reported that the Carolines are now in a state of insurrection. The Spaniards have only a small garrison there, and as they are unable to send reliefs it is likely that the insurgents will soon get the upper hand.
ACCOUNT BY A LATE RESIDENT,
DEPLORABLE STATE OF THE SPANISH SOLDIERY.
HOW THE CHINESE IN MANILA ARE BEING UTILISED.
Among those who accompanied the Japanese cruiser Akitsushima from Manila to Hongkong was a Mr. P., who removed into the city from up country in consequence of the disturbances some two months ago. Mr. P. confirms the accounts already published, as to the scarcity of the food supply in Manila and the straits to which the poorer classes have been reduced in consequence. He also sheds some light on life in the beleagured city which will canse our readers to be of the same opinion as Mr. P., namely, that Manila is a very nice place to be away from.
A
Not only the inhabitants but the Spanish soldiers are considerably pinched for food Says Mr. P., The poor treated indeed. It is a pity to see them going soldiers are very badly about the streets, as it is apparent to any one that they do not get anything like enough food. All they get is a little rice and some dried fish, which is doled out to them with a niggard hand. Of course they cannet afford to buy fresh fish, it is so very dear. small fish which used to cost five or six cents a dozen now costs as much as 50 or 60 cents for one, whilst old salt beef-black unsavoury looking stuff is sold at $1.75 per pound. Small bony chickens are realising $1 or $2 each, people being glad to get them for that sum. Thefts of food by the natives are of daily occurrence. The plan adopted is to go into a provision shop and ask for so much rice, and as soon as it has been weighed out the native grabs it and is out of the shop and away before the unfortunate vendor can regain his property.
$4
Only the other week the Americans seized two vessels which were loaded with food for
Manila. They also purchase all the fresh fish
which the natives catch in the harbour, with the result that when the natives return to the city with empty boats they have to invent all kinds of excuses for having come ashore empty
handed."
"I hear that the volunteers are threatening to seize the stores because they can get no pay?
|
Yes, and no wonder, for they have been very badly treated by the Spanish authorities. They were promised food, clothing, and good pay, and as many of them belonged to the poorer class who find it difficult to get hold of enough to eat to keep body and soul together they thought. that by offering their services they would at any rate be sure of getting some food. They
|
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
have, however, had to find their own clothing and food, and have not received a cent of pay.
"Some 700 or 800 Chinese who were induced to join the army by a promise that they should receive a dollar a day have been similarly de. ceived. They get no pay whatever, and are kept hard at work night and day cleaning the guns, and as they do not get enough to eat they are dying like flies."
What about the preparations for the defence of the city ?"
41
'Well, something is being done, but in the past everything has been so sadly neg- lected that it will be impossible to make up the deficiencies in time. The cannon, for instance, include some over a hundred years old which have a coating of rust inches deep. A colonel of artillery to whom these were handed over for the defence of the city in despair took his own life.
+
House robberies have also begun to be very frequent and they are mostly perpetrated by servants. The latter spend their time day and night in gambling, and when they have lost their money they steal more.
"To give you an instance of what is going on in Manila I may say that I was staying with a gentleman whose servant has been with him for three years. One day we went out and on our return we found the door locked.
At once
concluding that something was wrong we burst the door open and then we found my friend's wife bound in a chair while the servant was ran- sacking the house for jewellery and money. Of course weseized him and delivered him over to the authorities, who, however, released him at the end of 24 hours notwithstanding the fact that we caught him in the act, my friend being told. when he protested against this, 'If you want to proceed any further with the matter you must summon him and engage a lawyer.'
The same thing is going on in Cavite. The Americans send a fow men from the vessels, but not sufficient to look after the place properly.
"Hundreds of people now in Manila would only be too glad to get out if there was a vessel to take them. Some people would gladly pay 8500 or $600 for a passage.'
་་
"By the way, what about the shooting of the captain of the Callao?"
There was some talk of his being trans. ported to the Carolines, and I did ear, but I has committed suicide." cannot say whether it is true or not, that be
Did you hear how things were going on in the interior?
"
"Yes, on the 14th or 15th of May the the Spaniards and killed them." natives in the Union province rose against
Mr. P. added that the Spanish officers in on in the outside world, Manila are deplorably ignorant of what is going the battle of Cavite, when a number of war A day or two after vessels belonging to neutral powers came into Manila harbour, it was the common topic of conversation among the officers aud the Spanish merchants in the Escolto that these vessels had come to help the Spaniards against the Ameri.
cans.
PRINCE HENRY AT PEKING.
AUDIENCE WITH THE EMPRESS-
DOWAGER AND EMPEROR,
BALL AT THE BRITISH LEGATION.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DAILY PRESS. Shanghai, 23rd May. Prince Heury was received in audience by the Empress Dowager and Emperor at Peking on Sunday, 15th May.
Majesty and His Royal Highness had a long The Emperor returned the visit and His
chat together.
by Sir Claude Macdonald on Tuesday last, stay- His Royal Highness attended the ball given ing late and conversing freely. Every Euro- pean in Peking was present.
On Wednesday, His Royal Highness visited the Tsungli Yameu.
Ozorio, who is charged with the murder of Mr. Jesus on May 9th, was again brought up at the Magistracy on 25th May before Commander Hastings. No further evidence was given, how. ever, as certain translations were not ready, and another remand of a week was granted.
||
|
[May 28, 1898.
THE TROUBLES IN BORNEO.
DEPARTURE OF THE "PLOVER FROM
SINGAPORE,
"
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE “DAILY PRESS.
SINGAPORE, 25th May.
The Plover has sailed for Borneo. Matsalleh has secured the alliance of an inland tribe
claiming 5,000 fighters.
RICE RIOT AT WENCHOW.
THE YAMENE WRECKED.
FOREIGNERS UNMOLESTED.
3
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS."]
SHANGHAI, 25th May.
A rice riot has taken place at Wonchow. All the yamens were wrecked. Foreigners were not molested.
WITHDRAWAL OF OBNOXIOUS TAXES.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS."]
SHANGHAI, 26th May.
Despatches have been received here from Peking stating that the Emperor has with. drawn the obnoxious house tax, the extra opium tax, and the national loan.
[The new devices for raising revenue, es pecially the house tax, have given rise to much discontent, and in some cases to disturbance.]
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE "YOUNG CHINA PARTY."
A correspondent writes us as follows:- As the Hongkong gambling scandal was brought to light by the discovery of a book containing the names of the receivers of bribes, so the Chinese Government, by the discovery of a book belonging to a branch of the China Reform Society in Honolulu, bas become aware of the names of the members of the Society in that island. Possibly the discovery was due to treachery on the part of an ex-member. Most of the Chinese in Honolulu are Cantonese, the Heungshan district furnishingthelargest section. The Viceroy of Canton, acting nuder instructions
received from the North, has sent a commission to that district, accompanied by a gunboat, to ascertain particulars about the members there, and it is reported that during the last few days many arrests have been made. Included amongst the arrests is a wealthy Honolulu mer- chaut, who has no connection with the affair, and whose name does not appear in the list, but the Chinese officials are taking the opportunity petitioned the Viceroy praying for the un- to squeeze money. The Sansz of the village have fortunate man's release, but probably he will hare to spend a good deal of his fortune before he is discharged, if indeed he secures acquittal at all.
an
There are many Chinese naturalised Hawaiian citizens now visiting their families and friends in the Hengshan district. These may possibly fall into the official clutches, but if so the Hawaiian Consul may have a voice in the matter.
THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY
Most Gracious Majesty the Queen was fittingly The 79th anniversary of the birth of Her celebrated on Tuesday, the day being practically observed as a general holiday. The whole dis- trict presented a most joyous appearance. On of the vessels in the barbour were gay with every hand flags fluttered in the breeze, many bunting, and at the warships and the shore battery fired off salutes in honour of the occasion. During the greater part of the forenoon the sun was very hot. Then came a heavy downpour, but the clouds soon passed away and the rest of the day was all that could
be desired.
noon
Later on in the day_several_thousand people wended their way to Happy Valley to witness the parade of troops there. The parade, which commenced at about six o'clock, was taken part in by about 2,000 men, including the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers (com. manded by Major Jeffreys), the King's Own (commanded by Colonel Rowlandson),
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.