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to add some fresh matter to improve it. I ˆhave not re-constructed the Bill as it were from beginning to end. I shall be glad to receive sug- gestions for the improvement of the Bill, but I hope those suggestions will be sent in as soon as possible, so that the passing of the Bill will not be delayed.
The matter then dropped.
A QUESTION OF FEES.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I have to move the second reading of the bill entitled an Or- dinance Authorising the imposition of Fees for the issue, by the Government of Hongkong, of certain Certificates to certain Chinese desirous of proceeding to the United States of America. I need only point out that these certificates require a good deal of work and take up the time of a Government officer, whenever a Chinaman wishes to go to America and wishes to have some proof that he is not a labourer. Therefore as the time of Govern- ment servants has to be given up exclusively for the benefit of an individual who may not belong to this colony at all, I think it is only right that the Treasury should receive some remune- ration.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY 800onded. Carried.
The Bill was then considered in committee. and on the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, read a third time and passed.
the
THE PUNISHMENT OF CONSPIRACIES, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I propose Becond reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to provide for the Punishment of certain Con- spiracies. The Bill provides: "Where any person is convicted, in the Supreme Court, of conspiring to cheat or defraud, or to extort money or goods, or falsely to accuse of any crime, or to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat the course of public justice, he shall be liable to imprison- ment, with or without hard labour, for any term not exceeding three years, or to a fine not ex- deeding five hundred dollars, or to both." The objects and reasons of the Bill are stated as follows: --- Common law mis- demeanours, where no special punishment is provided by any Act or Ordinance, come within the scope of section 5 of Ordinance No. 3 of 1898. The maximum penalty which can be inflicted under that section is one year's im- prisonment with hard labour and a fine of $500. Such punishment is not adequate, as a maxi- mum, in the case of conspiracies such as those mentioned in this Ordinance, and the maximum term of imprisonment with hard labour bas, accordingly, been increased in such cases to three years."
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL MERRITT.
THE GERMANS AND THE CAROLINES.
A CRUISER SENT.
WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH THE PHILIPPINES ?
Hongkong, 31st July. Last week we had abundance of news from Manila, despatches being brought by several vessels, but during the present week all has been blank, for which no doubt the typhoon is re- sponsible. The German steamer Petrarch, which left Hongkong for Manila on Tuesday, pat back into the harbour yesterday morning, having had two or three very rough days at sea. She was taking down a mail. Between 20 and 30 American sailors who have been in hospital are awaiting a vessel to take them to rejoin their ships in Manila Bay.
We understand that the German cruiser Arcona has left Kiaochow and is now on her
way to the Carolines. She called at Nagasaki on the 26th and took in stores for three months.
Hongkong, 1st August. After a week's silence news from Manila was brought to Hongkong on Saturday by H.M.S. I'lover. It appears that the transport Newport, which had steamed ahead of the other vessels of the third expedition, arrived on Monday of last week with General Merritt, U. S. Governor-General of the Philippines, and 600 men on board, including the battery of artillery fitted out at his own expence by Mr. Astor, the millionaire. The other trans. ports, which carried some-4,000 men, were expected within three days. The arrival of the Monterey has been delayed by the breaking down of the Brutus, which she has had to tow back to Honolulu. The Brutus had been sent out to accompany the Monterey to Cavite and
to tow her if occasion arose.
Admiral Dewey has reason to believe that Governor-General Augustin will be willing to surrender as soon as he can do so honourably. that he will only make a show of resist and that the bombardment of the city will be avoided. Particularly may this be expected to be the case if the Americans await the arrival of their full naval and military force, when the most bellicose Spaniard in Manila must see the futility of resistance in the face of such over. whelming odds. About 4,000 American troops are encamped within a mile of Manila, pro- tected by artillery and the guns of the Boston and the Callao. The first brush-if it may be called a brush-which the Americans had with the enemy took place last week. The in- surgents had been driven from their trenches and the American troops turned out to their The Council then adjourned until Monday assistance, escorting them back, the Spaniards
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. The Bill having been considered in com- mittee it was read a third time and passed, on the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRE-
TARY,
week.
ADJOURNMENT,
FINANCE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Acting Colonial Secretary pre- siding,
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Finance Committee were read and adopted as a oorrect record.
The Council agreed to vote a sum of $2,700 in aid of vole " Gaol Extension.”
The ACTING COLONIAL SERETACY-This is for making associated cells into separate cells.
The Supplementary Colonial Estimates for 1897 were submitted, but gave rise to no com- ment.
The committee then adjourned.
A sad accident occurred in Nagasaki barbour on 27th July. At 10 a.m. on that day a sampau, which was proceeding from H.M.S. Victorious towards shore with twelve British sailors, capsized at a distance of about 100 yards from the warship. Boats were at once lowered from the battleship, and all the men were saved with the exception of one, a stoker, whose body was recovered at five o'clock the same day. The deceased was buried at Urakami next morning, full: nawal: honours being accorded the body-Nagasaki Press,
then retreating.
While reconnoitring near Malate Generals Green and Andersen narrowly escaped being shot, a Spanish bullet whistling close by them.
There is not much to report with regard to the insurgents. The latter are throwing shells into Manila from four guns on the south side of the city. Aguinaldo has released some of his prisoners, among whom are eight priests.
The Spanish officer who let those in Manila know of ampson's victory in the West Indies is treated as a traitor and his life has been threatened.
noon,
[August 6, 1898.
With regard to the state of affairs at Cebu, the Fookeang, which left..there on July 25th and Takologan on July 23rd, reports that the rebels make periodical raids on the towns and that in consequence the Spaniards were planting bamboo defences and making other preparations for maintaining their position. There is a small Spanish gunboat at Cebu which at once makes for the river immediately a vessel comes in sight. A German warship is cruising about the neighbourhood. It is also reported that there is a small Chinese steamer cruising about and that it is supplying the rebels with arms. All is quiet at Takologan,
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT WITH THE AMERICAN FLEET.]
Manila Bay, 25th July.
I have just made a careful survey of the There are nearly 5,000 there and they make a camp of American soldiers below Malate. splendid showing. To look over the lines, the stranger would think there were 10,000 of them. The number will be increased to over 6,000 in a few days. There remains yet one regiment, the First Oregon, to leare Cavite and join the main command. It delays not at its own wishes but at the orders of General Andersen. Californians, Coloradans, Nebraskans, and are just as good fighters as the
Pennsylvanians, and they are afraid that there may be a battle in which they may not be on hand to participate. This spirit of great desire to fight is most noticeable among all the troops.
The men
It is so remarkable as to amount almost to a mania. Any talk of peace is decidedly un- popular with the rank and file. This longing for actual battle is not prompted by false pride, braggadocio, or selfish feelings, but by an intense sincerity and devotion to the pur- pose which makes every American patriotic in this war. There is no shamming, no hypocrisy, no cant among these soldiers, regular or volun. teers. They are inspired by one impulse; to- serve their country to the best of their ability no matter what the consequence. If you do not believe it, go among them every day, as I have, talk with them, from Colonels down to privates,
sit with the officers at their mess, then with the
I
rank and file, take of their fare and share their experiences, their hardships and pleasures, and
indulge in no exaggeration. not one discordant note will reach your ears! I know whereof I speak, and challenge the denial of my observa- tions from any man who has seen as much as I Nebraska, and Pennsylvania boys-for of course bave of these California, Oregon, Colorado, my comment is largely confined to the volun- teers, because first they make up three-fourths of the present force, and, second, the regulars are expected to be and are all right in every · particular as far as I am able to judge and as careful training of years ought to make them.
Volunteers are often made the subjects of jokes, they are invariably the butt of criticism around a camp or point where there are regular army and navy officers, but considering all things I believe that these same volunteers are deserving of as much credit as the permanent arm of the war service. I could not decry the regulars in the least and, if I had my way, I would have only regulars in the United States army and a force of 150,000 instead of 30,000. Bat viewing the situation as it is let there be
credit where credit is due.
Possibly I have strayed from my description of the camp to eulogize men who in all armies are too often maligned-the volunteers-but I am glad to express my sentiments about a body of men I have carefully watched with my own If there is any fighting, mark my word, eyes. they will not in any way dissappoint good ex- pectations.
Hongkong, 2nd August, The Zafiro arrived from Manila yesterday morning, but the despatches she brought report no change in the situation at Manila. The re- mainder of the third expedition had not put in On a map of Manila Bay, the village of an appearance when she left on Friday after. Tambo can be located below Pasay and above though it was expected on the evening of Paranaque within about two miles of the that day, and it was understood that the final polverin at the South end of Malate. This is move on - Manila would not be made until the camping ground of the American land forces. It is officially named Camp Dewey in these reinforcements landed. In the mean-
the honour to the Admiral. Here in proper milit- time General Merritt, who has made Newport his headquarters, has ordered aary style are fully 5,000 men stationed whose map of the country surrounding Manila to be numbers will be increased to over 10,000 in a few days or when the next expedition arrives. prepared, and he and General Greene have made several reconnaisances, visiting the rebel If the Oregon regiment and Regulars at Cavite trenches in the course of their excursions. The are transferred as is expected before the rein- rebels have not done much fighting lately. forcements come, the camp will hold 8,500 men.
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