October 29, 1893.]
congregating round the flag staff and the Band striking up a lively air as the flag was unfurled,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
to suppress the riot, and the mob was dis- persed."
349
of the officers' pockets. A strong case is being worked up against them and it is expected their
On Monday morning work was commenced in To-day has been quiet and business on Shameen sentence will be severe a
earnest, the Field Battery parading at 6.15 a.m. for company and carbine drill and the Maxim Gun Co. for gun drill at the same time, the orders containing also another drill for both unite at 8.30. A stiff course of drill has been maintained throughout the week, the attention of the Field Battery being directed principally to fire discipline, the Maxim Gun Company receiving instruction in carbine and gun drill. The practical result of the week's training will no doubt be seen at the field day to-day, when both units will engage in target practice.
The camp will be struck on Monday. We have received a copy of the Camp Gazette, No. 1 of vol. III, issued in connection with the
encampment. The number is bright and lively,
was going on as usual. At 6 p.m. the Viceroy sent troops on to Shameen to protect it, and the Volunteers were patrolling as well. Three Chiuese guard-boats are moored along Shameen to meet any emergencies. An English_gun- boat is already here ready for action. Great credit is due to the British Consul and to Mons. Dufetre (the Commandant of Volunteers) for their prompt and energetic action. The Volun teers are still on duty. Mons. Dufetre was pat- rolling along the French concession nearly the whole night
As I am writing a great fire is raging in Teammaklan (ie. Pinewood Street), said to be the work of incendiaries. It commenced at half-past nine and several hundreds of houses
must have been burnt.
with many humorous sallies on individual mem- bers of the corps, not excepting even the popular
As soon as the alarm of fire was raised the Commandant. The Gazette will afford half-soldiers sent by the Viceroy to protect Shameen an-hour's genuine amusement in its peru-al, and left their posts and ran to the scene of the fire, will form a pleasant souvenir of the 1898 on-
leaving Shameen to the care of the Volunteers. campment.
RIOT AT CANTON,
AN ATTACK ON SHAMEEN AVERTED,
p.m.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
Shameen, 25th October, 11 This evening, between eight and nine o'clock, when the residents of Shameen were still at dinner or enjoying their cigars, their peace was rudely disturbed by the howling of a mob on the other side of the canal. On turning out to see what was the matter we found a large crowd of Chinese collected on Canal Road, opposite the French concession, yelling and shouting and throwing stones on to the Concession. On en- quiry as to the cause of the disturbance we were informed that a joss-boat had moored there, that the police had ordered it off, that the boat would not go, and that the altercation had attracted the mob, who supported the boat-people in their re- sistance to the police. The French Consular -Authority gave orders to turn out all the police and to supply the Volunteers with firearms: The Volunteers, having received their arms, took up a position and, seeing that the mob did not cease their stone throwing, the order to fire was about to be given, when the Mandarin in charge of the Shameen guard came forward and begged and prayed of the Commandant that there might be no firing, as he was going to disperse the mob. The Chinese soldiers were then turned out and marched along Canal Road, dispersing the rioters Two or three of the ringleaders were arrested. One half the Volunteers were ordered to remain on duty until relieved by the other half. At time of writing all is quiet.
Shameen, 26th October, Midnight. The following is a native version of the origin of Tuesday night's riot" Wakwong is one of the five principal gods, being a god of fire, and for the celebration of his annual festival the Cantonese, especially the inhabitants living in the neighbourhood of the Wakwong joss-house, raised a subscription to hold a religious exhibi- tion, or tachew, in matsheds near the joss-house, to propitiate the god and secure protection from fire for the residents of the district. Such is the custom which the people have religiously observed from time immemorial. It happened that on the 11th of this moon (25th Oct.) there was a tachew in the fifth district, and the work men and
coolies must needs have a place for their rest and sleep; and as the Kwongfao bridge crosses the canal a cook-boat was hired to moor there for the convenience of the musi cians, coolies, &e. The Shameen police, how ever, thought it an obstruction, and ordered the boat to move away. This occasioned a quarrel and stone throwing commenced, thereby attracting a large multitude of idlers, rogues, and vaga- bonds. At every stone that was thrown and hit anybody on Shameen they burnt a packet of crackers, at the same time shoutin and yelling, so much so that the foreign merchants of Shameen bad to come out as Volunteers, and they formed line and took their stand along the bund. The n
mandarins in charge of Shameen, of Shaikwan guard house, of Kwongyip, and Onyung, for fear that matters might turn serious, despatched their soldiers there and then
AFFAIRS AT MANILA.
ADMIRAL DEWEY ROUNDS UP "THE INSURGENT FLEET.".
CONDITION OF THE SPANISH PRISONERS.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Yesterday morning, about eight o'clook, a native called the attention of one of the river sentries to the body of a man floating by near the Spanish bridge. The body was recovered and found to be that of g
corporal, who it is believed was a member of the 23rd Regt., U.S.A., reported missing for several days. There are evidences of foul play, as the head is bruised, apparently by some blunt instrument. The body had been in the vater for some days.
t
There has recently been a great amount of discussion and considerable pressure brought to bear on the Philippine Government with the object of obtaining the release of the Spanish political prisoners and especially the members of the priesthood. The three Catholic chaplains here at present have been untiring in their efforts and one of them, Father Doherty, is expected to lecture through all the principal cities in the United States on his return. The Philippino papers have discussed the affair at length, setting forth their side very clearly. The latest account is as follows:-
"We were the first in advocating through the medium of this periodical the liberation of civilian prisoners, and before, long before, the Spanish papers expressed the opinion that the Revolutionary Government should give them their longed for liberty we anticipated it,- believing that we were in the right.
We were, however, disheartened by the many exaggerations proporated by our enemies, exaggerations due to ignorance or to precón- ceived malice.
Manila, 18th October. This week Admiral Dewey occupies the ċen- tre of the Manila stage. The day before yes- terday he ordered Capt. Tappan, of the gunboat Callao, to proceed to Bacoor and other points of the bay and round up the insurgent-launches the Philippinos do not die of hunger, nor We maintain that the prisoners held by and steamers. Altogether seven boats of various are they badly treated. Both the military sizes were taken in tow; of course there was no resistance at any point. At Bacoor the Philip bounds and are lodged in the best houses and civilians enjoy their liberty within pino officer in charge asked Capt. Tappan to in the town. All the efforts of our chiefs wait until the naval authority at Malolos could be communicated with; but the Captain replied necessary comforts compatible with the situa
are especially directed to providing all the
that as his time was limited be regretted exceed- tion, and we have letters and documents to ingly his inability to grant the request. Many prove all that we say. But in what a different are the conjectures as to the reason of the sei manner our unfortunate transported countrymen zures, and it is freely rumoured about that the insurgents had planned to board and capture the this, because we have condemned and still con- are treated, laden which chains and fetters. By Monadnock at Merivales. They have already demn the inhuman treatment which the Philip- had experience in this line with the steamer Fi-pinos received at the hands of the Spaniards, we lipinos and the low sides of the Monadnock are demonstrate to civilization what are our senti- easy to get over. Another rumour was a design ments respecting our prisoners. Civilian pri- to blow up the Monterey. However, these soners cannot be considered as military prisoners seem very far fetched and ridiculous, even in according to the established rules of interna- the days of rumours; but the fact remains that tional law, but the expressed opinion against the Admiral saw cause for alarm in these laun- the liberation of the first mentioned prisoners ches, and in his usual quick and decisive manner by the generals of the revolution is funda- he issued orders and gathered them in.
mentally correct.
Orders have been sent to General Aguinaldo to draw off his troops to a distance of eight miles from the centre of the city of Manila. This will be appreciated by the guards at the north of the city, where the proximity of the two sets of soldiers has led to considerable fric- tion. If the American sentries are careful in stopping people coming into the city and ex- amining them for arms, ammunition, etc., causing travellers to dismount or if in carriages to get out, the insurgent guards, seeing this, go through the same performance with any un- fortunates who may be leaving the city. The order goes into effect on 20th October.
He
The uprising in the north of Pampanga is still on and affairs have arrived at such a state that Aguinaldo will accept no responsibility or issue passes to be used in this district. freely admits that his authority is not recog- nized there, but declares that the trouble will soon be over. As there are comparatively few people in revolt this seems highly probable, but for the last three weeks they have been causing trouble without losing any apparent strength or ground.
There is very little doubt the Spanish officers who were arrested for stealing supplies will be convicted and receive a long term of years. Suoh crime is repulsive to the American mind. The American Government has been issuing rations for all the prisoners daily, and placing them in the hands of Spanish officers for pro- per distribution. After many complaints had been heard from the prisoners a watch was set on the officers, so the story runs, when it was discovered that a large percentage of the pro- visions were held over and sold for the benefit
44
According to these generals all. Spaniards, without distinction of class, have taken up arms against us, and inasmuch as the decree of General Augustin madé soldiers of them all they ought to be considered as prisoners of war.
"The following is a copy of the proclamation issued by General Augustin on April 23rd - "D. Basilio Augustin y Davila, Lieutenant- General of National Armies, Governor and Captain General of the Philippine Islands, and General in Chief of the Army. "I order and command all the employés of the state and municipalities not over fifty years
of
age, and not being incapable of bearing arms, from now on are called upon to take up arms in defence of the country, giving their services wherever they may be required.
"All peninsular Spaniards and their sons, although not having completed their twentieth year and those not over fifty years, being without physical disability, are ordered to enlist in the government of their respective districts P⠀
"The generals of the revolution also allege that in many places the civil servants, sheltered in convents and churches, were those who were most active in firing on our soldiers with their Remingtons or Mausers. Nevertheless. they say that many have not taken up arms.
For our part, we desire to see the civil ser- vants obtain their freedom, bowing, however, in this our government.
'But it is worthly of note that at present more than a hundred Philippinos are confined în the Peninsula and in Manila, sentenced to hard labour in spite of their being political prisoners pardoned by the decree of General Primo de Rivera, dated 23rd January, 1897. The sovereign
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