November 19, 1808.]
fortunately, and now the advocates of the execrable old Empress's clique are claiming that she can conduct reforms far better, on the slow and sure style; they do not state whether their method is to take hundreds or, possibly, thon- sands of years. Such a hoary age of reprobacy (they claim for their client ancient customs ex. tending back into the dim past) will take time to reform, they say, and haste is not to be thought of. The Chinese Progressives are will ing and anxious to hasten the pace, but of course Sir Robert knows "what's what" better than the natives. Or, is it that he is only a faithful and considerate servant and studies minutely the desires of the Conservative old crew which he serves? You credit him with always giving the Chinese Government disin- terested advice, and in this I in common with many others entirely disagree with you. Sir Robert has great vested interests in the Chinese Government to conserve, and reforms on other lines than his own might prove disastrous to those interests.
OLD CHINA HAND. Hongkong, 13th November, 1898. THREE NOTABLE EVENTS IN SOUTH CHINA AND THEIR TEACHINGS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS."
SIB,-In your issue of to-day appear three important items, under the heading of "Canton Notes."
1st.-General Sou, of Kwangsi, is going to establish a mint for coining dollars to pay the railway workers with. Weighing out the sycee is becoming a wearisome and unsatisfactory process both to masters and men. But what railway does this refer to? Are there railways already in course of construction in Kwangsi? 2nd.--The late Governor of Canton has been held up and robbed of a large sum in his own jurisdiction, and is afraid to proclaim the fact. What plainer proof is required that the South Provinces are in a state bordering on anarchy? Foreign intervention for the maintenance of order is daily becoming more needful. !
3rd. An expectant l'aotai is petitioning for permission to supply electric lights in all the districts of two of the southern prefectures of this province. This indicates progress; more light is badly wanted.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
CHINA'S “BERESFÖRD FORCE”.
With reference to the 2,000 meu to be handed over to Lord Charles Beresford to organise as the future, the term should, properly speaking, the nucleas of the Chinese disciplined army of be Manchu instead of Chinese. Despatches have been received from Nanking and Wuchang to the effect that the Grand Council has notified
the Viceroys of those cities to select a thousand ning (Nanking) and Chingohow, near Shasi, aud men each from the Manchu garrisons of Kiang; have them ready to be turned over to the sole command of Lord Charles "to be drilled accord- ing to the system of the British Army." It has not yet been determined where the future camp is to be, but probably near Nanking or Chin- kiang.-N. C. Daily News.
LAND SALE AT KIAOCHAU,
[TRANSLATED FOR THE DAILY PRESS."]
Tsintan, 19th October,
The 3rd October was the dake fixed for the sale of ground lots to take place here. The fine weather and a certain amount of curiosity induced me to attend the same. The loud voice of the auctioneer as well as the as- semblage of a fairly large crowd of people soon made me aware of the exact spot of my goal. A look at the auctioneer's papers showed that the upset prices were in accordance with the condition or position of the lots. Whether the Government expected to get higher prices than the announced valuation I do not know, but the fact was that in several cases more was realized. A bot competition ensued upon a lot intended for a hotel being put up for sale. A prettier or more suitable spot for the purpose could not have been selected. Only separated from the sea by the beach, from its windows a surpassingly beautiful view of the sea and the surrounding mountains will be ob- tained, a view such as few spots in China afford. It is rumoured that the hotel is to be built on a grand scale and furnished in the most modern style, ensuring every comfort and luxury to its patrons. It only wants a line of steamers from here to Japan to divert the stream of globe-trot ters via Shanghai into this direction.
*
421
might as well have prohibited men belong, ing to other nationalities or races from competing at the sale.
Others again were of opinion that the Govern- ment ought only to have permitted such people to compete as were sure to purchase, and not merely bid for the purpose of raising the prices. How is this? How can the Government pre- vent any possibly prospective purchaser from bidding? Nor could it demand of every pur- of the purchase money; that would not only chaser that he should at once deposit the whole have kept the smaller fry amongst business men from purchasing, but would also have placed the Government at the mercy of the mitted that the absence of the above men larger capitalists. Is must, however, be ad-
tioned two prohibitive regulations may have. had a strong influence against the formation: of any ring or pool. Whether this was disadvantage or otherwise, every one may answer for himself.
And now to mention the last objection urged realized make the rentableness of real estate by many, viz., that the unexpectedly high prices questionable, and tend to frighten prospective buyers off. Is that really the case? Do the higher purchase prices put the rentableness in question? Business men us a rule are fairly good · mathematicians, and surely bidders knew how. high they were justified in going. Certainly none would go beyond the limits of reason and pay a higher price than business acumen per- mits, just to please the Government. There fore the objection that high prices realised in a free and opeu sale tended to frighten away. prospective buyers is rather absurd. Further- more, let us consider the impression created at home by this lucrative sale." It will no doubt be welcome news to the home Government as well as taxpayers that there is at last a nice balance on the credit side of the books of the new colony. Our colonies up to now have been to us children of anxiety. In Africa our grandchildren only will reap what we and our children sow, and so elsewhere. At last the energy and fore- sight of onr Emperor have secuted to us a territory which according to present indica- tions will prove a lucrative acquisition rather than an unprofitable addition in a very short time, which is certainly a cause for congratulat- The result of the first day's sale not only ing ourselves. The Government at great ex- realized, but surpassed all expectations. The pense has opened the leased territory to com- square meter brought on the average from $1 to $2.
inerce, and made it valuable, therefore there Still a few people succeeded despite the fierce must also be an endeavour to let the Gorern- competition in obtaining some lots at upset fuent participate in the profits of the colony, price. A few days afterwards the competition grew keener than ever upon the sale of a large Hongkong, where the realization on land sales A good example for this is piece of ground right near the sea. This is in-
constitutes a by no means contemptible portion tended for warehouses and wharves, conse-
of the yearly revenue. Therefore It was only quently only the larger firms could enter the right that at the time of taking possession of competition. The p ices realized in some cases
the territory the Government alone had a right exceeded $2 per square meter. On the last day to become a real estate proprietor. This rule a portion of that part known as the "Villas gave the greatest satisfaction to Chinese Quarter," above the business portion of the
sellers. Now the Government had several The Kobe Chronicle translates the following town, came up for sale. Though the prices ways in which it could resell the land thus important telegram from a Japanese vernacular realized for this were not so good as the pre-acquired Should it follow the example vious ones, still on the average $1.50 per square of the German settlements at Hankow and Peking, 5th November. meter was paid. The three days' sale realized in Tientsin, or adopt the short jease system "of Mr. Yano, the Japanese Minister, was given round figures $100,000, which, cousidering some
Hongkong (lease of 75 years) The first has an audience by the Emperor and Empress of the prohibitive conditions imposed by Go-
up to date shown little success, and the latter Dowager in the Giran Hall, the audience cham-vernment, which were necessary to prevent land would hardly suit German settlers, There is ber of the latter. Mr. Yano reported that he
always an uncomfortable feeling to be only as a had brought the highest decoration for the
tenant on a property. The way taken by the Emperor and Empress-Dowager presented by
authorities is certainly the best, and will no the Emperor of Japan. After expressing
doubt be followed by colonies placed similarly. his thanks, the Emperor of China said that
May the Government be deaf to all objections his desire was that friendly relations between
raised or alterations suggested, expecially if they China and Japan should be promoted, seeing
are intended to further special/private interests. that the interests of the two countries were in- timately related.
OBSERVER.
Hongkong, 11th November, 1898. [The above letter has been delayed in transmis- sion. In answer to our correspondent's first enquiry, the railway r. ferred to appears to be the line from the Tonkin frontier to Lung- chow, on which work is now reported to be in progress.-ED. D.P.|
THE EMPEROR OF CHINA.
THE JAPANESE MINISTER HAS AUDIENCE OF
paper :-
HIS MAJESTY.
The Empress Dowager also expressed her cordial acknowledgements.
Mr. Yano retired after an audience tasting
about fifteen minutes.
The Emperor appeared weak, but did not seem to be positively ill.
It is added that the Emperor in the course of the audience stated that he desired the assistance of Japan in advancing the prosperity and development of China.
The master of boat No. 160 was yesterday sen- tenced to six months' hard labour by Commander Hastings for stealing two bales of cotton yarn, valued at $160, the property of Dodwell, Carl'er and Co. He had sold the yarn to a hawkill for $76.
speculations, was really good, bona fide buyers being much en evidence, a sure sign that the business community has no doubt whatever about the healthy and extensive development of the colony.
It may not be without interest to note the different opinions of business men re the land sale. Though it is almost generally admitted that Governmeut could'not well have made
different conditions governing the purchase of lands, still all wishes and plans were not ful- filled; cousequently here and there you hear grumbling and expressions of dissatisfaction.
Some claim that the Government ought not to have allowed Chinese to compete at the sule for lots situated in the business part of the city. This is preposterous. If the Government, fol- |lowing the example of other cities in the Far East, for sanitary or other reasons prohibits Chinese from living in the European quarter of the town, it is said that it also must prevent them from acquiring real estate and opening business therein. That would be like "cutting off one's nose to spite one's face;" and certain- ly no precedent at Hongkong or Shanghai could be found to justify the above objection. You
now and later on.
Since the 2nd September and 3rd October, commerce has what it wanted, "Freedom." Erery nation and race is welcome, so long as it is willing to do its quota for the development of the colony. The business of German indus- try and German commerce will be to work to keep its position in the foreground, as it has done in other places under far more difficult conditions.
A walk through Tsintau shows one already great activity prevailing. he laying out of the streets, ete, the anthorities have placed in the hands of a contractor.
which gives apparent cause for some anxiety. I must not fail to mention one fact, however,
How is it with the labour question? Shantung required. but how about housing coolies in with its millions can surely supply all the labour large numbers? At present the lookout is bad,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.