:1020
make the guns so that they could be fired but gave no guarantee that they would not burst on account of the severe strain to which they had 7been subjected.
The guns were shipped to Shanghai and duly repaired, by having a screw breech made with an interrupted screw somewhat on the Arm- strong principle.
On Tuesday, 10th inst., both guns were fired, each with two full charges of 352 pounds brown prismatic powder and steel -shot each weighing 760 pounds. the target selected was a small white rock on the - West Brothers Island 4.900 yards distant. The first round from each gun made good practice. They were directed by Mr. Cornish and Mr. Hekman (who was representing Krupp's interest.) The second shots fired by native gunners did not make such good shoot- ing, both falling somewhat short of the target. Owing to the uncertainly that existed as to the strength of the guns, they were fired by electricity.
The Europeans present were Captain Slade of the Algerine, Mr. Fraser, H.B.M. Cousal, Mr. Graham, of Jardine, Matheson & Co., Mr. Hekman, of the Chinese Cruiser Hai Yung, and Mr. Cornish,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The officials representing the Viceroy and the General were witnesses of the firing from a distance. When everything was safely over they hastened to the Fort to join with the foreigners present in congratulating Mr. Cor- nish on the success of the firing.-Foochow Echo 'ARREST OF RAILWAY DIRECTOR
GENERAL HU.
The N. C. Daily News publishes the following special telegram dated Peking, 28th January, with the accompanying editorial note:--
Upon receipt of secret denunciations by a ́cabal at the head of which are Prince
8
Ching, Kang Yi, President of the Board ef Punishments, and General Tung Fu hsiang, accusing Director-General Hu of the Northern Railways of embezzling the Imperial Railway fands and making secret alliance with Foreign Powers, the Empress Dowager issued a secret edict last. night ordering the arrest of Director-General Hu for examination into his conduct, and ap- pointing Hsü Ching-chêng, ex-Minister to Germany, etc., as Acting Director-General pending the result of the investigations. It is stated that Ha's predilection for the British aroused the jealousy of the
pro-Russian clique and these, aided by the persons above named who headed the denunciation, caused ́Hu's downfall, the results of which may be very serious not only to Hu himself but also to British prestige.
[It will, no doubt, be remembered that H.E. Hu was Governor of Peking. He was removed from that post to make room for a diauchu, and appointed to the Tsungli Yamen. for days afterwards he was removed from the Yamen on the plea that his railway duties took up all his time, and he has now been sacriticed to the reactionaries. Han Ching-cheng is a well-known Anglophobe. ED.]
..
THE REBELLION IN ANHUI.
we
[February 4, 1899
vantage are using their quick-firing guns on the other hamlet with such effect that the rebels are expected to evacuate the place.
Apropos of the above, the phrase “ Yang and Lo districts" which properly means the district. cities of Changyang and Changlo, it would appear that Viceroy Chang's troops in their march from the former city to recapture the latter, were confronted by the rebels at the fortified hamlets above named which must there- fore be taken before Ubanglo can be retaken. A Wuchang telegram received by local man- darins on Monday night states that if the Governor of Hunan can muster enough forces to overawe the Hunan malcontents, Viceroy Chang will be able with his to crush the Hupeh rebellion before the end of the present Chinese year. Governor Ya of Hunan, however, nöt being popular in that province, it is feared that he will notbe able to prevent Hunanese rein- forcements form joining the Hupeh rebels.--
THE REBELLION IN SZECHUAN,
is perfectly unpardonable there is yet an element in the present instance which calls for our pity and clemency. And, lest, in sending forth the Imperial armies to crush these rebellions, no distinction be made between those who volun- tarily rebel and such as were forced to do 80 through lack of food, whereby the innocent and the guilty will suffer together -a proceeding at the thought of which our heart revolts-we hereby issue this ediot calling upon our people to avoid the serious crime of rebellion. Furthermore, a short time ago, when the Governor of Anhui reported to us that the prefectures of Fengyang and Yun. shou were suffering from drought as well as foods we graciously commanded the Board of Revenue to remit funds at once to the distressed districts, and the Viceroy Liu and Governor Teng were also commanded to investigate the distress in order that when the, funds ar rived immediate aid could be dispensed. This shows that we think day and night concern-N, C. Daily News. ing the welfare of our people; it may be, however, that the local authorities concerned are in fault this time and the people have suffered through their avarice and dishon- esty and have so been forced into rebellion. If such be the case then not only the local authorities but also the high provinciál officials cannot be free from blame. All should, there- fore, at once seek to redeem their faults and while on the one hand be prepared to grant every relief to our suffering subjects, issue proclamations, on the other hand. calling upon the rebels to lay down their arms and come and accept the relief the withholding of which caused them to take up arms. Again, should it be discovered that the misconduct and avarice of the local authorities were really the cause of the above-noted troubles, we hereby command the said Viceroy and Governor to denounce such men with the greatest severity in order that the true delinquents may be punished. Care should also be taken to give every protection to the numerous missionary chapels, mission- aries and converts scattered throughout the disturbed districts. Finally, strict discipline. should be kept among the troops sent to crush the rebellion so that innocent people may not suffer from their outrages, while no mercy willingly join them against the government. should be shown to rebel leaders and those who
Naganking, 23rd January.
YU MAN-TZE "CAPTURED,
Was
The following native official telegram dated Chungking, the 24th January, is published rin the Universal Gasette :—"On the 16th instant H. E. Wang Chih-chau, Provincial Treasurer of Szechuan. at the head of 14 battalions, gave the command for them to march in two direc- tions to attack the enemy. On the 17th and 18th instant the troops encountered the rebels on five occasions, the latter fighting: most fiercely, but they were driven backwards and four of their strongholds captured. Yn Man-tze therefore compelled to re- treat into his own special strongholdin the hills, but being closely pursued by the troops he had no time to run away, and being completely surrounded he was compelled to pray to be allowed to surrender. The French priest Fleury has therefore been rescued and sent to Chungking to the care of the French Consul. H.E. Wang is now holding Lung- shuichen (Yu's stronghold) in force, and will there await instructions from Peking as to what to do with the rebels in his bands. H.E. has also sent troops to disperse the various rebel bands scattered throughout the province and по more trouble is expected from them."- N. C. Daily News.
A MISSIONARY'S HOUSE DE-
STROYED BY FIRE.
FATAL RESULTS.
The following sad news has been supplied to the Japan Times by the Rev. D. S. Spencer of Nagoya, now staying with his brother at Aoyama
The cities of Kuyang and Mengchang besieged by the rebels have fallen into their hands. Knyang was carried by assault on the 21st instant and the
magistrate, deputy magistrate, and Commandant of the garrison are reported to have been butchered at the of the city nearly 2,00 men, women, and orders of the rebel leader Niu. With the taking
children are estimated to have fallen victims to the savage rebels. Rebel sympathisers opened the gates of Mengoheng and let the rebels in on the night of the 22nd. No other details: but it is stated that the rebels are now on their way to-day to capture the cities of Shuchou and Kanchon. Rumours credit the Honanese who came across the borders to assist the Anhui rebels with supernatural recklessness and pro- wess; hence, wherever the militia and local troops meet them, the former invariably get panic-stricken and make no effort to withstand the onslaught of the enemy.-N. C. Daily News.doing well. Their cook's wife is also reported
as having received fatal injuries.
SHOUCHUN ATTACKED.
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE" DAILY PRESS."]
SHANGHAI, 31st January, The Anhui Rebels having defeated General Kuo at Kuyang are now attacking Kuo's head- quarters at Shouchan.
THE REBELLION IN HUPEH.
Shangbai, 25th January.
The following Imperial edict concerning the disturbances in Central China was issued on the 22nd January-"The other day when received news of the rising at Kayang, Anhui `province, we issued repeated instructions to Liu Kun-yi, Viceroy of the Liangkiang provinces, and Teng Hus-hsi, Governor of Anhui, to act in concert in crushing the disturbances there. We now learn that desperadoes in Hsiayi dis- trict, Honan province, have also risen op in discontent, and it is to be feared that they will join the rebels of Kuyang and spread troubl- in various directions. Having in mind, however, The Universal Gazette publishes the follow- that of late years the districts joining the two pro-ing telegram, dated the 23rd instant, concern- vinces of Honan and Anhui have been the scene of crop failures and much consequent suffering amongst the inhabitants thereof, it may be that the risings above noted were due to a famiue stricken people seeking for food and then fearing lest tue authorities call the delinquents o account they were led to raise the flag of rebellion in order to prevent capture and punishment. Although such practice in theory
"Telegrams have reached Tokyo conveying the sad information that during the night of the 18th January the Methodist Mission House occupied by Rev. R. P. Alexander and family was completely destroyed with its con- tents by fire. Mrs. Alexander received in- juries from which she soon died, while, Mr. Alexander and their little son and only child were also injured, but are reported, as
"The funeral of Mrs. Alexander is to take place in Hirosaki, but the exact time has not yet been reported.
66
No further definite information is at hand either as to the cause of the fire or its extent, but the presumption is that the fire originated in the dwelling house.
"The very large circle of friends of Mr„ard Mrs. Alexander both here and in America will feel the force of this terrible shook."
The Universal Gazette's Peking correspond. ent telegraphs that the secret edict reported to ing the Hupeh rebels who, as already noted in have been sent by the Empress Dowager to the these columns captured the city of Changlo in Governor of Chinese Turkestan the other day. the early portion of the current month" On was, after all, not meant to recall the exiled the dividing line of Yang and Lo districts are Chang Yin-huan, but that, if it is any comfort two walled and fortified hamlets called Hangyi- to his friends to know, the edict merely can. chai and Paiyiohai, which are great strategical celled the sentence of banishment for life to points and which were also captured by the re-imprisonment for life. This looks the same, but bels. One of these hamlets has been recaptured really absolves the exile from working on the by the Imperial troops who from that point of post-roads.-N. C. Daily News.
1
A
}
}
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.