April 29, 1899,]
JELEBU.
CHINA OVERLAND. TRADE REPORT.
SIR ROBERT HART'S PROPOSALS RE THE KOWLOON CUSTOMS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE " DAILY PRESS,
SIE. In reading over Sir Robert Hart's proposals re the Kowloon Customs one is struck with the modesty which is so characteristic of the man. The residents of this colony will also feel thankful to observe the moderation of the | demands made.
Mr. Cox, the District Officer of Jelebu, visited the Rin Lode on the 23rd March. He found that preparations were being made for the erec- tion of the machinery, a quantity of which had already arrived. Mr. Cox was much struck by the progress already made, New roads have been constructed and preparations are being made for the erection of stamps and dressing floors. The whole concern is said to be an ex- The proposals are introduced by the remark, ample of how a mine should be developed econo- that he believes that Her Majesty's Govern- mically. Mr. Roberts is now able to get the ment desires to give China liberal and sustained machinery to suit the mine, instead of having support in the protection of her revenue, and it to get the mine to suit the machinery. But will be necessary to keep this remark well in Mr. Roberts is hampered for want of labour.mind in studying the proposals advanced. though he has now got a batch of sinkhebs. If only the labour regulations were a little more favourable for the employer, there is no reason why sinkhebs should not be entirely employed at the Rin Lode, as those now brought up have readily taken to underground work.-Straits
Times.
CORRESPONDENCE
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the
opinions expressed by our correspondents.
A SCOTTISH VOLUNTEER CORPS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
" DAILY PRES. Sir-Referring to a letter signed "Cudich n'Righ" in last night's China Mail, I am authorized by the President of St. Andrew's Society to say that the idea of forming an Infantry unit of the local Volunteer Corps has the cordial approval of the Committee and him- self, and they strongly recommend any young and patriotic Scots who are not already Volan- teers, to send in their names for a place in the ranks of the "blue bonnets."
With the view of ascertaining what can be done, the Secretary of the Hongkong St. Andrew's Society, Mr. James MacGreger Forbes, himself an old Volunteer. will recieve the names of those who desire to join a Scottish Company, and if the result is satisfactory the matter can then be laid before His Excellency the Governor.-Yours faithfully,
G. C. ANDERSON,
Vice-President, Hongkong St. Andrew's Society. Hongkong, 21st April, 1899.
WHO OR WHAT IS A HONGKONG. PHILIPPINE JUNTA?
papers re
First proposal is that the Customs Office in this colony be officially recognized and the status of the Commissioner as a Chinese official be recognized; also, that the Customs stations at Changchow, Capsuimoon, Laichikók, and Fotochow be maintained as at present, and that other stations may be opened as required. We may first remark that Laichikok collects no revenue, but is the residence of the Kowloon Harbour Master, save the mark, and the site of the Commissioner's (Collector of Customs would be more correct) summer picnicking bungalow. An officer is stationed here to look after these two erections.
Residents would be prepared to acknowledge the Commissioner's status as a Chinese official, and knowing something of the ways of Chinese officials would strongly recommend that he be ejected from the colony forthwith. As to his right to keep an office in the centre of the colony, it is difficult to perceive in what way that will safeguard the Chinese revenue, unless he is going to levy blackmail on the Chinese merchants, and on the European merchants through the former, or try to subborn our officials into doing his bidding by a liberal use of that entertaining allowance which Sir Robert so readily disburses for the furtherance of the objects which he has in view.
It is a piece of sheer cheek after the
way in which they auuulled all the privileged obtained by Sir Claude MacDonald (in the opening of inland waterways) by issuing rogu- lations aud exercising functions regarding traffic and routes to be followed on the inland waters, powers which they have taken upon themselves of their own initiative, trusting to bold effrontery to carry them through. In fact they have ignored the rights obtained and substituted rules of their own, en
Sir Robert infers that these are only a few points he puts forward, and that he has others in reserve. If the others are in keeping with those he has condescended to give us, "Lord help the colony !" The sooner he trots them out the better.
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Considering that we exist here on the fringe of this great empire only on sufferance, we may feel thankful that he has not added the follow. ing :-
Ist. That the Commissioner of Kowloon Customs shall, in perpetuity, occupy the chair at all meetings of the Legislative Council.
2nd. That the Colonial Secretary shall sub- mit all correspondence and despatches to the Commissioner of Customs for his approval be- fore forwarding them, all despatches and cor. respondence received to be, likewise, submitted to him.
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3rd. That when it becomes necessary to dock any of the Customs fleet the British Admiral, or some other subordinate officer, be detailed with a battleship to patrol the vacant beat caused by the withdrawal of the Chinese first-class cruiser said officer to be responsible to the Chinese Government for any loss of revenue caused through his neglect. The Com- missioner will pay him surprise visits and teach him how to work his ship.
4th. In the event of the Kowloon Commis sioner finding it necessary to make a tour of inspection of his stations the British General, together with the whole of his staff, shall turn out to act as a guard of honour to his Worship; Second proposal claims the right of levying if called upon to do so he shall arrest any one dues on all goods in the Colony destined for who may dare to look at him without permis- China, and demands the giving over of a number|sion; all wi dows and doors on the line of route of jetties in the centre of the town to this to be closed for the day. benevolent institution which is to be forced on us. As we have no Custom-house of our own we shall, of course, welcome this providing as with what we lack for the due promotion of trade.
5th. The said Commissioner, being recognized as a Chinese official, to receive a salute of three guns each time he moves, and to have several trumpet blowers precede him to notify the public of his approach and clear the way.
Third proposal is that Custom cruisers shall 6th. It is forbidden to allow any members have the free run of the waters of the Colony of the Police or the Hongkong regiment to would remark that we might improve this, chase any portion of the 400,000,000 brave and suggest that they may be put at the dis-people, in a disorderly manner, over the Kow- posal of submissive officials to be used for bathing parties and picnics, provided said of ficials behave themselves with due deference to
their superiors, the members of the Customs
staff.
Fourth proposal regarding opium can be later on construed to allow of the Customs searching prepared, so we shall have a double staff of dwelling-houses and sezing opium illegally opium detectives, those of the Opium Farmer and. also, the Customs article.
loon hills; any officer proved to have taken part in such disgraceful proceedings will be at onon dismissed the service, if not beheaded.
7th.-All officers of the Hongkong Govern. ment who prove their ability and aptitude by prompt and chearful obedience to the instruc- tious issued by the Cutoms will be suitably rewarded with thumb-rings, pen-knives, or pea-
cock's feathers.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ** DAILY PRESS.
SIE,-I know it is rather late in the day to propound the question I am going to submit, but it is one that has been troubling me since the beginning of the American Spanish war. I read every few days in your columns some statement copied from American and English the Hongkong-Philippine Junta, to wit, "the Hongkong Junta says so and so,” "the Junta it is alleged is shipping arms to Manila," "the Junta claims the American soldiers the system of farming the opium revenue, with Fifth proposal is to compel us to maintain are treating Philippine women wickedly," the Junta does not love Consul-General Wild- been so anxious to discontinue for a more desir. the perpetuation of its abuses, a thing we have man," "the Junta is (or are) sueing the Houg-able system. Here, again, also, we have the kong and Shanghai Bank,' "the Junta this, and the Junta that." Now, Mr. Editor, who omnipotent Chinese Customs officials inspecting TO THE EDitor of thE
об
inspecting officers will have a grand opportunity and supervising our revenne. Some of the said
to grow fat on what they fail to see.
those as to No. 5, but both proposals are Sixth proposal calls for no comment beyond quite unnecessary in view of the fact that the British Government propose to take steps to collect the opium revenue themselves, Chinese Government is to supervise them in for the Chinese Government. Possibly the this and other duties
FAN-KWAI.
Hongkong, 27th April, 1897.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DISTURBANCE IN THE NEW TERRITORY.
44
DAILY PRESS, DEAR SIR,-Now that the difficulties in the hinterland have been settled, a few words in behalf of the policy followed by of place. the Hongkong Government may not be out
In my humble opinion H.E. the
what, and which is (or are) a Junta ? Have you ever met one face to face? Is it a Chinese secret society, or a hinterland ? Is it a new brand of Manila cigar or a legal legislative body? If the latter, is it received at Govern- ment House, and are its sessions attended by representatives of the Press? According to the home papers the Junta is the most promi- nent thing or institution in Hongkong; or at least was up to the, date of the. Kowloon war; and I am sure you would confer a great favour upon possibly more than one of your subscribers you would throw some light on this matter. I am also in doubt how this word is pronounced. ing the smuggling of arms. How about the clutches of about 1,000 rowdies belonging to
from what root it sprang, and what language is responsible for its continued usage or exis- tence. If English, does it belong to the Anglo-Saxon Alliance? Are there more than one Junta among us ?-Your subscriber and searcher for light,
Hongkong, 26th April, 1899
INQUIRER.
the present arrangements in force for prevent Seventh proposal is uncalled for, considering
the Tungkun invaders and the secret encour- arms supplied by the Chinese Government to
agement they received?
Government do the bidding of Czar Robert the Eighth proposal is that the Hongkong
First.
After these proposals comes a little blarney, which will be lost on those who have had experi- ence of the Chinese Customs and their ways.
Governor and the Colonial Secretary deserve the greatest prise. A great deal of the pre- sent trouble, if not all, might have been averted if the Canton Viceroy had noted in time, but, as with everything else in China, nothing inhabitants in the New Territory were in the done towards preserving order. The peaceable
the Namtow District. It was therefore well H.E. the Governor went to Canton himself to impress upon the Vicaroy the responsibility and as a friend and adviser, which speaks very highly gravity of the case. His Excellency went there
for itself. His Excellency and the Colonial
Secretary on their visit to the Caiton Vicaroy are accused of having asked for military ance. I do not think that anyone was
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