December 16, 1899]
GS CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
| small Japanese gun-boat at Taku. On the other hand we have our own Volunteers, British and German. The former recently applied to the military authorities in Hongkong for the loan of a machine gun, but with what result I ↑ do not know
The five Urdaneta men contrived one night to make a break for liberty, in the confusi n consequent on the evacuation of Vigan by the rebels when the Oregon was seen approaching and Gen. Young was reported marching on the place. Some of the Spanish prisoners had to be left behind in hurry, but the Americans were taken up into the hills, to be out of Young's way If possible They made, a dash to get free, but were recaptured and ordered to suffer the penalty of death for their attempt. The execu- tion was to take place at daylight, but in the dead of night they crept out of their prison- shack again, eluding the sleepy guards, and slipped off into the black depths of the forest, Hearing a hue and ory behind them, Green and Powers climbed up a tree and hid in the dense foliage at the top, while the Filipinos searched and chased through the woods. What became of the other three Americans is unknown, but as they have not turned up, the worst is feared. All night long, and all the next day the two sailors crouched among the birds and monkeys in the welcome refuge of the leafy tree-tops, from which they could see and hear their savage foes prowling about in the jungle below, pausing for a few minutes to inspect the very tree they were on. The searchers seemed to think it hardly worth while to institute a climbing competition to find the lost ones, and at last passe on.
The Italian business is now an acute and obronic sourse of uneasiness to the Chinese up bore. The Yamen (Teungli) is well enough informed as to the Internal condition of Italy and her total inability to enter or au aggressive or compromising foreign policy, but the idea has become "fixed" that the Foreign Office at Rome is bent on securing some concession or coign of vantage on the coast of China and that the present squadron of cruisers is here for that purpose. The Chinese are feverish on this sub- ject, and one must admit that the attitudes of the Admiral and Minister have a curions re- semblance to those of Germany antecedent to the seizure of Kinoohau. There is, however, one marked difference, viz., the resolution of the Chinese to resist force by force in the Italian case.
The Wan Tai, the training-ship (corvette) of the Nanyang squadron, arrived at Taku last week with over 100 tons of small ammunition and thirty odd small field pieces (two-pounders) for Prince Ching. No doubt inferences will be drawn from this curious shipment. It is just as well to remember, however, that it has always After waiting twenty-four hours, to have a been customary for the Imperial family to make better chance of the country being clear of rebel presents of arms and ammunition to the Mongol soldiers, the two jackies availed themselves of princes, and the importation (from Nanking) may darkness and warily returned to Mother Earth. | have this innocent construction put on it. My They figured that the likeliest direction for chief object in referring to the Wan Tai is to freedom was to the south, and in due course point out the summary way she thesong. recalled by they encountered a scouting party of American telegram. She is the only vessel troops, who turned them over to the Oregon.-tze flotilla which has air pumps capable of
Manila Times.
TIENISIN.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDEN (.]
Tientsin, 28th November. The Kwangehauwan affair shares with the movement of the Italian squadron the chief if not exclusive attention of the higher Chinese officials. Up till Saturday last it was stated by those best qualified to know that Mons. Pichon had submitted no formal demands and had not even threatened reprisal. The only meaning of this is that he had not received his instructions from the Quai d'Orsay, It was. widely known in Peking that he had a very stormy interview with the yaman the previous week. Meanwhile the news that reaches Peking from the South is very conflicting and a god. send to the panio-mongerą. The statement that the two French sous-officiers were beheaded by the formal judgment of the Chih-fu after examination only finds credit among the credu- lous. Official ignorance, crass as it often is, can hardly be so great as to warrant the notion that any Chinese mandarin in the position of a Chib-fu would exercise summary jurisdiction over foreigners, even if taken in act of war, Pekingese officialdom refuses to believe this story. All sorts of alarmist reports are in oir culation, many of them happily contradictory For a day or two it was believed that France was actually demanding the entire province of Kwangsi and such other terms as res dered flat refusal imperative. This was succeeded by an incompatible report that Mons. Pichon's terms were so reasonable that the Chinese had yielded everything.
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charging the torpedoes, and it was for this she was hurried back Below Kiangyin the defence of the Great river is chiefly that of submarine mines, and people there have learly got a scare from the Italians and from the French movements near Kwangchauwan.
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Sir Claude Mao Donald arrived here to-day and will make a short stay before going on to Peking. Mr. Bax-Ironside did not await the Minister's arrival, and left Peking the day Sir Claude arrived in Shanghai. He will not re- turn to Chins.
Honkong "sports" may feel an interest in the report that a syndicate of Shanghai racing men has bonght Mr. Detring's fine pony "Set" at a record figure—a figure so big that I fear to lose reputation for sobriety in repeating it. Readers of Xenophon's Anabasis might guess if they divided by two. "Set" is undoubt edly the finest pony that has come down from the Platean to Tientsin for a couple of de- ondes.
CANTON NOTES.
[FROM THE OHUNG NGOI SAN PO."] A merchant named Ng Fook-kwong has been allowed by the Viceroy to export local rice from Canton to be shipped to America and Australis on condition that foreign rice to ten times, the amount of that exported is to be imported to Canton by him for exchange. His Excel- lenoy bas also appropriated a sum of $250,000 from the treasury of the Sia-Han-Kak for the purchase of rice from foreign countries through, the same merchant to be sold in Canton at low prices.
A notorious robber named Sau Piu has sent a letter to the manager of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company demanding $10,000 as blackmail. If bia request is refused he threatens that he will plunder all the steamers belonging to the said Company. The manager has sent the robber's letter to the Namboi
Li Hung-chang's nomination to the new office of Shang,wa Ta-chen, Minister of Commerce, must not be magnified into his re-accession to power. The more intelligent and cam critics think that it is a move originating in the mission of Kang Yi. That official's reports magistrate.
have dealt with lekin and trade passes, and as
Viceroy Tan Chuug-lin has agaia memori these matters bristle with difficulties and iualised the Throne asking earnestly to be allowed timately affect trade, revenue, and extortion, it to resign his post on account of his sickness has been thought desirable to put an experienced and old age and being unable to settle the man on to the business, and one whose decisions might command foreign respect.
The si ustion in Peking is less quiet than a week ago. It was not the intention to ask for a military guard this year either in the Capital or in Tientsin, but the horison has so darkened
·within ́t the last few days that our consular authorities have wired to their Admirals for Marines, At present all the extra protection | we could invoke would be that of the orew of a
affairs in Kwangchanwan.
A great fire broke out on the 2nd instant at 2 s.m. in Shekloong. One hundred and twelve houses were completely destroyed before the fire was extinguished. No loss of life is reported.
The cases of communicable disease reported last week were three of enteric fever in the harbour, imported from Canton and Shanghai, and one fatal case of bubonis plague.
HONGKONG.
501
There were 2,498 visitors to the City Hall Museum last week, of whom 190 were Europeans. The appointment of Mr. E. R. Hallifax to be a Police Magistrate is gazetted.
The stamp revenue last month was $29,788, being an increase of $5,276 on the amount collected in the corresponding month last year.
The apointment of Mr. C. McI. Messer to be a Police Magistrate and Justice of the Peace in the New Territory is gazetted.
The subscriptions to the South African War Sailors' and Soldiers' Families' Fund now amount to $57.789.
The maximum temperature last month was 80.5, on the 11th, and the minimum 50.7, on the 28th, the mean for the month being 67.8, The rainfall amounted to 1,64 inch.
It is notified in the Gazette that H.E, the Governor has been pleased to recognise Mr. J J. Leiria as Vice-Consul for the United States of Brasil at Hongkong.
It is notified in the Gazette that HE, the Governor has been pleased to recognise Mr. C. Montorio as in charge of the Spanish Consulate during the absence of Mr. A. Spagnolo.
The appointments of Major H. H. Brown, R.A.M.C., Mr. Fung Wa Chùn, Mr. Chan Fook, and Dr. F.W. Clark, Medical Officer of Health, to be members of the Sanitary Board, for three years are gazetted.
The twelve subscription griffins which Amara were drawn by arrived by the Dr. Jordan, the Hon. J. J. Keswick, Mr. J. H. J. Mokie, the Hon. F. H. May, Mr. D. Gillies, Lewis, Mr. Nowrojee, Mr. A. Babington, Mr. Major Sir H. McMahon, Mr. Paul Jordan. Mr. Jupp, and Mr. C. Hawkins,
At a smoking concert given at the Institu. tion of Engineers and Shipbuilders on Sator- day evening Mr. W. Muskett recited Kip- ling's "The Absent-minded Beggar"—which he had recited earlier in the evening at the City Hall-and on the hat being sent round a sum of $100 was collected for the Patriotic Fund.
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Some years ago, when Sir G. T. M. O'Brien was Colonial Beoretary. "Mr." and "Esq." were dropped from Government Gazette notifications and the plain names given except in cases where the use of military, naval, or other legally recognised titles was correct. At present no rule seems to be followed. In "Saturday's Ganette Fong Wa Chun and Chan Fook are both given the title of Esq., J. J. Leiria is a plain. Mr., while E. E. Hallifax, C. Mol. Messer, C. Montorio, and A Spagnolo have no handles to their names. Why this discrimina. tion?
On Tuesday evening the usual weekly concert was given by the men of the Royal mail steamer Empress of Japan. The programme, which was prepared by A. B. Baldwin, who took the chair, was excellent and gave great satisfaction to those who were present. Many of the songs were quite new to the audience, but not a few were old favourites, Notable among these were the well known chanty "Rolling home to merry England" and the beautiful old song
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Annie Laurie." The solos by P. Inge, the step dance by Quartermaster Harriet, and the Highland Fling by Wilson, were greatly ap- preciated, and each was recalled. The promo- ters are highly to be congratulated upon the success they achieved, and it is hoped that when next the ship is in port they may be in- duced to provide another evening's entertain- ment.
The Installation of Bro. G. W. Crombie, as Wor. Master of United Service Lodge No. 1,341 E.C., took place on the 8th inst. The ceremoney of Installation was performed by the D. G. M. Right Wor. Bro. C. P. Chater, C.M.G. assisted by his D.G.L. Officers. The following officers were invested for the ensuing year by Wor. Bro. G. W. Crombie:-S.W. Bro. G. W. Watling, J.W. Bro. G. (. Burnett, Treasurer Wor. Bro. H. J. Watson, P.M.; Suo. Wer. Bro, G. J. W. King, P.M.; 8.D. Bro. F. Stainton; J.D. Bro. E. A. Bickman; D.C. Bro. H. W. Wolfe; Steward, Bro. W. H. Woolley;
Steward, Bro, Laoock, I.G. Bro. I. A. Wheal, Tyler, Wor. Bro. J. R. Grimble. The brethren afterwards sat down to a banquet, at which the usual loyal and Masonic tonsts were given. The banqueting hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion.
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