December 16, 1899.1
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
vour to find their way back to the ship, which | of Fort Bayard. As our soldiers arrived at this they did. By this time provisions had got very village a detachment consisting of several.com-. scarce on the Hupeh, and consequently every-panies was returning from a reconnoisance. body had to be put on short commons.
In the course of this reconnoisance our brave marines had bad two engagements with the Chinese. In the first some fifty Chinese were killed and wounded. In the second on counter, which was much more serious, six companies of Chinese regulars were repulsed at the point of the bayonet. In this admirable charge, in which the old French dash was once more exhibited, eight hundred Chinese were left on the ground. The number of the wounded is unknown, but it must have been consider | able.
Captain Pennefather saw that his only chance of safety lay in getting hold of the remaining boat, and with considerable difficulty he managed to do this on Monday morning, the 20th Norem. ber, and the 15 men who remained got into her. The Hupeh was then about 11410 degrees north and 11818 degrees east, and was about 100 miles from the Island of Cabra The boat was pushed off from the ship, which went down soon afterwards, the boat standing by to see the last of her.
Those in the boat then made sail and on Wednesday morning, Nov. 22nd, were fortunate enough to reach the Island of Lubang, one of the Philippines, landing at a village called Look. Here they were received most kindly by the inhabitants, who gave up their houses for them, brought them the best of their food, and presented them with 300 of the only 700 cigars which the Island possessed. The head man also found them a schooner to take them to Manila, himself guaranteeing its return. On reaching Manila they found the Yuensang in port and at once took passage aboard for Hongkong. The Lubang Islanders deserve to be rewarded for the humanity displayed by them.
We may add-that the Hupeh is sister ship to the Shantung, which had only escaped coming to grief a short time ago. It will be remem- bered that the Hupeh rendered valuable assist
ance on that occasion.
Since the above was written we learn that the trouble started through the vessel springing a leak. The consequence was that the water got into the sugar and the listing of the vessel was the result. It was about 11 o'clock in the morning when the rafts left the ship, one con- taining the officers and engineers getting away first and seven others with the Chinese aboard following. At about 11 o'clock at night the Europeans' raft capsized. Only two of those on board could swim and it was with the greatest difficulty that all were saved. Of course what provisions were on the raft were lost and were devoured by the sharks, one of which came sail- ing by just as the last man had been got out of the water, On the following morning the ship was sighted, and, as stated above, the raft re- turned and all got on board the vessel again.
DEPARTURE OF PRINCE HENRY OF PRUSSIA.
Since then, notwithstanding the rumours to contrary, there has been no further engagement. The lesson inflicted on the Chinese on the 22nd November seems to have borne fruit
It has since been possible to proceed with the delimitation of the frontier at certain points and the coolies come in to Hoiteon to offer their services for engagement.
Let us hope that this state of affairs will contiune. Should it prove otherwise we have only one thing to do, namely, on the first offensive movement of the Chinese, to bombard Canton.
•
SERIOUS FIRE IN JERVOIS STREET
$26,000 DAMAGES.
At about half-past six on Wednesday morning a fire broke out on the ground floor of No. 76 Jervois Street, which, together with the first floor, is occupied as a piece goods shop by the Wa Hing Firm. The second floor is used for the same purpose and is rented by Young Lok. On alarm being given the Fire Brigade, ander appeared on the scene without loss of time. the command of Captain Superintendent May, They succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings, but No. 76 was completely gutted. The damage on the ground and first floors is estimated at $23,000, which is covered by insurance in the Nolan second floor is estimated at $3,000, which is also Insurance Company. The damage on the covered by insurance (Tung On Insurance Company).
ADVENTURES OF A HONGKONG LAUNCH.
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BORROWED BY PIRATES.
14th December. The launch Fei On, which is owned by a Chinese firm in Hongkong, is supposed to have been stolen by pirates. She was chartered by some people who said that they purposed using her for running passengers between Hongkong feature about the incident is that though the and the Island of Lantau. The extraordinary High-charterers were utter strangers to the owners
On Sunday H.R.H. Prince Henry of Prussia left Hongkong in the Deutchsland for Bang- kok, for the purpose of paying his long de. ferred visit to the King of Siam. The Gefion also left for the same port. His Royal ness will continue his homeward journey from Singapore in the German mail steamer.
THE KWANGCHAUWAN AFFAIR.
DELIMITATION CONCLUDED. The French cruiser Descartes arrived here
on Tuesday morning from Kwangchauwan, having left that place on the 11th inst.
has been at last-settled, and Commissioner Su The delimitation of the disputed boundary left Kwangchauwan on Sunday last for Shang- hai and Peking. Before doing so he handed over the bodies of Enseignes Konn and Gourlaouen, of the "Descartes, who had been set upon and murdered by Chinese. In the reprisals which ensued the Chinese lost altogether about 300 men, and there is no doubt that this, the firm attitude, and the threats of the French, were the means of bringing the matter to a speedy con. olusion.
The question as to responsibility for the murder of the two officers and the armed at tacks on French soldiers will be dealt with at Peking, no doubt in the shape of a just demand by the French Government for heavy compen- sationt miser
We translate the following from the Gourrier d'Haiphong of the 2nd December:—
The troops sent from Toukin to Kwang chauwan arrived at Fort Bayard on the after- noon of the 22nd November. They disembarked shortly after their arrival and were sent to the village of Coilwong, a few kilometres north-east
the latter did not take the trouble to make any enquiries respecting them or see that some security was deposited.
The Fi On left Hongkong at about four o'clock on Monday afternoon. She dropped a passenger at Tung Cheung (Lantau Island) And was supposed to go on from there to Tei C. On walking over to Tei O the next day, however, the passenger happened to remark that he had then proceeded to Tei O, and he was surprised to been brought over by the Fai On, which had learn that nothing had been seen of her. The
owners were communicated with and a search was instituted, but up to yesterday the launch had not been found.
It is believed that the charterers were pirates and that the launch has been stolen by them.
15th December.
The Hongkong launch Fei On, which was reported as having been stolen by pirates, turned up at Tei O, Lantao Island, on Wednes- day and its temporary disappearance in now explained.
When the lauuch left Hongkong at four o'clock on Monday afternoon there were quite a number of passengers on board. At Tung Cheung (Lantao Island) three passengers were dropped, and the launch then turned its head to Tei O. for which place there were several passengers. Soon after leaving Tung Cheung, however, four of the passengers took out revolvers and pointing them at the crew com. polled them to go below, also foreing about ten- "paggengers into the forepart of the vessel,
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the same time a boat containing about 12 men came out from Lantan and got aboard the launch, these men being evidently in league with the other rafflans.
The engine room staff were set but the coxswain was sent below, the pirates set to work, doing the steering. At about ten o'clock at night the pirates hailed a boat, and soon afterwards a noise was heard as though goods wese being transferred from another boat to the launch. Then all was quiet until about three o'clock on Tuesday morning, when it was evident that the launch was alongside another launch or boat, and again goods were transferred to her. Towards day-break two smaller craft were held up. The launch continued her voy. age, dodging about until night, when she headed for the land. Ultimately several boats came alongside her and the goods which had been taken on board her were transferred to the boats.
Then all was quiet, and as the launch did not move the crew ventured to go on deck, when they found the launch anchored near the Boces Tigris Forts and the pirates gone. Accordingly the anchor was heaved, steam was got up, and the launch was taken on to Tei 0.
SUMMARY VENGEANCE WRWAKED ON WEST RIVER PIRATES.
A rather sanguinary tragedy is reported on the West River, in which the biter was bit, and summary vengeance was executed on the pirates. The river steamer Wuchow, which had left Kongmoon on Thursday, the 7th instant, about 6.45 a.m., was steaming placidly along when, on approaching Chu Ein Island, Captain Thomas heard some firing in front, and at first thought it was some crackers being exploded, but he could not understand why they should be fired at that unusual hour. Suddenly; however, he saw some shots strike the water about forty There was B yards ahead of the steamer. thin haze hanging over the river at the time and he could not see clearly what was going on on the banks, but he summoned the officers and others and got their arms ready, thinking there was a piratical attack impending. This idea was, however, soon dispelled by noticing that though the steamer continued her course the... shots never came nearer. Presently the haze i cleared and Capt. Thomas saw that the banks of the river were lined on either side by excited orowds, who were firing at a long low boat: which was being rowed by four men, who were dodging the bullets and endeavouring. their heads, to propel the boat by working the oars above
It then dawned mind that these villagers were attempting to capture. As the upon his were pirates whom the Tweed was lying about a mile further up off Chu Tau Shan, Capt. Thomas gave orders to cast loose the lighter, and he then steamed off to the Tweed and informed the Commander of what was going on. Unfortunately the fires › from the steam pinnace, but orders were given had been drawn (for the first time for a week)
time the Wuchow took the pinnace in tow and to get up steam as soon as possible, and mean-
the lighter in tow again resumed her voyage. returned with her to the scene, and then taking::
had been caught red handed in an act of piracy, Capt. Thomas learned, on his return, that the villagers had captured the pirate boat, which and they had executed most summary justice on its crew. The four men were hacked almost to pieces. One man's face had been cloven: from his head by an axe, and the sight was mosh. - sickening. Savage as the retribution WAI, it may however have some salutary effect in the inland waterways. checking the pirates, who are such a post along
At the amateur performances at Shanghai, when the competition for the best seats is keen, the seats are put up to auction. At the sale of seats for the performance of “Les Cloches de Corneville," we rond, an much as $34 was paid for box H., $33 for box D.. $32 for box E, and up to 316.50 for dress circle seats. This system has not hitherto commended itself in Hongkong, but it might perhaps be adopted with advantage in the case of the forthcoming entertainment on behalf of÷ the Patriotic Fund, as it would no doubt in- crease the receipts by several thousand dollars.
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