G
March 17, 1900.j
present number of troops is much too small. The port of Legaspi has been occupied for | several weeks and there have been numerous expeditions from this point inland, but life and property are deemed so unsafe that the inhabit ats-that is he Spaniards and foreigners spend the nights on board merchant-steamers whenever this is possible, and when there are no steamers they sleep in the convent with the soldiers. The natives are constantly making great disturbances and occasional attacks thus keeping the garrison always on the qui viva.
THE REIGN OF TERROR.
In the provinces of Albay and Sarsogon, two of the richest in the archipelago, one Paus, a Chinese half caste, is carrying on the most des- tructive raid that has yet been encountered. His policy is suicidal, for in the end the punish. ment will fall back on his unfortunate followers. Wherever he goes be leaves a trail of blood and fire, and he is said to have boasted that when the Americans do gain possession they will find only a desert coast. Certainly he has destroyed acres and acres of the most productive districts and whole plantations of hemps have been bara- ed and ruined beyond redemption. It will take years to raise new crops and rebuild the hacien. das. The ravages have not been confined to property alone, but women and children have been outraged and killed. It is a veritable rule of blood. The authorities are making every effort to break up his force and capture or kill him, but so far limited numbers have prevented success. An expedition is now under way with instructions to destroy the whole outfit, and in the next few days we should hear thet Paua' reign of terror is at an end.
GENERAL BATES IN THE CAMARINES.
General Bates has about completed a successful campaign.in the Camarines north of Legaspi, and the rebel forces bave as usual split up and taken to the bills, from whence they propose to descend in occasional raids upon the peaceful inhabitants. However, the mountains are not productive dis- triots. and it takes a large amount of food to maintain the Filipino troops if there be any res- sonable force. Besides, Bates has determined on a firm and active campaign, and already the troublous districts have been mapped out and special commands assigned to each. They have instructions to live on the country and hound the enemy to a finish. The troops are volunteers and auxious for glory, and it is likely that most of the bands will scou be rounded up. It must not be forgotten that there is a large area of difficult country to cover, and unless rome addi. tions are made to the present troops the pacifi- cation of the country may be a long story.
QANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT).
presence
of
Canton, 14th March,
the
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE RÉPORT.
go there to make money. For a middle class boat, with dinner, girls, singing and music, one has to spend from 350 to $60 a night, or some- times more. There are many bamboo bridges and planks placed between the boats for guests to go across from one boat to another. It so hap- pened that, on the night of the 11th instant, while the singing and revelry were going on in one of the boats, a large number of people were standing on the flimsy bridge to witness the scene and enjoy the music and singing, when down want the bridge with a crash and precipitated them into the river. As it was a dark night help could scarcely have been rendered. It was reported that about twenty persons were drowned.
On the 12th inst. the French Minister from Poking, together with the French Consul of Canton and several officials, made an official call on H.E. the Viceroy Li-hung-chang. On their arrival at the entrance of the yamen a salue of three guns was fired, aud a guard of honour, drilled in foreign fashion, was posted along the passage by which they walked up to a large hall. in the hall a number of mandarins in gorgeous dress we e standing to receive the distinguished guests, and conducted them into the
the Viceroy in large reception room. They were served with tes and cakes. After a pretty long conversation, in which both parties exchanged expressions of friendly regard, the Minister and party let well satisfied. The 11th was the day previously fierd for the visit, but as it was the day of Kee Shan, the anniversary of the death of an Em. peror, the official visit was put off till next day. Kok-fau is a place where all the flower boats remain at auehor. There are from 5 to 60 boats, the largest of which is enough to accoom- modate about two hundred persous. The sing ing girls living there number between six or seven thousand, Wine-drinking, music and singing are kept up the whole night. Some visitors go there, no doubt, simply to show off; others go to spend their super- fluous dollars. The official class go there to talk about their squeeze over the opium, while the merchants go to talk and conclude their business transactions over cups of tea. The gamblers, rogues, thieves, vagabonds and beggars
?
In the village of Pak-Koug, of Chang-Shing district, the native Roman Catholics, who out- uumber the Protestants, 0.0 account of a certain quarrel set fire to and burnt down over forty houses of the native Protestants. On the 24th of last month, one Roman Catholic was caught by the Protestants, who bathed him all over his body with kerosine, set fire to him, and burnt him to death. The matter was reported to the District Magistrate pending further inquiry. Liu, the Pun Yü Magistrate, is to be trans. ferred to Swatow. On th 12th inst, a number of Caiuese went in a long procession to his ya inen, and bidding him farewell, presented bin with a gilde tablet, praising his uprightness and justice. A new magistrate. Chieu Po Yu, comes to take up his post on the 15th inst.
|
|
|
To a casual visitor the sight of the jails of the Nam Hoi Magistrate's yamen is simply disgusting. On account of the diseases pre- valent there, and being badly fed aud clad, forty prosons died during ono month and a half.
A certain Lok Chee Wan has presented a petition to the Viceroy asking for a license to construct waterworks for the supply of Canton. and offers to pay $20,000 per anum. Auy house within the city and in the suburbs which requires water supply has to pay twouty cents per annum.
The petition has been trausmitted by the Viceroy to the provincial judge and the Board of Agriculture for consideration and
report.
<<
[FROM THE CHUNG NGOI BÀN PO
On the 9th instant a telegram was received in Cauton from Peking, saying that Shen Ping, a reformer bearing the title of Hanlin. who was arrested under instruction of the Em- press Dowager by the acting viceroy of Nau- king, had been sentenced to servitude for life. Some time ago Shen Peng pressutada memorial to the Empress Dowager reflecting on Yung Lu and Kang-yi, and asking earnestly for the restoration of the poor Emperor Kwang Hau to the throne. His memorial was much against the feeling of Kaug-yi, who had several times entreated the Empress Dowager to put him to death.
The Viceroy has taken some active measures to effect the capture of Au San and Fo-Tsan- hoi, leaders of the Saichiu brigands. A reward of $5,000 and are official rauk have been offered for the capture of each of them. On the 16th ult. a number of soldiers were sent to effect the arrest of Au San. After a hard fight between the soldiers and the robbers, Au San made good his escapo. Fifteen robbers were captured alive, aud several were fatally shot. On the soldiers' side one was killed and several were wounded. Fo Tsan-hoi, being mightily afraid of the action taken by the Viceroy, has now hidden himself in the fastness of the mountains of Hok Shan.
*
An explosion took place on the 24th ultimo in a powder magazine in Kam-Shan, Chin-chow district. Over two hundred houses were des. troyed and about thirty persons were killed. Fortunately a good number of the inhabitants had gone from their homes to see a procession in the neighbouring place, when the accident occurred, or the catastrophe would been have much more serions. The shock was felt at the distance of over one hundred li.
#
*
•
|
|
185
thousand taels annually. He is to charge esch house twenty cents a month as subscription. After deducting all the expenses, the proats realized by the undertaking will be used to defray the expenses of olearing the draina throughout the city. The Viceroy has instructed the provincial treasurer to take the question into consideration.
A merchant bas presented a petition to the vioeroy asking to be allowed to complete the re- clamation work on the river bund, which was commenced by viceroy Chang Chih-tung and discontinued by viceroy Li Han-obaug, elder brother of Li Hung-chang. It is said that His Excellency is willing to sanction the request.
FOOTBALL
THE REPLAYED BEMI-FINAL—- MARINE EXGINEERS V. @, CO., B.W.F. The above-named teams met for the second- time in the Hongkong Challenge Shield com- petition on Saturday afternoon,10th inst., the first matob having ended in a pointless draw. The game was played on the Happy Valley ground
and the teams started rather before the adverti- sed time. A large crowd watched the Fusiliern "win for themselves the right of playing in the Final tie, when they will meet the H Co. of the
me regiment. The game was keenly contested, as the Fusiliers considered that they ought to have won the game on the previous Saturday and felt that the referee had dealt hardly with them. On the present occasion Mr. Groen filled that difficult offles and acquitted himself well. It was a generally held opinion before the" match that the winners of this tie would be a good thing" for the Final. The Fusiliers ultimately won a good match by two goals to mil, but the game was more even than this score would indicate. The winners, however fully deserved their victory, as they showed considerably more dash, and their left outside and centre forwards combined well. The En- gineers played a neat game but were not up to the mark near goal, and consequently their attack gave less trouble than the Welshmen to the opposing backs The Engineer full-backs played well, on the whole, but their goal-keeper did not do himself justice. On the other side the Fusilier's keeper did all that was asked of him. In spite of the feeling exhibited in the previous game the match on Saturday was very well conducted. and fouls were not frequent.
HONGKONG VOLUNTER CORPS.
"O" MACHINE GUN COMPANY. The usual monthly picnic to Stonecutter's Island in connection with the "C" Machine · Gun Company of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps took place yesterday. In the volley. firing competition, which was won by No. 2 gun (right half) on the previous visit to the Island, No. 4 gun (left balf) headed the list with 96 points. The winning team was composed of Corporal Sherwin (in charge). Bombardier Berkley, Gunners. Gidley and Michael. The following are the details:—
Fire d spine. Hits Total
40
No. 4 gun (left half) No. 2 gun (right half) No. 1 gun (right half) No. 3 gun (left half)
56
98
35
45
: 80
33
35
35 15
88
30
The competition between the right and left halfs at 200 and 400 yards (seven rounds esch target) was won by the right half, who scored 246 to 217. The following were the winners of spoons (soores including handicaps points):
Gunner Shoolbred..... Gunner C. Lee
:
Gunner McCorquodals
Sergeant Smillie
Gunner Gloyn
Captain Potts
72
MACHINE GUN COMPANY,
59
50
49
49
The monthly competitions of the above Company were brought to a close last week on the Association Range.
Bomb. King and Gunner Wodehouse have A merchant named Lok-chi-wan h÷sapplied to each two wins to their credit on No.:1 and 2 the Viceroy, asking to be allowed to constructCaps and Bomb: Plummer has two wins on the
water-works to supply water to the houses | No. Cup only. throughout the whole city of Canton is These members will therefore have to shoot promises to pay to the Government twenty off the ties on a convenient future date.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.