* 204
MACAO.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
Macao, 19th March. There is not the slightest doubt that either the Chinese in the interior are preparing for a great revolution or else the pirates are increas ing greatly in numbers. This is plain from the way things are going on in this colony. During the last year no less than twenty thousand Mauser rifles and a great quantity of ammuni. tion and other war material were taken from this place inland. Then only a few days ago ■ German steamer came in with six thousand rifles, and a large stock of powder and ammunition, and it is sail that all the arms have been sold. Great smuggling operations, t'erefore, must be going on at present. And yet it is the daty of our Government to see whither these arms are
going and into whose hands they will fall. If disturbances break ont we shall be the suffer. ers, especially as we have no force sufficient to face any sudden revolution. It is said that our Government is monthly requesting the authori- ties at Hongkong to allow exportation of arma in considerable quantities from Hongkong to Macao. To what end? To whom are these arms to be consigued? It is time for the Government to look at things seriously and to prevent any
future mischief.
It isnot only the desire of the Chinese Govern. ment not to let the population arm themselves, but also of the Europeau powers, so that it is hard to see why our Government is so supine in the matter Almost daily cases of piracy are reported, and day and night alike the bands rob right and left. What is the meaning of all this? The reply is ease to discover-Because they are well-armed and fear no foe. After the authorities have allowed so many arms to pass into China, it may now be too late to take them out again. But there is yet time to put a stop to this scandal. No doubt in every coun- try there is a business in arms, but not on such a great scale and with such a future. I believe It is the duty of the Government of the Colony where such great business is going on to inter-
fere and to know where those arms are taken. If the purpose is a loyal one the British Govern- ment will not be se scrupulous as not to let the arms get out from the Colony of Hongkong. Here everything "takes at ease don't care who buys them and where they are taken. It is im. possible to believe, but it is true that since last year up to now twenty thousand or moro rifles, etc., have been sold in this Colony and yet the Government did not direct attention to the matter.
King Lieu Shan's case is in the same condition
as before and he is still at Monte Fort. It is said that the principal part of the case will take place at Shanghai and after that an adjournment will be made to our court for the verdict. Much official correspondence has been passing about the matter, and witnesses are being hunted up to prove that King took the money which he is alleged to have taken from the Telegraph Com- pany.
On Friday evening a great fight took place been the police and a crowd of Chinese in a theatrical tent near the Chinese Hospital, many Chinese being wounded, as the police used their swords..
MANILA,
·[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
MANILA, 13th March.
*
}
AK AMERICAN GARRISON AT THE MERCY
OF THE INSURGENTS,————#UBAT
IN FLAMES.
In the last loiter attention was called to the smallness of the garrisons that are occupying the ports and districts of the southern islands. Last night news was brought to Manila confirm. ing all the reasons that were given to show that the forces are inadequate. A merchant steamer arrived from Gubah with the startling news that the American garrison at that place was sur- reunded and probably now in the hands of the Insurgents. The ship had no manifest or clear- ance papers, as she had run sut of the port at the first signs of hostilities, and took with her all the Chinese and native refugees that could be accommodated. The master of the ship ex-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
hibites a hastily writter paper signed by the port commander, who is assing captain of the port and collector of internal revenue, in which he stated that he could give no clearance, as all the people in town were crowding aboard and his mea were busy fighting the insurgents who were attacking in largo numbers. The officer, who is a lieutenant, states that he had sixteen men The steamer sailed away and as she drew out to ass, fires broke out in many parts of the town and soon the place was in flames. The sounds of heavy firing were heard by the passengers,
Instead of going to Borsogon or some of the ¦ near ports and telling of the disaster, the ship's officers apparently seem to have gone off their heads, for they came on to Manila without a stop. It is a good two days' trip and there is no telling what has become of the little detachment in the meantime. As soon as the was reported at headquarters, General Otis talegraphed to the commander of the dis triot ordering immediate reinforcements to pro- ceed to Gubat.
in his command, and asked for reinforcements.
news
Just such affairs as this one have been daily xpected in many of the little garrisons whose daty it is to keep the peace in large and uupa- aified districts. The capture of one or twe garrisons, no mattter how small they may be, would be a splendid stroke for a insurgents 10 and the result would be far reaching.
a pars spite of this, affairs have come to where the strength of the insurgouts is laughed at and underestimated, while that of the Am- ericans is very much exaggerated. Now and then numbers will tell, even though the braveat oppose them.
FREE STATE FOR JALO.
In view of the serious conditions that exist among the people of the Sulu Archipelago, free trade has been granted to the port of Jalo, to remain in force until December 31st of this year. It is expected that this change will ra- lieve much of the present difficulty.
TO AID MINERS,
In the last bunch of general orders issued by the military governor, provision was made for the establishment of a mining bureau. ita man- agement has been placed in the hands of Lieut. Burrill, & capable officer of the 11th U.8.V. Cavalry.
[March 24, 1900,
upward, and at night the subterranean fires are reflected on the heavy clouds that hand over the old volcano. During the first day, at a violent period of the eruption, some three hundred feet were blown off one portion of the crator and wonderful symmetry of the cone is somewhat marred, though to those who had not seen it before the defect would be scarcely noticeable. The ashes that so completely covered the country are rapidly disappearing and millions of little whirlwinds are spinning about the furrowed monutain sides, while angry rumblings and frequent quakings add to the excitement of insurrection.
CRICKET.
HONGKONG C.C. V. THE L. R. C.
The Hongkong C.C. made a good show / against the L.B.C. on the 17th inst
The match was, however, not played out. The fellowing is the score :—
HONGKONG CRICKET CLUB. J. Hooper, blarke
D. Wood, 1.b.w. b Mullikon
A. R. Lowo, e Higgon, b Mulliken
1
18
20
11
41
9
40
9
0
K. W. Moussey, b Johnson
A. G. Ward, b Strong.
F. O'B. Wilson, not att
J. A. Ross, b Johnson
R. Hall, o Langhorne, b Johnson
Lt. Lewis, R.A., b Strong
0
W. H. Howard, e Muliken, b Langhorne
Extras
14
25
Total
187
7
30
18
1
TOR LADIES' RECREATION CLUB.
Dr. Nimmo, R.N., c Ross, b Lowe J. A. Higgon, R.W.F., b Wilson Dr. Tuck, R.N., c and b Wilson Major Clarko, hit wkt. b Wilson H. Strong, not out
Extras
Total
BOWLING ANALYSIS.
HONGKONG CRICKET CLUB
61
Overs. Haid. Runs, Wides. N.B. Wiskate.
Langhorne...... 6.2 Higgon Mulliken
Johnson
Strong Clarke
17
1
18
18 4
53 1
3
21
8.
2
15
2
14
1
38
Lowe
7
21
Later.
Howard. Ross Wilson
13
8
15
12 4 19
5.4 2
3
3
THE STORY OF GUBAT. When reinforcements arrived at Gubat, where the American garrison was reported to have been severely attacked, they found the troops
occupying the convent and controlling the wa-
ter frout. The insurrectos and a semi-organized mob of balomen held the suburbs but did not venture into the centre of the town.
The re- ports brought up by the passengers and officers of the steamer Juno appear to have been very much exaggerated, but that there was cause for fear was shown by the hundreds of Chinese and natives who crowded aboard the steamer.
After the Americans came, the people set pro- perties on fire and also several buildings in the vicinity. The troops immediately turned out to suppress the disturbance, and the barsting of the bamboos played a lively second to the cracking of the rifles. A large portion of the population made all haste to get aboard the Juno, which was at anchor in the harbour, and as the Ameri- can commander could not tell this stage of the the game what sort of an attack was in 1 ro- gress, be asked for reinforcements. With these hasty details, somewhat embellished by repeti- tion during the two days trip to Manila, the Juno's captain entertained the Captain of the
Port at Manila. In the meantime the Gubat fires had spread and smoke and noisé attracted a crowd of insurrectos and balomen who were
larking in the vicinity. Trouble ensued, in which several of the natives were laid up for re- p:irs, but no casualties occurred among the Americans Since reinforcements have been sent down, the simple folk of Gubat are very anxious to return and find out what things are left to them; so the first ship that sails for that port will very probably be as crowded as the last that
left it.
THE MAYON VOLCANO.
Old Mayon is still in eruption, though very much subdued. The flow of lava is stopped and the rock and ashes have ceased to fall in any great quantities. However, smoke still carls ́
LADIES' RECREATION CLUB.
FOOTBALL,
THE FINAL TIB, HONGKONG CHALLENGE SHIELD,
On the 17th inst, last the Gaud II Companies of the Royal Welch Fusiliers met in the Final Tie for the Hongkong Shield, G Co. being strong favourite owing to their display against the Engineers, The Happy Valley ground was rather slippery owing to a surface damp. but the numerous spectators witnessed a good gamo, in which the plucky play of H. Co. preserved then for another match. G*Co. certainly had a pull all through, and still more was this the case when H were practically a man short from an early point in the second half. The opening play was fairly level, but G Co. began gradually to get the botter of the exchanges, and playing a more combined game, were leading at half-time by one goal to nil. The second half was far more exciting, and the game had not long been restarted when the prettiest piece of play of the afternoon was seon, H Co. taking the ball right down to the goal line, where, when the ball seemed quite certain merely to roll behind, a wonderful con- tre enabled the nou-favourites to draw level. This success infased a lot of energy into II Co., and though an accident rendered them virtual. ly a ten-man team, they not only played out full time, but succeeded also in keeping their goal inact for an extra half-hour. Their defence was tried very sorely, but fine saves were ro- speatedly soon; and G, though they had all the better of the game, will have to wait for the reply to win. All the same time, with a strong left wing, H Co., would make strong bid for victory.
The Honorary Secretary of the Hongkong Challenge Shield Competition sends us the following notics :-
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