SERIOUS LANDSLIP.
SIX LIVES LOST.
As the result of the recent heavy rains several land-slips have taken place in different parts of the colony, but fortunately in the majority of onses they were not attended by any serious consequences.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLŸ PRESS AND
place; besides he was very much liked by the inhabitants of Macao.
Senhor Lello, who is now administering the Government, will resume his post as Colonial Secretary General on the arrival of Senhor Horta e Costa.
The Lisbon Government has finally done justice to Macao by having these two worthy On the 2nd inst., however, shortly before officials replaced into their former posts, es- five o'clock, an embankment behind some housespecially at the present crisis, when an energetic in New Street near the Tung Wa Hospital, Governor and Secretary are greatly wanted. gave way and knocked down the back walls of
I hear that Senhor Horta e Costa is vested houses Nos. 4, 6, 8, and 10 New Street, no less with full power to suppress the irregularities than seven people being buried among the de- and abuses which are said to prevail in some bris. Nos. 6 and 8 seemed to have suffered most particular Departments, and that very likely damage, Acting Deputy Superintendent Mc- the first one to be dealt with will be the Kie and a party of police were soon on the scene "Fazenda clearing the earth away. Their task was by no means an easy one and was not free from danger, as the earth from the embankment continued to come down while they were engaged in searching for those who had been buried.
They ultimately rescued a woman from No. 6. One of her legs was broken, and she was sent to the Hospital. At No. 8 three dead bodies were recovered later on-two boys (one eight and the other nine) and a young man 20 years of age. Two men and a woman were in the same house, and their bodies were recovered later on.
THE POPULATION OF SHANGHAI.
The recently completed census of foreign resi- dents in Shanghai (exclusive of those living in the French Settlement), gives the following figures, with which may be compared those for 1895: 1900. 1895. 2,692 1,936 978 731 736 250 562 328
British Portuguese Japanese American German
Swedish
525
314
Indian
296
119
French
176
138
Manila and Malay.
157
32
Spanish
111
154
Austrian and
Hungarian
39
Danish
86
46
Italian
83
Russian
28
Norwegian
35
Turkish
41
32
Dutch
40
15
Swiss
37
16
21
28
21
Belgian Various
8888995RENA
45
Total...6,774 4,424 The preponderance of British subjects in Shanghai remains, therefore, as great as ever it was. In 1870 there were 894 British subjects, 255 Americans, 138 Germans, 46 Spaniards, and 16 French, no other nationality running into double figures.
MACAO.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.}
Macao, 3rd July.
A NEW GOVERNOR.
*
Great precautions are being taken in Macao for any sudden outbreak against the inhabitants by the Chinese. At present everything is quiet.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
CANTON, 30th June 1900. THE VICEREGAL REPLY T) CANTON,
H, E. the Viceroy Li Hung-Chang says in his reply to the petitions of the Directors of different charitable institutions and the various Committees, in which they urged him to remain in Canton in view of the present difficulties in the North, that as a minister he is bound to protect the dominions of his sovereign under any cir- cumstances whatever, and to act for the good of the people. As they are afraid that the numbers of soldiers in Canton are not enough for its protection, he has doubled the force by sending for the troops of General Wong Kum Fuk, of Son-yang and On-yung, to come back quickly for the protection of the people. In case he should have to leave he will do his best for their welfare. He has given orders to the troops to keep strict watch everywhere, and as to Sha- meen he has also doubled the force for its pro- tection, so as to ensure amity and friendship between China and foreign nations. Of late he has been receiving telegrams every day about the fight between the foreign soldiers and the Boxers, which great terrified the capital and the Imperial Palace. Being at so great a dis. tance, he wishes from the depth of his heart that he could fly thither for the deliverance of the Imperial Government; but he can not. His heart, he continues, is burning with so strong a desire that he has no time to eat or sleep. Knowing, as he does, the difficulty of the journey and the stretches of mountains and water between, and aware that by going alone so great a distance he cannot by himself be of help to his country; still when he thinks that his Imperial Majesty is in imminent danger he must perforce proceed with all possible speed, to show even a little spark of loyal feeling, Though a poor old man of the age of 80, he does not mind any trouble or risk if he can stand by his country and face the danger.
PANIC AND PRECAUTIONS IN SHAMEEN. -
[July 7, 1800.
Then Shameen will be one of the safest places. A corps of volunteers formed from the residents of Shameen does not answer the purpose, for most of them are business men and have to attend to their duties. Shameen can stand ont for one day only as regards provisions, for we are dependent upon the Chinese for necessary Chinese police and soldiers are not trustworthy, and in case of trouble they will run away and be the first to turn their weapons against foreigners. It is a rule with the Chinese officials, which they deem the best policy, that whenever a rumour of rising is about, some criminals must be brought from goal and behead- ed, to strike terror into the hearts of all ruffians. On the 26th ult. 68 pirates, rebels, and thieves weree recuted, some by beheading and others by being strangled in the new wooden cages. Amongst them was one who incited the mob on Sunday, the 24th, to attack Shameen.
GENERAL CALM-NATIVES COWED.
Canton, 3rd July.
It is reported that the Viceroys and Glover- nors of all the provinces have now come to an understanding with the foreign Consuls of all nationalities that they will keep their provinces quiet; this does not apply, of course, to Chihli and Shantung.
Upon the receipt of the official confirmation of the death of the Germau Minister at Peking the flags of all the Consulates in Shameen were flying half-mast high.
The tide of rumours has now taken quite a turn; instead of there being a fear of Chinese attacking Shameen, the Chinese are in the at- most terror of foreigners attacking Canton. They say the foreigners have brought up a few gunboats to attack Canton, that they have a lot of lepers on board, and that they want to catch the women and children to put under the foundations for the Canton railway.
WATCHING FOR SUN YET-BEN.
The Chun Ngoi San Po has received informa- tion that H. E. Tak Shon, the governor, has received a telegram from the Chinese minister in Japan, announcing that Sun-yet-Son has left Yokohama for Hongkong and asking him to devise plans for his arrest. The Governor has accordingly ordered the commander of the Kwang Hip garrisons to keep a strict watch for him.
SWATOW.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
Swatow, 27th June.
THE DEFENCE OF THE PORT.
For some time past grave rumours have been circulating as to trouble brewing in the country round about Swatow. Evidence of the work of numerous secret societies has not been wanting, and in the opinion of the best informed serious disturbances are likely to occur at any time. I have it on good authority that one of the Consuls was officially warned by the chief magistrate of this district to be prepared for any emergency. In consequence of the rumours and placards The upshot of this was a meeting convened by of the last few days there has been a continuous the senior Consul-Mr. Streich of the German exodus of Chinese with their families to Hong. Consulate-to discuss the present position. kong and Macao. A great number of ladies and About 60 persons attended-thoroughly_repre- children from Shameen have left, and the mission- sentative of the various interests. Mr. Streich ary ladies too. On an occasion like this people in the chair explained the objects of the meet- are apt to make a very great fuss. It is not ing, incidentally mentioning that he person- ex-likely that the rebels, or whoever they are, will ally thought it unnecessary that any steps come to Shameen so suddenly. They will have to should be taken for mutual defence. The meet. make preparations; for instance, They will haveing, however, thought otherwise. After some to call a meeting to decide upon the plan of at- discussion in which perhaps the best informed tack, to make red flags and red sashes as insignia man in the room, H.B.M.'s Consul Mr. Hirst, of rebellion, to select a place of rendezvous, was significantly silent, a committee wWAS to prepare provisions, arms and ammunition, formed, consisting of Messrs. Hirst, H.B.M. and find a chief to direct the attack; they will Consul; Streich, German Consul; Richardson, have to terrorise the working classes and the Bradley & Co.; Andrew, Acting Commissioner market-people, and compel them to "strike," of Customs; and Haeslop, Lauts, Haeslop & Co. so that they may join them; and then by way They were asked to take evidence and formu- of preliminary they will perhaps insult and late a scheme and report to a future general provoke Europeans and give trouble to the meeting. native Christians, &c. However, as H. E. Li-Hung-Chang cannot decide yet whether he will go north until the receipt of a definite answer to his telegram, and as Shameen is quite open and unprotected, it would be well for the authorities amongst other preparations to place a Gattling gun facing the entrance to each of the bridges, and have a dozen or two marines or soldiers patrolling night and day on the Bund,
The recently appointed Governor of this Colony, Senhor Alvaro Ferreira, having re- quested the Portuguese Government to onérate him from the post, the home authorities telegraphed-to-day announcing the re-appoint- ment of Senhor Horta a Costa, ex-Governor of the Colony. He is, it is announced, leaving Lisbon - within three days' time. With His Excellency are coming out the troops which are being sent to increase the garrison of the Colony,
[FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.]
Macao, 3rd July. telegram has been received announc- ing the re-appointment of Senhor José M. Horts e Costa as Governor of Macao. Senhor Horta e Costa leaves for his post to-day, and is due in Macao about the beginning of August. Macao is much to be congratulated on Senhor Horta e Costa's return as Governor, not only for what he has previously done on behalf of the Colony, both as Deputado and Governor, but also for being the right_man in the right
The above shows that the Consuls and heada of the larger business houses are keenly alive to the fact that prompt measures must be taken tó prepare for an uprising. The business interests of Swatow-the third largest shipping port in China-are at the mercy of the first gang of ma- rauders that likes to come along. This should not be. Nothing the Enropean residents could do could be effective, and it is imperative that ́a
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