-110
MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
OF DOUBLE DEALING.
Manila, 30th July. A FIESTA THAT FAILED-PATERNO ACCUSED The grand celebration, in honour of the am- nesty granted to the Filipinos, has vanished into thin air, an absolute, pitiful failure. Don Pedro Paterno, the promoter of the scheme, is either swamped in disgrace, or riding serenely at the head of his party; at the present moment it is impossible to say which. Most elaborate pre- parations were made for a fiesta that was calcu- lated to turn Manila upside down, and make it ring to music and fun, as in the gala days of Spain. Lengthy programmes announced two days of rejoicing, beginning on Saturday with promenading bands of Americans and Filipinos, then horse races and bicycle races in the principal streets and rowing contests on the Pasig River. The main thoroughfares were spanned by numerous arches covered with green and bearing patriotic inscriptions, Trouble began to manifest itself when some excitable spirits managed to set pictures of McKinley and Aguinaldo in a single frame on the top of an arch. At another place a Filipino flag was tied upon a bamboo decoration, but he thori- ties very quickly took these down, though they were unable to catch the offenders.
A grand popular banquet was announced for Saturday night in the Zorilla Theatre, to which the military Governor, the Provost General, the American Civil Commission and the Consular body were invited. The military Governor offered to send a representative and the civil commission promised attendance. The plan of the banquet had been carefully arranged and Paterno outlined all the details, to which the provost marshal set his approval. Notices were given by the committee that all who desired to speak must submit the substance of their discourses to Paterno. At the last hour the Civil Commission learned that the prepared speeches were inflammatory and excitable, so that if they were delivered, the banquet would practically be turned in an insurgent demon- stration. Apparently, in spite of all warnings and assurances of good faith Paterno was
The
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
(August 11, 1900.
achs. At half-past nine matters were reaching quartering themselves in Glenealy! Glenealy a critical point when a telephone message was was one of the prettiest spots in the island, but it obviously needed half-naked Chinamen received stating that Pedro Paterno would shortly arrive with Judge Taft and General occasionally on exhibition, with their dirty- Wright (of the commission), and that Lieuten. linen frequently hung over the side-walk, to make ant-Colonel Wilder and Lieut. Menoher, repre- the view truly Oriental and complete. Why, senting the governor and the provost marshal, it is not unlikely that we shall see them dwelling would also attend. About ten o'clock the party on the Peak Road, or even occupying Govern- arrived and the banquet began amid considerablement House, when the new one is built! This applause, but there were no speeches, Paterno is a period when it is fashionable to conciliate having promised that he would cut them out of the Chinese, to have them for next-door neigh- the programme. The dinner was was good and bours, as we do not see or smell enough of them. the wines were mature, but the object of the Build new schools for them, with none for Eur- whole thing from both the American and the opean children; do everything for them; Hong- Filipmo sides was defeated. It would have kong for the Chinese and the devil take the been better if there had been no banquet or Europeans, who have no right here, anyhow. celebration at all. It has rather retarded The Executive are for the majority, and the than advanced matters; and Filipinos on the majority are the Chinese. If the Kowloonites want a reservation, well, they had better pur- war-path have a powerful weapon to
chase Gap Rock !-Yours, etc., by slightly rearranging the situation and at-
AN ADMIRER OF OUR tributing the failure of the amnesty fiesta to
EXECUTIVE. the Americans. Perhaps Paterno desired to obtain this result. Several of the most promi- nent leaders declined to join in the fiesta because they believed it premature, and they were right; but considerable evidence of good faith was given by the presence of the responsible business men and their families at the banquet. It at least had the outward show of sincerity, and if Paterno had the game up his sleeve" that his accusers claim. I don't believe that all his guests knew of it.
4+
Use
WERE THE U.S. AUTHORITIES TO BÚAME?
It seems reasonable that the American au- thorities should have taken an earlier op- portunity to ascertain the character of the speeches at least before the last hour, for A much they were quite able to do it. better result would have been obtained if the speeches had been censored or even suppressed, or if the acceptances to the banquet had been withdrawn at a time when they would not have destroyed the whole affair. These are facts which Filipinos have trouble in swallowing and which they will remember. If Paterno is guilty of trickery he should be punished, hut at all events the Americans have poorly handled their side of the question. The whole incident is to be regretted, as a good, though somewhat premature, opportunity for advancing peace, misused and destroyed.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
OUR EXECUTIVE.
|
PLAYING A TWO-FACED GAME in a most shameless, dishonest manner. authorities state that not only did he deceive the Americans but also the peacefully inclined natives who lent their support to the celebration. As the Commissioners were inted guests and not expected to speak, their presence under the altered circumstances was impossible, as they could not passively listen to the prepared speeches
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.' without replying and denouncing the speakers. In view of this Judge Taft hastily penned Pedro SIR, Most residents will feel a deep sense of Paterno a note at half-past six, withdrawing his gratification after reading the report of the last. acceptances and giving his reasons. The banquet meeting of the Sanitary Board. The wisdom was to begin at half-past seven, and without and impartiality of the Director of Public the presence of the American representatives Works will especially commend itself, and his it would be impossible to continue, so Paterno remarks stamp him as a progressive man. If raced over to the Governor General's palace to the storm-drains at present, especially after a try and patch up matters. He found McArthur. heavy rainfall, give forth poisonous vapours and who had returned from a trip to San Fernando horrible odours, that is merely a transitory ex- where a conference had been arranged with perience, and so long as pedestrians and General Alejandrino in regard to the surren- those who live near the drains do not contract der under the amnesty of the forces of central typhoid, etc., they should be well satisfied. Luzon (which, by the way, is officially sup. They are merely residents, perhaps ratepayors, pressed), but he received scant consolation or and what right have they to complain? When encouragement; then he set off to find Judge indeed the Director of Public Works or another Taft. It was a rainy night and the judge lives official suffer from the effect of this up-to-date, in Malate, about a mile and a half from the excellent system of drainage, the complaints of Governor's palace. In the meantime the guests the public may be considered, not before. In had arrived and the theatre gradually fill- the meantime they may congratulate them- their constitutions and keep ed up. Numerous Filipinos with their wives selves and children, some of them among the best quiet. am surprised at the medical
the Board gentlemen on
objecting to families, occupied the boxes and stared down on the empty dinner seats. Time wore on to half-impure smells and minuting about noses--why. past eight and then nine, and still no American | their incomes depend a great deal on these same representatives. People began to make in- drains, and so long, as our Executive officers sinuating remarks to the effect that McArthur point out, as the flushing of these drains had played false to the Filipinos - that the Com-of the Colony is left to a beneficent mission had broken its word-that the provost Providence (providential rainfalls) why should marshal was a clever liar, etc.. but their patience they make sarcastic references to noses? Doctors, was remarkable. To those who did not know like Public Works Directors, should dispense the inside of the situation, it was very apparent with noses. that the Americans had turned false. At nine o'clock several prominent citizens got up and left the building. Fortunately an excellent or- chestra had been provided and people were con- tent to sit and listen though with empty stom-
on
on
I
What resident could not feel but gratified also reading the answer to the Sanitary Board anent the proposed Kowloon Reservation? The idea of Kowloon folk a king for European reservations, when we have Chinese already
HONGKONG, CANTON AND MA- CAO STEAMBOAT CO., LIMITED.
The 68th ordinary half-yearly meeting o shareholders in the above company was held at the office, No. 18, Bank Buildings, Queen's The Hon. Road Central, on the 7th inst. at noon. J. J. Keswick presided, and there were also present Messrs. N. A. Siebs, R. Showan, A. Haupt (directors), T. Arnold (secretary), D. Gillies, P. Jordan, C. N. Young, A. H. M. da Silva, G. C. Anderson, R. M. Mehta E. J. Moses, G. Stewart, T. I. Rose, and T. Yule.
The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen, with your permission it will be convenient to take the re- You will have observed that the port as read. net earnings of our steamers for the past six months have been exceptionally good, so much so that notwithstanding the unusually heavy expenditure for repairs, your directors are able to recommend not only the customary half-yearly dividend of 8 per cent, but also that a sum of $21,000 be appropriated to the augmentation of the Equalization of Dividend Fund, which with this addition will amount to $30,000. In con- nection with the working of the steamers I do not think that there is anything to add to what is stated in the report; it is of course a matter of much regret that there is no improvement in the condition of affairs on the West River, which we can only hope will in the near future be placed on a more satisfactory footing. The present troubles in China have not so far affect- ed the Company's business, and although it is of course impossible to foretell what the future may bring forth, your Directors see no reason at present for taking an unfavourable view of the position as far as the trade of the Cantou waters is concerned. The current half-year, I may say, has commenced well, the earnings to date comparing favourably with those of the same period of last year. With regard to the item of repairs, it may be mentioned that the cost of the new boilers and general over haul of the Powan amounted to between fifty and sixty thousand dollars; the rest been distributed of the expenditure has pretty evenly over the other steamers. With regard to the Conpany's investments, the shares stand well within their present market value, and for the Loans on Mortgage there is in every case an ample margin. It does not occur to me that there are any other matters to re- mark upon, but before proposing the adoption of the report and accounts I shall be pleased to answer any questions in connection therewith which may suggest themselves to shareholders.
There being no questions the report and accounts were adopted, on the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Mr. GILLIES.
On the motion of Captain ANDERSON, second- ed by Mr. JORDAN, the appointment as direc- tors of Messrs Shewan and Haupt was confirmed. Messrs. E. Goetz and R. Shewan were re- elected directors, on the motion of Mr. STEWART, seconded by Mr. ROSE.
Messrs. A. O'D. Gourdin and F. Henderson were re-elected auditors, on the motion of Mr. MOSES, seconded by Mr. DA SILVA.
The Chairman--Gentleman, that concludes the business of the meeting. Dividend warrants will be issued on application from 10 am, to- morrow. I am obliged to you for your at- tendance.
Page 10Page 11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.