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TUNG.
NEWS FROM SHANGHAI.
The following notes are from the N.-C. Daily News of the 16th and 17th inst. :-
THE NORTHERN RAILWAY.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND ing the afternoon a detachment of the Allies | THE RECENT TROUBLE IN KWANG- ¡ left the city, but it was not till the next day that the main body of the force was sent out. The Information reached Hongkong on the 17th right wing comprised 5,000 strong, and were inst. that Acting Viceroy Tak had issued instrno- made up of the French, Russians, Austrians, tions to a number of expectant magistrates in the Germans and Italians; the centre, about 5,000 | Tungkun district to co-operate with the local strong, and the left wing (the Japanese) es- authorities with a view of thoroughly in- timated at a little under 10,000 Through-vestigating the circumstances and extent of the out the whole of the afternoon rain fell heavily, recent looting and destruction of mission pro- and the Fusiliers were ordered by Col. Bertie perty and dwellings of the Converts so that a to wear their greatcoats. A halt was made fair amount of compensation may be awarded after a somewhat brisk march, and the men to each property holder. The following is a were given a little rest in the open. It was a full list of the officers appointed; Expectant dark night, and as it wore on the rain increased. Magistrate, Jay Sg Yuan, deputy to the Shan There was no shelter except that which could be Tak District; Expectant Magistrate Ngi Wai, obtained by the side of the embankment, and deputy to the Sun Ui District; Expectant the protection, if any, afforded by the long Sub Prefect Chu Shu, deputy to the Sun blades of corn clustered heavily together in the Ming District; Expectant Sub Prefect Cheong, open fields. It was about half past one when deputy to Hoi Ping Yau Ping, and Hok Shan the general order was given to advance. No Districts; Expectant Magistrate U. Tan is ap- bugle sounded, and each man fell into position as pointed Deputy to Yon Ping and Nam O best he could in the darkness. Shots were falling Districts. all round them as they went silently along, for- tunately without doing them any damage. They proceeded onward till a huge embankment was reached, when the Colonel, halting, directed them to lie down behind it, and wait till reinforcements
It seems now that the railway has bear hand- came up. Presently the 12th Battery of Artil- lery from Jullunder came in sight, and taking up ed over by the Russians to Count von Walder- a position on the left commenced to shell theses, not to the British direct. enemy's position. A heavy cross-fire followed for about an hour when the order was given to cross the plain where the enemy were thought to have been entrenched in large numbers. Shells were falling on all sides, and the plain was literally being swept by bullets as the Fusi- liers in extended order proceeded. H Company received a rather sudden order from the staff officer and Capt. Gwynne to lie down, as they feared they were then not more than 200 yards from the enemy's position, which was being shelled on the opposite side by the Russians. In their onward march they had crossed au underground mine, which fortunately had failed to be of service at the time they crossed it in consequence of the damped state of the powder. It was some little time before the order to ad- vance was again given, and the Fusiliers then proceeded along the embankment a few hundred yards further till they came up to the enemy's position vis-a-vis. They then saw that the ground was loopholed for some consider. able distance, and was a position which would have afforded any enemy all that they could desire, but the Chinese left it and retreated across the pontoon bridge towards Peitsang. It was about one o'clock before Peitsang was reached, the troops then having been under fire nearly twelve hours.
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(To be continued.)
THE CRISIS IN CHINA.
LOCAL MOVEMENTS. The British transport Uganda arrived on the 15th inst. from Taku.
H.M. gunboat Pigmy arrived on the 16th inst. from Shanghai.
The following arrived in the harbour on the 17th inst.:
The Waterwitch, surveying ship from a cruise The Amer. an transport Zafiro, from Manila. The City of Bombay, transport, from Odessa, bringing 1,91: Russian troops.
The Rewa, bitish transport, from Calcutta. The Izumi, Japanese cruiser, from Swatow. The American transport Cæsar arrived from Manila on the 18th inst.
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THE KAN8U REBELS.
The local mandarins report that H.E. Shêng has sent a despatch to the Foreign Consuls here denying the report that Prince Tuan and General Tung Fuhsiang were in league with the Kansu Mahommedan rebels.
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS STILL FAR OFF.
We are informed from a reliable source that Li Hung-chang has telegraphed to this port that he is afraid that peace negotiations are stil far off and very difficult to accomplish.
THE EMPRESS DOWAGER INCORRIGIBLE.
A high Chinese official now in Hsian has wired to his family residing at this port not to start for Hsian to join him, as the Empress Dowager is incorrigible and will not be guided by wiser counsels; and further, that the crisis in Shensi is daily getting more complicated.
ANOTHER WAY OF PUTTING IT.
A Hsian telegraphic despatch states that the Empress Dowager cannot punish General Tang Fulisiang as he has, since his return to Hsian from Ninghsia, lately surrounded himself with The fact powerful guards “to prevent arrest." is that his troops surround the Empress Dow- ager as guards and sho is in Tang Fuhsiang's
hands.
THE EXTORTION OF THE REACTIONISTS.
With reference to the coming of Yü C'hi- yuan. son of Governor Yii Lien-yuan of Hunan, on a mission of extortion to gather funds for the prosecution of war with the Foreign Powers, a Soochow despatch states that in obedience to commands from Hsian the high authorities of Soochow have now began to enforce the extor- tion of money from the gentry and wealthy merchants of the city and prefecture, and have even gone so far as to throw an M. A. (Chüjên) into prison for refusing to use his influence in exhorting his friends to contribute towards the
‘patriotic fund.”
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THE LONG-COMING GOVERNOR.
It will be remembered that when an Imperial edict was published last month appointing Sung Shou (Mancha), Governor of Kiangsi, to be Governor of this province, and promoting Ching Sing (Manchu), Provincial Treasurer of Honan, to the Governorship of Kiangai, it was generally expected by the native officials of this H.M.8. Algerine arrived on Sunday night province that Sang Shou would start immediate. from Weihaiwei, on her way to relieve H.M.S.ly for his new post at Soochow, preparations at Brisk at Singapore, whither H.M.S. Pigmy is the time being even made in Shanghai for also going to relieve H.M.S. Bramble,
H.E.'s reception. News has now been received from Nauch'ang, the capital of Kiangsi, to the effect that H.E. is only waiting for the arrival of Ching Sing from Honan, before starting for Soochow, and that in all probability H.E. would leave Nanchang to-day or to-morrow (16th or 17th instant).
The British transport Rewa left on Monday morning for Taku, while the Zibenghla and Uganda departed for Calcutta, the Mohawk for Singapore, and the Salamis for Sydney.
The British transport Landaura arrived from Taku on the 20th inst.
The U.S. monitor Monterey left for Canton on the 20th inst.
The transport City of Bombay, chartered by the Russian Government, left for Port Arthur on the 20th inst.
The British transport Landaura departed for Calcutta on Wednesday.
The French cruiser Chasseloup Loubat arrived on the 23rd ingt.
REMITTANCES TO THE COURT. The Ostasiatische Lloyd states that a further remittance to the Court of Tis. 100,000, which left Shanghai on the 4th instant for Nanking, would be transported thence via Pukon to Haianfu by land. As several previous remit- tances from the South have, notwithstanding military protection, suffered heavy loss from
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[November 24, 1900.
robbers, the Emperor has issued orders that future shipments of treasure are to be made through the Piaochu Company. This is an old and well-organised concern which secures im- munity from theft for property entrusted to its care by means of fixed yearly payments to the robber chiefs of the various districts through which the goods pass. It has offices in all the large towns, and guarantees against payment of a high premium the safety of goods of all kinds. In case of less it undertakes to grant full.
With each convoy the Pinochu indemnity. sends one of its own man who makes himself known to the robbers by means of a peculiar flag and thus avoids molestation. The convoy is further protected against attacks from casual robbers by agents of the society, who are ex- ceptionally well skilled in the use of arms. Under existing Chinese conditions this is the only way in which property can be safely trans- ported from one place to another; and even the Emperor of this powerful realm is compelled to enter into indirect relations with robbers in order in ensure the safety of his goods.
THE CHINA SQUADRON COMMAND.
Our Portsmonth correspondent writes on the 18th ult:-" It is considered more than probable that_Vice-Admiral Sir Harry H. Rawson, K.C.B., now in command, will hoist his flag on the Glory and succeed Vice-Admiral Sir Edward H. Seymour, K.C.B., as Commander-in-chief on the China station." The L. & C. Express of the 19th ult. similarly says:-" Bir Harry will transfer his flag to the Glory as Commander-in- chief on the China station, and will start on his way to assume his new command-in succession to Vice-Admiral Sir Edward H. Seymour-as as his new flagship can be got ready. There has been a lot of delay in com- pleting the Glory, but a definite order has now been issued that she is to be out of dockyard hands by 29th inst., and she is then to be fitted out as speedily as possible." It will he remem- bored, however, that Admiral Seymour's com. mand had been extended, probably until the existing difficulties have been arranged.
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Writing on the same subject to the L. & C. "It is an un' Express a correspondent says : usual-onght not the word to be written unprecedented ?--occurrence for an officer to proceed from the command of the Channel Fleet to the command in China. This, however, only shows how greatly the importance of the squadron in the Far East has increased in the eyes of statesmen. Nothing has been said as to the return of the Centurion, the present flagship. If she remains on the station we shall at last have four battleships to counters balance the six which France and Russia com- bined will shortly have in Chinese waters. It is a dignified position for the first naval Power in the world, is it not? It is understood that Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge was offered the China command, "but was unable to accept it."
HONGKONG RELEASED FROM
QUARANTINE.
We have received from the Colonial Secre- tary's Office copies of the following telegrams :— FROM COLONIAL SECRETARY, HONGKONG, TO
COLONIAL secretary, BINGAPORE, dated 14th NOVESBEE, 1900. "Is Hongkong released from Quarantine? ! Last case of plague 27th October. Quarantine withdrawn by Saigon.” FROM COLONIAL SECRETARY, SINGAPORE, TO
COLONIAL SECRETARY, HONGKONG, DATED. 15th NOVEMBER, 1900.
In reply to your telegram of yesterday's date, Quarantine restrictions withdrawn."
One thousand fur caps have been indented for from home for use of the China Field Force by the Government of India.
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who have been held on readiness at Jullundur fær field service in China, returned to their former · station at Mian Mir early last month.
The death took place at Colombo on the 22nd ult. of Mr. Lonis Oliver Orloff, of the Hong. kong and Shanghai Bank and brother of the Colonial Surgeon of Batticalon. The deceased was ailing for about three weeks.
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