December 22, 1900.]
in the sea did not inspire enough enthusiasm in the past to induce us to welcome it back. Apart, however, from the question of the dis- posal of these unpleasant bodies, is there not more to be done in the way of getting rid of rubbish in some parts of the city? I suppose we must put up for some years more with the condition of the Harbour frontage from Pedder's Street westward, but I find it hard to suppress an expression of disgust when- ever I return from Macao and take a rick- sha from the wharf to the centre of Victoria. This will be changed one day, no doubt. It is gratifying to think what a pleasant and impos- ing place Hongkong may look in the future, when the present generation are all dead. Our successors may see on landing a well-kept sea- front, permanent wharves and piesr, with possibly roofs over them; further on there may be adequate public buildings; and even a Post Office worthy of the name - but no! this is too Utopian, and after all it will not matter to us.
OBSERVER.
COUNT VON WALDERSEE AND THE CHINESE REPRESEN- TATIVES.
Der Ostasiatische Lloyd publishes the report of an interview between Count von Waldersee, Li Hung-chang, and Prince Ching, which took place on the 15th November. We quote the termination. Li Hung-chang has expressed the hope that the peace negotiations will soon begin.
W-In a few days. Once begun, it will be well if they are finished rapidly. China must make sacrifices. It will be better for the country that the affair should not drag on.
L.-Communication with the Chinese troops is very difficult owing to the absence of tele- graphs. (He asks for safe-conducts for his couriers to take the news which at present he cannot send out).
is so good that it does not need to be any bettor. W.-It is not necessary. Your news system L-I think, nevertheless, that it would be well to give passports.
evacuated our sphere of occupation I will help W. As soon as the Chinese troops have your couriers to reach their destinations.
L-Passports will be equally useful for all officials sent to take charge of their districts.
W.-This might be done if I knew the contents of the messages.
C-They certainly will contain no news of the war, only news of administrative affairs.
W-Being of so harmless a character they might perfectly well be communicated to us before being sent.
L-Imperial edicts may come from Court. Safe-conducts will be required for them.
W-I will think it over. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you more often.
C-All letters are stopped now. W.-I do not think so. This has not hap- poned to us.
C.-Still it is 80. been interrupted.
Communications have
W.-No one has kept back our letters. L.-The couriers are in a state of terror.
W.-I can give you no pass. I will think
the matter over.
C.-If despatches are examined, the bearers in all cases should have permission to pass. If they are examined, will this be done by the Field Marshal or by someone else ?
W.-By myself. It is better so. L.-What must I do if I wish to send a messenger?
W. I must have time and an opportunity to think about it. I will let you know. There is still a large number of Chinese troops in our sphere of occupation; they must quit it. I can only allow here the administrative officials, who
are of use to us.
L.You will have no reason for friction with
the administrative officials.
The interview then ended.
The Shanghai Mercury learns that the French gunboats Surprise and Lion, which are at pre- sent at Hankow, are likely, owing to want of water, to be detained there until next March, as the condition of the river will not admit of their returning until the river rises again in the spring.
CHINA OVERLAND TRÅDE REPORT.
THE JAPANESE NAVY.
499
needed, the people in the different districts and- prefectures are making voluntary contributions for the expenses of the army, so as to relieve the Imperial Government of part of its difficulty, The Magistrate On of the Keyew, district has orders to raise a loan from his people, which is not easy to do; so he has resorted to the follow- At the foot of the bridge along which people passed to see the religious ex- hibition near by he ordered to be placed a large covered wooden box, into which every person that passed and repassed had to drop a few casli. On the box was pasted a poetical notice, which runs as follows:-The Peking Government is in extreme difficulties, which is hard indeed to tell. The pleasure-seeking people who come to see the Exhibition aro counted by thousands Let them spend not their and thousands. money in eating houses and drink-shops, but contribute as much as they please to a good cause. This is the order the Magistrate has re- ceived from the Viceroy. The story (of the Imperial distress) is most heartrending, and there is no extortion here, as heaven may bear witness!
At the commencement of the war between China and Japan, the latter Power possessed a navy of only 30,000 tons, while that of her | opponent was 40,000 tons. For defensive par poses Japan has been forced since then to augment her navy until now she possesses a fleeting resource, of an aggregate tonnage of 260,000. This enormous expansion has taken place in less than six years and has received the approval of the Diot and the nation at large. The authorities now appear to view with suspicion the action of certain Powers in greatly reinforcing their Far Eastern squadrons, and a Japanese native paper learns that it has been proposed in Japanese naval quarters to augment the navy to the extent of either 850,000 or 400,000 tons. Tho proposal is receiving the support of the leading Japanese naval authorities aud of many in- fluential persons outside naval circles, and it is generally believed that the scheme will be realised in the near future.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 12th Décember. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ADDITIONS TO THE
CITY.
those natives who can avail themselves of
Canton, 15th December. H.E. TAK SOW ON THE TRIAD REBELLION. The vernacular papers of Canton reproduce a long memorial sent by the Acting Viceroy, Tak Sow, to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, dealing at great length with the recent rebel- lion at Waichow. His Excellency relates how he despatoled Generals Ho Cheung Ching,
Business in Manila has been steadily improv Tang Wai Lin, Mok Sin Chik, Wong Kuming since McKinley's election. There no longer Fuk, and the commanders of the several gun- remains the slightest hope in the minds of the boats by land and by sea to attack the rebels. Filipinos of self-government. The vast work The latter were dressed in white, with red band-undertaken by the Civil Commission indicates a ages tied round their heads as a mark of distinc. bright and prosperous future for these islands. tion. The names of the rebel chiefs, including The Educational Department is going ahead Choi King Fuk, Ho Chung Pew, Wong Yew Ting with wonderful rapidity; numerous schools and others are given; the kind of flags, with
are opened in the provinces as well as in the their significations, and the fire-arms they used; the dates. It is states that on the battlefield the privilege of attending. The improvements the localities where the battles were fought, and city, which are being well appreciated by among the killed was found one rebel dressed
to the Bridge of Spain are not only an advan- in foreign clothes, who was said to be a military cribed how a number of villagers had placed attraction is the Oriente Hotel, where, amongst adviser, by name Chiang Se Liang. It is de- tage to business, but have has also given it a very respectable appearence. The centre of themselves between the two fires and were killed, other amusements, a first-class ball is provided and a large number of rebels caught, tried and
for the benefit of the guests and their friends at decapitated. H.E. attributes this rising of the least twice a month. These dances are the Triad Society to the machinations of Kang Yu
means of bringing together not only the lead- Wei. Sün Yet Ben, alias Sün Man, and Leang Kai Chew, and other seditious associates. Fur. g citizens, and the heads of departments of the ther the report adds that the localities where the military and naval authorities, but also the youth and beauty of Manila, and several very pretty rebellion took place are now quiet; and that matches which have recently taken place may H.E. has sent the Black Flag Generel Lin Yung-be traced to these events as their origin. The fu and his soldiers to watch and keep the peace Oriente is owned by an English syndicate, but in these districts, as well as hunt down any entirely under American management, and the
improvements made under the present adminis rebels or pirates that they come across.
tration of the last four months have brought it to such a high standard as to compare very favourably with any first class hotel in the
SUN YET SEN AND VICEROY CHANG CHIH-TUNG.
It is said that Sün Yot Sen, alias Sünman, reported the head of the Triad Society, has sent a petition to the Viceroy Chang Chih-tung of Hanan and Hupeh, offering to surrender, and be a good and loyal subject; but that the latter replied that if he could bring the heads of Kang Yu-wei and Leang Kai-chow he would listen to his proposal, and pardon his former
offences.
TERRIBLE LAUNCH ACCIDENT.
On the 10th inst., at 2 p.m, the steam-launch Samchow left Shin Hing for Canton, taking in tow a passenger-boat fully laden with cargo, luggage, and about 500 passengers, male and female; she was of light draught and flimsily built. On turning the corner of Ho Kao creek, somewhere near Yang Kee, as she was running with full speed, her rudder got broken. The passengers in the lower deck, startled by the rambling noise, got frightened and made a rush to the upper deck. The upper part being over-weighted, the launch lurched to one side and threw the passengers into the water; over two hundred of them were drown- ed, and the rest were saved by other boats that passed by. The committees of the Kwong Chai and Oi Yak hospitals have had 'matsheds built near the spot to find the dead bodies and provide them with coffins and burial. Those who had relations or friends have been already taken away and buried by them.
RAISING MONEY FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.
|
is
United States.
THE LUNETA.
The Luneta is fast becoming a most fashion- able drive. Long lines of carriages throng round : sweet strains of one or other of the regimental. the Plaza, from the centre of which come the bands stationed in the district. This, mingled with the breezes from off the bay, makes it doubly refreshing to the weary business man at the close of an oppressive and trying day's toil.
The Chinese Minister to the United States, H.E. Wu Ting-fang, met with a great reception at Pittsburg, Pa., on the 1st of last month, when he attended the Founder's Day prize-giving at the Carnegie Institute and addressed those pre- sont on the subject of education in China. Wa Ting-fang made an excellent and most diploma- tic speech, and proceedings wero of a most cordial nature. Mr. Andrew Carnegie sent a letter in which he alluded to the "unique aud yet appropriate" presence of the Chinese Minis- "Our people do not appreciate ter. He added: the Chinese as they should, seeing only the claks that emigrates. I hope the vinit of Mr. Wa Ting-fang will stimulate interest, and that Pittsburgers will read up about China and what it has done. All the Chinese ask is that ra | far younger than themselves shall let
On account of the hard times brought about by the present crisis when money is urgently alone."
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