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[January 12, 1901.
PROPOSED ROYAL VISIT TO HONGKONG.
THE SANITARY BOARD AND THE Royal Highnesses departure from Aus-
GOVERNMENT.
46
tralia the time required to bring them up to Hongkong would land them at the most dangerous period of the year. If we have to fear a plague epidemic, which we trust we have not, we cannot forget the experience of past years, which shows that plague is always at its worst in the second quarter of the year, from April to June inclusive. That the possibility of an epidemic weighed with those who had the arrangements of the tour cannot be doubted. We may be fortunate enough to see little of the unplea sant epidemic this year; but we must re- cognise, while we regret, the strength of the motives which prevent us from enjoying a visit from our future sovereigns and of testifying our loyalty to them as we should wish to do.
THE HONGKONG + WEEKLY PRESS AND tricts of Cape Colony not much can be has also been by Lord ROBERTS in South gathered of what steps are being taken Africa Such a policy cannot be indefinitely to check the "surreptitious movements" of persisted in, it is obvious, if the enemy only some of the Cape Dutch, of which REUTER's respond by defiance, unless the Power
(Daily Press, 8th January.) telegram' tells us. In the Philippines claiming sovereignty is prepared to resigu
The inability of their Royal Highnesses General MACARTHUR at the end of last that claim. And in such a struggle, where
the Duke and Duchess of York to visit this year issued a new proclamation, dated the rebels, be they Boers or Filipinos, U
their way to or on their Manila, 20th December, reminding the in- all the forces of intimidation to coerce their Colony, either
inauguration of the new habitants of, and explaining to them, some own race-fellows, only the most drastic return from
wealth, though it will of the essential provisions of the laws of measures are of any service in keeping the Australian war, in the hope that "their careful perusal. timid or wavering to their loyalty. The occasion keen disappointment here, can by the people will induce all who are eager leniency displayed by the Americans and hardly be said to come as a surprise. Owing for the tranquilisation of the Archipelago British has only had the effect, it would to the late date fixed for the departure of to combine for mutual protection and united seem-and as, indeed, many anticipated of the Royal party for Melbourne by the action on behalf of their own interests and prolonging the struggle, of swelling the steamship Ophir, escorted by two British the welfare of the country." The necessity rebel forces, and driving many pseudo-cruisers, the Duke and Duchess have not In the interests sufficient time at their disposal to visit for allusion to the laws of war arises, loyalists into their arms. General MACARTHUR states, from the recent of ultimate peace a more rigorous policy us on their way out. The Ophir, it will be remembered, is timed to leave England in March next and will not reach Melbourne issue by insurgent commanders of procla- must be hailed as welcome. mations threatening native inhabitants of
before the beginning of May. After Their places acquiescing in resiprocal relations with the United States troops in districts under martial law; and from the successful kidnapping and assassination of residents
(Daily Press, 5th January.) of occupied towns, by order of insurgent
The discussion at Thursday's meeting of leaders. All engaged in such transactions the Sanitary Board on Mr. ÓSBORNE'S MO- are warned that they must eventually tion has probably been read with mixed answer for murder or such other crimes as feelings. The motion was carried, as our result from their action. The only escape readers have seen, though only after a long from such a fate is that the guilty should discussion, that the Board should reply to become fugitive criminals beyond the juris- the Acting Colonial Secretary's suggestion diction of the United States; which, in for the formulation of a comprehensive effect, means life-long expatriation, adds scheme of sanitary improvements that it the proclamation. General Macarthur
was not disposed to formulate such a scheme then turns to those who, like many of the
“unless some assurance be forthcoming that South African Dutch, reside in an occupied the Government will give immediate effect district and do things inimical to the inter- "to some at least of the Board's recommen- ests of the occupying army. These he re- "dations." The Board has its thick-and- minds that to comply with demands of an thin supporters, and no doubt some equally expelled public enemy, and make no report uncompromising opponents. But there are thereof, creates the presumption that the many, we imagine, who, while extending act is voluntary and malicious, in such a every sympathy to the more progressive case a plea of intimidation can rarely be members of the Board in their arduous accepted. Those who from timidity or struggle against their environment, are misplaced sympathy screen, with full know- hardly prepared to endorse the attitude ledge, members of secret committees, help- adopted of demanding an assurance that ing the insurgents by collecting supplies, immediate effect be given to some of the recruiting men, and sending military in-Board's recommendations. Without going formation, are also liable to be treated as war traitors against the United States. The practice of sending supplies to the insur- gents from places under occupation by the United States troops is strictly forbidden, all those continuing in the traffic from con- tumacy or intimidation being warned to be prepared to answer for their actions as war traitors. The city of Manila is particularly warned of the above penalties. Next follows the reminder that those who participate in hostilities without being part of a regularly organised force, and without shar- ing continuously in its operations, but who do so with intermittent returns to their homes and avocations, divest themselves of the character of soldiers and, if captured, are not entitled to the privileges of prisoners of war. It is well known, states General MACARTHUR, that many of the occupied towns support and encourage men who habitually assume the semblance of peaceful pursuits, but who have arms hidden outside of the towns and periodically slip out to take part in guerrilla war. The fact that such men have not heretofore been held responsible for their actions, he continues, is simply an evidence of the solicitude of the United States to avoid all appearance of harshness in pacifying the Islands, and not of any defect in the law itself. The people of the Archipelago now have their attention drawn to the penalties to which they lay them selves open.
If the United States Military Governor acts strictly up to the terms of his proclamation, the last has been seen of the policy of treating rebellion by kindness which has hitherto been given a long trial in the Philippines, as it
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or
THE CRISIS: TELEGRAMS.
[FROM OUR GORRESPONDENTS.]
SHANGHAI, 6th January, 7.41 p.m. General Tung Fuhsiang's troops are re. ported to have mutinied at Kuyuanchou, in Kansu.
General Feng Tse-tsai in Yunnan has been ordered north with 15,000 well-drilled troops.
The launch Kwai Lum arrived in Manila'
so far as Dr. BELL on Thursday, such persons may at least be disposed to think the Board's reply to the Government to be bad policy. It seems to us that Mr. OSBORNE struck the right note, when he said that what was wanted was that, when the Board's recommendations were rejected, a reason
SHANGHAI, 7th January, 7.81 p.m. should be given for the rejection, not a mere "Yes"
The Russians transfer the Shanhaikwan "No." By refusing to treat with the Government, which is practi-railway to Mr. Kinder on the 14th instant. cally what the Board did by its motion on The workshops are entirely stripped of Thursday, our sanitary experts deal a blow machinery, plant, stores, and material. at their own locus standi, which is the re- verse of wise.. To what end will the long and animated discusssions at the Sanitary Board's meetings tend, if in the end some practical recommendation to the Government is not made?, Granting that the Sanitary Board has been treated with scant respect in the past, we may yet ask whether it can be considered probable that when the mem- bers refuse to give advice at the invitation of the Government, the latter will lend a readier ear to unsolicited recommendations. It was urgued at the Board's meeting that the preparation of reports embodying a comprehensive scheme of sanitary reform in the colony would be mere waste of time, as they would only be ignored. If the Board is thoroughly convinced of
this, its members contemplate using its merely for the airing of theories academical discussions ?
--
from Hongkong on the 31st alt. Captain Cob- ban was in command of her, and made the passage after four previous attempts to get to in sea the small craft had failed. A second launch, the Wa Hing, arrived in Manila Bay last week from Hongkong with Captain Bob- bins in charge. She is a 30-ton boat, about 75 or 80 feet long, and powerfully engined. There are still a few more of these launches to be brought over from Hongkong, saya a Manita paper, and when they have all been distributed about the different outports, the U. S. Govern- ment will have a launch system which will be entirely initiative as well as unique. Every port of consequence will have its own designated launch for Customs and Harbour Master's work, At the same time the transportation of troops and supplies, in time of need, or in fact at any moment when necessary, may be easily accom- plished. The excellent work of the Signal Corps, adds the paper, has provided ample ac- commodation for constant communication be- Lieuterant Hobson, who has been laid up tween the various ports, so that should any with fever at Washington, and who has been at expected attack be made upon a certain times in a critical position, is improving daily, launch would always be ready at a moment
the desired states a private wire received in Hongkong! notice to carry re-enforcements during the New Year.
? point,
do
sittings and for
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