April 7, 1902.]
23rd for coal and provisious, and also to bring a few small piratical junks which they found abandoned at different places, the pirates evidently having deserted them on the approach of the little fleet, as nothing was found in the junks. The commander of the Onlan, who is a man of some means; had to raise or recruit one hundred men, at his private expense. to join him in the present expedition.
THE WEATHER.
The weather has been as dry as dust, with bright sunshine, for some time past, without any visible sign of rain. which is as much wanted here as elsewhere. The ther- mometer was ranging from 75 deg. to 80 deg. in the shade, with a southerly breeze blowing, a few days previous to the 22nd instant. On the 23rd instant, however, the wind changed to N.N.E., when the thermometer suddenly fell some 15deg. Although the sky looks gloomy, still there has been no rain. Water in the wells is getting lower and lower; what little there is to be got is impregnated with clay owing to the chalky strata composing the foundation of the whole town. Itis to be wondered at that we still enjoy immunity from an epidemic of some sort, such as generally accompanies a water-famine.
Pakhoi, 26th March.
MORE TROOPS.
The Kwong Kam arrived yesterday wi 200 more soldiers ard a fow ponies. These men are going to join their comrades despatched on the 19th instant for Kwangsi. Movements of Chinese gun-vessels or transports in the harbour are of daily, almost of hourly occurrence. have always one or two of them with us. The Onlan, Kong Kam and Kwong Kung are now here.
We
We should like to see some foreign men-of- war here occasionally, especially at present. With the exception of the French, we seldom see European men-of-war in our harbour.
The French cruiser Kersaint arrived again from Hoihow yesterday afternoon, and left about 7 p.m., with the French Consul. Monsieur L. Flayelle and family, and Dr. Abatucci on board for Haiphong.
THE EFFECT OE THE KWANGSI REBELLION.
Although we are within a short distance of Nanning and almost in touch with the pre- sent disturbed area, I do not think we need fear that the rebellion will extend as far as this port. It will, of course, materially affect the trade, considering that this is the emporium of a good portion of Kwangsi as far as foreign goods are concerned.
ROUGH WEATHER.
Since the 23rd instant the weather has ben
boisterous in the extreme; a strong N.E. gale has been blowing for a few days, accompanied by a drizzling rain-so much so that the Hailan, which arrived on the 22nd instant, could not work for want of lighters, which have all gone to shelter. The Hoihao, arrived yesterday, is also in the same predicament. With the Hue. which arrived this morning, we have three of Marty's fleet in the harbour to-day.
AN EVIL PRIEST.
It is not often that we hear of a Buddhist priest losing his head under the executioner's knife. This extraordinary occurrence took place in Limehow on the 16th inst. This sham disciple of Buddha was living in Leng-shan formerly, under the pretence of following his peaceful and holy profession. Not long ago, however, he took a fancy to a young girl there, the only daughter of an old woman; and by incantations, it is said, or some such other means, the girl became so attached to him that in spite of strong remonstrance on the part of her mother she was determined to follow the priest at all hazards. The couple took into their heads one day to leave Lengshan for this port and thence for Hongkong. The mother, however, was following them all the time. The Buddhist previously exchanged his robe for that of a layman, wearing also a queue, of course. After reaching Hongkong the mother obtained some assistance there or pro- bably informed the authorities about the matter with the result that the mother and daughter were safely placed on board a steamer for this port, the Buddhist in the meantime having made himself scarce. No sooner had the two women come here than he a'so appeared upon the scene, to the great disgust of the mother, Through the information and assistance of some
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
· 261
one here the local magistrate caused the arrest and German Concessions, but neither of these Powers has thought of making such a pre- of the priest on the 14th inst., but not before he made a strong resistance. In the struggle posterous claim as the French. Meantime the land all about the Missions is being filled up to his false quene was detached from is head After the preliminary investigations held on a higher level; drainage is consequently becom. the same afternoon by the local magistrate, iting for the Missions more difficult; and if the was resolved to send the prisoner to be tried by claim about the Taku Road is made good, there the sub-prefect at Linchow, where he was also will be little chance of the missionaries ever accused of being in league with the highway getting a water supply laid on. There is no robbers as an informer and was consequently doubt that the French, if they choose to be dis. sentenced to be beheaded. The sentence was agreeable, can bring all sorts of pressure on the carried out on the 16th instant, two days after recalcitrants. the arrest-rather short work.
Speaking of execntious in Limehow, they are of almost daily occurrence now but they fail to deter others from lawlessness, as robbery. accompanied by murder and violence, is as rife
as ever.
TIENTSIN.
Tientsin, 18th March.
A LITTLE LAND DISPUTE,
which may yet possibly assume international proportions and becoms a big question," has arisen in the French Concession. In the autumn of 1900 the American Methodist Mis- sion purchased some small odd bits of real property adjoining their compound on a piece of neutral land adjoining the Gallic Set lement; and, in the absence of the usual land transfer agency in the City' took the precaution of passing the whole business through and re- gis ering it in the American Consulate. Early in 1901, or possibly late in 1900, but at any ate subsequent to thus acting, the French Consular Authorities resolved to include the tract of land in their Concession and by Consular proclamation did so. This proclamation made no pretence of buying the land generally in the Concession, but pratically conscated it from the Chinese owners. The latter had no option in the matter but had to clear ont nolens volens; though be it noted it is possible they may yet get some money from the fund which has aç- crued from the subsequent sale of their land to foreigners. The Consular Authorities at the same time followed the Russian precedent, and made a retrospective declaration that they would recognise no sales as legal which were made after June 1900. The object of this, and a very legitimate object too, was of course to stop bogus transactions by post hoc land jobbing with the dispossessed owners.
Now, in consequence of the extension of the French Concession, all the British and Americau Missions have become isolated, or rather sur- rounded; and for a long time negotiations have been going on for them to become part and parcel of the municipally governed area. Before they finally decide to go in with the French, they are eager to have a thorough understanding as to their existing rights. They will not agree to interference with their buildings, or to any compulsory cession of their property for road-making, etc., at prices arbitra- rily fixed by the Consul. In addition to this, the Americans are stipulating for a recognition of their right to the above property. The French Consul is willing to recognise the title, if they join in with his Concession; but abso- lutely refuses to do so if they will not so join. To uphold his claim that the odd lots referred to above are French, he has sent men to collect rates, etc, and has interdict d building opera- tions in progress.
In this action the French have how ver, fo - gotten to reckon with Uncle Sam, and with his quiet, but resolute representive here. Mr. J. W. Ragsdale, U. S. Cousul, has intimated to the French that the deeds were duly registered in his Consulate and that he considers
the
transaction quite regular. He has gene further. He has raised the American flag on the disputed land, and has told the French that he regards it as American property. The French Consul said be won d hoist the tricolour, though he has not yet done
80.
He has, however, sent a policy patrol, and has stopped the native workmen from going on with the building operations,
The Missions are doubtless in a curious position. Their only egress from their Louses and property is by the Taku Road, which has, with an aggressiveness truly amazing, been c aimed as French, though it is the great artery for traffic into the Tientsin City; longer tracts of this thoroughfare pass through the British '
In the meantime, it is a good thing that public attention has been drawn to the whole affair. Very curious things have for a long time been going on in the French Concession under the dominancy of the Consular authori ties, things which, in most people's opinion, would not be tolerated if accurately known in Paris. The French are the very last people in the world to tolerate injus ice in any shape or form, and if the keen-scented Parisian Press once gets holds of the snappy oppressions and petty tyrannies that have been perpetrated under their officials' megis there will be a great public washing of dirty linen. There are cases where Chinese owners bave been compelled to pay rent for their own property and have after all been forced to leave it; and truly, it is chiefly the horridly unscrupulous conduct of the French Municip 1 Council (wholly under the Consular thumb) which has been the main deterrent to the British and American missionaries in their unwillingness to join the French.-N.-C. Daily News.
PEKING.
Peking, 18th March.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
W88 let loose
An incident occurred a fews days ago-the first of the moo -which has brought the Italian Legation into ridicule. The Baroness Romano, wife of the Italian churgé d'affaires with thers was riding across the famous stone bridge over the Canal, between the British Legation and the Imperial city wall when a boys' device of a stone tied to a string, such as is used to bring another's kite down, in her direction. The chargé d'affaires cha act- erising it as an assault, straightway complained to the Waiwupa or Foreign Office which in turn memorialised the great high Dragon Throne. The result was an edict constructed with due Italiano-Chinese superflu ty by the langbing officials in which the foreigners in Peking are proclaimed to be the special charge: and under the particular care of the throne and the people are rebuked for manifesting dis- respect. The incident which was insignificant and childish occurred in the legation area, which is subject to foreign police control and has a patrol of Italian marines armed with sword bayonets, and a sentinel armed with a rifle is within one hundred and fifty yards of the spot. A broad grin is diffused over the community both foreign and atire. However, the inci- dent has a deep political significanse as it is preliminary to an ultimatum on San Man bay.
SPORTS.
The British sporting men have s at round a chit announc ng for March 31st what would be a gymkhana,if so much of the gymkhana were not left out. There will be horse-racing but no other international contest. The reason given is that the Americans growled because They were beaten at "Tng-o'-War" and the German officers say they will not be able to control the men if they sould be baten again! (Sic!)
LATE BOXER CHIEF ENTERTAINS MINISTERS Natung, the distinguished Boxer chief, mem- ber of the Waiwnpu, head of Peking police, etc. entertained the ministers with an elaborate dinner last evening at his place near Li Hung chang's o'd temple. Yung La as well as all the other talent including the Waiwapo were pres ent. Natung had his policemen scattered along the line half-a-mile from the British Legation to his home as a mark of special honour to the diplomats who were dragged through the na' row lanes to the goldfish Hut'ung cowded with gendarmerie. Tents were erected each side the entrance for the officers, and Mongol ponies by the score were jerked up and down until respect- able citizens waived all rights and took another ¿treet,
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