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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE CORONATION PROGRAMME. | find ourselves in
盘翁
(Daily Press, 29th April.)
ration
[May 5, 1902.
agreement with our | We look, on the contrary, for the best correspondent. It is eminently desirable results. What we have found fault with to make a strong appeal to the Chinese in the past is the slow manner in which portion of our population, and in China steps were taken to turn the New Territory pyrotechnic displays are a necessary con- into a working concern. The Land Court with its elaborate machinery was set work- comitant of such great occasions as we are about to celebrate. As long as steps are ing but late in the day, and possible land taken to prevent any danger of confing revenues were thus thrown absolutely away. of buildings, the fireworks are Little encouragement was given to industries which will turn the Kowloon Extension into a food-base for this city, The measures which are now being taken are excellent, but it is due to the lateness of their incep- › tion that the actual results so far from our acquisition of the Kowloon hinterland are so different from those which the 1898 Report encouraged us to look for. The benefits accruing already from the additional water supply in Kowloon and from the harbourage in Mira Bay are not to be minimised, and with proper development of the latent THE NEW TERRITORY REPORT.resources of the New Territory we may join Mr. LOCKHART in proclaiming ourselves "staunch believers in its future."
44
(Daily Press, 1st May.)
Resident's" letter with regard to the Coronation celebration in Hongkong calla attention to some points in the programme drawn up by the Committee for the three days, June 26-28, which were bound to give rise to discussion. Nor would it serve any good end to attempt to stop such dis-worthy of all encouragement and we are cussion. The Coronation ceremonies are not at all certain that the European resid- the business not only of the officials and ents will be unappreciative. It may not be other leading men liere, but also of the necessary to use the Cricket Ground,” whole community of British subjects in (which is after all a recreation ground of the Hongkong. We propose therefore to con- Colony), but it would be captious to object if sider very briefly certain parts of the it were; and captious criticisms of the pro- | arranged programme. Firstly there is the gramme are out of place. It is not too late call for $30,000 to be devoted to paying all to modify some of the proposed features, expenses in connection with the festivities, and it is for this reason that we have drawn the balance going to "such permanent attention to a few points. memorial of the Coronation as shall be hereafter decided by the Committee." Now it is not only in "Resident's." letter that we have heard remarks-nade about the Diamond Jubilee collection and suggestions Mr. J. H. STEWART-LOCKHART's report that it would be better if the public were on the New Territory in 1901 is, as he first to receive some account of the steward points out, the last with which he will be ship of the Diamond Jubilee committee. concerned. We are sure that the regret We fear that the disgraceful blundering in | that he expresses at this fact will be shared connection with the 1897 commemoration by the mass of residents in the Colony. is bound to exercise a prejudicial effect on Nevertheless, we have always held and still subscriptions this year if no further state-hold that since the British aequisition of ment is forthcoming about the former fund. It may not be right to draw inferences from 1897 for application to 1902, but it is at least natural. Much has been written in the past in the columns of the local Press with regard to the Diamond Jubilee fund and the lack of any worthy return for so large a sum of money. Assurances have repeatedly been given that we shall some day see the objects of the subscriptious attained; but we still wait, with but a tardily progressing road to be seen. It would much stimulate public subscription if some statement were to be made by the 1897 committee.
17
C
|
WAR CONDUCT IN THE PHILIP- PINES AND SOUTH AFRICA.
*
(Daily Press, 2nd May.) The sensation caused in the United States by the evidence which has been brought that portion of the mainland which was added forward at the recent courts-martial at to Hongkong's territory four years ago there Manila, following close upon the execution has been much calling for criticism in the in South Africa of certain officers of the way in which the local authorities have gone Bushveldt Carbineers for the shooting of about its administration. Mr. LOCKHART Boer prisoners, furnishes an instructive protests against the term "white elephant," commentary on the conduct of warfare at which, he says, he has not infrequently the present day. The investigations in the heard unkind critics use of the New Terri- Philippines are not yet finished, so that it tory. We have used this term ourselves, is not yet possible to say much about the revelations up to date. There seems no but only with regard to the dilatory manner in which the Government has proceeded to doubt, however, that opinion in the United "Events States is strongly in favour of summary extract a revenue from the land.
have already justified," says the late punishment of such American officers as Colonial Secretary, "the favourable estimate have been implicated in any inhumane of its future which I formed and embodied treatment. of Filipinos, and President in the report
wrote after I had visited it ROOSEVELT has shown that he will be no for the first time." We must be allowed party to screening the accused. It is pro- to point out that in October, 1898, Mr. bable that the full details of the methods LOCKHART wrote that he anticipated no adopted against the Filipinos of late will show that the officers concerned were not difficulty in raising, from the outset, an annual revenue big enough to meet the cost acting without considerable provocation; of administration. He then estimated the ex- but this is not held to excuse acts such as penditure at a lakh and a quarter of dollars. are charged against General SMITH and his some $243,360, subordinates. It is true that there is good Now in 1900 it was with additional police expenses of some evidence that worse atrocities were perpet- $102,290; while the revenue was $17,530. rated-in North China during the late com- But with an In 1901 the expenditure was $534,260-an paign of the Allies there.
The revenue international force, unhappily, the divided increase of over $8,600. collected in 1901 was $53,890, the Land Tax responsibility seems to prevent any check collection showing a large increase, as was to being put on brutality and indiscipline. be expected. It will be seen therefore that Consequently, though certain war-corres- the New Territory is very fur indeed frour pondents in North China were courageous paying its way yet, and that Mr. LOCKHART's enough to describe what they saw and to sanguine expectations of 1898 are far from protest against the actions of the forces of fulfilment. We have no wish to be con- civilisation, little enough attention was paid sidered captious in making these remarks, to them. In South Africa, after a con- but coming under the charge of being tinual stream of lying charges against the " unkind critics we desire to show that we British troops and consciously invented Two minor questions, though they are not did not criticise unjustly in the past. A atrocities of all sorts, certain men in the British service--irregulars, it is true- therefore to be disregarded, are raised by Mr. LOCKHART says, it is imprudent to
were actually found guilty of "Resident." The dangers attending the prophesy, and it is the over-confident pre- review of troops in the Happy Valley at the dictions of 1898 which have been the cause against the laws of civilised warfare. The end of June are not negligible, and of the criticisms of the past three years. It utmost penalty has been exacted, and it is to be trusted that every measure will is with satisfaction, however, that we read as a result of Lord KITCHENER'S firmness be taken to prevent catastrophes by sun-
of the more than trebling in 1901 of the it is now beginning to be recognised that stroke, which, it need not be said, would revenue of 1900 and the signs of advance- conduct such as the allied generals over- With the looked in North China is not conduct which completely mar the proceedings. With ment in other directions. regard to the Levée at Government House, settlement of the land difficulties Mr. the British authorities in South Africa have that is a matter for the Officer Administer LOCKHART looks forward to still more rapid tolerated or are now tolerating. The British ing the Government to consider, but we progress. This must be regarded as inevi- public has known this all along, and only would venture to add our protest to that table with so much energy in the Colony disloyalists and fanatics have ever held With regard to the already made against the compulsory wear- waiting for an outlet and so much money otherwise at home.
We are not among war in the Philippines, great humanity for ing of tall hats, frock-coats, etc., in the full ready for investment. heat of a Hongkong summer.
those, mentioned in the Report, who decry the most part has marked its conduct by With regard to the fireworks, we do not the extension of the Colony of Hongkong, the United States troops. Reckless charges
To turn to another matter, "Resident complains of the manner of appointment of the Committee, which, he points out, is the same as in 1897, The authorities would certainly have been better advised to have taken into their confidence the British public on the island before making a definite appointment. It is not a necessary part of Crown Colony government that the popular representatives should have been chosen for the public, though it sometimes seems so. Certain dissatisfaction also, we have reason to believe, has been caused by the announce- ment that on the 26th June at the meeting of the Executive and Legislative Councils, which is to vote a telegram to H.M. the King, only "invited guests" will be present. The size of the Council Chamber, no doubt, prevents any other course being adopted, but the selection of guests is certainly invidious, especially as the telegram, it is to be presumed, will be sent on behalf of the Colony, not of the Council.
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crimes
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