-May 19, 1902.]
passenger traffic, as no ticket for Hongkong is granted in the agency here to natives for Hongkong.
[
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
FOOCHOW.
The following items are from the Foocher
Echo of the 3rd inst:-
THE DROUČnt. The weather continues very bot, the ther- The following notification was issued from mometer being as high as 92 deg. F. in the the United States Consulate on 29th April:- shade at midday. The needed rain is looked At the request of the Chinese Provincial American for with eagerness, but it has not come, not-anthorities, I hereby caution all withstanding the constant prayers and sacrifices citizens against journeying for any cause offered by the natives by not slanghiering pigs through the Chuan-Chow and Chiang-Chow for days consecutively. On the morning of the prefectures, in the Southern part of this Pro 7th inst, a few drops of rain fell, but it was not vince, because of local disturbance,Samuel enough to moisten the parched soil. The dry L. Gracey, Consul. weather is telling most on the children in general, who are suffering from a most malig- nant sort of cough.
SWATOW.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Swatow, 14th May. NAVAL MOVEMENTS, }
The Russian cruiser Rusboynik called in here some time ago and after a couple of days' stay
here left for the North.
LEKIN.İ
Great dissatisfaction prevails here, both in foreign an l in native circles, anent the Chinese Government's intention to impose a lekin tax on all goods inward and outward, as well as on commodities locally produced. I hear the lekin tax to be levied will be 1 per cent, ad valorem, by | which it is expected to raise the necessary $150,000 demanded by the provincial Govern- ment. As a matter of fact I per cent. will yield a far greater amount than the sum stated The mercantile community strongly protests against the Government's action and opines that the settlement of the new treaty ought to be awaited before raising any new taxes,
Unless official representations are made, lekin will actually be levied and that at no distant date. It is trusted this matter, which is of vital importance, will be brought to the notice of Sir James Mackay.
DUTY ON PARCELS. Parcels inward or outward by either British
Rear-Admiral von Ahlefeld arrived here
from Hongkong on the 28th April on board his Flagship HI.G.M.S..' Hanso, under the Command of Captain Paschen. He proposes to leave for Taku ria other Formosan ports on the 4th instant. The above event has been made an occasion for considerable festivity in his honour at the home of Mr. G. Siemssen, the German Consul at this port, who on Thursday entertained the High Chinese officials, the Admiral and Suite and Foreign Consuls at tiffia. The proceedings were enlivened by the music of the very excellent Band of the Hansa kindly lent for the occ sion, and much interest was evoked by the special performance of Historical Trumpets." The event abore recorded was followed by a garden and tennis party in the beautiful grounds adjoining Mr. Siemssen's house, which afford an ideal environ- ment for sech enter:ainment, the attractions of which were further enhanced by the graceful Last selection of music rendered by the band. evening a "Ball" given by Mr. Siemssen formed an enjoyable sequel to other festivities in the Admiral's honour and we understand that to-day the genial and hospitable host and his family are the guests of the Admiral on board the Flagship at Pagoda.
387
communicated to the Press after being viséd by the Chairman.
The foundations for the mounting of the big bell are being dag ont in Victoria Park. The bell is located at the Fouth-east corner of the garden; when it is tolled, care will have to be taken lest passing horses take fright, as it is very close to the road.
The siege memento in the shape of a shell executed in silver to serve as a chain pendant has arrived this week. They have been made in Japan from a design or selection by General de. Wogack, and are now being distributed to sub- scribers only by the Tientsin Press. It bears the the subscriber's name with "Tientsin, 1900.” dates of June 17th, June 23rd and July 14th, and
A literate down here from Tsun Hwa brings. a story which is inherently not improbable.. A well known general got the rebel obiefs to come down out of the hills sonth of Jeh Ho where they were inaccessible, to discuss the terms of a settlement. They were invited to a feast, and when well at it were hacked to when a in pieces by soldiers who rushed lieutenant shonted "K'an." The general's.com- plicity was uncertain of course.
Among the minor suggestions of Sir James McKay is one for the opening up of Moakden, Harbin, Taitsihar, and other Manchurian con- tres to foreign trade. If there be a trace of political wisdom left in Peking the suggestion should be carefully considered. As we have often remarked before, China's only security
for continued existence now lies in the nice
equipoise of conflicting interests. It is for this reason that we advocated the multiplica- tion of foreign Concessions in Tientsin. Had 1894, it would in all probability not have gone Talienwan been made a treaty-port before into the capacious maw of Ursus Major,
Reports were current early in the week in Peking that the Boxers were again openly demonstrating at Chingting-fu on the Lu Hanline. The metropolitan authorities at once asked the Viceroy to see to the matter, and there was a belief that he was about to proceed to the place in person. On Wednesday a Peking correspondent stated there was a collie sion between a few of Yuan's men and the disaffected, but with what result was uncertain. more or less reliable information derived from a native preacher who has come in from Cheng. Ting-fu that the so-called Boxer drills are Associated Villages who thus protest against - really by members of the Lien Chwang Hui or the levying of the new taxes.
or Chinese post-offices are now charged duty anywhere near the premises. It is rumoured-Just in going to press we are assured on
by the I. M. Customs.
RAIN.
Cons derable excitement has been caused in the Port of late by the flames and sparks which are so constantly issuing from the chimney of the new Chinese Brick Tea Factory. Many of the residents in the neighbourhood, both native and foreign, are much concerned, and the local agents of the Insurance Companies are hesitating about accepting farther risks that a petition has been forwarded to the Officials by the residents in the vicinity, point- It has been raining, with intermissions, from ing out the danger and praying for the closing the 6th to theluth instant, which yielded a supply of the factory. It is certainly one of the of over 7 inches of water. This last downpour sights of the Port, especially at night when has to a certain extent, replenished our almost the flames show up very conspicuously; the emptied reserovirs and we are well supplied great heat from them has already bent the with water now. During the recent heavy lightning conductor at the top of chimney. showers the native city was flooded, owing to Should any serious fire or explosion take place the drains being oboled. Whilst writing at the premises the officials should certainly be held responsible for allowing the place to be this it is raining very heavily. BECOVERY OF A BODY FROM THE 'HOIMOON." started in the midst of such a crowded neigh- Last Saturday fishermen reported having bourhood. It is to be hoped they will order seen the body of an European on a rock outside the closing of the factory before anything Swatow. The German Consul and the Harbour of the sort occurs. Master went outside and had the corpse brought in. It was interred in the Kaokohioh cemetery on Sunday morning. This was the body of ond of the two Europeans drowned in the founder- ing of the s.s. Hoimoon
of money.
TERBIBLE HOMICIDE.
NORTHERN NOTES.
The following items are from the P. & T. Times of the 3rd inst.:-
Lieut. Sprouls in bis capacity us Assistant Transport Officer has been succeeded by Lieut. Birdwood, at present attached to the Gourkbas.
The highly esteemed and popular Col. Salsa, in command of the Italian contingent here, will shortly leave for home: he will be suc- ceeded by Col. Ameglio.
The Adjutant of the Japanese troops in Peking has written giving formal contradiction to the reports concerning Japanese soldiers trying to force the Chien Men.
The Swatow Daily News, a Chinese daily, has the following story. There arrived by the Haitan from Hongkong a S ́ngapore Chinaman on the 5th instant. On landing here, he was seen to possess a quantity of luggage and a lot He was bound for Po-bing, his native plac. On leaving for there he was followed by 16 robbers. Before reaching his destination the passenger had to put up for a night in an inn. at Kitty-Yong, where the 16 robbers also lodged. At 3 o'clock in the morning
The Court returned on Tuesday from its the innkeeper heard cries for help and im- visit to the Eastern Tombs. The Emperor and mediately after he heard poeple talking in a Empress Dowager off-red the usual worship at low tone to each other. Although he suspected the small temples in the bailey at the Chien fonl play, the innkeeper for fear of his own life Men. The foreigners present were recognised did not dare to make any enquiries as to the cause of the noise. Early next morning he had on the part of the Dowager by nods and becks the matter reported to the nearest guard-house; Bishop Scott has just completed an extensive which despatched 40 braves to the hostelry.iocesan visit and took Tientsin en route for They instituted a search in the place and found Peking. He assisted at the services in All Saints the body of the passenger hacked to pieces in a last Sunday. We note that building opera basket belonging to him. All the 16 culprits tions have re-begun in the Church compound. were arrested and are awaiting sentence.
and wreathed smiles.
The two British Councils this week resolved hereafter to transcribe for publication such parts King Theebaw's throne is to be removed from of their minutes and proceedings as may be deemed of public interest. They will be
Mandalay
The Russian light draft steamer Samson has arrived at Newchwang and will, it is thought, be at once placed on patrol-duty in the upper: and shallower reaches of the River. It is hoped that she will prove both a terror and a deterrent to the pirates who prey on the bean-boats. These vessels under the present regime, or want of regime, have either to pay blackmail
or be robbed.
CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE FRENCH AT CA TAI.
DAILY PRESS. 10 THE EDITOR OF THE
$9
Hongkong, 16th May, SIB, Will yon kindly allow me to encroach on your valuable space and raise a dissenting voice? It seems rather exacting on the part of your Macao correspondent to expect us to be gulled with the rather startling news he has just provided for us, i.e., the acquisition by emissaries of the French Government of land close to Macao! I may say at once that I do not think such a purchase possible, for this simple reason, that it would have to come before the Chinese Government himself tells us, and would not then be ratified, in Peking, as your far-seeing correspondent as it is not within the limits of a free ports moreover, as your far-seeing correspondent does not tell us, it would constitute a violation of the Sino-Franco-British Convention relating to the three southern provinces of China.
Apart from such reasons, I cannot see as far as your correspondent, who already desories, in the very dim fature, "a fleet | French; I suppose having for its object the immediate and rapid
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