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May 19, 1902]
exacting, and the French Government has, unwisely advised, thrown in its influence on to the scale. Though the present Viceroy has from the pressure of circumstances and to acknowledge, these claims, and has been doing his best to have them arranged; the methods adopted have not been of the wisest; and the officials, spurred by the indecent haste of the Christians, have been at their wits' 'ends. This has been taken advantage of by the sharks who always swarin round the yamens to further their own ends, and heavy exactions have been inflicted on the more settled and respectable of the inhabitants, who offered the easiest prey The consequence is that the best disposed of the people, who in ordinary times are the mainstay of the government, have been alienated and driven into a state not far removed from rebellion. On top of this, the Christian population, elated with success, have been endeavouring to take advantage of the position to revenge themselves on their former persecutors; and this feeling has been encouraged by their spiritual leaders, who, instead of preaching forbear
been urging their flocks to further demands. The consequence is that between the exactions of their own officials and the ill-timed aggressiveness of the Christians, aided and abetted by the Roman priests, the entire of Southern Chibli has been thrown into a state of confusion approaching its condition during the Boxer movement, and a far more dangerous and uncompromising hatred of Christiauity engendered amongst the population at large.
ance, have
+
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
SIR THOMAS JACKSON'S DEPARTURE.
378
financial edifice, which grew yearly in 'im- portance, wealth, and stability. In April, 1886, he left for England on twelve months' furlough, and resumed the chief manage. ↑ (Daily Press, 14th May.)
ment in September, 1887. Eighteen Hongkong has this year said good-bye to months later Mr. JACKSON was appointed quite a number of old residents, several of manager in London, and left to take. whom have been identified with the life and up that post in March, 1889, In May, history of the Colony for a long period of 1890, he was recalled to take the helm years. With none, however, will she part once more at the head office, and re- with such great and general regret as with mained here about nine months, returning Sir THOMAS JACKSON. His has been for to the London office in February, 1891. so long a name to conjure with in the world | There for more than two years he continued, of finance in the Far East, and his presence but in response to an urgent desire for his is most difficult to conceive has become so familiar in our midst, that it presence in Hongkong be once again - although | returned in April, 1893, to resume the chief temporary absences should have prepare management, and, with the exception of a us in some measure for the wrench-that he six months' leave of absence in 1900, bas is now permanently severing his connection remained here ever since, the faithful pilot with the Colony. To say that he will be at the helm, whose unfaltering hand has sorely missed is to put the matter very guided the Bank to great and ever greater tritely: a poor expression indeed of the real success in spite of increasing difficulties feeling of the community in connection with and growing competition. We have not "T. J." How he will be missed we shall gone into figures; it is sufficient to say that, know best when his genial presence is no while there was no dividend for the latter longer with us to cheer, to reassure, and to half of 1874 and the reserve fund was then For not only has Sir. THOMAS reduced to $100,000, which was only in- JACKSON built up the Hongkong and creased to some $250,000 when Mr. JACKSON Shanghai Banking Corporation to its pre-first took the helm, it has risen, during his sent colossal proportions, but he has made most able management, to $14,250,000 at that institution the great financial power the present time. Sermons can be read in in the Far East, the pivot of trade here, and stones, and even dry figures can prove he himself the friend and helper of all eloquent at times: these appeal even to the
It is true dullest imagination. engaged in legitimate commerce.
With Sir THOMAS Jackson, the Hong- that even his genius has not availed to arrest the steady decline of silver, but he kong and Shanghai Bank has always had has kept a firin hand on the financial helm, the first place in his heart, the first place in and 'imparted confidence where otherwise his thoughts, and his career as a public panic might have reigned supreme. To say man has therefore been less conspicuous that Sir THOMAS JACKSON was the WELLING than would otherwise have been the case. TON of finance is to say what is only the bare The great financial establishment he con- fact. He has shown all the best qualities of trolled so well had his best and fullest ser- a great commander: self-reliance, foresight, vice; and whatever other interests claimed his His lengthy attention or sympathy had to come second. courage, and confidence. experience has endowed him with a resource His was indeed no divided allegiance to the that has always stood him in good stend. great Bank; his loyalty was whole-hearted, His excellent memory and power of coming fand would have satisfied the most exacting. to a swift decision have also been of the greatest assistance, while his strong nerve and, steady determination have served to inspire confidence in those with whom he had to deal.
assist.
ment
This situation is rendered the more dangerous that, in pursuit of its policy with regard to the Roman religious orders, the French Government is seeking to make an unholy compromise with these very orders, and would apparently atone for the harsh measures it has felt itself compelled to take against them in France, in consequence of their continual interferences with the government of the state, by giving them a free hand in China, where it fondly
But close as was his attention to the Bank, imagines the same arts can be practised
Sir THOMAS JACKSON-who never spared without detriment to itself. The Chinese
himself-made time to perform many fuue- have long observed and wondered at this
tions and do numerous public services. He strange contrariety, and have made many
was made a Justice of the Peace so ar back efforts to free themselves from a dominion It may be interesting to those of our as 1876, and in 1884 was nominated by the dangerous and humiliating, but hitherto readers whose experience does not carry Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce without avail. It is unfortunately the too them back to the sixties to recall briefly as its first representative in the Legislative frequent effect of an injustice maintained the incidents in Sir THOMAS JACKSON's Council, and sat for two years, resigning in by force that in the revulsion which long and honourable career in the Far East. 1886, when about to proceed to England on follows innocent and guilty alike have He arrived in the Colony in the autumn of leave. Sir THOMAS served on the Retrench- to suffer.
Committee in 1894, the Queen's We have already had
the 1864 to join the Agra and Masterman's Bank, first act of this dreary drama, and but left that institution at the commence- Statue Committee in 1896, and the Insanitary Christianity itself has been the sufferer. ment of August, 1866, to take service in the Properties Commission, 1896. He also re- Hitherto the other Powers have stood by, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpora- peatedly acted as Honorary Treasurer to and, though they saw the evil, havo refrained tion. His promotion in this institution was various funds, amongst which may be from stretching out a hand to remedy it. rapid, as his abilities soon began to be known. named the Irish Famine Relief Fund in They have themselves been borne into the In April, 1867, he proceeded to Shanghai 1880; Hongkong Jubilee Committee in vortex, and in the condition of China, see as accountant; in February, 1868, he went 1890; the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Com- the Indian Famine the inevitable result; and yet in the inflicto Hankow to open the branch there, and mittee in 1897;
year he Relief Fund Committee in the same, tion of these penalties they have made soon afterwards in the same themselves not only consenting but partici was appointed acting manager at Yokohama, year; the Typhoon Fund Committee 1900; and the Queen's Memorial where he remained for some two years. In in March, 1870, he returned to Hongkong as Fund Committee in 1901. All these | sub-manager, but only occupied that posi- funds profited greatly by his association tion eighteen months, for in September, with them, his advocacy being most persua- Her Majesty Queen VICTORIA, in 1871, he was appointed manager of the branch sive. at Yokohama. In March, 1874, he proceeded 1900, conferred on Mr. Jackson-the honour home on well earned leave of absence, and of knighthood, and it is not too much to in October of that year he was made acting say that no mark of royal favour was ever, manager in London. In September, 1875, better bestowed in the Far East or gave he resumed charge of the branch at Yoko-wider satisfaction. Sir THOMAS Jackson hama, but was not allowed to remain there has done long and yeoman service in long, His value had become too well connection with the Chamber of Com knowo, and in ́ March, 1876; he was merce. He was first elected a member of appointed acting chief manager and the Committee-in February, 1877; and has, was confirmed in this post in the following whenid the Colony, served as such ever since. August. For ten years from this date Mr. | His practical experience and great know; JACKSON laboured with unwearied energy ledge of commercial matters have always been and unwavering faith in building up the freely placed at the service of the Chamber,
..on
pating parties in an act contrary to and subversive of all settled government. Is it too much to hope that before a repetition of the scenes of two years ago, only aggravated by a knowledge of injustice the part of Europe, some spark of the duties they owe, not to Christianity in particular, but to civilisation in general, will be found to have entered into the councils of the great Powers? We do not desire to prophesy; but the immediate situation in fraught with danger.
The Empress of Japan hos contributed 10,000 yen towards the International Costumes Ex- hibition to be held at St. Petersburg in November.
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