May 24, 1902
holding it having to run for their lives. The Globe Hotel was saved by a miracle, its great walls,*two-and-a-half feet thick, presenting a strong barrier to the flames and stopping their progress westward. However, they broke | through in two places, but luckily were dis- covered in time and extinguished.
It is unlikely that an accurate estimate of the damage can ever be made, but it is roughly computed at $200,000, and is well insured. As with many outbreaks in the past few months, the scope of the present fire was extended far beyond what it need have been by the lack of adequate supplies of fresh water. In this case, as in others, the water authorities were at once communicated with, but the water so much wanted never came, the supply that should have gone to Queen's Road Central being sent, we are informed, to the Wanchai district. If this be the case, there is room for enquiry, for what has happened now may very well happen again,
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
399
pacify the country. After complete evacuation by the Russian troops, Chins will have the right to consider whether the number should be increased or diminished and will duly inform Russia, for it is self-evident that the mainten ance of an excessive number of Chinese troops in Manchuris would necessitate an augmenta- tion of Russian troops in the adjacent districts, causing an increase of military expenditure to the gre.t disadvantage of the two countries. For the service of police and the maintenance of order in the interior outside the territory. ceded to the Chinese Fastern Railway Com. pany the provincial military Governors may raise a Chinese gendarmerie, mounted and foot, exclusively consisting of Chinese subjects.
Acticle 4-Russia consents to restore the Shanhaikwan-Newchwang-Sinminting Railway, the end of September, 1900, has been occupied and guarded by Russian troops, provided----
which, since
Deputy Captain Superintendent of Police, was in charge; and Mr. D. Macdonald, the engineer, was also present and rendered valuable assist ance. "In plying the hose and manning the pumps, the bluejackets worked untiringly, and it should be mentioned that a squad of Indian seamen from the Royal Indian Marine trans- port Clive came alongside and lent a hand at the manual pumps, The Hon. R Murray Rumsey, Harbour Master, was on board until the fire was got under and took a prominent and energetic part in directing the operations of the men, as did also Commodore C. G. Robinson of the Naval Yard and Commander (N) G. W. W. Dawes, The Cherub was under the charge of Mr. T. McCarthy. Captain W. E. Sawer, the master, and his officers alike spared no pains in the work of combating the fire. As to the damage done, it is impossible yet to assess its extent; meantime it would appear that most of the loss will be found to have been caused by water, As a result of the immense amount of (1) China will undertake the sole respon- When the progress of the fire in every water being thrown into the holds, the ship set-sibility of gnarding the railway and not invite any other Power to undertake or take part in direction had been stopped, water was freely tled down somewhat aft and took on a consider- played on the smouldering ruins, and in the fore-able list to port. There is not any official the defence, construction, or working of the noon a traction engine was requisitioned for the account of how the fire originated. It is railway, nor permit any foreign Power to palling down of these that were still standing, supposed, however, that one of the Chinese who occupy the territory restored by Russia The work was watched by a large crowd of were discharging the cargo lit a match in the Europeans and Chinese, and amongst the former hold at a place where a jar of samshu had been were several who carried kodaks and took snap-broken, and that either the fumes of the spirit shots of the operations at every available oppor- or the spirit itself thus became ignited. tunity. In these snapshots Mr. E. Dougherty. of the Public Works Department, must have figured prominently, for he was untiring in the prosecntion of the wok. The firemen, too, despite their $9 a month, worked like men who were receiving $90, and were ably seconded by Mr. D. Macdonald, the Brigade engineer, who stood by all night.
It should be mentioned that the Naval Yard Brigade, 100 strong, with two engines, turned out when the alarm was given, but their services were for some reason or other not requisitioned.
FIRE ON THE "TINGSANG.”
was
About 1.30 p.m. on the 19th inst. fire broke out on board the 8 8. Tingsang (Indo- China Steam Navigation Co.), which lying in the Harbour almost opposite Blake Pier. The Tingsang arrived from Taku and Chefoo on the 18th inst. carrying a general cargo, and the work of discharging had just been begun when the file occurred. It was in one of the two after holds that the outbreak took place. Both were involved as the flames gathered strength. As soon as the alarm was raised, the steamer's syren was blown con- tinuously and distress siguals were hoisted. In answer to the call, a squad of men from H.M.S. Terrible was promptly despatched to the distressed vessel on boats fitted with manual pumps. these being towed over by a torpedo- boat. The Fire Brigade floater was also in prompt attendance, followed by the powerful Naval fire-boat, the Cherub By this time the flames had got a good hold of the contents of the holds-these comprising vermicelli, samshu, nuts, almonds, etc. But the numerous streams of water which the big army of helpers was able to throw into the seat of the fire soon had the effect of staying the flames. Clouds of smoke issued from the ha'cbes and attracted the eyes of many hundreds of spectators along the Praya front and on the shipping in the Harbour. As viewed from the shore, indeed, the dense smoke rising from the ship made it appear as though the fire was of more - magnitude and seriousness than was actually the case. The first outside aid-that from the Terrible arrived shortly before two o'clock; at half-past three the flames had been entirely flooded out. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the Fire Brigade, the bluejackets and the captain and officers of the ship for the manner in which they one and all worked in subduing the flames. To get at the seat of the conflagration it was necessary to remove a large portion of the cargo-heavy bales, etc. from the holds, and this arduous work entailed the most trying exertions on the part of all concerned. Owing to the fact that the disastrous fire in Queen's Road still "required" the attendance of the local Brigade, only a comparatively small squad was detailed off to board the Tingsang, but they did yeoman servics. Mr. A. Mackie, Acting
THE MANCHURIAN CONVENTION.
The Russian Official Messenger publishes the following text of the Manchurian Con- vention, signed at Peking on April 8:-
The Emperors of Russia and China, with the object of restoring and strengthening the relations and good neighbeurship interrupted by the outbreak of 1900, named as plenipoten: tiaries M. Lessar, Prince Ching, and Wang Wen-shao to agree as to certain questions concerning Manchuria, who agreed to the following stipulations :-
Article 1.-The Emperor of Russia, desirous cf giving a new proof of his love of peace and
sentiments of friendship for the Emperor of China, notwithstanding that from different points of Manchuria along the frontier first attacks were made against the peaceful Russian population, consents to the re-establishment of Chinese authority in Manchuria, which remains an integral portion of the Chinese Empiré, and restores to China the right to exercise sovereign and administrative powers as before the occupa tion by Russian troops.
Article 2-On resuming possession of sover- eign and administrative powers in Manchuria the Chinese Government confirms, both as regards the periods of time as all the other articles, and undertakes strictly to observe the stipula- lions of the contract with the Russo-Chinese Bank of Aug. 27, 1896: and in conformity with Article 5 of the said contract guarantees to protect in every way the railway and staff, safeguarding all Russian subjects living in Manchuria, together with the enterprises established by them. Russia, in view of this obligation »ssumed by China, consents on its part, in the event of there being no trouble whatsoever (n'y aura pas de trouble quelconque) and if the conduct of other Powers should not interpose any obstacle thereto, to with- draw gradually all Russian troops from Manchuria as follows:-(a) Within six months from the signing of the Convention, from the south-western portion of Moukden rovince as far as the Liao River, at the same time restoring the railway to China; (b) during the six months following, from the remaining portion of Moukden province and Kirin pro- vince; (c) during the six months following Russia will withdraw her troops from the remaining province of Hehlung-kiang.
Artiole 3-To prevent a future repetition of the disturbances of 1900, in which the Chinese troops stationed in the provinces conterminous with Russia took part, the two Governments undertake, so long as the Russian troops are not withdrawn. to instruct their respective military authorities to agree together in order to fix the number and determine the military stations of the Chinese troops in Manchuria China agrees not to increase the number beyond that arranged, which ought to be sufficient to exterminate the brigands and
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(2) The above railway shall lo completed and worked according to the agreement between Russia and England of April 16. 1899, and according to the railway contract with a private company of Sept. 28, 1898, China strictly observing the obligations of the company not to take possession of this railway, nor to part with it in any way whatsoever.
(3) If China should seek to extend the railways in Sonth Manchuria or to construct branch lines, or to build a bridge across the Liao, or to transfer the Shanhaikwon rail- way station from its present site, this shall be done after a previous understanding between
the two Governments.
(4) In view of the fact that the expense incurred by Russia in the restoration and working of the railway is not included in the indemnity, China shall reimburse Russia, the amount to be arranged between the two Governments,
The stipulations of previous treaties not modified in the present Convention remain in full force. The present Convention shall have legal force from the day of signature and the ratifications shall be exchanged in St. Peters- burg within three months. The Convention is drawn up in Russian, Chin se, and French. the French text being authoritative.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN BURKE, C.B.
Our London correspondent telegraphed to us on the 17th inst. :-Captain Burk, of H.M.S Orlando, bus died at sea,
The news of the death of Captain Barke will be received with deep regret in this Colony, where he was most deservedly popular. Captain James Henry Thomas Burke, C.B., was born on the 28th March, 1853, and entered the Navy in 1866. He attained to the rank of Captain on the 1st January, 1894. He took command of H.M.S. Orlando in February, 1899, and in 19.0 was up north in the midst of the fighting. The Orlando took no part in the bombardment of the Takn Forts, being engaged in preparing to take a detachment of the First Chinese Regiment from Weihaiwei to Taku However, Captain Burke got his chance at Tientsin, where he arrived in time to help in leading temporarily the British naval contingent early in June, while Admiral Seymour was cut off. The work consisted chiefly of reconnaissances. As will be remem- bered, most admirable was the performances of the naval brigade, officers and men alike, and Captains Bayly, Burke, and Craddock, com manding at various timos, covered themselves with glory. After the return of Admiral Seymour, the siege of Tientsin kept the de f nders busily employed. Captain Burke was then put in command of the naval contingent, while Captain Bayly was commandant of Tientsin. In the capture of the native city on the 13th-14th July, Captain Burke, at the head of the British naval force, which a large share in the attack. För had the part he played in the North China operations in 1900, Captain Burke received his C.B. His death is a great loss to the British
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