and most undesirable position vis-a-vis Chinese dealers. The present increase in the duties to five per cent, effective, instead | of the nominal five per cent. ad valorem formerly imposed, has, coupled with the re- cent drop in exchange, served to bring about almost a total suspension of the importing trade. What would happen if an additional *ten per cent. were now imposed it is not easy to predict, but we may safely as-ert that the import trade would become exceed- ingly restricted. The extra taxation could only be borne synchronously with a large development of trade and the concession of facilities for conducting it with economy, expedition, and safety.
痣
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND Powers to realise the fact that the provi- | sions of the Treaties are regarded by the Chinese as engagements to be evaded either by open infringement, misinterpretation, or procrastination.
THE RELIGIOUS QUESTION IN THE PHILIPPINES,
-
(Daily Press, 1st July.)
It appears from our London correspon dent's telegram of the 29th June that some serious obstacle has arisen in the path of an agreement between the Washington Govern- nient and the Vatican over the religious difficulties in the Philippines. And yet it is only three wecks ago that we were told Mr. LITTLE shows how the concession to navigate the Upper Yangtsze has been that the United States special mission to Rome had arrived at a friendly settlement rendered null and void by the fact that a registered steamer has to sail from Ichang on all the main questions relating to Romanist organisations. There was to be no to Chungking under sealed hatches and is not at liberty to trade at the numerous way. interference with Roman Catholic schools ports. Foreigners are also precluded from and Church property was to be respected, leasing land at the rapids in order to effect while the Roman prelates were to co-operate improvements for the ascent of these obstrue- in the reform of abuses in connection with the Friars. We have no information as to tions, and thus the concession is rendered
Similar conditions what is the point over which the difficulty practically worthless. clog the so-called concession of the naviga. has arisen. A New York telegram of the 21st June, which we reproduced in yester- tion of the inland waters negotiated some
some dissent had three years ago by Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD, day's issue, stated that" and both on the Yangtsze and up the West been expressed on the minor points at issue, but it was not believed that they would River the privilege has been reduced to, a
considera- farce by the imposition of regulations materially affect the larger which debar steamers from calling at tions." Accordingly an early settlement way-ports if bound to Customs port. was believed to be assured. This san- What is wanted is perfectly free naviguine estimate unfortunately has been gation of inland waters after payment disappointed, and the settlement is still of duties at the first Customs port awaited. That this is so is hardly sur- on the river if from a foreign port, or at prising, seeing that Spain, most Roman Catholic of countries, was never able to the port of embarkation of cargo if a
in the Chinese treaty-port. Sir JAMES MACKAY settle the "religions difficulties is gallantly fighting this latter question. Archipelago. Yet it has long been evident He recognises plainly enough the farcical that the Vatican is very anxious to con- We do not nature of the concession made to Sir ciliate American sentiment. CLAUDE MACDONALD and is working steadily refer in particular to the stories of the to convert it into a real privilege which favour shown by Leo XIII to American will not only benefit foreign trade but be of visitors, but rather to the respect accorded enormous advantage to the Chinese as well, to the moverent among the Romanists in in developing trade and opening up the the United States which has been called by The resources of the country. Finally, if the the import trade is to receive a genuine and lasting stimulus, we must, work for the increase of China's exports. Under present conditions there is little chance of their expansion, for the export duties are in many cases almost prohibitive. The tea trade has in great measure been killed by the imposts with which it has been hampered. The Indian and Ceylon products now hold the British markets for the most part, but it may be safely predicted that if more care were given to the cultivation of the leaf and the taxes upon its export lightened there would at least be a chance for a revival of the trade. It is true that the British taste has become somewhat_perverted, and a liking for a strong coarse beverage teen fostered by the acrid teas of Assam and Caylon, but there may be a change of taste when it is found how deleterious are these strong decoctions, in which tannin has s0 large a place. There are many other products of the Celestial Empire which would soon become important articles of export if only the duties upon them were reduced to some trifling amount. But it cannot be too often insisted upon,
it cannot be too plainly given out, that, if the British Government consent to allow the imposi ion of an additional ten per cent. in the import duty, they must be absolutely assured that this will not only be final, but that its payment will actually secure the privileges referred to above. The history of past diplomacy in China is marked by failures arising, in the main, from inability on the part of the
namie
33
of "Americanismus."
no doubt, has recognised like Vatican, others that the United States compel more attention than Spain, in spite of the Catholicity of the latter country. Therefore we cannot think that the mis- understanding between the Governments of Rome and Washington can be of long
duration,
We
So-called minor points, as have good reason to know, even by reference to the South African War only, may cause But as it tedious delay in negotiations. seems that Mr: TAFT and the authorities at the Vatican so nearly reached an agreement, it may be trusted that a little time will be all that is needed to reach a final settlement. It is certain that without a definite arrange- ment in religious matters no lasting peace can be hoped for in the Philippines:
THE KING'S PROGRESS.
[July 5, 190%
- THE CORONATION CELE-
BRATIONS.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Coronation Commitee was held at 4. 0p.m.on the 2nd inst, the Legislative Council Chamber.
His Lordship the CHIEF JUSTICE, Chair- man of the Committee, who presided, said— Gentlemen, When the General Coronation Committee last met on 11th June we could none of us forsee the sad illness of His Majesty which at once put a sudden stop to the Coro- nation celebrations and called forth our heart-
st
felt feelings of deep sympathy with the King in his suffering. It is another examplification "L'homme of the truth of the old maxim, propose, mais Dieu dispose." Of course, both the General Community and we, who were doing all we could in behalf of that Community to make the local Coronation festivities and celebrations a success, were heartily disappointed
that our labours were in vain, but I venture entirely swallowed up in the deeper emotions to think that that feeling of disappointment was evoked by our sympathy with the King at the serious nature of His Majesty's illness. What must have been his sentiment of sorrow and dismay, to feel himself striken down by a most painful malady on the very ere of that which was to have been the proudest day, in his life, the day for which such preparations had been made all over the Empire? Gentlemen, we can only trust that the nation's prayers may be heard and that in due time His Majesty may be once more restored to health and strength. We have asked you to meet this afternoon to give you some sort of account of the stewardship of the sub-committees and to ask your advice on one or two matters. In the first place I should ved from His Excellency General Gascoigne. like to read to you a letter which I have recai- The letter, which was read by Mr. E. A. HEWETT, Hon. Secretary was as follows:-
Hongkong, 28th June, 1902. Dear Chief Jas ice,-I should not like the Coronation Committee, of which you are Chair- man, to finally dissolve without placing ou record the deep sense of obligation which I, and under to them, for the arduous work so indeed the whole community of Hongkong, are
voluntarily undertaken and so ably performed. overtaken us in the severe illness of our King Owing to the national misfortune which has the result of much of your labours has been lost to the public. In fac of the disappoint- meut, and terrible anxiety of the whole Nation, it is well not to enlarge upon that felt by any one unit, but I cannot refrain from expressing my sorrow that the Public in Hongkong should not have been able to judge for themselves as to the manner in which their interests had been looked after by your Committee.. I feel con- fident that had these Celebrations been carried to completion, the Public would have had surs been consulted, but also that the Celebrations proof, not only that their convenience had had been arranged in a manner befitting this great and rising Colony. As it is, however, it only remains for me to express my Sincere perform, so willingly undertook, and so ably thanks to you, who with all your other work to carried out the duty of Chairman: to the several Sub-Committees who undertook the various special duties of organisation: to the Honorary Treasurer who collected subscriptions, and kept the accounts; and above all to the Honorary Secretary on whom fell undoubtedly the largest amount of work and responsibility. For myself I can only say that lasting as must be to us all the memory of the tragic collapse, with the subsequent universal anxiety, still I shall ever remember with pride and pleasure having been associated with you all in this matter. Believe me, Yours vry sincerely,
W. J. GASCOIGNE. At the request of the CHAIRMAN, the HON? SECRETARY also read the following reply which it was proposed to send to His Excellency.
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM. We received on Thursday night from the Colonial Secretary a copy of the following telegram, from the Secretary of State, London, to Governor, Hongkong, dated 3rd July :- "His Majesty the King reported to be making steady progress in every respect. The wound, the dressing of which has at times caused con- siderable pain, is now much less troublesome and began immediately to heal. His Maj sty's
Hongkong, 2nd July, 1902. courage and patience have called for the
Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the greatest admiration. The Queen has been in constant attendance in the sick-room, where receipt of your letter of 28th ultimo, and, on be- utmost quiet is enforced, Mis Majesty see-half of the Coronation Comittee, beg to thank ing no correspondence and being approached on no affairs of State or business. "I do not propose to telegraph again unless any im- portant change ooðurs,'
19
your Excellency for the kind expressions of good will and appreciation which it contains. I need hardly assure Your Excellency that whatever the various members of the Committes
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