}
August 30, 1902.1
The Boxers have only ancient muskets amongst them and that only in the proportion of three among every ten men. The city gates of Chêngta, formerly closed at 8 o'clock every evening, at the first announcement of the recrudescence of Boxersm in the vicinity, are now closed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, while those who enter the city from outside are closely scrutinised by the soldiers guarding the gates. The Boxers are getting daily more numerous, owing to the apathy of the provincial high authorities, whoas conduct makes the Boxers think that the officials mostly favour their propaganda against the Christians.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
back the railway and country west of the Liao between the 1st and 14th of October. Our old friend, Ming Tantai, passed on the 6th inst., en route for Moukden; which leads us to put some faith in those who assert that Chinese rule will ́be restored in this port beз the end of the
year.-N.-C. Daily News.
165
Dowager several officials who had been degraded have been reinstated, it the request of the Viceroy Yuan Shikai. Some military oficials have had their rank restored to them, as, according to the Viceroy, they had suffered unjustly. Two civil officials, who were on the black list have had th ir ra ik restor d, and may now be employed again by the government, Messrs. B ndinel write under date Neweh. Que of these was chih hsien at a place where two wang, 7th August:-
two French priests were massacred in 1900: this official has been degraded, but has bad his name put back on the list of expectant officials.
During the last few days the upper river has risen sufficiently to admit the passage of bean- boats with the result that about 400,00) piculs beans have arrived, and over 250.0 10 are on the way down. Prices, however, keep wonderfully firm as the mills are buying freely and reports THE TROUBLE IN NORTHERN SIAM. of crop prospects are unfavourable, we quote :-
The.,
The Siam Observer of the 15th inst. says:- News from the North still goes to strengthen the impression that the worst of the trouble is already over. It is believed that the Shans about Phrae were disappointed in the hope that the Shans of Chiangmai and of Lakhon Lampang would join them. They found, apparently, that the Chiengmai and Lakhon Shans were not in sympathy with them, and this had a considerable effect in reducing the mischief. Another telegram from Consul Beckett has been received at the British Lega- tion. It comes from Chiengmai, but from its tenor it would seem to have preceded the previous message received, noted yesterday, and the date should probably be the 12th, when Mr. Beckelt was leaving Chiengmai for Lakhon. According to this last-received telegram, the Shans appeared either to be dispersing or to hare already dispersed, and Mr. Beckett expressed the sanguine opinion, possibly too sanguine, that a large force was not required idea that the assistance of British troops: from Burmah might be needed scarcely needs contradiction. Under the circumstances it is merely absurd. The Siamese authorities are fully competent to deal with worse troubles than this; and in any case, the Convention of 1893 absolutely prevents either British or French troops from setting foot in the Menam Valley except by mutual consent. It is need less, however, to enlarge upon this point, because no question of foreign assistance arises. The same paper in its issue of the 13th inst, says:-An important circumstance to be noted to-day is that the dacoits have included some Shan British subjects. There would seem to be no doubt about this fact, for we hear that Mr. Lyle, British Consul at Nan, has gone down to Phrae and has there succeeded in inducing the British subjects in the gang to dispers. This is the first definite intelligence we have noted that British Shane were amongst the dacoits. At the outset there was a vague rumour that dacoits had entered Chiengmai province in small parties disguised as traders, but this was not confirmed. The Shans in question may, of course, have been British subjects residing in Chiengmai province. In any case it is a matter for satisfaction that Mr. Consul Lyle has now persuaded them to go home, and Mr. Lyle deserves to be thanked for this service. It must help to facilitate the restoration of order.
NEWCHWANG.
Newohwang, 15th August.
THE WEATHER.
Rain is badly wanted, for the ponds are dry and the Chinese are now dependent for drinking water on the brackish river. To the west and south-east, as here, the crops of vegetable, grain, and beans are suffering from drought, while further north they are in better condition.
BUSINESS IS DULL;
**
3 piculs... pioul
...Tls. 7.9) 6.20 6.15
1
Beancakes per 10 pieces... Beans Bean Oil The rain has been very partial thus far, and it is feared that the bean-crop will not yield more than five and-a-half, or at most six million piculs, against seven and-a-quarter millious last year.
In addition to the beans arrived and en route, it is believed that about 900,000 piculs old crop and 1,200,00) pioula new crop will be available for export before the winter.
Shipping.-Arrivals to date are 3)
per cent, in excess of last year at same date.
Freights will depend on the course of Japan and Southern markets, as it is unlikely that local prices of exports will decline to any great extent.
Vessels in Port-Hoihou, Wenchow, Pronto, Kweilin, Haeting. Chefoo, Chihli, Yeiko, Hokushin, Koyo, Swatow, Nayatu, and Kwanko Maru-Teho.
NORTH
NORTHERN NOTES,
The following items are from the P. & T. Times of the 10th inst. :—
..
Formal notios is given that the Briti-h Force in China hereafter is to be called the China Force," instead of the "China Field Force."
The
Large German military reliefs. numbering well over a thousand men, arrived at Taku on Sunday last in the transport Pisa. vessel returns via Nagasaki and takes home under Major Lidi nearly as many men as she brought out.
! Visitors to Tientsin via the Grand Canal have for the past week met lagre bodies of native troops marching along the banks On Sunday in the direction of the city. and Monday last they were just beyond Tu Lu. The men iu reply to questions were very civil, and said they belonged to General Mei's brigade.
During the last week all the native crafi going both up stream and down hare taken to the new cutting, and there is already a well trodden tow-path. The grappler-dredgers are still working at the upper end of it, but in a few days one or both will be transferred to the lower end of the greater cutting.
The termination of the Provisional Govern- ment's administration has been accompanied by much pleasant amenity on all sides, both from official and unofficial classes of Chinese. The city merchants on Monday last in their guild- hall gave a great banquet to the Council and its foreign employees.
boen
generous
During the whole of the week the incoming Chinese officials have been visiting the various bureaus and offices of the T.P.G. and looking closely into existing arrangements. They have in expressing their appreciation of the arrangements made for the sick poor (under Dr. Mesny), the beggar population, the prisoners, &c.. and in not a few cases have expressed their wishes to be able to continue local prices of exports leave little or no margin the institutions on the present lines. for intending shippers, and uncertainty about The latest advices from the three Eastern future supplies compels merchants and mill-provinces state that cholera is raging severely owners to replenish their stocks at current in Manchuria. The Russians in their districts rates. Importers also are suffering from are trying to enforce sanitary precautions and over-importation in the spring and the poverty treatment, with very much the same result as of the country people, owing to the three last we had here in Tientsin, the creation of a greater tronblous years. If rain falls during the next scare than they wish to obviate, and the atter Harbin, the few days, we may expect the usual October confusion of the labour market. révival of trade; if otherwise the outlook is junction of the Vladivostock and Port Arthur very gloomy.
branches of the great railway, seems to be very severely hit, and the fright has spread as far as Vladivostock.
RUMOURS.
As usual the air is full of rumours, the most truth-like being that the Russians will hand
In the recent edicts issued by the EmpresĘ
was very
We believe the somewhat burning question of the quarantiue fees between the T. P. G. and the Shipping Companies has been com. promised with satisfaction to both parties. The shipping folk objected to paying a Tls. 50 fea for medical inspection without in any way being
f: consulted as to its imposition. evident that the sons of Aesculapius were mak- ing bay while the sun shone, but nobody grudged this; the only grievance was making the burden fall on one class. The compromise is, we believe, that till August 15th the ship- ping companies par Tis. 25, and after the date $10
por vessel,
The T. P. G and Chinese administration find the r st.
We have good reason for s'ating that a tele-` graphio order reached the B. R. A. one day this week to band over the railway on the 15th, and that this was countermanded by telegraphic iustruotions the next day. The Administration has recently been paying much attention to the permanent improvement of the staff regulations, and we think we are not far wrong in saying that it will bequeath to the Chinese a well drafted scheme of co-operative effort i the way of provident benefit, and also one for farlough. It is hoped that the employees will get home for a year on full pay after six years of service, and that at least one fare will be paid on return to China;
We have some reason for suspecting that the prosent vacillation in Railway affairs is not altogether due to the mere vagary of the British foreign office, but to extraneous considerations. Rusia is not in a position to give up the extra- mural line till mid-autumn, and she must re'ain the workshops and plant at Shanhaikwau till that time. As the restoration of the intra-
mural line is strictly conditioned by that of these shops, we shall be surprised if the British carry out their transfer before the second week in October
The General and Commanding officers have addressed the Council of the T. P. G. a despatch highly eulogistic of their administration of the City. It recapitulates in admirable terms the work of the T.P.G. and staff, aud concludes;- "You have rosson to be proud of these results. and we beg to convey to you our warmest oɔn- gratulations thereon."
CORRESPONDENCE,
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE HONGKONG REGIMENT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS,"
Hongkong, 22nd August, 19 2. SIR,-It appears that there is no longer aty doubt that the Hongkong Regiment is to return to India early next month, to be disbanded. This being the case, I think it would reflect very gravely on th⋅ hospitality of the Colony if we allowed our own Regiment to leave us without a very hearty farewell from the community in general. The Regiment apart from its being one of the finest native Regiments in existence is the only Mahommedan Regiment in the British Army and was especially raised for the protection of this Colony. I would suggest that the officers of the Regiment be invited to a public banquet given by the community in general, and hope that some influential residen's will take the matter in hand and form them-- selves into a committee so that the show, if it comes off, may be run in such a manner as to reflect credit on the Colony that has had the honour to prosess such a fins Regiment. With apologies for encroaching on the space of your valuable paper.-Youre, etc.,
CITIZEN.
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