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a magistrate, as was formerly the law. Accord- ing to a new police Ordinance, the commander of the force may keep men in the barrack's jail for forty-eight hours without a trial, not reckoning holidays, when Government establish- ments are closed. A new Press law for all Portuguese Colonies has already received Royal signature and will 8001 be put in force. In future, all Portuguese who write against the Government and its officers even in a foreign paper are liable to punishment, and if the offenders are foreigners residing within Portuguese jurisdiction, they will be expelled for twelve years from her dominions Perhaps those who bave drafted this law would like to propose the re-establish ment of corporal and capital punishment, of slavery, and the branding of all offenders. In Portugal there is full liberty if the Press. The Government, its Ministers and the King are often severely criticised and sometimes in a most extraordinary manner. The Portuguese Government does not learn much from contem- porary history. Spain blamed the friars for the loss of the Philippine archipelago Religions orders have been abolished long ago in Portugal and in her Colonies. If Portugal loses her
Colonies, whose fault will it be?
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 18th September.
OFFICIAL CHANGES.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
!
The new provincial Governor H.E. Lee Hing yui baving arrived on Sunday, the 14th inst., it is said that he will take over the seals of office from H.E. Tak Sow and the latter will take over the office of HE. Tao Mu, as Acting Viceroy of the Two Kwang, on the 20th day of the 8th moon (i.s., the 21st prox.).
sent
OPIUM.
PAKHOI.
[FROM OUR CORRESPOND NT.]
P. khoi, 13th September.
THE KEROSENE TRADE.
The steamship Peluse arrived here from Hongkong on the 25th ult. with kerosene oil in bulk. After discharging 1er cargo she left on the 28th alt. Her arrival marks a new era in the anuals of the kerosene trade of this port, which is by no means an unimportant one It may be noted that as we have no tank to receive the oil in bulk or any other such contrivance to facilitate the prompt discharge of the oil in that condition, it took fully three days to pump the oil iuto empty tins before it could be landed. Whether the enterpri« will be a financial success remains to be seen. That those concerned must be looking upon it with con- tidence there is little doubt, for the Peluse returned again on the 6th iust. with a second lot
EMIGRANTS.
The steamship Arnold Luyken arrived on the 4th inst. She took on board about 800 emigrants and left for Mintok on the 6th itst. Had there been sufficient accommodation on board, several hundreds more could have joined in this trip. Those that are left bebind would doubtless be conveyed by the next vessel to be chartered for this purpose.
LOCAL CONDITIONS.
The disease prevaleut here some few weeks back, mentioned in my lust letter, is now almost unheard of, owing probably to the slight change in the weather. Although the heat during the day is not materially abat d, we are enjoying a nice coal breeze morning and evening.
The Taotai of Limehow left this place on the 7th instant for Canton by the Chinese gun- boat Kwong Kang.
A STRIKE.
[September 22, 1902.
apoplexy and grave fears are entertained of his recovery. The last report is that his condition has somewhat improved. The gout has been his persistent enemy for some time.
THE PEKING-KALGAN RAILWAY.
A letter from Kalgan informs us that Shên Tantai from Shai si has arrived, and is pushing forward the scheme of the railroad between Peking and Kalgan. He says the money for the enterprise is well in hand, and that within five years the road will be in running order. This will be good news to thos who have clambered those rocky roads for these many
years.
THE EMPRE£ 8-DOWAGER'S NEW PALACE. The buildings at the Eho Park of the Em. pres Dowager are now reported finished, and on the 11 of September there is to be house- warming. The buildings are several of them two stories in height and furnished in foreign fashion. Tables and chairs are of foreign pattern and made mostly at the Industrial School in the southern city. Some of the beautiful rugs and carpets for use at the Park have been shown to visitors at the Indus. trial School. 1 ragon boats are numerous in the lakes, and the splendours of the palace are to surpass those of former days. Furthermore, the Empress seems to contemplate a generous hos itality.to foreigners, and kitchens are to be fitted up in foreign fashion, and cooks skilled in the culinary art of foreign lands are to be engaged.
There was a rather unpleasant occurrence on The opium-farmers of Canton in the name of board the steamship Triumph shortly after her Kwong Hing & Co. have petitioned the Pro- arrival here from Hongkong on the 1st inst., vincial Treasurer to send a despatch to the which caused her detention until the 3rd.. Commissioner of the Kung Fak Customs at when she left for Haiphong. There was a slight Kowloon to render all possible assistance in dispute between the crew of a lighter and an seizing contraband opium. The Commissioner officer on board the stermer, and the result was a telegram to the Colonial Office of a strike of all the light rs. It was not until after Great Britain, whence it was forwarded to the some efforts had been made by the agents to Houses of Parliament. The answer returned smooth matters down that the lighters resumed was in effect that by the Opium Convention China work on board the Triumph. The lighter has no right to impose further duty on opium, people and the stevedores here seem to be and if any duty is leviable at all, Great Britain too sensitive; they are ready to strike or should levy upon it on export, etc. This was boycott on the slightest pretence. They telegraphed to Sir Robert Hart, who says that manifested this inclination twice on board the China is very poor,:o much so that she imposes Hailoong and once ou board the Thales, not duties upon almost everything. As opium very long ago.
If there is one thing more smoking is a thing injurious to the health of than another which should be maintained here people, has not China a right to levy further it is European prestige in the eyes of the Cuties on it in the interior, though not in treaty natives. On the other hand, a little" discretion | ports? This was communicated to the Colonial used by the officers on board steamers might Office, and to the Viceroy of Canton. If prevent awkward incidents. Kwong Hing & Co. are not allowed to charge duties in the treaty ports, what little duty they charge in the interior is certainly not enough to keep up the monopoly. The Company is under the control of the Chinese officials, although managed by merchants, and whatever
To-day is the day set for the closing of the duties the latter have collected they have to lekin revenue stations, but I believe the last report to the former mouthly. From the com- word from the Foreign Office is that the closing mencement the business till now the collection is conditional upon something else, so the clos can not have been much or its result very ing may be only in the air as yet. P. kirg satisfactory. On the West River, for instance, merchants have been congratulating themselves the Company Las its agents or weiyuin to collect upon the relief from the burden of these kin opium duties, and there is an office somewhere barriers, but it is apparent that the Chinese near Dusing. The natives there, being dis-authorities are noue too willing to give up those satisfied with the additional taxation, collected a places from which a large revenue comes in big crowd, and stormed the office. Upon the matter being reported to Kwong Hing & Co. here they applied to the Viceroy for help sud H.E. despatched Admiral Lee Chon with a regiment of soldiers.
PEKING.
Peking, 8th September.
THE LEKIN STATIONS.
OFFICIAL CHANGES.
The removal of Prince Su and the substitu tion of Prince Ching and Yung Lu by no means indicate a revival of the anti-foreign feeling in Peking. Prince Su had already served two years in the capacity of collector, which was over the u ual term of service. He On the 9th inst, a farewell dinner was given was getting the service in better condition than to Bir James L. Mackay at the Shanghai Club ever before, and would have made it more by some of the numerous friends that he efficient still. He has been a financial loser by made during his stay in Shanghai, Mr. F. 8. | his reforming zeal, and doubtless his successors Bourne, Acting Chief Justice, being in the in office will find it difficult to hand in the same chair, and Messrs C. J. Dudgeon and E. B. amount of revenue. The project which Prince Skottowe in the vice-chairs. After the toast Su had in haud for the paving of the streets of the King had been duly honoured, the Chair- bad not been abandoned, and bids are out now man proposed the health of the guest of the for material. evening in a brief speech, to which Sir James responded.
LYNCH LAW.
more
Several of the Indian soldiers cn duty in Peking got into rather serious trouble a few days ago. They were such frequent visitors at certain houses in one part of the city that their presence was considered a nuisance, and they were invited to stay away. They persisted in their attempts at entrance to such an extent that the neighbours and habitués of these places decided on stringent measures. So when fivo or six tall Hindoos made their appearance the other day the people fell upon them and tumbl ed them into the filthy moat or ditch in that vicinity. (n coming out they were treated to another bath, till it looked as though they might be drowned in filth. Finally they were allowed to return. On reporting the matter to their speriors thy refused to do anything towards punishing the perpetrators, as the soldiers were out without leave and richly deserved all they got.
THE COMMISSIONI R TO JAPAN.
Wu Ju-lun, commissioner to Japan to investi- gate educational matters, is about to return to Peking. His report will be looked forward to with great iuerest. He was not a student of foreign affairs, nor supposed to be interested in the modern development of China along the lines of Western ciri ization.-N.-C. Daily News.
NORTHERN NOTES.
The following items are from the P. & T. Times (shortly to become a daily as well as a weekly paper) of the 6th instant :——
The marriage of Yung Lu's daughter to Prince Chun is notified to take place on the 19th of the 9th moon.
It is confidently stated that the stamp-duty wiil shortly come into operation, and if the Chinese public rightly understand its object it will prove a very satisfactory means of revenue to the Government, as well as tend to simplify the complicatious surrounding contracts and title deeds in this country.
..
Yung Lu the other day went to the Palace to return thanks for posthumous bonours granted to his ancestors." This rather set official Peking on the qui vive, as nothing had been heard of it. Enquiry showed that Yung Lu bad asked this favour, and as with him to ask is to have, i. was granted.
According to the Je Je, the Russians have drawn attention to some points in the new Commercial Treaty which they say menace China's integrity, and they warn the Chipete Government that if they do not protest against the Treaty the withdrawal from Manchuria will not take place. This is a fairly safe threat, but we accept the statement with great reservation.
We are glad to hear on the best authority that the prohibition of inland navigation on Bishop Favier bas suffered from a stroke of the Liao has been withdrawn by the Russian
ILLNESS OF BISHOP FAVIER.
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