284
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
October 19, 1903.
momentarily expecting the arrival of the every year They cannot obtain permission to CORRESPONDENCE.
enemy.
THE SCENE AT NIGHT.
The scene at night i peculiarly striking and animated, owing to the contional signalling of the ships with the forts and with one another, and to the constant flash of the search lights! both from ships and forts. During the recent mantenvres the narrow entrance to the harbour was a blaze of light, owing to the number of fash-lights concentrated on it, perhaps by the attacking squadron which had to guard against the numerous torpedo boats with which the defenders were provided.
It is ovident that this sort of thing has been going on for some considerable time in Pot Arthur, as shown by the fact that none of the horses with which the place is full seem to mind in the least the search-lights as they flash, with perhaps unnecessary frequency, across the public road.
IN THE DAY-TIME.
In the day-time signalling of a different kind gors on, and often the eternal clatter of the droskies is drogned for an instant by the deep boom from on of the big guus from the batteries, fired in order perhaps to test its efficiency, or for some other purpose unknown to me.
Port Arthur 22nd September (0.8.)
JAPANESE GUESTS.
On the 5th September (old styla) at 6 o'clock in the morning the Japanese officers who are now on a visit to Siberia left Nikolsk-
Ussouri for Khabarovsk. They are Major: General Akiyama, Brigadier-Commander, and Major Obs of the General Staff. These officers were accompanied by the following Russiau officers of the General Staff :-Kam usky and Tuchkoff, the latter Commander of the Ist Company of the 1st Regiment of East Siberiau Sharpshooters. On the day in question the distinguished visitors paid a visit to the com- wander of the district, then to the barracks of the 24th Regiment of East Siberian Sharp shooters, and afterwards to the Cadets' School and the Girls' Gymnasium, after which breakfast was served in the Military Club, where they rested for some time. At 8 o'clock in the eeu- ing a dinner was given there in their honour by Lieutenant-General Luevitch, Commander of the Military District of Preamursky, the general in commaud of the Khabarovsk garrison being among those present on the occasion. The firs toast was in honour of the Tsar. the second in honour of the Japanese Emperor. Russian and Japanese airs were played throughout the course of the weal by the band.
On the succeeding day, the 6th September, tha 3rd the Japanese visitors inspected Battalion of the East Siberian Artillery Breakfast was Brigale and the Museum. afterwards served in the Military Club. At 4 o'clock the visitors left for Port Arthur by the railway. At Port Arthur station they wore met by Captain Matuss ich, of the General Staff, adjutant of the commander-in-chief of the troop.
THE RUSSIAN FLEET. The Russian squadron under Vice-Admiral Starke arrived here on the 18th September (old style) from Vladivostock, after having engaged in manœuvres. vessels of all kinds which had assembed in Port Arthur yesterday amquited in all to 93,
The number of war-
THE BAKHAL'N FISHERIES.
An official in the Foreign Office Bureau of Russia recently said that, if Russia wanted to crush Japan, she had only got to prevent Japanese from fishing along the Siberian coast, and there is some truth in this, for a very large number of Japanese five directly or indirectly off these Siberian fisheries. The r cent action of the Russian authorities in arresting Japanese fishermen wholesale seems to indicate a desire to put that threat into practice, or at least to show what very napleasant neighbours they could make themselves whenever they wished. It is now reported, however that as a result of the negotiations carried on for some time past between Japan and the Russian authorities in Siberia, Japanese fishermen will be allowed to continue their business along the coast of Sakhalin next year Admiral Alexieff having already issued instructions to that effect. To fish in the waters off Sakhalin, the Japanese fishermen must, however, it is reported, obtain a special permit, which permit must be renewed
fish along any other part of the Russian coast, THE VICEROY'S POWERS.
In order to draw up regulations regarding the powers to be exercised by the new Viceroy, a cominission is at present sitting in Port Arthur. It includes generals and leading officers and officials froin all East Siberia. but not from Manchuria, The details of the work before the commission have been pablished, but they are very long and not interesting.
MANCHURIA.
It is a significent fact that miny Chinese inhabitants of a certain town in Manchuria hare petitioned Admiral Alexieff not to with- draw the Ra-sian troops under whose protection trade 80:18 to have flourished and th Mounted Highwaymen kept at a respectful distance.
So large a number of Chinese ware leaving Port Arthuriitely owing to the fear of an outbreak of war that Admiral Alexieff is said to have issued a declaration for the purpose of allaying the apprehensious of the Celestials; though why some of the latter wo have taken their depar- ture should imagine that war cau do them any harm is more than I can understand, For instance, I know two ordiɑary "boys" who have just taken their departure for Chatoo, one of them under the transparent pretext that he is going to be married; I cannot well understand what such folk could ever lose by a war.
BARON ROSEN'S VISIT.
Barou Roseu, the Russi in Minister to Tokyo. came here hurriedly at the end of last month, and there is of cours, a good deal of specula- tion regarding the object of his visit. The Japaneso papers attach great importance to it, Bome of them saying that the Baron, who may perhaps be considered as rather friendly to Japan, has gone to assure the Viceroy Personally that Japan 18 in earnest and will do terrible things if Russi、 does not fulfil her engagements; and other papers sying that perhaps this visit means that Japau will open negotiations on the Manchurian question with Admiral Alexieff an I not with St. Petersburg As I have elsewhere remarked, there is sitting now in Post Arthur, a council of all the principal civil and military officers in the territories over which the new Viceroy's sway extends, and it is not improbable that it is iu that connection that Baron Rosn came to Port Arthur.
E
NAVAL MANŒUVRES.
On the 15th (28th) Septembar Russian naval manœuvrəs of ац i teresting kind commenced at Port
A Arthur.
strong squadron from Vladivostock consisting of the Poltara, Pobieda, Petropavlovsk, Retvizan, Peresviet and Sevastopol began that day an attack ou Port Arthur, which was defended by all the torpedo-boats belonging to the Far Eastern fleet of Russi !. The Russians are are confident that the Japanese cannot take Port Arthur without the loss of many of their ships and of at least 20,00) men. defences are indeed very powerful. It was at first proposed to limit the total number of guns in the different batteries to 400, but that number
The
has now been far exceeded. The amount of trouble and care taken in formin the batteries is almost incredible. The levelling of the top of one bill alone, the hill called Devil Mountain, situated on Tiger Peninsula, cost over 40,000 roubles; and, since General Kuropatkiu's visit to the Far East, the high bills to the back of Port Arthur are being put into a state of defence. A large number of cannon lately arrived by rail from Europe, and are being put inte position with the ail of trolly-lines and multitudes of soldiers. War with Japan is expected,
but without trepidation. The Russians both hate and despise the Japanese.
According to the vernacular papers, says the Kobe Chronicle, there can be no doubt that the negotiations between Russia and Japan have now been transferred to Tokyo. It is stated that the negotiations were pressed by the Japanese Government immediately on giving notic, to that effect, without waiting the reply It is reported that the attitude of Baron Rosen of Russia has become weaker, and it is believed that the Russian Government as well as the Rus-ians in the Far East desire peace. Baron Rosen is said to have expressed himself strongly in favour of a peaceful settlement.
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JAPAN AND RUSSIA.
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TO THE EDITUR OF THE DAILY PRESS,” Cheiju, Quelpart, 23rd September. SIG, Is war to come after all? According to reports appearing in various papers,, it appears that this question must be answered in the affirmative. Japan's patience bas already been sorely tried, and unless Russia stops her activity in Corea Japan might be obliged to open hostilities. And it loks as if Russia is purposely irritating Japau so as to force wir upon her. At any rate, certain is it that Russia is now fully prepared for a fight with Japan. Should Japan really make up her mind to fight Russia might withdraw even at this eleventh hour. War or no war, it is high time, we think, that both Japanese Government and people made war preparatious in good earnest.—Yours truly.
Y. HARA,
CHINA AND THE MANCHUS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS." Singapore, 6th October, SIR,-18 the Manchus have given Manchuria to Russia the Chiness are afraid that she will also anner China through the Manohus' encouragement, so the Chinese must be on their guard and unite themselves in expelling the Manchus from the Chinese emp`re as quickly as possible, or else the Chinese will have no home and turn out like the Jews who were driven from Judea. Should Russia size China a war must be instantly declared by the Chinese and the Japanes against the Manchus and the Russians in order to free China from the Manchu yoke. As long as the Manchu Govern- ment is allowed to exist China cannot be saved and the Chinese will be disgraced till the world comes to an end.
Why havo the Americans, Dutch, Spaniards and the Australians ill-treated the Chinese in their countries ? It is because the unfortunate Manchu Government is unable to protect the Chinese owing to their weakness, although the Chinese are under their rule. The Chinese ought to re-establish their own Government under the reform method and select a Chinaman to be the Empe or, instead of the preseat one, who is so powerless and nalucky to China. since the Chiu se have been under the Manchu rule from 164, China has almost lost her tributary countries excepting Tibet, Turkestan, Mongolia, aud Manchuria, but the fourth one is under the Russians' control. The
Chinese further point out that China was not only losing her dependencies, but also ber own territories which the Great Powers grabbed from her bit by bit after the China-Japan war, owing to her inability to resist them.
Are the Chinese not ashamel to let the Manchus supersede them, whom their ancestors had treated as their bitter enemies? When the Chinese Dynasty was still in existence, the Manchus often invaded China, but unsuccessfully, and were driven to Manchuria, whore they established their Government for a long period
During Tsung Cheng's reigo, the last Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the rebellion arose in every part of China, and the Chinese Government w s unable to suppress it. The rebel leader, Li Tze Cheng, then entered Pekin and drove the Emperor out and look possession of the Dragon Throne and became the Emperor for a short time-under what dynasty is unknown. When Wao Sau Kui heard of this news, be invite: the Manchus to come to Peking to suppress rebellion. As soon as the Manchus arrived with Wao Saq Kui, the rebels resisted, and were unable to hold their possession, and evacuacted the capital. So Wao San Kai pursued them. During Wao Sau Kui's pursuit, the Manchus took posse sion of the Dragon Throne and appointed their leader, named Shun, China's Emperor. After Wao Ban Kai's return be found him occupying the Throne with determination to remain.
The Ming Dynasty was overthrown by the rebel leader named Li Tze Ch'eng, but not If Wao San Kui would by the Manchus. recognise him as the Emperor at the time, the Manchus,could not obtain the chance to grasp the Dragon Throne of Chios-Yours, etc.,
LEW.BUN LIUNG,
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