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dissentient.
But no one present had the is believed, however, that the number of troops is not so large as generally declared by Russia. The Mainichi has a Tokyo despatch to the effect that police are stationed at the three entrances of the Russian Legatipu in Tokyo. All who app oach the entrance are closely questionel, and whenever Baron Rosen leaves the Legation he is guarded by a policeman.
The Kokumin, a Japanese vernacular journal, has the following:-The conference in the Premier's official residence of the five Senior Statesmen and four Cabinet Ministers is believed to have been for the purpose of reconsidering immediate means to deal with the pending situation, in view of subsequent developments, Our general policy, decided in the couference before the Throne on the 23rd June last, has not been altered, and the friendly negotiations with Russia are still to be continged. Our aims in view are, in short, first, that Corea shall be entirely under Japan's influens and, secoudly, that while recognising the Muscovite arrange- ments in Manchuria, China's sofereignty shall be allowed to operate perfectly and the open
Was
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND Shanghai, refuting the statements. What occurred, according to Colonel Bower, Com- mander of the Legation Guard, was a theft was committed by common Chinese thieves from the Chine e City. Among the munition materials which they attempted to carry off electrical apparatus used in the construction of mines, and this was relinquished by the thieres at the last moment and left dangling over the wall by which they escaped. A quantity of guu-parts, such as sights, etc., was taken, but all has been recovered. except a small balance not exceeding tou pounds sterling in value. The supposition that these things were the paraphernalia of conspirators is held to be ridiculous by the British at the Legation and at the barracks. because they are identified as the property of the Lgation and were missing from the store-room.
view, that unlikely, from their point of conspirators would rely upon the materials in the magazine for laying their train and fuse and exploding devices.
It is
[November 2, 1903.
audacity to do so, as his plan fitted so nicely with the dolce far niente policy of the company. On the contrary, nothing but words of approval were to be beard, such as “ Kao-ming, Yuan-lü' (Highly intelligent, far-seeing indeed!") and the like. Just then the signal of tinkling bells and the clash of cymbals in the distance presaged the approach of the "Old Ancestress " and the Emperor and everyone arose preparatory to fling into the audience chamber.
THE TYPHOON.
door be actually effected there. The Tokyo THE QUESTION OF MANCHURIA.ry near, though it was uncertain whether it Government do not wish to proceed to hostilities, but they are quite realy to meet any contingen- cies, at this critical juncture, for the settlement , of our national fate. What we want is general peace in the Far East-peace with honour, but without undue sacrifice. Our claims are only fair and reasonable, and should Russia refuse te entertain them bona file, we will be not unnatur. ally occasioned to take certain definite means for the realisation thereof.
THE ALLEGED PEKING PLOT,
Far Northern papers vary very much in their attitude toward the tale of the a tempt d outrage at Peking. The China Times of the 20th inst.says:-"Farther particulars of the British Legation sensation were forwarded to us by our Peking correspondent yesterday, and, if any further destruction is possible, entirely destroy the report of the attempt to blow up the building. The Peking Guy Fawkes affair turns out to be nothing more serious than a theft of soine ordnance stores, which it is supposed was com- mitted either by persons working in collusion with the Legation Chinese servants, or by the servants themselves. Some gun-fittings and other equipments were stolen. A detouating apparatus was also taken and dropped outside by the thieves, when hastily leaving the premises. Hence the report of gunpowder, treason, and plot. The whole affair is ridiculed by the Legation officials. All been recovered from the property has various shops, though whether the thieves `are known is not stated. People will therefore have to wait until the 5th of November for a genaine Gunpowder Plot sensation."
On the other hand, the Reking & Tientsin Times of the 19th says:-"In regard to the dastardly attempt on the British Leg.tion and Barracks in Peking which has recently been made, we were in possession of certain facts some time since, which it was thought in- advisable to publish, but which indicated that A very some sinister movement was on foot. keen watch was kept, and it undoubtedly due to this sharp look-out that a tragedy of an appalling nature was frustrated in Peking a few days ago. That the movement is more than mere Chinese devilry seems certain, and the singling out of the British Legation premises for this dastardly attention signifies a political insight with which it is difficult to credit the present brilliant members of the Government, unless inspired from another source. There is reason to believe that British policy in Peking at the moment is being steered by a craftsman whose astuteness is found extremely incon- venient in some quarters."
The same paper of the 22nd ult. contains the following:-A correspondent sends us what is the most intelligible statement of the munition robbery at the Legation which has yet been made. Referring to the message of the Times our informant says: The correspondent message was sent without verification at the Legation, probably upon the authority of a heretofore reliable informant. Sir Ernest Batow telegraphed to London, Tokyo, and'
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17
A
Star Ferry launch service was reduced, and the matshed covers at each landing-stage were removed and the bamboo-work strengthened. The last launch from Hongkong left at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and, though warning hall been given, so large a crowd left matters to the last moment that the boat could not carry all desiring passengers.
Would-be European passengers, including a number of ladies, had to be left behind, complaining bitterly; it is rather to be wondered at that they had not foreseen a rush for the ferry. The Peak Tramway service was fortunately unaffected, for it takes a very violent gale to stop the cars.
During the whole of last Monday night and all day Tuesday the weather was of a most boisterous nature, and at 6 a.m. on Tuesday the Black Dram was hoisted, indicating a typhoon to the east of Hongkong, with its contre less than 300 miles away. At 7.20 a.m. a single gun was fired, giving warning of the approach of & heavy gale. The typhoon was then reported to the south-east, being expected to pass to the south. An hour before noon it was located to the E.S.E., the centre threatening to approsch
would pass to the South or to the North,
In the early morning the Harbour was choppy. The N.-C. Daily News publishes the following The boat-people had mostly run for the spelter At Lyeemun Pass there amusing st ry, which it states to be authentic. at Causeway Bay.
were some half-dozen sea-going steamers and It proves, says our contemporary, the crASS ignorance and apathy of many of the highest sailing vessels awaiting an abatement of the mandarins in the country, and the pity of it that violence of the weather before going out to sea. the destinies of China should be in the hands Along the Praya many junks were moored, and of such men
Water-logged he
of the present some of them liad a rougà time. anecdoto. A short time ago, as a number of small boats and diughies were pretty numerous Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and other officials along the sea-wall, au! the Chinese Praya loafers found a harvest in the flotsam and of the various Boards aud Ministries were con-
jetsam that was washed ashore from various gregated in the ante-room of the Grand Council Chamber waiting for the coming of their craft. Spray was breaking over the wall freely and saturating the street. All the incoming Majesties to give them audience, the conversation
craft reported heavy weather outside. Passen- naturally turned upon the Russian occupation of Manchuria. Thou up stood H., Li Chao-wei,gers by the Heungshan from Macao state that Vice-Presi ent of the Board of War, and de- they observed the masts of two sunken junks clared, "Your Excellencies, if you would take my sticking above the water in Capsuimun. The advice I should say, 'Let the Russians remain in Manchuria. Our Government will find it both There more economical and less bothersome."" were many ejaculations of surprise heard in the room at this dec'aration; some shook heads, shut their eyes, and tried to appear unconcerned, while others tried to look wise as if they knew all about it, but no one seemed inclined to ask questions, thereby betraying his ignorance ou such burning subject. At last a venturesome secretary of the Waiwupu, whose youthful appearance gave him the license to seek information, broke the oppressive silence that bad suddenly fallen upon Will your the room and timidly asked, Excellency deign to enlighten my befogged
Steamers arriving in port during the next two intellect and guide my understanding by show ing bow this can be? Another pause, during days reported very bad weather outside, with high which the deep and sagarious Vice-Prosident winds and stormy seas, but no casualties to their Li Chao-wei looked contemptuously at his own steamers. The British steamer Haiching, if pitying such igno- Captain Passaiore, from Swatow, reported questioner. Then, as
Why, passing the German steamer Tuilee, off the rance, that wise statesman replied, if we insist upon the Russian forces eva. Cape, the latter steamer having encountered
WO to protect very
severe weather in which she lost her cuating Manchuria, how are their railway there, I should like to know? funnel and bad her boats smashed and carried Where are our troops to do the work? Then away. The Tailee was proceeding to Swatow when once the Russians are gone we will have in a moderate northerly wind, and did not want assistance. The Norwegian steamer the terrible Hung Hu-tze (Red-beards) mounted bandits raiding everywhere, plundering te Tyr, Captain D. L. Danielsen, from Hongay, railway stations and works, and destroying the reported very stormy weather on the 25th ult., What would be the on which date, at 2 p.m., she bore down railway wherever they can. result, allow me to ask your Excellencies; shall upon a water-logged Tees boat in the Tonkin we not have the Russian Minister bere hammer. | Gulf, and saved therefrom seven Chinese males, she brought on to Hongkong. The ing at the door of the Waiwupu demauding | whom heavy indemnities for the damage done upon | Rubi, from Manila, also reported rough weather Russian railway property, accompanied, perhaps, all the way up. by other heavy demands for Russian lives lost at the hands of the banditti, Would it rot, then, bs much more economical and cause us infinitely less trouble if we allow the Russians to remain in Manchuria to protect expense, their own property at their own while we enjoy peace and prosperity within the protecting walls of Peking and quietly, bask under the sunny and balmy influence of her Imperial Majesty, the Old Ancestress " ? "The Old Ancestros;," or Luo Tsu- [NOTE: sung, the term of endearment given to the Empress-Dowager after her return to Peking from Hsian; Lao Fo-ych, or “ Old Buddha,' was her prior designation. After spouting out the foregoing long speech, Vice-President Li Chao-wei glared through his huge spectacles upon his audience as if to challenge any
1
are
A communication has reached this office, signed "Claircoyant," in which the writer Sunday excursions to Macão thereof complains of the manner in which the
he alleges, managed. Without any reason,
are advertised as under these excursions religious patronage, and yet gambling is not o ly allowed, but encouraged on board to the sunoyance of other passengers. | trips are pleasant and beneficial. he adds, aud to make them popular gambling should be strictly prohibited on board, and the fares enhanced to make it prohibitive for the undesirables, and at the same time compensate the promoters for the loss occasioned by the prohibition of gambling on board.
These
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