February 13, 1904.] JAPANESE ARMY MANŒUVRES.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
HONGKONG.
In the current number of the East of Asia Mr. Francis McCullagh's account of "The Japanese Manoeuvres" will be read with interest, Mr. McCullagh was the first and only foreign newspaper man present at the annual military manoeuvres in Japan. His request to see them was regarded with great suspicion and informa tion was only obtained with difficulty. He succeeded, however, and the result is worth the pains. Here is a word-portrait of the Mikado : "The representative of one of the most ancient royal families in existence is a tall man rather inclined to embonpoint. He wore the dress of a commanding officer-white trousers, black jacket, black peaked cap with red stripes, and as there was little gold lace on his coat and only one or two decorations, His Majesty was probably the most simply dressed of all the groups assembled behind the Imperial banner. He wore white gloves and frequently smoked ciga ettes a fact which, taken in connection with his style of wearing his sparse jet-black beard, with his slow, deliberate manner, and with a slight air of melancholy and dreaminess which generally rested on his features, gave him a certain resemblance to the third Napoleon. Along the country lanes where his gorgeous carriage could not carry him, the Mikado walked slowly, grasping his sword so as to keep it from trailing, and frequently glancing at the ground to make sure of his footsteps. In the saddle his seat was like that of the first Napoleon. In his carriage he generally sat upright and slightly averted his face from the spectators if they wers only on one side of the roads. If they were on both sides, he looked right in front of him with a rather impenetrable and expressionless sir." Of the Japanese soldier the write says that he is without nerves, in which respect he enjoys a considerable advantage over bis European comrades. "To describe the Japanese officer in a few words-he is as poor as a church be studies very hard and longs for the Govern mouse; he takes his profession very seriously; ment to send him to Germany to finish bis studies, with 1l the longing which the young American lady experiences to get to Paris or the good Christian to get to heaven. Japan is undoubtedly a nation after Mr. Kipling's own heart, for here there are practically no flannel'd fools at the wicket or muddied osfs at the goals-L. 8. Gordon Cumming. everyone loves the war-game best.'
Kemp has been appointed a Magistrate.
It is notified in the Gazette that Mr, J. H.
both Chinese and both fatal.
Two plague cases were reported on Monday
Commodore Dicken and Mrs. Dicken left London on the 8th ult. per P. & O. steamer Australia, connecting with the Ballaarat at Colombʊ, for Hongkong,
The visitors to the City Hall Library and Museum for the week ending the 7th February, 1904, were 165 non-Chinese and 75 Chinese to the former, and 76 non-Chinese/ and 2,559 Cuinese to the latter institution.
H.E. Mr. J. H. Stewart-Lockhart, Commis sioner at Weihaiwei, arrived from Shanghai on the 8th inst. by the 8.8. Ernest Simons, with Mrs. Stewart-Lockhart and infant. Our late Colonial Secretary has been stopping with Mr. Tomes. He returns to Weihaiwei to-day, Mrs. Lockhart and family proceeding home,
It is no strange thing in Hongkong to see strangely misspelt names on Chinese shop fronts and printed notices. One of the funniest of this kind of exhibition is to be seen at present. It is displayed near the Occidental Hotel and it annou ces to the public that certain articles are for sale at this particular shop "opposite the Accidental Hotel." Not a bad name for a hotel either,
WATER RETURN.
LEVEL AND STORAGE OF WATER IN RESER- VOIRS ON THE 1ST FEBUARY.
LEVEL. 1903.
1904.
Below overflow Below overflow. Tytam
22 ft. 2 in. 27 ft. 5 in. Pokfulam...... 28 ft. 0 in. 31 ft. 10 in. Wongneicheong 34 ft. 0 in. 23 ft. 9 in.
STORAGE GALLONS.
Tytam
1903. 222,520,000
Pokfulam........ 10,645,000 Wongneicheong 2,369,000
1904. 192,460,000 6,160,000 7,382,000
Total 235,534,000 2 6,0. 2,000 CONSUMPTION OF WATER IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA AND HILL DISTRICT DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY,
1903.
1904. Consumption.. 72,481,000 80,761,000 gallons Estimated popu.
217,200 222,100
...
10.7
lation Consumption per head per day
11.7 gallons Intermittent supply in force during the whole of January in both years. Though the quantity in reservoirs is 29 millions less than in 1903, it is 115 millions more than in 1902. CONSUMPTION OF WATER IN KOWLOON PEN-
INSULA DUBING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
1903,
1904.
Consumption 13,248,000 14,481,000 gallons Estimated popu.
lation
60,000 65,900 Consumption per
head per day 7.1
7.0 gallons The Government Analyst reports that the water is of excellent quality.
W, CHATHAM,
Water Authority.
It was reported on Wednesday by the police committed suicide at Aberdeen by hanging that on the previous day a young Chinaman had
bimself to a tree. The dead body was found suspended and was cut down. only 22 years of age. He used to be employed by Deceased was the Harbourmaster, and recently got disu issed for what reason does not transpire. It is pre- sumable that his dismissal had preyed on his mind and led him to take his own life.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
133
The appointment is notified at the Admiralty of Lieutenant H. Escombe to the Glory, as flag. lieutenant to Sir G.H.U. Noel.
Mr. Melton Prior, the Illustrated London News war artist, now in Japan, is on his 27th war commission for the News.
A Scientific Society is to be formed very fourishing in Japan. shortly in Bangkok, on the lines of two already
M. Paderewski is to visit Japan, proceeding via the Trans-Siberian, in the course of a pro- longed tour he is about to make Afterwards he proposes to visit China and India. But the war, of course, must affect his arrangements.
H.E. Sir Henry and Lady Blake, accom- panied by H.R.H. Priness Louise Augusts of Sobleswig Holstein, visited Anuradhapura, the
most celebrated site of Buddhist remains in Ceylon, on the 21st ultimo and following day.
The troubles in Mindanao, P.I., do not appear to be nearing a cessation. The latest news is that Lieut. Campbell W. Flake has been killed, and Lieut. William E. Roberts and private Foy seriously wounded, in a conflict with the Moros, They all belong to the 22nd U.S. Infantry.
If Japan and Russia ever come to blows the contest is likely to be the event
best-reported in the history of journalism, dents are flocking thick and fast says the Kobe Chronicle. War corespon- East. The majority of these gentlemen are to the
a few days, but will soon be on their way to staying in Japan-preferably the capital-for Corea and Manchuria, whither they have been preceded by a number of correspondents who have already visited those parts and returned to await events.
Colonel Wylly, 8.B., has resigned command of the Sherwood Foresters, the resignation hav-
The most important arrest made for many he inspected the 1st battalion of h's late regi-Medina, aide-de-camp and private secretary to ing effect from Thurday: On the 10th inst. days, says the Manila Times of the 23rd uit., was that of Geronimo Medina, alias Juan meat-or rather bis then regiment-a last inspection. Afterwards Colonel Wylly spoke a few words to the men, thanking them for their support. The band played "Auld Lang Syne" before dismissal. Temporary command of the regiment has been taken over by Major
With reference to a special Daily Press telegram from Manila, dated 9th inst.. to the effect that 45 of the constabulary and garrison af Vigan, Ilocos province, Luzon, had seized the barracks, liberated the prisoners, and escaped southward with 55 rifles and plenty of ammunition, it is now reported that American is visiting Filipinos kong under various pretences.
at Hong- He refuses to give his name or address, and is suspected of being an United States detective.
an
On Wednesday at the Supreme Court His Honour the Chief Justice Sir William Goodman admitted to practice as a solicitor in Hongkong, Mr. T. A. Hanmer, who has for some time past been cting as Assistant Secre- tary to Mr. G. A. Woodcock, of the Sanitary Board Office. Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C., barrister-at-law, who was instructed by Mr. M. J. D. Stephens, solicitor, introduced Mr. Hanmer to the Court. His Lordship said he found all the necessary papers in order and he welcomed Mr. Hanmer to the Bar of Hongkong. The Guaranty Trust Company of New York, has sold to the International Bank its Eastern branches, viz., those at Hongkong, Manila, and Shanghai.
a8
For some months past there has been a steady decrease in boarders at S. Peter's College; in fact, the number, it is said, has come down from about 120 to less than 50. What is the chief cause of discontent is hard to say, but, whatever it is, the boys have nothing to say against the principal, who is always spoken of most kind-hearted. On Saturday last, for some reason or other, Filipino boys had their leave stopped, with the result that they armed themselves with cricket-bats, and such like, and challenged the brothers to come down to the playground and enforce the new regulation. eventeen boys left the school on Sunday, six booking to Manila without delay, while others foaud quarters elsewhere. Several other boys, almost all the big boys, it is said, are also about to leave the school.
Artemio Kioarte at Binan yesterday, which has led to the arrest of General of Division Munoz, Ricarte's agent in Manila, and the capture of a book showing the names of those holding com- missions in Ricarts's new army and of a large number of prominent natives, some of whom, it is aid, have been welcome guests at Govern- mental receptions, They have contributed large sums of money to the Hongkong junta to be used by Ricarte in raising a rebellion against the United States Government in the Philip- pines.
ritish
A te agram dated Calcutta, January 24th, says:-A few particulars of te interview Colonel Younghusband hd with some envoys from Lhassa have been received. The Lbassa General offered favourable terms if the retired to Yatung. Colonel Younghusband replied that it was too late for such a course. The General threatened tronble if the advanco continued. Colonel Younghusband replied that, though hopeful of a peaceful settlement, he was fully prepared to mest opposition. He advised the General to inform the Lhassa Government accordingly. The General is evidently the most moderate of envoys, but overweighed by the Lamas, who are obstructive -s regards a peaceful settlement, The interview was friendly,
The Pinang Gazette, discussing the probable effects on the Strait Settlements of a war, if China were to be drawn into it, says: --At least 75 per cent of the inhabitants of the Peninsula ars Celestials whose conservatism demands the importation of their clothes and even much of their makan-preserved vegetables, duc, etc.-- from China. This demand constitutes a very substantial share of our trade, for both Penang and Singapore are transhipment and not pro- ducing ports. Millions of dollars worth of go ds for the Chinese are brought to these two centres, and from thence distributed, mainly in coasting vessels. If the ports of China were closed during a protracted war this importation would cease, our inter-port and coasting trade would be dislocated, our markets would be disorganised, and red ruin would, stalk among the Chinese shopkeepers from one end of the colony to the other. The importation of coolies would be checked and the price of labour would rise as rapidly as that of food-stuffs.
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