5
May 16, 1904.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
365
"Tooo to renew his attempt ? " It cannot matter. It will be a great advantage to years ago, and it seems to have amply justified be denied that the Russian Admiral spoke | foreign merchants, and also to Chica herself, its existence, though it has had to depend entire. like a gallant man. But his plan of warfare, if the year 1904 sees the actual beginningly on private support. Indo-China is one of the if plan we can call it, has been rendered of the task of improving the rivers at
French Colonies now growing cotton, and there impracticable, as far as naval affairs are Cantou and Shanghai.
is not a great difference in the climate of Indo- concerned, within a very few weeks of
China and Kwangtung. There is very little his enunciation of it. Whether it would not
doubt that the small farmers in the New Territory have been the soundest line of policy at the
would take to cotton-growing if the Government experiment proved a success. beginning may well be doubted. But would even Admiral ROZHDESTVENSKY be prepared to use the Baltic fleet in the manner sug- gested, provided it could be brought out to Far Eastern waters? We do not think so.
CHINESE RIVER CONSERVANCY
HONGKONG
JOTTINGS.
(Daily Press 9th May.)
I saw the statement in a home paper recently that Sir John Anderson, who has just taken the oath as Governor of the Straits Settlements, is the youngest Governor in the Colonial Service. As he is 46 years of age, our own Governor- designate must run him very close in that con- nection, for Sir Matthew Nathan was also born in 1862. In looking over the few biographical notes in the Colonial Office List and other works of reference, I came to the conclusion that Sir Matthew's luck must run on nines, and I wondered whether the coincidences here under note have ever been remarked by His Excellency himself. It appears that he was twice nine years he was three times nine when he obtained his of age when he entered the Royal Engineers; captaincy and distinguished himself in the Lushai campaign; he was four times nine when promoted to the rank of Major, and five times nine when chosen to be Governor of Hongkong,
The
The public are beginning to get a little of the Colony, the advent of the rainy season apprehensive once more about the water supply being later this year than last, and the levels in the storage reservoirs much lower. On the 1st May there was almost exactly half the quantity of water in the reservoirs that they contained on the same date last year. Return published by Mr. Jones, the Acting Water Authority, shows that on the 1st inst. gallons of water. which represents little more there were in the reservoirs only 59.681,000 than a month's consumption with the inter- mat system of supply in force. Fortunately. to all appearances. we have not long now to wait for the replenishing of the reservoirs. Last year the dry season practically ended on April 27th, and the boon of a constant supply was restored on May 7th. The Water Returns clearly demonstrate the necessity for pushing on the scheme which was referred last year to the Secretary of State for the Colonies of viding for the construction of a dam at Tytam- tuk to impound 194 million gallons of water. I have noticed no announcement that this scheme has yet been definitely sanctioned by the Colonial Office, but it is quite time that this
pro-
A correspondent tells me that he witnessed a strange contest the other day on one of the higher-level roads between a bird of the magpie species and a snake. The reptile was over two feet long and the bird about the size of a pigeon. In the end the bird came off victorious, killing the snake by pecking at it and by lifting it off the ground repeatedly and letting it drop from a height. Four other birds of the same. kind as the contestant were attracted to the scene and very ungallantly tried to rob the victor of his spoils, but he contrived to beat them all off and few with his prize to a neighbouring tree where no doubt he enjoyed a meal in peace and security.
three
picturesque place like Hongkong. At the third A Camera Club ought to be popular in a Annual Photographic Exhibition of the Foochow Camera Club on the 19th ult. over hundred prints were hung from exhibitors in all parts of the world, a specially noteworthy collection having been sent by the Camera Club of San Francisco, California.
THE WAR.
BANYAN.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS].
LONDON, 6th May. The Japanese Loan lus now been arrang- ed. Five millions are t be issued in London, and the same in New York. The loan will be for seven years, will bear 6 per cent. interest, and is issuel at 93).
LONDON, 6th May. shan, while the Japanese transports are at The Japanese Fleet is now behind Lioti-
Pitsuwao.
Admiral Alexieff has left Port Arthur to join the active army.
Admiral Besobradoff has left S. Peters- burg for the Far East.
(Daily Press, 16th May.) River conservancy on the China coast. is a matter on which we have written more than once of late.
At the present moment there! are two rivers for the improvement of which the European residen's in this neighbour- hood and at Shanghai are anxiously looking. China has promised reforms, but with China's promises we are all unfortunately only too familiar. The date which the Chinese Government prefers to fix for their fulfilment is always a date in the Greek! Kalends; only by force can that Government be induced to name an actual day of redemp tion. But there are rumours now of really impending action with regard to both the Canton and the Whangpoo Rivers. The fact that Mr. W. F. TYLER, the Imperial Maritime Customs Coast Inspector, has pro- ceeded to Canton on a visit is interpreted to mean that his advice is to be given to the Canton authorities on the sub ject of the removal of the artificial barriers in the river, the removal of which has been promised by China, but, characteristically, never even begun. The suggestion as to the cause of Mr. TYLER'S visit, seeins reasonable, and we believe we may congratulate the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce that their constant hammering away at the subject has at length met with success, in so far that China has been compelled to consider how to carry out her promise. With reference to the Whangpoo, a meeting of the Consu- lar Body at Shanghai was called for Tuesday last to discuss the conservancy question. The result is not yet known, but Viceroy WEI KUANG-TAO was understood to be placing certain suggestions before the Con- suls. In a Memorandum drawn up by H.E. WEI, China's readiness to appropriate 460,000 Taels annually for the conservancy work is mentioned. It is stipulated that the Whangpoo River works shall be still controlled by the Shanghai Taoti and that the Customs and the administration of and other powers in connection with the river, lighthouses, etc., shall still be in charge of the Customs authorities. China under takes to ask the various countries, after three months' time, to nominate con- jointly one or two officers versed in con- servancy to manage the work in question. And, finally, the Chinese Government is villing not to receive any money or contri- bution for the conservancy work from the shipping or properties of the various countries at Shanghai and the ports in its neighbourhood. This is the principal part of the Viceroy's suggestion. He says, too, that China cannot entertain the idea of the foreign merchants contributing to the cost of the conservancy. No doubt it is rather fear of the merchants establishing too strong a claim rather than pride which inspires this attitude on the part of China. But it is satisfactory that China has been forced to make counter-advances on the question, I evoked. France has its and there is a promise of settlement of the onniere Coloniale," established less than two 'Arthur.
work was put in hand.
It is reported that the Russiaus "have abandoned their position at Fenghwang- cheng.
LONDON, 8th May,
It is reported from S. Petersburg that the railway and telegraph suth of Moukden, have been cut, and that the surrounding country is in th hands of the Japanese.
In Mr. Basil Taylor's report on the Harbour in 1903, under general remarks, may be found the following paragraph: The building of the much-needed new Harbour Office has now been commenced, and it is to be hoped that the work will be pushed on as quickly as possible, pered by the restricted view of the Harbour as the work of the Department is seriously ham- from the Office. But it is scarcely probable that the new Office can be opened much before another two years have passed." It is always thus in Hongkong with Government work. What department. I wonder, can be pointed to as not having suffered from inadequate present accom-place holding out modation and delay in the provision of new?
LONDON, 8th May.
It is reported that Fenghwangcheng full into the hands of the Japanese on Wednes- day after fierce fighting, with heavy losses
on both sides.
Admiral Stoessel in a speech at Port Arthur expressed his confidence about the
Admiral Alexieff has arrived at Moukden.
LONDON, 9th May. It is officially declared at S. Petersburg that Port Arthur is still open.
It is announced at Brussels that a Russian Loan of 45,000,000 francs, was signed on Saturday.
The Vladivostock squadron has returned to port.
The suggestion which has been made to the Chamber of Commerce by Mr. S. T. Dunn, the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforests tion Department, to the effect that an experi- ment should be made in the cultivation of cotton in the New Territory, is one which the Chamber might well press upon the attention the Government will be found only too willing of the Government, and it may be hoped that to appropriate a small sum in the next Budget for the purpose of making the experiment. Since the formation of an Association at home having for its object the development of cotton culti vation in the Colonies, the Colonial Office has shown a very praiseworthy interest in the investigation of the agricultural aspects of the enterprise. and I suppose Mr. Dunn's New Territory was prompted by the lively in- terest the subject of colonial cotton-growing has Viceroy Alexiaff reports to S. Petersburg Association Cot that the railway has been restored to Port
1.
LONDON, 10th May. The Russian's have withdrawn the Viceregal headquarters in Manchuria to Harbin.
Grave anxiety is being caused at S. Petersburg by the disnfection in South- Western Russia.
LONDON, 11th May.
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