88
CHINA AND THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
Discussing the Chinese request to be repro- sented at the Peace Conference, the Jiji says: As the concerted action of Russia and China in this respect will no doubt have the effect of retarding the progress of the peace negotiations. the Japanese Government must try to rid China of her illusion. Japan should make it known to China in unequivocal terms that she will not allow the interference of a third party in the peace conference under any pretext or circumstances whatever. What we deplore. continues our contemporary, is that Japan's diplomatic influence towards China is not in sufficient proportion to the brilliant successes achieved in the field of arms. China would never have taken the ill-considered move she
has taken if Japanese diplomacy had been sufficiently careful and cautions so as to nip any movement inimical to Japan's interests in
the bad.
war.
The Toko Asuhi says: -The Chinese! sovereignty over Manchuria disappeared with the Russian occupation of the province, which circumstance has forced Japan to the present
existence The nominal
of China's sovereignty in Manchuria is as true today, as declared by China, as it was before the war, but that means nothing to China so long as it is only an empty name.
If Chion does not want the restitution of the province through Japan the latter may retain it hers lf. keeping China's sovereignty intact at the same time, exactly as Russia has done. China should con sider twice before she acts in an unfriendly manner towards Japan, as her action may be fraught with grave consequences.
The Kokumin says :-China, it would seem, does not fully realise her real position. The reason that China must remain an outsider so far as the disposal of Manchuria is concerned is clear from the fact that she had declared her neutrality in the war waged on Manchurian soil for the recovery of the province from Russia. China has remained an on-looker throughout the play, and, when Japan's triumph is assured and she is about te gather in the fruits of her victory. China steps in and wishes to play a leading part. Such an action, however couvenient it
may
be to China, is very annoying to Japan. Japan's policy regarding Manchuria is as clearly set forth by his Majesty in his declara tion of war against Russia. to maintain the integrity of China and to make Mancburia an open market to the world. If Japan had designs on Chinese territory she would not have suffered for want of pretext and opportunity to carry out her intention. China ought to disarni herself of any suspicion she may entertain towards Japan, concludes the Kokumin, and, disregaring any gratuitous advice that is offered her by Muscovite agents, she may rely upon the good faith of Japan.
UNUSUAL METHOD OF PACIFIC TRANSPORT,
of a
The Chefoo Daily News reporte A huge raft containing 10,000,000 feet of spars and piling is to be towed across the Pacific to Shanghai during the summer, says the Sau Francisco Chronicle. This is the gigantic plan new company just organized under the laws of British Columbia and which is to be a branch of the Robertson Raft Company of San Francisco. At the head of the concern is H. R. Robertson, who is said to have made vast sums by his success in rafting lumber from northern points to San Francisco.
Except for an accident to the first one or two big rafts, which broke loose. all the huge rafts have been brought safely to port. They
are, nevertheless, looked upon with considerable fear bo seafaring men and shipowners, who regard the bulky rafts as menaces which should be prohibited from going to sea.
The Robertson people, despite this opposi. tion, appear determined to extend their field of operations, and will send to Shanghai-or at least start it in that direction-a larger raft of big logs than has ever been put together. From present plans it will be towed by one or more of the most powerful tugboats of San Francisco accompanied by ả collier or oit steamer with fuel for the tugs,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
.
!
BOW-AND-ARROW DECLARED
OBSOLETE.
A Chinese Imperial Edict dated July 21st is thus translated by a contemporary :-
It was
with the bow and arrow that our
Imperial dynasty conquered the World (China) and for this reason a chery on horse- back has ever since been a sine quà non in the curriculum for the examination of officers and in drilling the soldiers of our armies. Times, however, have changed, and the bow and arrow hare since become obsolete in the face if con stantly changing invention in warlike weapons. Filled with the desire to follow our illustrious ancestors, who make it a rale to take up all things that show a superiority over those in yogue, we hereby command that all princes. dukes, nobles, and ministers of the Manchu race shall lend their attention to the study of modern military matters so that they may be well prepared for warlike emergencies. Let them not be satisfied with superficial thins only. Manchus who are required by law to be equipped with bows when appearing in audience before us are hereby excused from holding this weapon, while those officers and men follow
1
i
Au
[August 7, 1863.
ALLEGED BUREAUCRATIC DISHONESTY AT AMOY,
interesting Chinese Imperial de ree published on 24th July was translated in the N-C. Daily News follows:- We bare rec ived
a memorial from the Ministry of
AN
Commerce (Shangpu) charging the Bureau of Commerce (Shan Chenchu) of the port of Amoy; Fukien province. of many irregularities, and recommending that the part of the Bureau's duty to protect Chinese merch⚫nts and
traders who have returned to their homes from abroad be handed over for the furture to the Chinese General Chamber of Com- merce in Amoy. As we are now embrak- a course of reform. all matters ing on affecting the commercial branch of our Govern- ment are of the utmost importance Indeed. we have already repeatedly issuel decrees enjoining upon the officials of the places con- cerned to give substantial protection to all Chinese merchants and traders returning home from abroad. If, as the said Ministry charges, the Bureau of Commerce of Amoy has been guilty of many irregularities, we command the of Amy to take over the duty of protect. Chinese General Chamber of Commerce
ing the Court from one place to another, or when entering the Imperial Palaces to mounting all Chinese returned from abroad and from being imposed upon guard should all the more be careful to equip prevent them themselves with proper modern arms in place of by dishonest gentry and evil characters. The obsolete ones.
As to the annual selection of said Chamber of Commerce will be required to men for the Imperial Guards Corps, and the appoint a special Committee to take the direc selection of Manchus to serve in the Man-
tion of affairs in this matter and they shall be chu regiments, we hereby command the Imperial Chamberlains to act in conjunction with the Board of War to consider the best way in which modern requirements under the present circumstances.
to meet
THE BOYCOTT RIOTING AT AMOY. '
The N.-C. Daily News understands that upou receipt of the disturbing news from Amoy the Committee in charge of Boycott matters at Shanghai. at once telegraphed to the principal merchants and gentry of that port exhorting them to maintain control of their fellow citizens and showing how foolish it is for the people of Amoy to act so rowdily. You should." said the dispatch, continue friendly relations with every American in your midst and act courteously as usual towards them. Our dispute is not with American merchants, officials, and missionaries here, nor with American merchants in the States. We merely want just treatment for our country. meu going to the United States, and if we cannot get our wish we merely show our displeasure by refusing to buy things of Americau manufac- ture, that is all. We must not quarrel or illtreat Americans in our midst, the majority of whom heartily decry the action of those concerned in the States. It is, therefore, to be earnestly hoped that you people of Amor keep to the letter of our programme already decided amongst us namely, abstain from buying or contracting for American goods until we get our wish, which is very simple and does not require any exertion or bu lying on the part of the mob. There is no use for such things at all. We are heartily sorry that you have done such things in Amoy and sincerely hope people of other cities will not follow your bad example."
CO-OPERATIVE STORES AT
SHANGHAI,
Attempts have been made more than once to start a genuinely co-operative store in Shanghai, but they have failed from two causes the diffi- culty of getting customers to pay cash down: and the difficulty of getting directors with the requisite special knowledge, and the leisure to look after the details of the management. Another and more promising attempt is now being made, says the N. C. Daily News, as will bave been learnt from the prospectus of the Shanghai International Stores Co-operative The scheme is a well-considered Society, Ld. one, and the prospects of success are decidedly good though, of course, a very much larger capital will be required before the stores can be opened, while the shares are so small that every customer can easily be a Member of the Society
made responsible to the Ministry of Commerce.
We further command the various Taotais of Fukion province to act in conjunction with the said Chamber in all matters concerning the pro- tection of merchants and traders of all classes so that there may be mutual support given between officials and merchants.
THE HONGKONG GARDENS.
A correspondeut requests us to "write some-
thing" about the disgraceful way in which the Public Gardens are closed to Europeans by the
unrestricted admission of low class Chinese,
•
Be states that it is not the long coated Chinese" he objects to, but the half-clad and other non-respectable persons who crowd these beauti- ful grounds, lolling on and monopolising the seats in an offensive manner, spitting and mak- ing disagreeable noises in their throats, staring impudently at ladies: and in other objectionable ways making the gardens impossible for European residents. We have noticed some of the features our correspondent refers to; but apart from opening our correspondence colunin for suggestions, do not see what can be done at present.
The Government will not be disposed to imitate the Shanghai Municipal Council, or we might suggest that one half be reserved for Chinese, and the other for European. In the
northern port each community. Chiness and Foreign, has its own garden. There is a differ ence of opinion here. We have been informed that Europeans do not patronise the Gardens because of the things mentioned above; and we have been told that they would not go in any great number even if some exclusive policy were to be adopted.
THE RECENT TYPHOON.
Although Hongkong was fortunate enough to escape the ravages of the late typhoon. shipping to and from the port had not the same good luck. This German steamer Hans Wagner, Captain Cargerninn, when about 300 miles from Hongkong was struck by the typhoon on the 24th July. The damage dons has not yet been estimated by the Marine Surveyor, but is believed to be very considerable, as a quantity of deck cargo, parts of the deck houses and one life inat are stated to have been washed away.
"The German steamer Ferona, which arrived from Amoy yesterday, two and a half days late, also had a trying time. Although not very much damaged, the moments during which the typhoon lasted were very anxious ones for the crew, and the ship was blown 200 miles to the north eastward of her course.
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