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September 4, 1905.]
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HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
29th August.
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absence, say of five years, would be astonished at Anyone revisiting the Colony after an the change which has taken place. In every direction the builders-hosts of them-have been busily employed, and in many districts quite a transformation has occurred. It would pay an enterprising photographer, I should think, to take a good view of the city from the harbour, now that the new buildings on the of the Colouy now at Home would be glad to Praya are nearly completed, as many old residents receive a copy showing the great change which has been made in the appearance of City. Such panoramic views as are now on sale represent the Hongkong of five or ten years age, and are interesting to the new-comer only as showing by contrast with the Colony's present appearance the developments which have taken place in so short a time. There are still the new Law Courts and the Post Office to com lete the magnificent row of buildings on the waterfront, but at the present rate of pro gress, it is popularly estimated that it will be another five years before these are ready for occupation ?
CHİNA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.. absolutely at one with the Government and clauses that afford compensation to Japan its aims: the other as uniformly unsuccess- for her sacrifices in the past, by assuring ful, mutiny among its forces, and rebellion her peace and safety in the future. It rampant in its towns, its credit irreparably should be glad reading not only for the damaged, and its national policy at sixes subjects of the two signatories, but for all and sevens-it is nothing less than astound the world. We have never permitted our ing that such large concessions should be selves to count upon a time when the war made by the one having the upper hand drum will throb no longer; but have every Why, the chief things waived were the confidence that when danger threatens, and chief components of the "irreducible the war drum is heard emitting preliminary minimum!" What has been kept back fromamblings in Tokyo and in London, that the us? What is the inuer history of the danger will promptly subside. With this negotiations? These are questions that are settlement (surprising as its terms are) being asked, overtly as well as sotto voce. and this new Treaty, the faithful may pray REUTER, for instance, illustrates the in- with greater confidence than ever before for credulity as such a settlement by peace in our time.” repeating a theory that there is a secret understanding with regard to re-imburse ments; kept secret, presumably, to
spare the susceptibilities of the TSAR. Until authoritatively contradicted, this theory will be widely accepted, because it so plausibly explains the otherwise inexplicable. The
• obvious" has, of course, been seized upon; And the rank and file of newspaperdom is exclaiming at Japan's "magnanimity." We do not for one moment suggest that the Japanese are not entitled to be credited with this and other virtues; but while human nature is human nature, we (speak ing for no mere minority) will expect some explanation of Japan's action more satisfy ing than this talk of altruism. Nations do not abandon the fruits of victory, to say nothing of bills of costs, out of sheer good nature. Frank speech should be more bracing than brutal, and at the best estimate, all such magnanimity must be counted as a sprat to catch a mackerel. The babble reputation" is called prestige in the case of nations; and it may be that in thus heaping coals of fire on the head of Russia, Japan aims a shrewder blow than is yet realised, Certainly there will be no studying of Japanese susceptibilities at St. Petersburg No effort will be spared by Russia to put the best possible complexion--or the worst according to which side it is viewed from on Japan's wagnanimity. Already the St. Petersburg papers are saying what a pity it is that the TSAR should have graciously condescended to accept Japan's overtures, just when his army had become stronger than ever, and when LINIEVITCH was ready to bring the barbariaus to their knees. Russia claims to be "still" a Power in the Far East, a pathetic plea, when the implied admission of the word is recoguised, that for a time the power had been denied.
We ought, perhaps, to avert misunderstanding, of what has gone before, by expressing the opinion that there is no humbug in the Japanese statement that the MIKADO's yielding was in response to "the dictates of humanity and civilisation," and "in a spirit of perfect conciliation and the interest of peace." They attribute to His Imperial Majesty no more than may be attributed to President RoOSEVELT and other leaders of men-natural feelings shared by us all, in view of such terrible carnage as has been witnessed during this war.
We could wish that the TSAR had shown a like regard for human lives, instead of talking of fighting "to the last man."
The man who talks like that is usually the last man, it may be noted. However, the main fact that a too pro- tracted war is now over is important enough to compensate us for the disappointment that lovers of poetic justice and fair play are now feeling. And as is hinted, there may be more behind. It may be (we give it as a guess only) that when Russia learns the contents of the new Auglo-Japanese treaty she will not be
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full of self-congratulation. There may not improbably be in that document
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is taking place in Des Voeux Road Central, It is interesting to observe the change which Watson's and Powell's imposing stores are a great attraction in themselves and the new
We
are
King Edward Hotel, which has just been stripped of its scaffolding. is a building quite as imposing as its neighbours. begin to talk of trade following the tram, but two such buildings as the Post Office and the Law Courts in the road must tend to make Des Voeux Road the leading thorough- fare. The Robinsou Piano Company shortly moving into Des Voeux Road
and seven shop frouts are being put into the bu idings Fast of the Hongkong Hotel. There is every probability, I think. that in the near future we shall see European firms following the tram-line westward. The deser- tion of Queeu's Road is most noteworthy. Besides Watson's and Powell's aud the Robinson Piano Co, Lane Crawford and Co. and Kelly and Walsh are shortly moving nerer to the water front, while C. J. Gaupp and Co. Kruse and Co., and G. Falconer & Co. are already accommodated in the new buildings forming Chater Road.
caler
These few observations suggest a re- mark
or two on the coteworthy increase in the 'retail establishments which for the European community. Drapery and millinery establishments sem to have been springing up like mushrooms. There are fire or six in the Colony now run by Europeans, while less than three years ago there were but two; and as for the new shops opened by Chinese and Indians in the neighbourhood of Welling ton Street, their name will soon te legion. Tailor and man millinery" establishments have also multiplied to an astonishing extent. Evidently these must have been profitable lines of trade, but now with so much competition it is surprising that they all contrive to live.
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business which is being converted into a limited liability concern is that of Cottam & Co.
The boycott movement in the Colony is evidently influential in certain directions, though, so far as the moṛement was directed a ;ainst the trams, it has signally failed. The tram‹ during the past fortnight have been doing “a roaring business" taking Chinese to the Circus. It is, however, notorious that the China and Manila Steamship Co., though a British Company, is being boycotted by the guilds which contr 1 the passenger traffic to and from Manila, simply firm, are successors to an American house. because the general managers, who are a British This is not the only British company in the Colony which is suffering. Of course a man is a law unto himself in the matter of dispensing his business favours, but if it be true that guilds in Hoogkong are intimidating intending pas- sengers and fining those who decline to do their bidding there is call on the Government to do its level best to suppress such guilds.
I hear that a Company has been privately floated to open a lace manufacturing business similar to that which Mr. Fr. Blunck carried on for so long in Hongkong. The capital of the Company, I understand, is $30,000. Another
The official notification in the Government flowers, reget bles, fruits and preserves will Gazette a few weeks ago that an exbibition of be held in the Public Gardens in the middle of February next does not appear to have evoked much public interest, but I trust that sufficient encouragement will be given to the project to make it a success. For many years, as old residents will remember, Hongkong had among its institutions a Horticultural Society which beld exhibitions every February in the Public Gardens. Mr. Ford, who was for so many years the Superintendent of the Botanical and sonl and Afforestation Department, was the life.
of the Society. I think the Society fizzled out about twenty years ago, though flower shows have occasionally been organised since. We ought t› bare an annual flower show, and though few houses po18:88 gardens in Hongkong now-a-days, I should think it ought not to be impossible to organise a flower show once a year.
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In the old days the competitors in the flower show were European residents, while Chinese gardeners competed in the fruit and vegetable departments. If the Chinese gardeners can be induced to take a real and sustained interest in the show it should lead to a considerable
improvement in the quality of fruit and regetables which are brought into the markets. This year both fruit and vegetables have been very poor in quality and unusually high in price.
BANYAN.
CIVIL SERVICE CRICKET CLUB.
The annual meeting of this Club was held at the matshed, Happy Valley, on August 31st. Hou. Mr. W. Chatham presided, and there were also preseut Dr. F. Clark, Dr. Pearse, Messrs. A. Carter, J. Roidie, D. Mackenzie, Howell, Duncan. Coyah, Cotton, Rodgers, Fin cher, Fritli, Woolley. J. Smith, Connolly, Melver. Parkinson, Lamble, Allen, Hogarth, Adamson, R. Witchell, Gidley, L. E. Brett (secretary) and others.
The SECRETARY read the notice convening! the meeting, also minutes of last annual meet. ing, which were confirmed.
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
The CHAIRMAN-The report, I think, mast It shows be regarded as a very gratifying one. an increase in the membership and a very sub stantial inco re. With regard to the member- ship, the secretary bas just informed me that this now numbers over 100; therefore we may look for a still further increase in the sub- seriptions. The grounds, I'am sure, are all in beautiful order, and the expenditure which was necessary to put them in that order will prob- ably not be so great in the future, as it is a small matter to maintain the condition : therefore we may confidently look forward to having some balance in hand, instead of a deficit, at the next annual meeting. Unless any member desires further information, I will move that the report and accounts as printed be passed.
Mr. WITCHELL seconded the motion. Mr. LAMBLE-Unfortunately it is always the case in a meeting of this sort that one cannot criticise a report without being charged with indulging in personalities, and I hope that
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.