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obstruct the railway affair but will mislead the public and involve it in serious trouble.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
who would spread false rumours, on account of this I have issued this proclamation written on a board and have had it hung outside my Jamên to inform the public. I command you all to take notice and abstain from disobeying | this proclamation.
[Note by our Correspondent.—Unofficial people present emphatically deny that Lai Kwai-pui used any seditious expressions.]
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AGAINST VICEROY.
[January 22 1000
Merchants must not listen to the evil scoundrels which might bring severe on themselves. The question of raising fands for the building of the railway is a very important matter. If more popular means can be devised to raise the funds, we shall beʻglade
IMPERIAL MESSAGE,
Viceroy Shum received yesterday the following two telegrams
January 17th. At a meeting held yesterday (16th inst.) at Imperial Edict by cable to Viceroy Shum,
Heard that owing to the increase of taxes in the Chamber of Commerce, it was decided to put the increased taxation question to the Kwangtung people are protesting and greatly vote. Tworlists were laid on the table and the excited; even foreigners judging it advisable.
to land troops as a protective measure. -Forward merchants were requested to sign one or the other according to their willingness or unwill-particulars immediately about present situation ingness to accept the increase. The list express of affairs. The matter of taxation should be ing opposition to the increase was covered with discussed in the proper spirit with the people numerous names, and after the lists are chopped and measures of violence should not be resorted: with the seals of the 72 guilds the document to to coerce them. The deputies appear to will be sent together with a petition to all the have disregarded the public welfare and seem to high officials of the province with the exception have conducted themselves improperly. You, of the Viceroy, who is temporarily ignored. Viceroy Shum, have always treated the people Speeches were numerous and most of them equitably and have always shown severity to were pacific, exhorting the merchants and the officials. We rely on you therefore to people to observe order and not to resort to avoid trouble and preserve order for the violent measures. It was also decided to send welfare of Kwangtung.” delegates to enquire after Lai Kwai-pui's health, and to convey to him the members' appreciation of his courageous conduct, as he was starving and suffering for the people's
cause.
January 20th.
THE CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY TROUBLE. The Prefect of Canton, Chan-Mong-taang, and the Nam-Ho and Pan-Yu Magistrates have issued jointly a proclamation, which dwells on the importance of raising funds for the construction of the Canton-Hankow railway, and deals with the obstructive attitude of the people's representatives.
It then
runs
on
CHANG CHIH-TUNG'S VIEW. Telegram received by Viceroy Shum from Chang Chih-tung as follows :----
man
January 17th. "Deeply regret that matters have taken an unfavourable aspect for the welfare of Kwang
innocent tung and an
implicated. Grieves me very much."
Another message from the Waiwupu is said to have reached the Viceroy yesterday afternoon. It appears that the Peking Board, while upholding the Viceroy's action, enjoins him to act with moderation. Oar correspondent comments:
It will be observed from the foregoing that there seems-to-be a climb down on the official side, and that overtures are being practically made to settle the matte: amicably. The people are, however, determined to carry their point and unless the questi is promptly settled, complications are liable to occur after New Year's Day. The officials are said to be at their. wits' eud, as they never expected the public worm to turn in this manner.
Since my arrival in 'Kwangtung I have devoted my time day and night in reforming matters of public grievance. I am the first Viceroy who ordered the dismissal of yamên runners and gave instruction to my subordinates to do likewise. This was done to protect the merchants and people in general. I have ›cashiered, imposed heavy fines and banished all those civil and military officials who have abused and tyrannised the people. This I did without fear of incurring animosity and making enemies. I did it to protect the merchants and people. I have been personally at war for three years in Kwangsito punish and exterminate the rebels, and the rebellion has been qu-lled. The Two Kwang were in need of funds to quell the Kwangai rebellion. I took the responsibility of raising loans in other provinces and have imposed heary fines on covetous and depraved officials, and took their illgotten gains from their purses. I never increased the likin or field taxes to raise funds for the above purpose. I did all this for the good of the merchants and people. The revenue derived from the Pak-kap-piu lottery was over one million tails, but I abolished it on" account of the mischief it worked amongst the people. This I did to protect you merchants and people. Daring the three years I have been in Kwangtung I have exerted myself to the utmost to help the people to make & livilihood until I became sick and was confined to bed for months. I am aware that I lack ability. My intentions, however, were good, but I lack the strength to carry them out.
I have been unable to carry out all the public works and have consequently asked the Government to let me resign, but the Throne has not given me permis- sion to do 80. So long as I remain Viceroy of Kwangtung I shall endea
duties. The
as follows: "The railway in question is the Kwangtung idea of redeeming the railway originated from railway; as soon as it is completed the merchants the gentry and merchants and at that time and people will receive all the benefit from it.
even your representatives Lai-Kwai-pui and The officials who shall be appointed and come Leong-Shew shan were of opinion that there from other provinces to Kwangtung cannot was want of union amongst yourselves, and put the railway into a cart and take it away to requested the Viceroy to take the lead in the their homes. I have made investigation and find matter. It is only proper that you should adhere that on account of the building of railways in the to your word and prevent the affair from falling provinces of Yunnan and Sze-cbuan the salt and into the hands of the foreigners who are field taxes have been increased, yielding several watching the scheme with covetous eyes. If million taels. All this is paid by the merchants this railway cannot be carried out by us, we
"I have the honour to report to your Ex- and people of those provinces. All of them shall have to repay the capital borrowed with the are contented and did so willingly. Besides interest. Besides, when the line is completed cellency the following matter for your informs- tion. In consequence of the ill-feeling created the above An-hui, Kiangsi and other provinces, all the profits will go to the people, as it was for instance, have raised their own fund for plainly explained in the Viceroy's proclams by the boycott of American goods, coupled with building railways, and it is equitable for s tion the other day. In perusing the "Express the recent trouble over the meeting at the province to make use of its resources to carry issued by the Chamber of Commerce, we observe Kwong Chai Hospital, whereby the people's ont schemes for the benefit of the province. Ithat it practically states that we are desirous wrach has been raised to the highest pitoh know that there are commercial difficulties in of using oppressive measures to increase the against the Viceroy, it is to be feared that the Kwangtung and I therefore do not wish to taxes and thus bring calamity on the people will work mischief to implicate the impose an increased tax on any particular people. We are positive that these expressions Viceroy in some trouble with some foreigners, branch of commerce. I only desire to raise a did not come from the people of Kwangtung The occasion would be seized to bring about fund of over one million taels from several lines but were indited by one or two individuals. It the assassination of the Viceroy in the confusion which would not be so hard on them. Besides is a great pity that on account of one or two which would naturally fellow armed intervention I will give them in exchange for the increased persons, who have aroused and misled the by foreigners. The murder of the American taxes shares in the railway concern. They people, this great scheme should be des- Consul General is also planned by the bad will derive profits from the earnings of troyed. If you think that the increased characters, so as to bring about reprisals by the the railway and the power of controlling taxes are really oppressive, you gentry and gunboats in port, which might bombard the its.operations will also be in their hands. merchants are perfectly at liberty to suggest city, thus affording the people the opportunity Although I have appointed directors and other means to raise funds. His Excellency of starting an insurrection, in the course of assistants they have not drawn any salary the Viceroy has always listened to and which the Viceroy could be easily put to death. from the railway concern. Unexpectedly taken the people's advice. For instance, recent I strongly advise you, if you value your life, Leong Shew-shan and others, who do not ly some people obtained the monopoly to export not to expuse yourself under any account by understand common equity, deliberately ob- sie-mew rice (first quality rice) from Kwang-going into the city. Please do not discr.dit structed my plans, I never had the slightest tung. The charitable corporations of Canton the above. thought that they would do so. From in-memorialized the Viceroy praying that the quiries made I have discovered that Lai monopoly be cancelled as the production of rice Kwai-pui is # very mean, vulgar and in the province is not equal to the demand. His unpopular man. When he was an official Excellency at once cancelled the monopoly. We in Fakien he loft & very bad name are perfectly prepared to submit your grievances behind. On his return to Canton his to the Viceroy, which you cannot do yourselves, conduct has been very perverse towards his and will straighten up things on your behalf.
This time he has made use native people.
We never dreamt of such a catastrophe as this; of expressions that are seditious and has treated of officials being slandered and insulted by one We are certain that those Chinese law with contempt. I have given or two individuals. instructions to search him and keep him under gentry and merchants who have common-sense vigilant surveillance. I will discrimimate their (and they are many) have been equally surprised crimes and faults and will memorialize the to see such a sudden attitude taken against the Throne to have them cashiered. If Lej and officials and the Government by Lai, Leong and Leong will admit that they are wrong. I others. We are, however, aware that such will memorialize Throne to have them views are shared by the minority. His Excel. reinstated in their titles. I shall cause them to lency has memorialized the Throne to cashier be arrested and will have them punished with the Lai and Leong and to punish them not only on Being afraid that you sccount of opposing the railway scheme but, utmost severity. people might listen to the depraved gentry chiefly for having slandered the Government.
they
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A STARTLING WARNING.
The following mysterious letter was received. by the U. S. Consul to-day :---
· (Signed) A. Sincere Friend."
THE VISIT OF H. R. H. PRINCE ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT.
We understand that the Reception Committee or the entertainment of 1 HRH Prince arrival in the Arthur of Connaught on his s Colony next month, devided at a meeting held on Jan. 12 to invite the public, both European and Chinese, to illuminate their premises on the night of February 10th along the route to be followed by H. R. H. in proceeding returning from the Ko Shing Theat he is dining with the Chinese cor details of the_route will, we und published shortly. It is also residents on the Peak whose Harbour to place a red lamp in each of their windows.
ind
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