:
December 21, 1908.]
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked for a division, and the voting resulted: Noes." Hon. Mr. Slade, Hon. Mr. Hewett, Captain Superintendent of Police, Registrar-General, Director of Public Works, Colonial Treasurer, Attorney-General, Colonial, Secretary and General Officer Com. manding. "Ayes," Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Hon. Mr. Wei Yuk, Hon. Mr. Gresson and Hon. Mr. Pollock.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-What about the other amendment as to the printing in English and Chinese F
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
JAPAN.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
TORTO, Dec. 3.
THE UNDERSTANDING,
The first foreign engagement the United States have ever entered into is looked upon in Alliance. Various causes of origin are given by Japan as quite on a par with the Anglo-Japanese
Tokyo papers of Japan's latest agreement, one HIS EXCELLENCY-I see no objection to that. | Secretary Taft was here three years ago.
authority stating that the idea originated when Clause 8 then stood part of the Bill.
It is Clause 12-the repeal of section
generally admitted that the visit of the Fleet had 87 of a lot to do in bringing the idea to a head, while the principal Ordinance and the Stock Punish-the official explanation is that it is simply a ment Limitation Ordinance—was passed.
Council then resumed.
chrystalisation of the opinion that has long been held by the two governments and people - the much-talked-of unwritten alliance given a con- crete form.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-Will the Council allow this Bill to be read a third time. The contentious points are all settled.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I object. Hon. Mr. HEWETT-There is nothing to be gained by postponing the third reading. You cannot have any further discussion.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI The Chinese may petition against the Bill.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Council stands adjourned
sine die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held. the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding The following vote was passed :--
MEDICAL DEPARTMENTS.
The GOVERNOR recommended the Council to rote a sum of Five thousand two hundred and
seventy-five Dollars (85,275) in aid of the vote, Medical Departments, Hospitals and Asylums, Other Charges, Infectious Hospitals, Hospital Hulk Hygeia, for the following items:-
Repairs, Typhoon Damages,
Total...
.81.708 3.567
$5.275
JAPANESE MILITARY EXPENDI
TURE.
WHAT IS PROPOSED IN THE NEXT BULKHET.
The Japan Financial and Economic Annual for November, contains a chapter entitled Outline of the Next Year's Budget," in which the following statement appears:-
་་
The Army Department.-As a result of the new financial scheme, it was found necessary to postpone enterprises by all departments: the Ariny Department has proved to be the greatest sufferer, by the total sum of expenditure (Y.200.000.000) to be postponed for the space of 11 years from 1909 to 1920: the sum of nearly Y.100,000,000 belongs to enterprises under the control of this department. In enumerating the principal enterprises which require postponement, we may mention the sum of Y.42.000.000 for repairing and for new expenses, Y.46,000,000 for restoration measures, Y.3.900.000 for building warehouses, and Y.82.000.000 for extraordinary military expenses, totalling of Y.180.000,000. Thus it will be
that seen
the post- ponement covers expenses for repairing and making new preparations, the restoration measures, the building of storerooms and extraordinary military expenses, and those concerning the making of arms and ammunition not necessary in time of peace, which will, however, be completed by 1920. The Budget for the next year will see a reduction of some Y.1,000,000 in ordinary expenses compared with the figures of the present year, while 8x- traordinary expenditure will not exceed Y.29,000,000 because of the postponement of enterprises amounting to Y.15,000,000 out of Y.35,000,000 that was fixed in the Budget as arranged previously.
A long-distance race for horses from Tokyo to Kyoto-about 300 miles is to be held early in February. The promoters hope to demonstrate that race-horses are stronger than military horses, in order to try to correct anfavourable comments recently made by the military authorities in Japan on race-horses.
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THE POWER IN THE EAST.
When the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was re- newed a few years ago, continental opinion waS very much opposed to British policy in this direction, but the last two years have witnessed a remarkable rolte face, if it may be so described. The dominating position of Japan in the Far East has become generally recognised and also the perilous position of China. the object of all the Powers' interest. Hence the change of sentiment. bringing with it Pranes-Tapasos and Russo-Japanese agreements. China is now walled in by four compacts between five great nations who undertake to preserve her integrity and maintain the principle of equal opportunity within her borders. Surely the fear of war is now removed! The understanding with America seems to be of particular value in the territorial possessions belonging to the this respect, for each nation promises to respect other in the region of the Pacific, and by this agreement one of the principal causes that have influenced anti-Japanese writings in America is rembred. The belief in the natural hostility of Japan and America was very strong among foreigners oven at the time of the visit of the fleet, and nothing short of the written word will remove it. The understanding shows, as forcibly as anything can show, that Japan has no hostile designs against the Philippines or any other American territory, and with that the most sceptical must be content. The widespread suspicion entertained against Japanese policy is reflected in the resentful tone of some of the
leading articles in Tokyo papers on the under. standing, but at least it should be comforting to these writers that it is greater evidence of a country's influence to be suspected than to be entirely ignored. Japan is the centre of a group of agreements that simply show how much she is respected by the great Powers of
the world.
THE POLICY OF SILENCE.
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instructed to verify certain reports. He sends up his card, say, to an official of his acquaintance, thinking he will have the same frank reception as when he met this official at some social function. Shown into a large, well furnished room by a uniformed attendant' the visitor waits half an hour with exemplary patience and at last is greeted, not by his friend, minor official but by an individual who bears the stamp of a Indeed, this gentleman admits with disconcerting pleasantness that he knows nothing. It is no use talking to him, for his very appearance suggests an absolute divorce from knowledge, while his smart get up and well brushed hair shows it to be his business to receive persons of an inquiring frame of mind. His politeness is painful; his anxiety that you find the right way out after a fruitless interview the last straw. The visitor crawls away thinking that after all diplomacy is a great thing. But the ordinary man would like to know what is the necessity of such reticence in such an agreement, or if a certain degree of reticence is necessary why cannot the public be so informed? If absolute silence is desirable, let them say so, and no sensible man would inquire further. But the attitude assumed by officialdom of knowing nothing-it is childish and should be struck out of the canons of diplomatic practice.
BISHOP AWDRY.
Renter's message that Bishop Awdry, of the South Tokyo diocese, would not return to the East, on the advice of his doctor, covers a very sad case. The Bishop is suffering from cancer in the stomach, cocitracted only a few years ago, and the model opinion is that the invalid has not many years to live. It is understood that while the disease is not painful and may not the climate of Japan is unsuitable, and he will seriously interfere with the Bishop's work, therefore remain in England.
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THE RACE CLUBS.
The season for the autumn races is now at hand and during the next fortnight six clubs, four having courses in the Tokyo district, will hold meetings for three days. In consequence of the abolition of all forms of betting the clubs are to be financially assisted by the Government, the latter's object of course being the improve- ment of the breed of horses. Four, of the clubs receive 25,000 yen each per meeting, and the others a lesser amount, but it need hardly be said that these subsidies are insufficient, unless the meetings are well supported by the public, to enable the clubs to make a. profit. They are commercial institutions, and not as the Govern- ment would have them, established primarily for the purpose of improving the breed of horses. In connection with this, the president of one of the companies ridicules the gift of 25.000 yen to enable a
first-class company to hold a meeting. He says the average expenses of these meetings is 120,000 yen and considers racing, without the incentive of the pari mutuel, people will be found to pay the sum of five yen doomed. That is probably the case, 'for few
downwards to look at a few horses running. Everybody knows that some horse will come in first. but the privilege of backing one's fancy gives all the pleasure and excitement of the course. The future is not bright for those who have invested some 10,000,000, yen in race clubs. The stock of these companies is now not worth a tenth of that sum.
Count Okuma grave expression to a charac- relation to the new agreement, that he always teristic growl a day or two ago. He said. in
received the first news of anything happening in Tokyo from London or Washington. Cor tainly the State ignorance in Tokyo was in remarkable contrast to public opinion in Wash- ington, London, Paris. Berlin and St. Peters. barg. At these capitals the agreement was discussed as a thing signed, sealed, and delivered. Here the papers assumed that something had taken place and the Mainichi Dempo was the first out with the alleged five clauses, telegraph THE TRADE OF THE PHILIPPINES. ed from San
Francisco. But perhaps the news was not believed, although it was quite because of the place of origin of the telegram
correct.
DIPLOMATIC HUMBUG.
1
The Japanese Government in recent years has paid severely for its contemptuous treatment of the people when anything of great national importance is being negotiated. Contrary to their rights as a constitutional people, the Japanese people have nothing to do with govern. ment and know nothing of what is going on. If they try to find out, they meet with a very discouraging reception. Officialdom in Tokyo will go to absurd lengths to keep the public in the dark, not because the matter in hand requires to be kept secret, but from a routine habit and contempt for the people as the people. Had anybody tried a few days ago to get information about the agreement his first course would have been a visit to the Foreign Office. We will assume he is a journalist
ALMOST A RECORD YEAR.
The report of Mr. Geo. R. Colton, Collector of Customs of the Philippine Islands, for the fiscal year ending June 30th last was recently issued. It shows a total value of foreign trade of nearly $64,000,000; the largest year, with one exception (1903) since the American occupation, and divided between imports and exports about evenly, with a balance of trade in favour of the Islands of $2.000,000. The rice importations of nearly $6,000,000 continue to excite remarks. Of course, if the Filipinos would raise their own rice, this money would be kept at home. It seems in- credible that over $250,000 during the year
Was
sent out of the country for fresh eggs although the chicken certainly thrives in the Islands for cock-fighting uses. Hemp is the major product. While the exports were in.
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