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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
giving to currency matters, and in view of the increasing recognition of the value of a system of banking, steps are being taken to bring all Chinese banks under a common system of control.
footing in her diplomatic relations. I tion the Government is reported to be There does not yet appear to be any official confirmation of the report from Washington and, though it' is quite possible that the United States may have flattered China by such a concession, it is doubtful whether the other Powers are at present, prepared to follow the example.
REFORM IN CHINA,
AS
(Daily Press, January 8th.) Those who are accustomed to read the Chinese newspapers cannot but be amazed at times at the evidence they afford of a consuming desire for reform in all branches of the public service in China. This has been more or less the case for the past two years, but since the commencement of the new régime it has been more conspicuous than ever. In order to convey to the foreign public an idea of the activities of the Chinese' official mind at the present time, we will briefly sketch the contents of a couple of issues of the small but extremely interesting paper published at Peking by Chinese in the English language and designated Chinese Public Opinion. We may note first the announcement that in conversation with the Grand Councillors the Prince Regent has said that be had been engaged day and night thinking out a definite policy for the governance of the Empire, and he had come to the conclusion that the best domestic policy was to adjust the finances of the country and so improve the condition of the mass of the people. Other paragraphs go to show that the Regent has proposed to himself set an example. The Board of Ceremonies estimated that the Regent would need an allowance of 500,000 taels per annum to meet his expenses, but the Regent told the Grand Council that this was an extra- vagant amount, having regard to the country's present financial position, and His Highness has suggested that this sum shall be reduced to Taels 150,000 and that the balance should be devoted to public purposes. Moreover, the present Empress Dowager has intimated that she does not desire to occupy the Summer Palace, the Regent wishes to divert the expen-e formerly incurred in the upkeep of the Summer Palace to the establishment of schools and colleges. Further, we read that a Decree has been issued enjoining upon all the importance of exercising economy, owing to the feeble financial condition of the country. Extra- vagance is denounced amongst officials, for all this, coming to the root of things, must have been taken from the Commonalty who pay the taxes art contribute to the revenues. Orders have been given by the Government to the various Boards requesting them to report monthly their incomes and expendi- turės. Particulars are also required of the funds already spent, estimated future ex- penditure and anticipated reserve funds. This order came into effect at the beginning of the present Chinese month. While on the subject of finance, we may note that though it is deemed to be not immediately practi- cable, the Regent has expressed his approval of a proposal to reduce the Hatamen Uctroi duties on daily necessaries, which are described as a very great hardship on the people, and to increase the tax on ornaments and other luxuries to a corresponding extent. The interesting statement is published that the Prince Regent spends three hours in reading newspapers every evening after work and cuts out all articles on important topics of the day and references to misgovernment in any part of the Empire with a view to tak. ing action thereon after the hundred days of mourning. We may note also the atten-
ī
Turning to other subjects, there is the statement that the Government is in hopes of making a start, at no distant date, with the reorganisation of the Navy. It is proposed to raise ten tmillion taels for the purpose of building dockyards and purchas ing warships. The Board of War talks of enlarging the army from 36 to 48 divisions and to bring the whole of the Empire under a common system of control. The need of unification in all branches of the public service has evidently been engaging the attention of the authorities. Supreme com- mand of the Army and Navy is vested in the Regent by the regulations which lay down the duties devolving upon His Imperial Highness.
Preparatious for the grant of a Constitu- tion figure prominetly in the Decrees, and we may note in connection with this subject that the Regent is required by the Regula- tions already mentioned to reverently read over, before the tablet of Her late Majesty
the
Empress Dowager, at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the vale- dictory Decrees of the late Emperor and the late Empress Grand Dowager, and the second regulation requires that, when the time comes, the Prince Regent shall open the House of Parliament on behalf of the Emperor. There is a good deal of evidence of the Regent's interest in this matter, but we need only note here a Decree enjoining the Bureau for the compilation of works on Constitutional Government to hasten the completion of their task, and a proposal made by His Imperial Highness for the early establishment of a Provincial Constitu- tional Bureau in the Capital, which shall be composed of a representative from each province of the Empire. This Bureau is intended to pave the way
for the constitution.
With regard to foreign policy the Regent' is stated to have expressed a wish that China might remain friendly with all other nations, | and at the same time jealously guard her own rights and interests. His Imperial Highness has suggested to the Grand Council that in each province of the Empire there should be a commissioner for interna- tional affairs, and has asked for the views of the Provincial Authorities in regard to this matter.. It is also reported that His Impérial Highness desires to see four officials from each province-two with an English educa- tion, and two educated in France-attached to the Wai-wu-pa, presumably for con- sultative purposes when local questions are under discussion with the Foreign Ministers.
The dismissal of YUAN SHIH KAI suggests that the pace has been too great for the reactionaries. The Regent a few weeks ago was desirous of relieving YUAN of the Presidency of the Wai-wu-pu in order that he might devote all his time and energy to the ever-increasing business of the Grand Council, and His Excellency TANG SHAO-YI, who has been on a special mission to the United States, was instructed by he Regent to hasten his return to Peking to take over the work of YUAN DHIH-KAI at the Wai-
wu-pu.
In this short interval "something has happened." YUAN SHIH-KAI is in disgrace and it remains to be seen whether the reactionaries have once again obtained the upper hand.
Hongkong and Canton, has arrived at Shanghai Taotai Lew Yuk Sin, who is well-known in to participate in the Opium Conference.
[January 9, 1909.
RANDOM REFLECTIONS.
1ike other mortals, I have to recognise the advent of 1909, and lest I should be deemed churlish or unsociable let me hasten to wish you all the compliments of the season. I won't bore you with any dissertations on the past or prognostications of the future, but I hope your mental stock-taking has not shown too many entries on the wrong side of the recording angel's diary and that you will keep all the good resolutions you make.
Certainly Hongkong brought in the New Year right royally. rackers and, bombs and rockets greeted the infant 1909 with an enthusiasm more marked than that which greeted Scotsmen who went forth first footing did not its immediate predecessors, and, of course, the go empty handed. It is to be hoped they brought good luck to all whom they visited.
Apropos of assisting at the birth of the New Year, the minister of Union Church yesterday related an incident which may be amusing, or otherwise, according to the point of view. The watch-night- service on pastor went down from the pulpit to exchange New Year's Eve had just concluded and the greetings with members of the congregation. Going up to one stranger he held out his hand and was surprised to find it touch a whisky bottle which the man was endeavouring to conceal. Evidently his ideas as to bringing in. the new year were a bit confused.
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by the number of new years that are celebrated I suppose most people here have been struck in this part of the world. The Jews have their New Year about September, and not long after- wards the Parsees celebrate theirs. Then we have our own Xmas, which in itself marks the dawn of a new era, followed by our own New celebrate, and, of course, we all know when The Mohammedans are the next to Chinese New Year falls. We should be a festive community with all these celebrations to honour.
Year.
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Another amateur dramatic performance claims our attention and patronage. The Kowloon Dock Amateurs produce "The Silver King" next Saturday and Monday, and, if they do as well as they did with "Rob Roy" they will pay will be better mounted than it was when earn hearty congratulations. I am told that the the professionals played it three weeks ago. Good luck to them!
Here's a hint for some of our business con-
cerns. A correspondent writing to a northern truck local stores to dress up their shroffs journal says: 'It has never perhaps
'swell" so as to facilitate the collection of their outstanding accounts. On Tuesday: I received the visit of an exquisitely dressed native.
He was garbed in a magnificent robe of blue silk brocade, with a skirt to match. He was smoking a fragrant Egyptian cigarette, held in a delicate amber mouthpiece. His powering, and I could not resist offering him general bong-tong appearance was over-
the best seat available. When he was seated, I asked him what gave me the pleasure of his visit. He replied: My blong Loyal Hotel bar boy, I come catchee chits." I paid him the $2.00 în silence; had he been dressed in the usual boy clothes I would have told him Come next month, number five day' The conclusion the shroff's outfit might be a good investment to be drawn from this is that money spent on Instead of small profits and quick returns the motto might be 'smartly dressed shroffs, no bad debts.'.
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China is not so far behind as some people
would think. Feminism is, as we know, very acute at home, so its outbreaks are occasionally Suffragette problem I know not, but feminism somewhat painful. Whether China has a has, according to a Paris journal, developed to an extraordinary degree, and in most large centres there is a newspaper run by women.. But I did not know until a day or two ago that China was blessed with a Lade indicated that China has crowds of èm. In Journalist. But I learn from the Sourcy
Peking, it is stated, "nine journals are edited,
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