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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
to
of Seattle.
RANDOM REFLECTION.
Another week of broken engagements! No wonder there were so many humpy people. Fog, drizzling rain, and close muggy weather at a time when we should be enjoying a bright bracing atmosphere all conspired to make folks feel irritable and disagreeable, and it was with no little delight that we hailed the sun again during the week end. Not until it has been obscured for days do we realise the great part old Sol plays in our lives and how much he contributes to our happiness and comfort.
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[March 20, 1909. ment monopoly of the preparation and represented by the promoters of the Ex-grounds present beautiful stretches of water distribution of opium, and are worth position to be a land of great resources and front, and tall stately giants of the forest, consideration by our neighbours in the possibilities. The prevailing conception of entrancing vistas, gentle slopes and com- Straits Settlements, if any choice between a the territory is that it is nothing but a land manding terraces add to the beauty of the Farm and a Government monopoly remains of ice, snow and gold. The same is declared picture. That white-cloaked sentinel, Mt. after the expiry of the Farmer's present to be true also of Yukon, which belongs to Rainier, the highest peak in the United contract. It is possible that neither in the the Dominion of Canada. Although the States proper, rising to a height of 14,526 Straits Settlements nor in Hongkong will wealth of these countries has only been feet, is in plain view from the grounds, as. any choice be possible, for, as we have before scratched on the surface they have yielded is likewise Mt. Baker, another formidable suggested, the reduced supplies and increas-millions of dollars worth of gold, furs, fish peak, and the snow-covered Olympic range. ing restrictions may make the business far and other valuable products. Besides these But to add still further to the beauty of the too precarious for the farmer. Sir JOHN resources there are others that are only site we read that tens of thousands of dollars ANDERSON in his dispatch to the Secretary beginning be developed, and al-are being lavished upon flower beds and of State, when forwarding the Report of the though it may be surprising to those fields, which during the period of the fair "will flame with the colour of blossoms from Straits Commission, expressed the hope that who are not acquainted with conditions in when on the termination of the present the Northland, agriculture is included in every clime under the sun." We have farm the Colonial Government is in a them." The United States Government has gathered all this from the literature issued position to take further steps towards been carrying on experiments in agricul- by the Exposition's publicity department discouraging the use of opium,
the ture, cattle raising and dairying and it has the staff of which is now exercising to the resulting loss of revenue will be been found that Alaska has great agricultural full their powers of persuasion to draw the followed by a corresponding reduction possibilities. It is estimated that in time world and his wife this summer to the city
His the territory will be able to support a our Military Contribution." Majesty's Government has not yet made population of 3,000,000 persons, it is partly known ita intentions in this respect for the purpose of showing the Northland to the Government of the Straits Settle in its true light before the world that the ments, but they are not likely to promise 1909 Exposition has been organised. one Colony mcre than has been promised Equally important in the plan and scope the other. Parliament is to be asked to of the Pacific World's fair is the bringing grant Hongkong a substantial contribu- of the shores of the Pacific Oceau closer tion" towards the loss of revenue incurred together commercially through the exhibits in carrying out the policy of the Imperial from the different nations. Seattle, where Government. No doubt a similar promise the Exposition will be held, is rapidly be- will be given to Singapore and the Federated coming one of the great commmercial ports Malay States. If we may believe the state of the world. It is the gateway to Alaska ment attributed by H.E. TANG SHAO YI to and the Orient. It has grown more rapidly Mr. BAKER, the Finance Minister of India, in the last few years than any other Ameri- that country can do without the revenue it can city and now has a population of 275,000. derives from Opium; else there would be Although the title of Seattle's Exposition another heavy claim on the Imperial ex- apparently limits its scope to the Pacific chequer for compensation. It is perfectly seas, such is not the case. It is, in fact, a clear from the wording of the EARL OF world's fair, in everything that the term CREWE'S despatch that the Government implies, and in many ways, the promoters does not contemplate a grant to the say, it will be such a world's fair as has never Colony of Hongkong which will fully been held, for, to that portion of the globe correspond to the loss of revenue in which has been largely represented at other curred in carrying out the opium policy Expositions, it will introduce other portions of Hi
Government. Majesty's
The which have never been exploited and whose Straits Times advises that no steps for the peoples, products and ways of life are a establishment of a Regie system should be closed book. That the world may become be taken in that Colony until the Govern- better acquainted with the Philippines, ment has clearly intimated in what manner the Hawaiian Islnds and Alaska, "the and to what extent it is prepared to assist wonderland of the Arctic", the United the Colony throughout the inevitable finan- States Government is spending $600,000 cial embarrassments which will arise if the upon exhibits from these territories. revenue from opium is seriously diminished. Canada too, is playing a big part in But the difficulty is that it is practically the fair. It has sent its Commissioner impossible to say in advance what loss will of Expositions to superintend the work be incurred if Government monopoly is and is erecting a palace which will be one of substituted for a Farm, but would be the architectural features of the exposition. more satisfactory to both Colonies if the Canada's many provinces will also make Government could promise to make up the independent display of their resources. whole loss or some definite proportion of it. Japan is reported to be taking a great in. terest in the show and besides sending many interesting kinds of exhibits is contribut ing largely to the floral display. It will reproduce on the exposition grounds "the (Daily Press, 19th March.)
tea house in Tokyo in which Admiral The next world's fair, the Alaska-Yukon- SPERRY and his officers were entertained when Pacific Exposition, is to be held at
the American Armada visited the land of Seattle, U.S.A., opening on June 1st next the Rising Sun." A Japanese theatre, with and closing October 16th. This exposition, one of the leading troupes of Nippon, will which will be the second one held on the be another feature, and "there will be an Pacific Coast of North America, will be an array of Japanese manufactures and international, industrial and commercial products, such as has never been shown at exposition and will have cost the sum of any exposition." China is stated to be $10,000,000 when the gates are opened. It planning and already doing as much as is will not celebrate any particular event and Japan and will likewise be represented will, therefore, not depend upon historical not only by exhibits but also by a theatre sentiment for its success. Its purpose is to and a Lea house. There is also to be exploit the resources and potentialities a full-fledged Chinese village, with its of Alaska and Yukon and to make joss houses, restaurants, bazaars and all known and foster the importance of else that will make the exhibit true to life," the commerce of the Pacific Ocean and The Exposition grounds are said to be of the countries bordering thereon. scenically the finest ever utilised for such a Alaska, which was purchased by the United purpose. Set between two beautiful States from Russia in 1867 for the sum of fresh-water lakes, Union on one side the garrison who will $7,200,000 gold (about two cents an acre), is' and Washington the other, the have the assistance of the Volunteers. The
COMING WORLD'S FAIR AT
SEATTLE.
on
We are out of the wood at last. Though Hongkong is to lose part of its revenue through the closing of the opium divans by the order of the Imperial Parliament, it is not to be made to suffer for the outburst of national righteousness which dictated the order of last summer. No, Britain is prepared to pay the piper as well as call the tune, and we are all happy to learn now from the Governor that the Home Government "substantial extent will compensate to a at least the Colony for the decrease of revenue resulting from the restrictive policy laid It is no down by the home authorities. fulsome flattery to say that Hongkong is greatly indebted to Sr Frederick Lugard for making the Imperial Parliament see reason and pre- renting them from inflicting an injustice on the Colony.
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The Hongkong Manila entente and the great- er understanding between Britain and America is not likely to suffer by the present visit of the Philippine Squadron. Hongkong is being stirred from its lethargy. It is realising that it is up to it" to give the visitors a good time, and I hoar that the British naval squadron and will dó a little to the civilian committee show that we know something of hospitality. on shore which There will be a few "stunts the American bluejackets will be able to appreciate.
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The American squadron has naturally excited a good deal of attention. The cruisers, like the battleships, have very high funnels and masts, and their designs elicit a divergence of views, some officers praising their grouping of guns and pointing to the tremendous Folume of fire which such an arrangement gives, while others condemn this massing of artillery which placen an important part of the armament at the mercy of a single heavy shell.
me that
Talking of armaments, reminds
the protection Hongkong, notwithstanding which it presently enjoys from the visiting warships of so many nations, will likely be attacked by an apparently hostile foree within the next day or two, and hostile force within tured by the enemy while we slumber peacefully in our beds. There is no need to be alarmed, dear reader. It is not a terrible realisation of the events pourtrayed in "An Englishman's Home,"--that drama which has roused Britain as nothing else has done for a long time. No, it is merely the annual mobilisation of occasion
on this
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