The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-12-24

CHINESE Observation-Disclosures men in
Honolulu have occasion now and then, to wish
that some law prevailed here similar to that
which Batavian merchants are praying the
Netherlands Indian Government for, as described
in the following extract from a local paper =
Recently fOrty-fOur European firms estab-
lished ut Batavia presented a petition to the
Netherlands Indian Government praying ur-
gently, with reasons fully set forth, for making 1t
compulsory on Foreign Orientals Especially the
Chiuesel to keep their books hencefOrth either
in the Netherlands language or in Malay with
Roman characters. In previous years this was
repeatedly urged on the N. /. Government, but
the reply always was that the Government did
not see any necessity for the measure proposed.
Facts, however. show that some regulations Of
this kind has become pressingly necessary. As
matters now go on, cheating. fraudulent fail
ure, and carrying on business anew subsequently,
have become affairs Of everyday occurrence
among Numbers Of Oriental traders. whereby
Europeans and others are continually being de
| frauded Of enormous amounts, while neither the
European merchants or dealers nor the Insol-
| vent Courts are able to produce any clear proofs
Of intentional deception from the books of per
| sons so failing this cannot and should not be
| allowed TO continue. Unless we are mistaken, a
measure similar to that desired here is forced in
the Philippines by the Spanish Government.
/ Everyone knows that the y. i. Government Is it.
self fully convinced Of the necessity for COM
/ Polling Foreign OuentalS to keep books and ac-
! counts i'm ROmauised Malay, OF IN Dutch, when
ever it has financial dealings with these
I OlleAANsAANs sN1 hAAN ~ AaAA AAf nut -
aud retailers Of opium, but also for pawn
brokers, the Government has prescribed what
European firms have so repeatedly urged, and
now seriously again apply for it to be prescribed
for all Chinese and Arab traders, as their pro-
lection against fraud by the latter" II keeping
books Of account in English or Hawaiian were
\ one Of the conditions attached 10 the license to
carry on any trade in this Kingdom, il would be
much better for those who have to give credit to
these "FOreign Orientals " as the Dutchmen Of
Java call them.
The LrvADLA.-The sumptuOusly-ftted yacht
Livaiia, built in England for the late Car Of Rus
STA has been condemned 10 be broken up. She put
into FerTOl leaking badly, after encountering q
gale in the Bay Of Biscay, and lay there all last
winter. On her arrival in the Black Sea a COM
mission was appointed under the presidency Of
q Russian Admiral to inquire into the seaworthi-
ness Of the vessel, and il is stated that the
report IS adverse TO the ship in almost every par
ticular. The commission condemn the Liyadia
to be broken up, and her materials utilized for
the construction OF a gun-bOat and some small
cruisers, the fittings ana the furniture being
destined for a new yacht, which curiOusly
enough, Notwithstanding the experience of the
past. Is to be built on the lines of the Livadia.
THE L. ;. NAVY COMPARED WITH THAT or
CHuE.-The HeTGid's Washington correspondent
has interviewed R~ear-Admiral Weston, of the
navy. He said 1t Is capable neither Of in
ficting material harm nor Of atfOrding US ade-
quate protection from the assaults OF either
Chile, Brazil or BuenOs Ayres, to say nothing Of
England. France, Germany, Italy or spain.
There are complications IN Chile which possibly
might lead tn war. Size has now in her ports
and fully equipped five ironclads, which could
appear of San Francisco in three weeks after
the beginning Of hOstIities. We could oppose
nothing except torpedOes to prevent them from
destroying that city. Such mme a. We
have in the Pacific they could wipe ont of exist
ence before we could possibly iutiict any reprisal
within the vicinity Of Chile. Even If we should
try to land an army upon her coast, two Of her
irOuclads left TO guard II wOuld effectualiy pre-
vent the attempt for perhaps a year, or until We
could build OF purchase ships that would convoy
transports IN safety Admiral Rodgers was in
command OF our fleet in the South Pacific dur
ing the war between Chile and Peru, and had
an opportunity TO thoroughly acquaint himself
with the character Of the Chilean navy. He
agrees with Admiral Weston that our present ma
w could make no show whatever against that Of
Chile. and IN default Of any means 10 inf!ict re-
priSals or Of vessels fit to convoy a transport fleet.
we are not now III a position 10 menace the
Chilean Government. He places great speed
rs the chief desideratum IN building new ships.
Said Admiral Rodgers -" We are in no posi-
ton to menace Chile. She could do Us incalcui-
able injury before we could put ourselves either
i'm q position % protect ourselves or 10 attack her
ports Of commerce. The iron-clads have proved
their s~ea-gOing qualities by making voyages from
the Clyde or Nsrsey. There l. no reason why
they cannot sail around the Horn to the harboT
Of New York. Her wooden ships are fully able
% cope with anything we could send against
q II DO = L