Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-28
CHINA.

L
king at San Francisco Saturday we have the
following items of Oriental news:
CHINA.
The Foochow Herald of April LIST contains
the following:
As an illustration of the regardlessness of
the Chinese for their female offspring, Il
child of tender years was observed to fall
from a sampan into the river at Foochow
on Saturday last, when no attempt what
ever was made to effect its rescue. The in
FAINT, however, fortunately became entangled
in the cordage of broken spar, which,
whilst drifting down the river, was picked
up by the crew of another boat, and the
child restored to its parents who, as is GUS
tomary, administered a sound tiogging to
the semi-drowned infant. The theory held
by the natives is, that by preserving a fell
low creature from Il watery grave, the
rescuer is anSwerable in the next world for
all the sins afterward committed by the
person rescued; which literally means that
a wise dispensation of Providence has been
frustrated.
The Chinese are evidently more than
usually on the qui vive at the present criti-
cal iuncture. Only a short time ago we
learned that a census was being taken by
the Chinese authorities of those natives
protesting Christianity, but with what
object we were in a perfect state of igno-
rance. We are now informed, upon good
authority, that few days ago four native
pilots were summoned to 4 Foochow va
men and Intercepted as to their religious
persuasion, as about 10 per cent. OF the
native boatmen at the anchorage profess
the Roman Catholic creed. The represent
ativeS of the pilot fraternity upon replying
that they still retained their idols, were
then informed that they would be allowed
to continne to follow their vocation, but
upon the strict understanding that they
were not to render assistance to either
French or Russian vessels entering the
port, upon pain of death, and were then
allowed to depart. 1t appears to be the
general impression among the Chinese
authorities that Russia has similarly hostile
intentions towards Chinaas France, and Is
equally dreaded as a belligerent power.
The Hongkong Nail says The Chinese
seem to apprehend an attempt by the
French to take Formosa and are preparing
to repulse an attack by arming the old bat
teries on the mouth of the river. At kee-
lung several new batteries have been lately
built and good deal of gun practice is car
ried on. Some of the batteries are mounted
by heavy krupp guns. One of the artillery
Il
decoration for having distinguished himself
in target firing.
\ proclamation, issued by the Chinese
authorities, has been posted in the city,
prohibiting Chinese to pilot in French
men-of-war or supply them with provi-
sions and stores, in the event of war being
declared.
The following items are from the Yoko-
hama Mail of April 4th;
4 fire broke out in Higashi Kuromon-
cho, Toxic, on the night of the 10th ultimo,
and destroyed 10 houses.
An accident occurred in the harbor on
the evening of the 18th ultimo. A boat
containing over 100 men upset while pass
ing from the NJ. b. s. S. Company's steamer
Wakanoura Maru to the shore. Eleven of
the men were drowned.
a boy, II years of age, arrested in Toxic
on suspicion of incendiarism, confessed to
having set no less than six houses on fire.
1t transpired that certain rutfians in the
Capital are in the habit of paying children
one ven for each house they succeed in
burning.
Iron ore of a very fine quality having
been obtained from the Shimonida mine,
will, it is announced, be employed here
after for forging the armor of war vessels
built under the direction of the Imperial
Naval Department.
A project is on foot among the japanese
to erect a monument on Noke Hill, in the
western suburb of Yokohama, to the MEM
srv of II Ramon no Kami, the Minister
whose liberal views with respect to foreign
intercourse cost him his life quarter of a
century ago. 1t is proposed TO raise a sum
of 80 900 yen for the purpose.
1t has been finally decided that a race
course shall be formed around the margin
of Shinobadzu Lake, Uyeno. The course,
when completed, will probably be one of
the most beautiful in the world. On the
2ith ultimo an entertainment was given by
the members of the Union Race Club in
honor of the new scheme.
Posthumous honors have been conferred
on the great-grandfather of the reigning
Emperor.
Wrestling has again become fashionable
in Japan. An excellent display is now
taking place in Kobikicho, Tokyo. A
private performance has been given before
His Majesty the Emperor, and the cham
pion wrestlers are constantly invited to ex-
hibit their powers at entertainments given