The morning call., 1891-01-30
CHINA AND JAPAN.
Appalling Disaster on Chinese
River Steamer.
Summary Execution Of Pirates in the Int
rior-Japanese Diet Failure.
Notes.

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company's
steamer City of Rio de Janero. Ward mas
ter, arrived from China and Japan about 6
o'clock last evening From files of Hong
Kong exchanges of January 1st and from
Yokohama papers of the 10th the following
Items are taken:
Inc chinese Government has taken one
OF the most important steps chronicled for
many years. A decree las been issued by
the Emperor giving the foreign Ministers
Inc right OF audience on China New Year
day, and ordering them to be entertained at
a banquet on the following day. On only
enc former occasion have the foreign Minis
IeTs peen received by an Emperor of China.
L ne decree sets forth that China is anxious
10 strengthen her friendly relations with all
the foreign powers
oGang Chi lung is said to contemplate
inc introduction of steam launches for the
Terry between Wnchang and Hank0w.
II Is reported that an imperial prince will
review the northern and southern squad
r0ns next year
An attempt is to be made to introduce
machinery for the treatment of Foochow
yea. an English expert has gone to Peking
10 consult with the Government with refer
ence to the Improvement of the cultivation
of China tea.
- The Chinese Times writes: 1.-THE Chinese
government seems to be making no head
way against piracy on the southern coast,
Tue attack on the Namoa being quite in the
oid style And what is the Hong-Kong Gov
eminent about that in its jubilee year its
harbor should still be the headquarters of
the southern pirates? Hong-Kong is no
doubt wonderful little colony, and il is
never tired boasting of its wealth, its enter
prise and its resources But little less tall
lax ana little more attention to good gov
efhhent would be more wholesome note
TO strike at the approaching jubilation."
In the Peklng Gazette of the Both ult is
report from the Governor of Kuangsi of an
earthquake when occurred in his jurisdic-
ton on 30th August last. He humbiy con-
cludes that such an unusual deviation from
natural laws implies some negligence in the
discharge OF his official duties" The re-
script saws: Noted
The United States flagship Omaha. with
Admiral Belknap on board, arrived at Shang-
hai on the 23i of December from Japan.
correspondent of the China Mail writ
ing from Hollow says: what a said dis
aster she Namoa business is. Pirates have
Deen little more on the alert here as well,
but the Chinese gun-boats have caught
good many. Nineteen of them were exc
cuted last week and seven followed yester-
DAY. Hohg-kong Government please copy"
a placard OF most melting character was
posted all over the city on Tuesday last,
says the Foochow Echo, against Christianity,
and the wording was OF the lowest char
acter We understand the Cunsus in a
Dody represented the matter to the Viceroy
in person. No doubt a lot of promises will
be made, but We fear nothing Will be done.
such raScality will not only incite the people
TO do mischief, but it opens door for the
VaeaDonds that abound in this country. who
Will be only too glad TO raise trouble for the
sake OF plnnder. Let US hope that the
authorities will take the necessary steps and
nave the authors severely punished, and
prevent any repetition of the occurrence.
The steamer Shanghai left Shanghai for
hanEoW day or two before Christmas,
1890. She stopped at Cbinkiaug on Deeem-
her 18th and took on board 400 Chinese and
one European passenger. About O'Clock
that night she was found to be on FIRE in the
cargo OF cotton. In less than fifteen minutes
the steamer was enyeloped in flames and the
captain headed her fSt the shore, which was
reached in a few minutes. Tie greatest dis
order prevailed among the Chinese, who
rushed overheard and were drowned in
large numbers. Those who managed 10 get
on land were robbed by the villagers with
out mercy. A Chinese mandarin gun-boat
and steam launch We're close by, but no
efforts were made to save single life, and
the crews joined IN looting the panic trikeu
natives. Mr.. Kniffier. the only foreigner,
Waded ashore, and was attacked by the
tbleviDs villagers.
The number of lives lost will never be
accurately known, but of the nun: Der who
were on board at Chinkiang only some
sixty-fye have b EN- accounted for, but
81 me of the passengers. when they got clear
OF the vessel, hurried away from ihe scene
as quickly as possible, apparently afraid of
being robbed or ilitreated by the villagers.
A foreigner, however, counted seventy-fiye
dead bodies off the bank of the river aud he
saw drag-boat recover sixteen more
Many, of course, were burnt SO that the
number Of deaths is probably between two
md fl.r h