The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-11-28
ORIENTAL BUDGET
Strained Relations Of Russia Chi
Ia and Japan.
PIRACY ON YANGTSzG RIVER
Chinese Official ignorance EN-
peror Degraded-lsla De CUha's
Trial Trip
PIRACY ON YANGTSz5 RIVER


king correspondent to the effect that
the Tsungli Yamen had received from
the Russian Minister in PekiIg a most
naughty and aggressive dispatch sterh-
ly prohibiting the Chinese Government
from engaging Mr.. Yano, Japanese eX-
Minister at the capital, as Chief Advi-
ser to the Tsungli Yamen, and also de-
manding that the further sending OF
Chinese youths to Japan to stddy the
military profession be at once st0ppe1.
The dispatch, it is stated, ended with
much threatening language similar To
that of a conqueror to his vanquisheG
enemies. With reference to the pro-
posed engagement of Japanese official
to act as Chief Adviser to the Central
Government, it will be remembered
that this paper was the first to make
the intention known. This was at the
time of the appointment of the en-
press DoWager'S two ENJOYS to the
MikadO, a part of whose mission, we
stated, was to invite Marquis Ito TO
fill this important post. AS the Mar
quis could i'll be spared by his country,
he recommended Mr.. Yano instead for
the post, and Mr.. Yano being greatly
liked and respected at Peking, the mat
ter was quickly settled and a new Min
lister to Peking was appointed by the
Mikados Government. If the Hupao's
correspondent is right, it is evident
that relations between Russia and
China are rather strained, especially
as it is believed that the Tsungli va
men does not intend to give way to the
Russian Minister'S demands-at pres
ent.-North China Daily News.
PIRACY ON THE YANGTSZE.
A gang of thieves boarded the China
Navigation Company's steamer Po-
yong, bound up river from Shanghai,
at Tatung about 10 o'clock on the night
of the 18th of October. In all twelve
persons embarked, three of whom were
bona fide passengers who booked for
Kiukiang. The remainder not having
their passage money had their clothes.
as is customary, taken in pawn. The
men, who showed no signs of combi-
nation, took up berths in various parts
Of the Chinese steerage quarters and
settled themselves quietly. However,
about three hours later, just before the
vessel reached Ngankin, the nine men,
who were suddenly discovered TO be
armed with large knives and swords,
made raid on the Chinese passengers
effects. The compradOre's assistants
tried to get them to desist, but were
in consequence roughly handled, one
man being so injured as to necessitate
his removal to hospital on the SHIPS
arrival at HanEow. Finding the pirates
were taking charge, the chief officer,
Mr.. Maundrell, was aroused by the
cOmpradOre, and. with the assistance
Of the officer of the watch, the second
and third engineers, and native crew
the gang were after a hard struggle
overcome and, with the exception of
one who jumped overheard, hand
Cuffed and secured in a spare coal
bunker until the vessels arrival at her
destination, when they were handed
over to the police. The Chinese botI
at Kiukiang and Hankow are delighted
over the capture, as the gang were
WelI-knOwn misCreants.
The men. who were tried at tie
Mixed Court, HankOw, for attempting
piracy on board Of the steamer PD-
yang, and found guilty, have been
handed over to the Chinese authori-
ties, by whom it is expected they will
be ecapitated.-NOrth China Daily
News.
CHINESE OFFICIAL IGNORANCE.
A few days ago the Kuowenpao had
a scathing article on official ignorance,
and cited various illustrations. When
Portugal notified her desire to have
at Peking, for instance,
the officials were taken aback, nor
knowing of any such country. Many
OF them, our contemporary AYERS, nod
the belief that the reason Western
powers are so desirous of outaining
land in China is due to their bair
tired of living in their ships, and "1r.
ing some terra frma to locate on. Tn
the same way they share with the
masses the belief that the real object
of the missionaries is to obtain black
eyes for their nationals at home. who
are condemned 10 the disfgurement Of
yellow and green eyes, and covet the
inky darkness of Chinese optics. It'll
seems hardly credible that such child
ish ignorance can exist in China's Off
cial classes, but it is a fact that il does
so exist in great many instances, and
we cannot marvel if difficulties and
dangers beset the path of foreign en-
teTprise under the Circumstances
king and Tientsin Times.
CRIMINALS A SERVANTS.
Hongkong is not the only place