Hongkong, Feb. 1.
The Secretary for Chinese Affairs has issued.a proclamation to the effect that the strike is a matter concerning the Seamen's Union alone. The Government has offered to arbitrate and sce justice done on both sides. In the matter of wages the shippers accepted arpitration, but the seamen refused. The Government now proposes to take a strong line and to refuse to permit interference by others without a grievance, The continuance and extension of the strike are seriously affecting shipping. The tallyman have now come out in sympathy with the seamen and incoming cargoes cannot be landed.
The Toyo Kisen Kaisha have announced that owing to the strike of cargo coolies and lighterman, cargoes, except treasure, arriving on board the str. Tenyo Maru cannot be discharged.
The P. & O. S.N. Ca., have notified the consignees of cargo from the str. Kashgar that it is being carried on to Shanghai.
Assiduous attempts to influence the Chinese clerks and, boys in the employ of the shipping companies, to join the strike, have so far been unsuccessful. General conditions have become worse. owners last evening Failed to re-A prolonged meeting of the ship sult in any new line of action being adopted.
Armed pickets of five soldiers each, with fixed bayonets, have re-infareed the police patrolling the water front and the Chinese business quarters.
Steamlaunches are bringing in vegetables and other fresh supplies. Exports from the vicinity were not interfered with, while they were being discharged at the wharves.—Reuter.
Rewizr Crews From tHe Norra.
As a result of the deadlock at Hongkong efforts have been made to recruit chinese seamen in various Northern ports. Shanghai is contributing its share of men to man the vessels now lying idle in Hongkong and several local steamship companies have despatched seamen to that part. Assistance, outside of the actual shipping circles, has also been invoked and to-day 160 Chinese seamen, under the charge of Mr. Albert N. Ormsby, of the Oriental Secret Service, will leave for Hongkong by the Keystone State to man the str. China of the China Mail Service.
Tareats or Expursion.
Later.
The proclamation issued by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs says that interference with those outside the Guild will be dealt with iby banishment. Agitators and men who refuse to work may be asked \to leave the Colony.
By the courtesy of the Commander, the mails for Amoy were despatched this morning on_board the American destroyer Hart.—
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.