Farther developments are promised in connexion with the Watch Club. A civil suit has now been instituted by Messrs. J. Ullmann & Ca. against Mr. Tvor Thomas, in his capacity as Manager of the Shanghai Watch Club, for the payment of $1,115.76, the value of watches, ete., alleged to have been supplied for the purposes of the ' Inb, Thas the position to-day in the Watch Club fiasco is that two suits are pending against. Mr. H. J. Black and one against Mr. Thomas, who has already stood his trial on " criminal charge. It. jis unfortunate that there should be these complications the fixing of respon concern, which tend to prolong the Club's inglorious existence at a time when the community would fain be rid of it altogether. In spite of the strictures upon the whole business of the Club by Majesty's Judge, who, it may be pointed out, merely confirmed the verdict of Ameri-tribunals on the same subject, it has been announced (with what authority jis not known, but the statement has noi been denied) that the Club is to be wound up by Mr. H. J. Black by permission from the United States Consulate-General. We have, therefore, the following anomalous state of affairs—an admitted lottery denounced by the Judge of His Majesty's Supreme Court as "a rotten and fraudulent concern Municipal by-law prohibiting lotteries except under special licence; permission (2) given by the United States Consulate-General to re-open in the Settlement the very Watch Lottery that has been denounced locally and is debarred from the United States and its dependencies. Some method should be devised to cut this Gordian knot without delay; and as its origin is clearly defined, it were well that it should be dealt with by the authorities per reads:—"One drawback in our work which makes the burden heavier, is the failure of some subscribers to pay their subscriptions promptly. Frequent billing takes time and costs money in stamps and stationary. 'This mence that the editor has to lose his own m We ask, 'Is this fair?" Can anyone work without days, when one gets nothing for nothing and very little for sixpence? Another thing' we would like to say is, we are not thieves. Some native Johnnies have a habit of writing rather savage complaints when some error has occurred in their bill. Speak easy We do not want anybody's money except honestly gotten, and we object to being skull-dragged over " top) ha'penny subscription by some idiot who does not know the difference between a tanner anda tickey. We have given notice elsewhere that we are going to stop the papers of those in A java Court-martial at Toulon has concluded the inquiry into the loss of the French cruiser Chanzy, in the Far East. The Court found that it was due to the incapacity of her commanding officer, and deprived Captain Manger of soy commend for three years, sentencing him also to bear the cost of the inquiry. The finding of the Coart will be read to the captain before the troops on duty. In. his statement to the Court Captain Manger declared that the wreck was due to an error in an official book, which indicated that the currents turned in the China seas after the fashion of the hands of a watch. But it had been demonstrate ed that this was absolutely incorrect. The currents suffered from the influence of the wind, and it was because this had never been. perceived that the Chanzy was lost. It must serve ax a lesson for the future. In concluding the Captain Paid a tubate to the courageous action of the man Bollain, who threw himself into the water which entered the compartment without hesitation to ascertain the extent of the breach.
Ax album of views illustrative of Shanghai life and environs, most admire ably set up and a really artistic proaction, is published by Messrs. Max Noesler & Ca. of 38 Nanking Road. The photographs are good and form a typical selection, while the strong binding materially assists towards making a thing of beauty a joy for ever.
We have received Tientain papers dated to February 21.—Teotai Sze Shao-chi, better known as Mr. Alfred Szn, has been appointed Customs Taotai at Harbin—The Customs Taotai at Newchwang has resigned, owing to the depressed condition of trade at that Port.—A Chinese steamlannch company has been established for the Lisoho trade with a monopoly for fifteen years.—Two Chinese officiale have been sent to ce-operate with the Russians in frontier demarcation—It is stated in native circles that only one year's leave has been granted to Sir Robert Hart, though two were asked for, and he has been urged to return to China as soon as possible.—Father Vilstermann, procurator of the Catholic Mission, has been appointed Director of the South Shantang Roman Catholic Mission during the absence of his Lordship Bishop Henninghaus, the Vicar Apostelic of the Mission.
Tux line from Peking to Kalgan is expected to be finished at the end of the present year or early next spring, and ite ultimate extension to Urga is now being considered. When opened to Kalgan the Government tends opening that place to international trade, establishing a customs house, foreign concession and mixed court there.—" P. & T. Times."
We have received Japan papers dated to February 23.—The death is reported from Kobe of the Rex L, Atkinson, p.v.—A fire in Tokio on February 17 destroyed 199 houses and damaged thirty-nine.—According to a San Francisco to the "Asahi," the anti japanese agitation at Denver, Colorado, is becoming rapidly stronger, and as it is considered to be very likely that there will be attacks on the Japanese, they are providing themselves with pistols, swords, and other arms.—Japan's rice crop for 1907 amounted to 49,043,200 koku, an increase of 5.9 per cent over the previous year and the best since 1904.—Baron Goto, President of the South Manchuris Railway, is reported to be unable, through ill health, to supervise the affairs of the Company and Mr. Nakamura, Chief of the Civil Administration will direct the affairs of the Railway under instructions from Baron Goto.—It is reported by a Tairen telegram that the steamer harles Tiberghien (7,000 tons) with railway roaterials from New York, has sunk off Hainan the cargo was all consigned to the South Manchurisn' Railway Ca.—The Osaka Shosen Kaisha's new steamer Bujun Mara (1,750 tons), uch was under the Osaka Iron Foundry was launched on February 15.—The repairs to the battleship Misaka will be finished before the end of Febuary, after which she will proceed to. Kure to take in military stores and' in March she will be of First the at Kobe is dying out: cease were reported on February 21. Captain Ijiun, Midshipman Hirota and two seaman were seriously injured on board the Japanese cruiser Akishi at Ariahewan on the 20th instant, while the vessel was being towed.—The House of Peers has adopted by a great majority the Goverment proposals for an increase of taxation and the establishment of a petroleum tax.—The death is reported of Mr. Tateno, formerly Minister Plenipotentiary to America,—Mount Assma is showing active eraptions.—The death is announced of Visoonnt Yamanouchi, feudal lord of " branch of the Kochi Clan, who passed away on the 19th; the deceased was member of the Upper House.—A Vladivostok telegram says that it has been decided at a conference of the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.