CHINESE INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1496, 2 December 1878, Page 3

CHINESE INTELLIGENCE.

[own correspondent oe press agency.] Hong Kong, October 7. For some time past crime has been increasing here to an alarming extent. A state of terrorism exists almost approaching panic. Burglaries have been of almost nightly occurrence. Within the last fortnight the colony has been thrown into an unprecedented state of excitement by the occurrence of several attacks by armed bands of robbers. The first of them occurred on the night of September 25tb, and is a most mysterious affair. The Praya is a road running along the harbor. Behind the Praya, in the Chinese quarter of the town, is a lane called Wing Lok street. A Chinese goldsmith’s shop is situated on one side fronting on to this street, and on the other on the Praya. This shop had received a large quantity of treasure from San Francisco, which, it seems, became known to the thieves, and shortly after midnight they mustered about town and in numbers estimated from 80 to 100, armed with bamboo spears and firearms, they landed in boats. Most probably they were a nest of pirates from the adjacent mainland. Their attack was arranged with consummate skill and care taken that no one saw them land, although police are stationed all along the Praya at short intervals. The thieves stationed one band to watch the Praya entrance of the house, while another went to Wing Lok street, and here a few of the men got into the house through a window upstairs, which they reached by means of a bamboo ladder. A Coolie, whom they disturbed, was kept quiet by threats of murder, and the thieves quietly pursued their search of drawers and cupboards until they came to the safe. They were provided with with cold chisels, hammers and torches for heating iron. Their, operations caused some noise, and the people in the house being aroused the men outside called to them that it was fire, and that they must stop where they were until a ladder arrived. A Chinese watchman now appeared on the scene, and was received with a stab from a spear in the groin. These spears are most formidable weapons, fixed on to a bamboo 20ft. long. The watchman blew his whistle while lying on the ground, and a few constables from a neighboring station came up, hut as they were armed only with truncheons, and the robbers opened fire upon them, they were compelled to return for their rifles. The thieves received them with their spears and firearms, and six of the constables received serious though not fata! injuries. One of the robbers was shot dead by a constable and it is supposed that several others were wounded or killed, but if so they were carried off by their companions, who made a dean retreat on the arrival of reinforcements of the police. Most of them, it is believed, got awuy by water though some probably escaped by neighboring lanes. The water party, to facilitate retreat, stole a steam launch, which was not missed until several hours had elapsed. The launch on being chased by the police boat, fired on the latter and then escaped. Another attack waa made on the residence of the proprietor of the “ Ghana Chil,” the object being robbery. A Sikh constable, who prevented them, was severely stabbed. The public attribute the existing lawlessness to the mistaken clemency of Governor Hennessy, who has been reprieving murderers, pardoning criminals, and modifying the punishment of flogging indiscriminately. Business is very dull. The American ship Sumatra has been lying in harbour over twelve months, not being able to obtain freight. Several other vessels are in the sane position. A treaty lias been concluded between the Sultan of Sulu and (ho Spanish Government, by which the former surrenders the sovereignty of the islands. A new tax imposed at Ningpo led to a riot, many lives being lost. The natives of objected to the new Church of England school, and burned it to the ground. A difficulty has arisen between Germany and China over (ho Treaty of 1861. The Deputy Registrar of Hong Kong has absconded, leaving defalcations to the amount of £46,000. The rics crop in Siam promises, well. Another coal mine has been discovered in Japan. The Canton authorities have farmed out the privileges of preparing and selling opium for three years at a rental of £140,000 per annum. 140 000 persons are destitute through the overflow of the Yangtze. The Formosa aboriginals are again becorn ing hostile, and a general rising is expected, A Reuter’s telegram announces that General Kauffman, Governor-General of Turkestan, has not only protested against the return of Kuldja to the Chinese, but threatens to resist the occupation of Yarkand by the Chinese. Cholera has visited Shanghai, and is ravaging other parts.