The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1900.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 802, 12 November 1900, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1900.

Tuk intelligence from China goes to show that the Allies, who are in the country for the purpose of restoring order and exacting punishment for murders and outrages, are not a happy family. Notwithstanding the agreement that neither of the Allied Powers was to acquire territory, Russia issued a proclamation annexing Manchuria, hut has cancelled it on the representation of other Powers. She has made another move in tiie direction of acquiring territory. This time she claims by right of conquest the land opposite the British and German concessions at Tientsin including railway properly and an arsenal, It will he remembered that the English and German concessions, which do not include sovereignty, were made previous to the Allies taking action. The territory Russia claims by right of conquest has been occupied by her since the commencement of joint action, thus to claim a right to it by reason of conquest is a breach of the spirit and letter of the argeenient between the Powers. This is no matter for surprise. Russia only respects undertakings or treaties solemnly entered into, so long as it suits her interests or till complications between other Powers enable her to disregard them with impunity. * The affair at Shanhaikwan, particulars of which appear in another column, was perilously near leading to hostilities between detachments of the English and Russian armies. Without fuller particulars it is impossible to judge of the merits of the case. It appears, however, that Count Waldersce, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces, ordered that all flags flying at this place should be lowered, except the Russian. The Commander of the British forces stationed there decided to await the orders of General Gaselee, to whom he was immediately responsible 1 ; before complying with the order. A Russian subaltern then appears to have taken a squad of ten men with him. assaulted tho Sikh sentry, and torn the flag down. A British subaltern demanded that it should be re-hoisted. The Russians had an overwhelming force present and covered our men with their rifles, forbidding them to stir. General Read was communicated with, and he sent a force of 200 men, demanding an apology and the re-hoisting of the flag, intimating that a refusal to do so would be an act of war. The flag was hoisted, and a very perilous situation passed for the time being. As events progress in China it becomes daily more evident that Russia means, regardless of all treaties and understandings, to annex Chinese territory, and will do so, without doubt, unless the other Powers stand loyally together. They with the exception of Prance, have been emphatic that there shall be no annexation, and an open door for tho trade of the world. It is a fortunate circumstance that tht) American Presidential election has resulted in the return of Mr McKinley and his party. Pending the election,for purely electioneering purposes, the American Government has pursued a weak policy with reward to Cbintse affairs. At election limes in Atnu'ica both foreign and

domestic policies are made entirely I subservient to the aoqusition of j votes. There is every reason to hope that America will now assert herself in support of the policy which tho majority of the Powers desire. It is only the fear of overwhelming physical power that ever stays tho advance of Russia. The greatest security for peace would be a strong note by the Powers to the effect that they do not approve of annexation of territory, and further that they will resist its taking place with all the forces at their backs. We fear that unless this is done the Chinese question will lead up to the greatest and most terrible war that has yet devastated countries.

On our fourth page will be found a report of Mr G. Fowld's lecture oo " The Single Tax." delivered at Ngaruawahia last Wednesday evening, and also a letter from Mr J. 1). P. Morgan. Those were crowded out of our Saturday's issue. Mr John Knight, of Newstead, has returned the cheque, for prize money won by him at the late Agriculture Show to the Secretary, Mr Martin Butler, us a donation towards next year's show. We have been requested to remiud intending exhibitors at the show of the Hamilton Horticultural Society on 22nd inst. that all entries should be made with the Secretary, Mr A. Swarbriek, not, later than Thursday, 15th. In connection with the fire on the Ohaupo Road, mentioned in our Saturday's issue, Mr Giimour informs us that the articles iu the house were uninsured, but a goodly portion of them were saved by Messrs Kelly and Young, who were quickly en the scene. That very-desirable two-acre section of land opposite to Mr W. H. Wallis' house on the Hamiltou-Frankton Road has recently chauged ownership, Mr E. T. Davey having purchased it from Mr C. Harwood. Wc understand Mr Davey intends building a villa residence upon it at once. Mr Geo. Fowlds, M.H.R., will give a lecture on " Rating upon Unimproved Values." in the Volunteer Hall, Humikoj, on Wednesday evening. As this matter has been prominently lx fore the burgesses of late, no r'oubt there will be a larye attendance. 11 s Worship the Mayer will take the chair at S p.m. In connection with the reductiou in railway freight on boned list, about which there has been some discussion at the late Farmers' Club meetings, a settler in Kirikiriroa has called upon us and asked us to give publicity to the fact that the concession applies to Uomjdust Only and not to artificial manures generally, as might naturally be inferred. The funeral of the late Mrs McCabe, of Ci-borne, was held on Saturday afternoon,-tho body having been brought up tQ Hamilton by the afie noon train. A large number of residents embraced the opportunity of paying a last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased, who was well-known to the earlier settlers of this district. The service was conducted by the Rev, Father Buckley, The remains of the late Mr James Soppett were laid away to rest iu the Ngaiuawahia Cemetery on Saturday, and the funeral was largely attended hy sorrowing friends from all parts of that district, where deceased was very well known. At St. Peter's Church, Hamilton, last eveniog "The Dead March " was played as a mark of respect.to Mr Soppett, who was an old and valued officer of the church. We are sorry to hear that some' forty or fifty trees iu the Lake Reserve have again been burnt and destroyed. A gentleman living in the vicinity was burning off some tetu, and the wind suddenly changing carried the flnn'es on to the reserve despite all efforts to prevent them spreading in that direction. The same thing happens accidentally■ or otherwise each year with monotonous regularity, and it seems as though the plantation was never going to have a chance to grow. • We understand that after the Auckland Show Messrs Jas. Anderson and F. R. Seddon, of Waikato, and Mr F. Luard Wright, of Drury, will proceed to Wauganui to act as judges at the show there. Mr Anderson will judge the shortwoolod sheep, Mr Seddon the longwools', while Mr Wright will take the Jersey cattle. These gentlemen arc all- thoroughly competent for the respective positions, and we congratulate the Wanganui Society on securing their services. , The Cambridge No. 3 Company of Mounted Rifle's have, now a new range at what is known as "The Hams," near the gorge at Gorton. It embraces 112 acres, and upon it a range ot 1000 yards can be obtained. We learn some of the recruits tried it on Saturday last and gave a very good account of themselves. At a meeting of the members of this corps, held on Saturday evening, six sent in their names as candidates for the Australian Contingent, and more would have done so but they thought there was not much chano3 of their getting away. A member of the Cambridge Brass Band has complained to us that everyone wants them to play for nothing. They are willing to do so when it is a purely public matter, but on other occasions their charge is £2 2s, and tl\en if they feel disposed to return one, they do so. They must have something to repay them for their outlay on instrument* and music. Some seem to think the instruments worn provided by the public, but only four were so obcained. That number out of twenty is not many. Our representative paid a visit to Mr llendeU's photographic studio, Hamilton, on Saturday, and had a look over a variety of work Mr Retidell has iu hand. Amongst this some tweuty odd photos of the prize-winners at the late Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Show at Claudelands call for special notice. The animals are well placed to show to the best advantage, and the general excellence of the work is very creditable to the artist. These photos are nicely mounted on a very neatly-arranged card, which was designed and printed at Tuk Argus office. On Saturday evening two young men, Messrs Kenny, from Kirikiriroa, were driving through Hamilton in a sulky just at dusk. As they reached the Waikato Hotel the pony took fright at something or other and lashed out vigorously. In less time than it takes to tell the two men were lyin? on their backs in the road, while the horse continued to beat a tattoo on the front cf the sulky'. He soon freed himself and set sail for the dim and distant horizon, shafts and all. Dr. Brovvis, who was driving in the street at the time, was quickly iu attendance, but fortunately his services were not required, neither of the occupants being injured. _______