CHINA'S WARNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9107, 16 July 1888, Page 11

CHINA'S WARNING.

PREPARING FOR WAR. Tiie Wellington Post publishes an article in which it states that a Chinese Imperial proclamation and edict have been received by some leading Chinese merchants in Dunedin from a high official at Pekin. After stating that copies of the edict have been circulated amongst the principal Chinese in the colony, the Post goes on to say: '' The preamble of the proclamation is somewhat lengthy, but to put ib as tersely as possible, it sets forth that whereas Great Britain entered into treaties with China from time to time, which conferred special privileges on Englishmen, merchants, traders and others, who were thereby permitted to carry on business throughout the greater portion of the Chinese Empire, and whereas these treaties were entered into, so far as China was concerned, very reluctantly, and only through the superiority of the British army, the Imperial Government of China regard the recent treatment of its subjects throughout the Australian Colonies as illegal, and as a breach of the treaty. " Then follows what may be regarded as a threat hurled against the British nation. The proclamation goes on to say that the Chinese Imperial army numbers 13,000,000 soldiers, who, however, at present are not armed with such effective or modern weapons, nor are they so well drilled as are the armies of western nations. The Chinese navy, the despatch goes on to say, although' much larger than it was a few years ago, is not so sufficiently large as to warrant the Empire in taking the aggressive at present. The Government, however, intends immediately to build arsenals and erect large ordnance and small arms factories, and at four of the most suitable seaports war steamers of the most modern and efficient type are to be constructed as rapidly as possible. This work of re-arming and thoroughly drilling the army and building warships sufficiently powerful to enable the Chinese Empire to cope with the soldiers and navy of Great Britain will, the despatch states, take three years. " Then comes the edict. The Government of China command all their subjects in the colonies to wind up their respective businesses and affairs within the next three years, and to return to China by the expiration of that period. *'

ENQUIRIES IN AUCKLAND. In connection with the above, we have interviewed some of the leading Chinese residents in Auckland on the subject, and find that although there is some ground for the rumour, a communication having been received from the Governor of Canton, and circulated amongst the Chinese residents, it contains nosuch instructions as that alleged. Mr. Thomas Ah Quoi on being questioned informed our reporter that the only communication received at present was with regard to receiving shipments or importations from Hongkong, bub they had received no instructions to return to China. The instructions were not to import any more goods, and he supposed the meaning of the order received from the Governor of Canton was that they should clear out their Chinese stocks, but with what object he did not know, as no indication was given as to the reason. This communication was received about a month ago in Auckland. It first reached Dunedin, and was forwarded on to Auckland to Mr. Ah Quoi, to be circulated amongst the Chinese residents hore.

MEETING IN AUCKLAND. A meeting of Chinese residents in Auckland and suburbs was held on July 8, to further consider the circular forwarded by the Governor of Canton. We have seen the document itself. It is very lengthy, and we are indebted to Mr. Thomas Ah Quoi for further information as to its contents, especially that portion having reference to the Chinese now resident in the Australasian colonies. In regard to the stoppage of importations from China, it is not made an order or edict that there should be no importations, but the Chinese merchants and others are recommended to cease importing Chinese goods not only from Hongkong, but from all other ports. The imports are usually opium, Chinese silks, teas, &c. The circular gives no reason for this recommendation, but it is distinct on the matter of leaving it optional whether to adopt it or not. It has come to the knowledge of the Governor of Canton that the Colonial Governments ..iiaYQ adopted harsh restrictive measures

regarding the Chinese, and this has given rise to a great deal of illfeelini: St amongst the European and Chinese traded at Hongkong, and other ports, and unpleasant feelings exist as to the treatment of the Chinese in the colonies, bub the circular states that if they wish to suffer '"■/ under the restrictions . imposed, no force would bo used to stop their business. It points out that there is ample room for the Chinese in their own country, and contrasts the treatment which Chinese receive in the colonies with the protection afforded by the Chinese Government to British traders and subjects in China. Mr. Ah Quoi reiterates that there is nothing whatever in the circular directing Chinese to close their affairs in the colonies and return to China. f t With respect to the meeting held on the Bth July, the principal subject under discussion was the project of, assisting_ some Chinese in Auckland, who are desirous of returning home, i Some of them have sufficient money to pay their passages, others have not, but the necessary amount would be made up for the latter. There are about twenty in - Auckland desirous of returning to China, bub they cannot get passages, and they complain justly and bitterly that while the colonial governments prevent them ! from coming here, they prevent those who wish to do so from going away. Some have already been detained against their wills for two months. The steamship companies will not book • them to Sydney, whence they might obtain passages to Hong Kong, and the result will be that if they are kept back much longer, their money will bo spent, and they will have nothing to support them here. It was agreed to make a further effort to get theso twenty men who are so anxious to gets away, passages.