Page
July 18, 1895.j
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
FRENCH COLONIAN EXPANSION AND RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE.
but the incident is useful as
publican ally.
39
good-will. Before the acquisition of Tonkin great stress was laid on the importance of the Red River as a commercial route, and, as there was no French trade to take advant- under French control, it was necessary to age of its facilities when the route at last came foster the foreign trade in order to show that the route was not an utter delusion; but there is no telling how soon a blow may be struck at this flourishing trade similar to that struck at the trade of Saigon a few years ago by the introduction of the tarif tion of the West River route the favourable general. Had it not been for the competi terms at present enjoyed woull probably
never have been conceded.
CIVIL SERVANTS AND THEIR TENURE OF OFFICE.
change their quarters. Colonel CHAUMONT had been keeping a watch on the frontier at Fac-si, to prevent the bands crossing, but hardly had be withdrawn his detachment to go to Moncay when the pirates slipped states that it is now enacted at Tahiti and in A brief paragraph in the Australian papers across into Tonkin territory, where it appears the French islands in the Pacific that licences they now are. The Courrier d'Haiphong argues to vessels to trade among the islands under that this makes no difference to the responsi- the French tricolour will be granted ouly to bility of the Chinese Government, which, dur- suck vessels as are half-owned and half ing the two months that the pirates were on Chinese soil, showed that they either manned by French subjects. In itself that would not or could not do anything. The is perhaps not of very great consequence, French Government, our contemporary the tendency of French colonial policy. The illustrating therefore argues, is entitled to demand more decisive measures, and, if those fail, to itself object of placing under the French flag vessels not French owned was of course to take guarantees for the safety of the captives and to assure to them an indemnity com-
escape the extra burdens imposed upon mensurate with the length and the hardship intended to place the foreigner at an in- foreign shipping, and the new enactment is of their captivity. It might be suggested creased disadvantage. In Africa, in Asia, that if the French cannot themselves
in Oceania France is feverishly trying capture thet sÉ™
pira when they are on French territory it is somewhat unreason-
to extend her possessions, not because The judgment of the Privy Council in the able to hold the Chinese Government respon or desirable by
such extension is rendered necessary Western Australian case regarding the sible. The pirates, however, have their head-
any existing French | tenure under which civil servants hold their quarters on the Chinese side of the border; it trade, but in the hope that she may thereby appointments is of considerable academic interest though perhaps not of much is there that the bands are recruited, it is cut out the trade of other nations, more there that they supply themselves with arms
particularly that of Great Britain. The practical importance. The Privy Council and supplies, and it is there that they retire policy of Russia is similar, though that has decided that civil servants hold their as yet look so far offices, in Crown colonies, during Her when they are pursued by the French power does not troops. In the fastnesses of the mountainous afield for fresh acquisitions as her re- Majesty's pleasure only. Many members Wherever Russia adds a of the service will no doubt be sur- regions of Tonkin it is not easy to lay hands
new slice of territory to her large dominions, prised at this, as it reverses the on them, but they could, there is every there the foreign trader finds no welcome, opinion, very widely held, that they have reason to believe, be readily dealt with when and is tolerated only in so far as he cannot an indefeasible vested interest in their ap- they enter Chinese territory. Whether the Chinese officials are in league with them it is hand, holds out an open hand to all nations, position will be in no way affected. The be dispensed with. England, on the other pointments. Practically, however, their unnecessary to inquire, for it appears plain and the extension of her rule is synonymous Secretary of State remains the fountain of that, whether from corrupt motives or simple with the progress of the world. In English justice so far as the civil service is concerned indolence, they have neglected their duty. territory a Frenchman or a Russian can and the members, we think, have no occasion The French Government appears now deter- trade on equal terms with the Englishman, to complain of the manner in which their mined to make them perform it, and to bring but the Englishman in Russian or French interests are dealt with by that tribunal. the existing state of disorder to an end.
The representations of France with refer- territory is subject to various disabilities, of Once in the service, on the permanent staff, ence to the Szechuen outrages, backed up as trade at Tahiti may be taken as
which the enactment with reference to a man may feel assured of a position for an life, provided he is not convicted of some they have been with a show of force, appear example. It is impossible, therefore, that flagrant misconduct. Should it be neces to have been attended with considerable success, and the representations as to the England should regard with any feeling of sary to abolish his office he will either be cordiality French colonial expansion. If provided with another of equivalent value state of affairs prevailing on the frontier France were working for the extension of or be granted a retiring allowance. Lack of between the Kwang provinces and Tonkin trade and civilization England would have ability may prevent or retard his promotion, will probably be equally effective. Were the agreement for the policing of the frontier no occasion to be jealous of her movements, but will not, as it probably would in unofficial in force France would have the right to
but, what ver may be thought with life, result in his being called upon to send in cross the border and herself break up the trade the object is not extension but re in the civil service is one of the rules of British respect to civilization, with regard to his resignation. Permanency of appointments pirates' headquarters if the Chinese, failed to do so, and should the occasion demand striction, more particularly the restriction of administration, and, though not enforceable it she will probably not wait for the British trade. One of her most cherished as against the Government in a court of law, signing of the agreement. Threats, how.designs is to cut off as far as possible British there is not the least likelihood of its being ever, will probably prove sufficient to stir up and it is evident also she would like to annex carried on appeal from Western Australia communications with South-western China, deviated from. In the particular case recently the Chinese officials to action when they see Siam and so have the important British to the Privy Council the claim appears to. that the threats are not merely idle ones. trade with that country at her mercy. In the have been of a particularly unreasonable Unfortunately, says the Courrier, during the heat of summer operations by land are im- prosecution of this design it is deemed neces- character, though the circumstances are not set out in the judgment with sufficient ful- practicable, so that if anything should havesary to manufacture French interests as a to be done it would be better that it shoul means by which to bring about difficulties, and ness to enable the reader to form any decided the Press in the neighbouring French colony opinion as to the conduct of the plaintiff be done by the fleet, and, according to our has recently been finding fault with the which led the Government to dispense with contemporary, the occupation of the port of
Acting French Minister for not having been his services. It appears, however, that he Pakhoi and the seizure of the Customs re-
was a doctor, who had been gazetted to an venue there has been considered by the sufficiently energetic in registering Asiatics French Government as a possible even-
as French subjects. It is also made a sub- acting appointment during the absence on tuality. We should think it unlikely
ject of complaint against him that he allowed leave of the substantive holder. As he sub- an English man-of-war to visit Chantaboun, sequently applied to bave his appointment that any such step as that would be taken. though how he could have prevented it is made permanent it would appear that the Occupation of a treaty port would always not very clear, and there is a further com. officer for whom he was acting did not be liable to cause friction with other Powers, plaint that be allowed Siam to grant certain intend to return, though that point is not and the seizure of the Customs revenue, concessions to an English company in the made clear in the judgment. which has been pledged for the repayment province of Chantaboun. The vapourings of foreign loans, would be generally objection of an irresponsible and hot-headed journalist able. It seems desirable that whatever pres- are not necessarily to be a taken as a declara- sure may have to be brought to bear on tion of a national policy, but in this in- China should be applied with as little inter-stance there is only too good evidence that ference as possible with the treaty ports. the utterances of the Saigon papers are not Subject to that consideration, the strong a very distorted reflection of the policy in position taken up by France both in the case favour at the Quai d'Orsay. In speaking of the Szechuen riots and in that of the Tou of French exclusiveness and of the designs kin border troubles appears worthy of all entertained with reference to South-western praise and might with advantage be emu- China we do not forget that foreign goods lated by Great Britain and the other Powers are allowed to be transported by the which have claims against China awaiting Red River route on easy terms, but that is a matter of necessity rather than of
:
settlement.
It seems,
however, that certain circumstances that arose in connection with a death in the hospital of which the plaintiff had charge induced the Government to cancel bis appointment, and thereupon the plaintiff brought his claim. According to the judg ment of the Privy Council, had his appoint» ment been a permanent instead of only an acting one the Government would still have had a right to dismiss him, subject to an ap- peal to the Secretary of State, and that any claim to vested interest in an office by the holder of an acting appointment should have been set up is remarkable. Whatever