RUSSIA AND MANCHURIA.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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"find themselves comfortably housed in a "good hotel in Russian Armenia, I think Whatever may be the intentions of the
"there would be no further talk of bol- Russian Government with regard to the
stering up Mahomedan countries." An future in Manchuria, there is no doubt as Armenian at Nachiteran dares to be rich to the opinions of the Russian Press. When and builds for himself a handsome house the railways are once laid in Manchuria, without fear of a visit from an extortionate Russian domination will commence, to be pasha. He dresses in European costume, followed very speedily by Russian adminis and his wife has abandoned the primitive tration. Nominally, and according to the and picturesque for the modes of the West. Treaty, the country will remain Chinese, Describing Etchmiazin, the see of the and the Government of Peking will retain northern patriarchate of the Armenians, the option of purchasing the railways laid by Mr. BENT says this city may be said to Russian skill and capital, but is it expected represent all the national vitality that the by any one that China will ever be in a
Armenians now possess.
Here, under the position to exercise this option? Of course
wing of Russia, they have ventured to it is possible; there may be an active China-
assert themselves as a nation once more. man now lying perdu who will do for his
Here they keep a museum of their national | no mandarin-not even - country what
curiosities; here they have an academy the somewhat blatant CHANG CHIH-TUNG–—
"for the instruction of 300 young Ar- has ever yet succeeded in doing. The latter,
menians, a fine building with a Council it will be remembered, recovered for China
hall, containing the picture of the Pa- from the clutches of the Great Bear the
"triarch GEORGE, who founded it about territory of Kuldja, which during the long
twenty years ago. Class rooms for various struggle with YAKOOB BEG had been ad-
grades occupy two long corridors; a library ministered by the Siberian Government.
"of choice books of all nations is attached; This was, however, in the days when the
there are dormitories for young men, resources of China were an unknown quan-
which in cleanliness would not disgrace a tity and it was believed that she was a force
"first class English school; and a playground to be reckoned with in Asiatic politics. Now
"where the Armenian boys were enjoying that Japan has pricked the Celestial bubble
"themselves like boys in England. What and dissipated for the time being even the
a striking contrast to the miserable school little power of resistance she really possessed,
"at Sis Turkish Armenia], where the Russia is not likely to be coerced by the
"scholars dare scarcely speak their own wild menaces of a literary mandarin, nor to
language, and terror reigned supreme.' be much moved by the most solemn rumbl In the khanates of Central Asia the same ings from the Tsung-li Yamen. As we liberal policy is pursued, and the inhabit- have said before, if Russia wants Manchuria ants are won over to speak of the Great and means to stay there nothing but force will White Czar as their Father. The Mongols dislodge her. At present it is not certain that have for many years been steadily gravitat her Government desire anything but a con- ing towards Russia, who could without the tinuation of their great Trans-Siberian Rail-lightest difficulty gain the great Mongolian way through Manchuria to the coast into an unfrozen port. That the Russian Press have steppes and deserts by a plebiscite if neces- sary. The Mongolians would eagerly, if other thoughts on the subject, however, is permitted, transfer their allegiance from the obvious from a statement recently published Son of Heaven to the Czar of all the in a St. Petersburg journal on the return Russias. No doubt the members of the to Russia in the latter end of November Russian Mission to Manchuria are correct of the members of a special mission sent in the conclusions they formed concerning some time back by the Russian Government the Manchurians. During the recent war to survey and investigate the resources of the people of Manchuria suffered far more Manchuria. These surveyors are reported injury from the Chinese troops than from to have said :-"The Chinese are not only the Japanese, who scrupulously paid for all delighted with the idea of a railway they had, and were accordingly welcomed "through Manchuria], from which they Not only do the Chinese oppress them in "expect great benefits both in commerce times of peace, but they harass and rob "and agriculture, but openly state that they them during hostilities, and at the same "would be more than delighted if all Man-time fail to protect them from invasion. "churia became Russian territory, and that "the greater part of the inhabitauts would "in such case cut off their pigtails, or in "other words become Russian subjects."
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The inducements therefore to welcome for- eign rule are strong, while the old feeling of loyalty to the Ta-tsing dynasty has worn pretty threadbare during the centuries they have been absorbed by China. For both the dynasty and the country of the Manchu conquerors have been effectually absorbed by the sons of Han, who may be conquered but cannot be assimilated.
THE PROTECTION OF THE COALING
STATIONS.
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render them defensible against attack. Hitherto it has been the the British Government to trust the unlikelihood of attack than to against the contingency. It is that some ten years ago, mo by the representations of thes military experts and influenced perh some nieasure by the restlessness of of the European Powers, an effort was to fortify the coaling stations and make them pay a large share of the cost. This latter contribution was not grudged by the Colonies, as the mother country provided the armament, by far the most expensive portion of the work. So far good but after seuding out in most cases very small re- inforcements to the garrisons the energies of the Imperial Government became hausted; and the result is that, at the pre- sent moment, there are in few of the coaling stations sufficient men to do more than just man the guns. In one or two instances, perhaps, this might not matter much, asthey are within reach of assistance and can be looked after, but in the case of Hongkong, the eastern Ultima Thule of the Empire, and within easy striking distance by more than one great Power,
the imp
impolicy of trust- ing to chance or to the forbearance of a possible foe ought to be patent to the most casual mind. It is true that the garrison of the colony has been doubled and that the British Squadron in these waters has largely increased, and if the fleets and garrisons of other Powers had remained stationary there might be little cause for anxiety But un- fortunately this has not been the case on the contrary, the naval and military forces of France and Russia have been greatly increased and the political barome- ter has concurrently become more sensitive than ever. The improvement in artillery, too, has altered the conditions materially and rendered the colony in its present con- dition more difficult to successfully defend. To make it secure from outside attack it will be necessary to further largely reinforce the garrison and to increase the naval forces, say by a powerful guardship and a number of torpedo boats. It is, let us hope, in contemplation of such reinforcements that the Government intend to ask for large votes for the defence of the coaling stations. As the retention of these stations is simply vital to the existence of England's maritime supre- macy and the maintenance of her vast foreign trade, there will be few dissentient voices when the vote is asked for, especially when, as is evident, the custodian of the public purse intends to recommend it. Whether the desired extension of the frontiers of Hongkong has been agreed to, and this increase is partly necessitated there- by, we are unable to say.
We should like
to think so, but knowing, by long and bitter experience, the talent of the Chinese fat procrastinating, we fear to indulge in such a hope. What we may look forward safely, however, is the early augme of the garrison and the consti defences so much needed on the side of the island.
This shows the way the wind blows. The wish no doubt runs with the statement, but we are not prepared to say there is not some solid foundation for it. It is notorious that the Russian Government have the knack of making their rule welcome to the tribes of Central Asia. This is the testimony of travellers in various parts of the vast areas lately absorbed by Russia. Mr. THEODORE BENT, in an interesting account of recent It is satisfactory to learn, on the authority journeys în Armenia, in the November issue of so reliable a Minister as Sir MICHALL of the Contemporary, testifies emphatically HICKS-BEACH, that the Government, when the liberal manner in which the laying the next Estimates before Parliament, Armenians are treated, and the prosperity will ask for large amounts for the de attained by them, in that portion of fence of the coaling stations. As the right At Singapore on the 29th December Armenian territory which has come under honourable baronet at the same time stated Hon. Lim Boon Keng, MB the rule of the CZAR. The contrast be that he had reason and as Chancellor of the Legislative Council, was tween the condition of the Armenians the Exchequer he should have very good Wong Duang Ging, eldest under Turkish or Persian rule and that reason to expect a fair surplus, it is prob-Wong Nai Siong, of Foochow
tescribed as a charming young lady of the CZAR's subjects of the same raceable the House will not be unwilling to Chinese family, who has had more is very striking. Mr. BENT says:-"If vote the sums asked for. We say this is the statesmen of Western Europe could satisfactory, because it is high time that "all be made to take a journey through some steps should be taken to place the lish langua Turkish and Persian Armenia, and then coaling stations in such a position as to observances.
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advantage!
time in