398
THE GERMÄN SEIZURE OF KIAO- CHAU BAY.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
RUSSIAN DESIGNS IN CHINA
To many
AND THE PACIFIC.
[November 24, 1897.
ment to promote the growth of the country in riches and power by pacific means, they will be anxious not to quarrel with their best customer merely for an idea. The in- crease of international commerce is rapidly. becoming one of the great guarantees for the maintenance of peace. The CZAR is no doubt a highly appreciative spectator of the good work done by England in Egypt, not very dissimilar from that effected by Russia in Central Asia, and it is quite conceivable that his Government would object to have Great Britain harassed in that work by European intervention. If
time more extended com- at the same mercial relations could be established with Great Britain so much the better. Russia
usually selects the favourable time for all steps.
Alliance in the Far East. Her
Germany has for some time past been
Following on the public announcement desirous of obtaining a naval station in
to the world of the agreement of alliance China and surveys have been conducted between France and Russia, there has been along various portions of the coast with a
a perceptible forward move in several direc- view to making a suitable selection. China, tions by Russia. It would seem as though, it was believed, would be prepared to
now that the alliance stands confessed in make the necessary concession, provided the stead of being, as before, under the rose, the locality selected was such as would not
Russian Government bad resolved to make too seriously wound native susceptibilities. all the profit possible therefrom. Having The murder of two German priests in Shantung has, however, afforded Germany admitted the existence of the alliance they now feel free to use the dual power for all that an opportunity of promptly taking what she requires by way of reprisal, instead of it is capable of or worth. False modesty will not stand in the way of Russia using her having to carry on wearisome negotiations giant's strength like a giant. At the same in reference to the acquisition of some less time she is not desirous to break the peace; desirable site. Kiaochau Bay has accord- ing been occupied, and the promptness and she only aims at bringing overwhelming
While, however, in other parts nearer energy displayed cannot be too highly pressure to bear to compel consent to her applauded. The course adopted stands out demands, submission to her wishes, expressed home Russia may object to play the French in favourable contrast to the supineness dis- actual threat even, only the overshadowing she is not averse to making profit out of the or implied. There is, perhaps, to be no game of attempting to twist the Lion's tail, played by Great Britain in reference to the outrages in the Yangtsze Valley and formidable resources of her republican ally. Representative at Peking is reported to be
menace of her vast power backed by the Dual the Kucheng massacre. It is a reversion to
Powers the intimation of the wishes engaged in conspiring with the French and amplification of the "gunboat policy," of the Russian Government will be all Minister to undermine British influence in which is the only policy that can be really sufficient. For instance, it is not likely China and to rob Great Britain of the effective in China. According to Reuter the German Press is urging the Government that Turkey will make any serious resistance paramount position to which her trade to permanently occupy Kiaochau as a naval to the demand by Russia for the payment of entitles her in the administration of the To what base, and we think there can be little doubt the arrears of the Russo-Turkish war in Imperial Maritime Customs. the occupation is intended to be permanent.demnity, if that is insisted upon, or to the lengths these diplomats have gone in this It may, of course, be intended to occupy the abandonment of any idea, if already in-game it is of course difficult to say. It will cubated, for the reconstruction of the be the business of Great Britain-in which place only temporarily as a means of bringing Turkish fleet out of the Greek war in she should receive the cordial support of pressure to bear upon China-and such pres- sure would be severely felt and prove effec-demnity. If Russia decrees, in effect, that Germany and the other Powers interested-- to prevent the Franco-Russian alliance tive in securing compliance with whatever the Porte shall not have a fleet in the demands might be put forward - but we cor-
Bosphorus, no new warships will be built establishing a dominant influence at Peking. dially hope the permanent concession of by the SULTAN. If any of the Balkan This may prove no easy task when the Kiaochau will be the satisfaction insisted be gaining too much prominence, the CZAR having regard to the purely selfish com- Kingdoms should, in the future, appear to Trans-Siberian Railway is completed, but upon for the outrage that has been per will but need to hold up his hand, and mercial policy pursued by Russia and France, petrated..
the fledgling Power will subside, into its who endeavour, by the erection of a tariff normal insignificance. If in some out-of-wall, to exclude other nations from any mar- ket opened by them, it would be madness to the-way corner of Asia Russia requires a foothold there is none to say her nay, unless allow them to carry on their schemes without by an agreement of the Western Powers. either securing equal advantages or by And how can an agreement be arrived at neutralising what they accomplish. In when France is pledged to assist Muscovita Korea Russian influence is equally active, policy and Germany makes bids for the being directed towards the eviction of Japan - Czar's support?
and of Japanese trade. Meantime the Rus- For the moment, having seen Greece sian squadron has been raised into a for- crippled and being in a position to check- midable fleet, and it is stated by a Hanoi mate any movement on the part of Turkey, contemporary that negotiations are in pro- gress for the cession of Kebao as a coaling Russia is not seemingly inclined to cause any commotion in Europe or to allow France station on the Tonkin coast to Russia. If to do su. It is stated, we know not with what the French are foolish enough to allow Russia to acquire a footing in Indo-China, measure of truth, that Russia has laid an
that is their concern, not ours. But it points embargo on all attempts by France to em-
at least to a determination ou the part of barrass England in Egypt. At the same time she is negotiating a new commercial Russia to become supreme in Pacific waters. If the French are content to allow this and treaty with England for the encouragement of traile between the two countries. Of late to help their dear Bear to secure the honey he covets, perhaps Great Britain and Japan years the Northern Colossus has taken an increased interest in the expansion of its may have something to say in the matter. trade, and it is not, therefore, altogether If Russia increases her naval force in Eastern surprising that it should be desirous of Asia, Great Britain can with facility follow retaining good commercial relations with her example; it is a game two can play at, the greatest trading country in the and the winner may well be the holder of world. The total valne of the the longest purse. Japan is also determined Russian exports to the United King. to have a strong uavy, and is now rapidly don in 1895 was £24,736,919 and that of acquiring it. Already she owns the two the imports from the United Kingdom largest battleships in Asia, and has a nume- £7,664,537. These figures will suffice to rous fleet of cruisers, with harbours, docks, show the enormous volume of the trade be- and arsenals where they can equip. Russia tween Russia and Great Britain. Russia will therefore not have it all her own way, has become alive to the fact, and she is nor will she long retain a monopoly of the anxious to develop this valuable trade. game of bluff, by which she has hitherto won so many advantages. The danger always Russian statesmen are probably also aware that, almost by a stroke of the pen, the is that this game may one day be pushed too major portion of this vast-trade might be far, without any safe way of dignified retreat
The corn now imported from being left open to the bungler. Russin might in a very short period be
Kinochau Bay is situated on the south coast of the Shantung promontory in lat. 36 N. and long. 120 E. The bay is a magnificent sheet of water at the head of which stands the city of the same name. After the taking of Port Arthur and Waihaiwei by the Japanese it was in contemplation by the Chinese Govern ment to create another great naval arsenal at Kiaochau, and the port was also one of those which Russia was to be allowed to make use of under the cele brated Cassini secret treaty. The treaty, after according permission to Russia to use Port Arthur, went on to say: "If, "however, in order to avoid complica- "tions with other Powers it be deemed "inadvisable to use Port Arthur as stated, "then Russia shall be permitted to use the "harbour of Kinochau Bay, in Shantung "Province; there Russia shall be at liberty "to enter or leave the harbour at will; to canton her troops; and she shall also be "allowed to build barracks for her land "troops and coal sheds, etc., in order to fill "an urgent want on the part of Russia." What Russia will say to Germany's an- nexation of the port remains to be seen, but very possibly there may be an under- standing between the two Powers on the subject.
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William Farquhar, chief engineer of the C. N. steamer Pakhoi, committed suicide on board that vessel at Shanghai on the 15th November by shooting himself through the heart with a revolver. At the inquest no motive for the act was discovered, and the deceased when seen shortly before appeared to be in good spirits. Dr. Burge, however, testified that on the previons day deceased had told him that he could not sleep or eat, and witness pre- scribed a sleeping draught and tonic. verdict was that the deceased came to his death made up by increased imports from Canada,
The
cut off
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The Shanghai A.D.C. intend to produce month.
by a bullet wound caused by himself whilst in g / India, and the United States. Since it has Donizetti's “ Danghter of the Regiment" next become the object of the Russian Govern-
state of unsound mind.