402
THE JAPANESE PRES? ON THE CRISIS IN CHINA.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
November 12, 1898.
TELEGRAMS AND THEG
RECENT ORISIS.
is far from being a bigoted conservative. The A FRENCH CONSUL ON REUMFES part these two have taken in checking the move- ment of progress was forced upon them by the siste. Finally, the great Viceroy Chang and injudicious precipitance of the leading progres- most of the prominent men in the south are ad- and Japan's proper policy is plain. She must vocates of reform. The outlook is full of hope devote herself to encouraging and assisting the reformers.
MANUFACTĮ RE OF CHEMICALS IN JAPAN,
yen
The following letter from the French Consul at Singapore appears in the Straits Times
Sir, The 8.8. Natal left Saigon on Wednes«.
day, the 26th October, at 9 a.m. Before sailing, the people on board had got the Infor- mation, from the Havas cablegrams, that Gen- eral Chanoine, Minister of War, resigned his portfolio from the tribune, creating great sonsa- tion, and that the Brisson Ministry, having been defeated, had resigned. Another telegram (Havas), of the 25th, had been Saigon intimating that both the English and published-in French Governments had officially denied that military and naval armaments were in dotive preparation, and that both Governments were
perfect understanding.
Now, explain to me, if you please, and if you
can :-**
(1)-How the news of the resignation of the French Cabinet, known in Saigon, by Havas, on the 26th at 9 a.m., was published here, in Singapore, from Renter, only on the 27th in the afternoon.
In its "Spirit of the Vernacular Press" the Japan Mail of the 24th October says :--
We need scarcely say that Chinese affairs were largely discussed by the press during the week. One of the most singular views expressed was put forward by the Jiji Shimpo. It alleged that China's present condition is analogous to that of Japan in feudal times, the power of the central government being insignificaut, whereas the localities are virtually autonomous. It is, therefore, almost useless for a foreign repre- sentative to prefer demands in Peking. Even
Of the various sciences which have been in though they receive the approval of autho- troduced into Japan from Europe and America rities in the capital, there is no competence medical science, says the Jiji, has made the to make them effective throughout the em-
most considerable progress. Yet in spite of the pire. The best plan would be to accredit fact that the science has developed so much it to each of the local governments offi. is to be wondered at that very little improve-in pials of a partly consular and partly dipment has been made in the manufacture of lomatic character, so that all questions might drugs and medicines, most of which are still be settled at the place where they occurred. imported from abroad. Medicines and drugs Passing on to the general problem of Japan's to the value of yen 2,071,115 were imported in wisest attitude in the presence of the perils that 1892; yen 2,791.153 in 1893; yen 3,110,998 threaten China, we find that the Tokyo journals in 1894; yen 4.168,847 in 1895; and are almost unanimous in advocating a policy of 3,810,714 in 1896. The above figures show resolute interference for the preservation of the that the imports of drugs and medicines neighbouring empire's integrity and independ. are yearly increasing. Indeed, it is strange that no attention is paid to this matter by the people concerned. There are some pharmaceutical institutions in Japan, but owing to a scarcity of experts and of raw material no satisfactory result has been arrived at. to the manufacture of chemicals for industrial purposes such as sulphuric acid, caustic soda, and bleaching powder, favourable progress has been made. The annual demand for sulphuris acid in Japan is estimated at 125,193,600 lbs. (P), for bleaching powder at 5,068,000 lbs., and for caustic soda at 13,333,333 lbs. Sulphur is found abundantly in Japan and as a consequence, the manufacture of sulphuric acid is annually in- creasing. There are eighteen sulphuric acid manufactories in the country and their out| put is not only sufficient to meet all domestic demands but to permit of an export trade to foreign countries: The following are the latest statistics of the export of the auid to foreign countries during the past six years :—
Value.
ence.
Few seem to doubt that elements of strength exist in China and that they only need. development. The Hochi Shimbun may be classed among the doubters. It believes that China's fate is sealed, and that the fac tors making for her dismemberment began to be active fifty years ago, though two decades passed before Japan took any notice of them. Therefore the Hoehi Shimbun advocates interference in Japan's interests, and wants to know what uses are to be served by her fleet of two hundred thousand tons and her
army of five hundred thousand men if they are not employed at this juncture. The Kokumin com- plains of the vacillating policy pursued by the Cabinet, and says that when the facts are care- fully examined, nothing appears to have been done except to submit a tentative kind of protest in Peking and to exult over the fact that it ap- parently produced some effect. Courteous and gentle advice is useless in China. It is like -blowing away a fly from a rice cup. Japan must step forward boldly, join hands with the Powers that have identical interests in Eastern Asia, and lead China resolutely into the path of progress, Needless to say that the Kokumin finds in all this an opportunity for attacking the Govern- ment. Having set forth what ought to be done, it asks how there can be any hope that a Cabinet like the present Ministry will do it.
One journal stands conspicuously apart from all its contemporaries. It is the newly born Jimmin, successor to the Tokyo Shimbun gen- erally regarded as an organ of Mr. Hoshi Toru and the Kwanto Liberals. The Jimmin's regret is, not that the dismemberment of China threa- tens to take place soon, but that it has been so long postponed. For it is inevitable. The only thing to save her is regeneration and what hope can there be that a young Emperor and a solitary enthusiast, the only two really earnest reformers in the country, can bring about the regeneration of a huge nation petrified in bigotry and conservatism? No, dismemberment must come. It will not be averted by the apprehen. sions. it inspires. China offers to the world every conceivable spectacle of semi-barbarism. The sooner she is civilized the better, and her civilization can be effected only by her partition, It is, therefore, in the interests of the worl's economy and of humanity that she should be dismembered with all speed. Eastward the star ¡of civilization takes its way.
Precisely the opposite of the above is a article published on the same day by the Maini- chi Shimbun. It is headed "More and more hope of China's reform." Russia, says the writer, is tired and wants rest. She will not lay hands upon China. And if Russia abstaius, England also will stand aloof. As for the other Powers, their action depends on the attitude of England and Russia. Therefore we may conclude that China will have a breathing space to set her house in order. Now the Empress-Dowager is a consummately clever woman and by no means an enemy of reforma. She appreciates its necessity. Further, Jung Lu, the most influential subject in the empire,'
Quantity. Catlies.
Yen.
1892
42,894
1,060,810
1893
64,942
1,489,727
1894
38,480
1,036,5 3
1895
75,2~7
1,109,766
1896
36,2:4
1,040,788 1,352,0.0
1897
A8.
Bleaching powder is made in Japan in suffi-
46,991 cient quantities to meet domestic demands (the found in the interior) though not to be ex- raw material for manufacturing which is ported. The manufacture of caustic soda is still of the demand in the interior and the rest being in its infancy, the output filling only one-third supplied by the imported article. Imports of caustic soda during the past six years were, follows: according to last trustworthy statistics, as
1892.
Quantity, Catties.
Value. Yen. 173,010
4,797,150
1893.
5,0 5,589
192,426
1894..
4,622,642
205,467
1895..
5,855,175
234,000
1896.. ...... 2,874,118 1897.
6,656, 125
84,263 229,593
The sudden increase in the import of caustic soda in 1897 is due to the fact that the Osaka Alkali Company, who were supplying a large portion of the domestic demand, stopped the manufacture of the soda owing to the rise in the prices of commodities and inability to com- pete with the imported article.-Japan Gazette.
The Singapore Free Press says:-It is under- stood that the German mercantile communities throughout the Far East are jubilant at the idea that in the event of war the entire carrying trade may drop into their hands. We should think that the command of the sea would be settled inside of a week and that in any case British shipowners and shippers will be ready enough to take the risks. We can quite under stand vessels flying the French flag lying up in case of hostilities. But the function of our navy is to keep the seas clear for our mercantile marine all through a war.
(2) Why the Renter agenoy has not cabled the official denial, made by both Governments, of strained relations between them? When the people at Singapore were, on the 26th in such a state of excitement, and apprehension, (I mean the people of reason and good sense, who love peace), Saigon was perfectly quiet and re- assured.
I will not make, here, further allusion to the calculations which alone can explain such extraordinary discrepancies between the cable. graphic information from one and the other sources. Reuter's London house is in direct telephonic communication with the office in the French Chamber of Deputies, and would get the news as speedily as it would be known in Paris.-Ed.]
I take this opportunity to warn my fellow- countrymen residing here not to place fall confidence, in the future, in the cablegrams of a humbugging association.I have the honour to be, sir, yours &c., &c.,
COMTE D'ABBANS,
Consul de France. Consulat de France, á Singapore, 29th Oct., 1898.
THE DEFENCE OF CAPE ST. JAMES,
The Singapore Free Press makes the follow- ing translation from a French contemporary:-→→→
ly pushed on with rapidity, are to-day almost The defence works at Cape St. James, recent completed, and the new batteries will be in a shelter for our ships at the entrance of the Sai- condition to fire in a few days, thus assuring-a gon river. Thanks to convict labour, the mill. tary roads giving access to three batteries have been constructed in a very short time at a mo. derate expense.
The utility of artillery defences at Cape St. James has often been denied, on the ground that, the Saigon river being very difficult to ascend without a pilot, its defence would be an easy matter with the help of a few torpedo- boats. This argument is sound enough, but the defences at Cape St. James have above all for their object the assuring to our squadron of the Far East a safe shelter and the free access to the river. Saigon is, indeed, the sole point in the China seas where we possess an arsenal where ships can be repaired.
In case of war,-whether it be with a Euro- pean nation, or with China, Japan, or Siam- the hostile fleet might block the entrance of the river to our ships, which would' thus find themselves unable to get fresh supplies or to effect repairs. Thanks, however, to the bat teries which now exist, the enemy's vessels could no longer remain in sight of the Cape, and the entrance to the:: Saigon river is assured to us, which is an important matter.
Over and above these new defence works, “ substantial garrison is about to be stationed Cape St. James. One thousand men, belong- ing to the artillery and infantry of marine, are going into barracks there. The plans of these buildings are actually under preparation.