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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
(February 4, 1809.
the
108 are
emains
trade with China, and the increased dangers chicanery of the past. With a weak Governing Peking authority, which involved in the present situation are not only ment in Peking, open to be played upon by the the alternative policy to the sufficient to check any attempt at extension of jealousies of competing Powers, no scourity can namely that of the sphere of influ enterprise, but are also a serious menace to the be looked for, except such as may be found in less to say that the two pol trade which already exists. The danger to-day force; the establishment of a Government in opposed to one another. But is greater than it ever has been; the weakness Peking, which is not only strong, but which is be maintained intact, or whether and the corruption of the Peking Government in sympathy with the wishes and feelings of tioned, the necessity for reform stands confessed; its necessitous financial con- the nation at large, is we believe, a first, neces-same, the only difference being that dition requires more help than ever from the sity if China is to be saved from partition, in the former case the reform mes Provinces in order to meet the foreign ob- Signs are wanting, indeed, that partition has emanate from one strong centre ligations which it now stands committed, already begun; the policy pursued by Russia plied to the Empire at large, in the and at the same time its power over the in Manchuria is plainly aimed against China's case they would be applied over restricted areas Provincial Government is becoming less sovereignty in that province, and in the regula--by the occupants of "spheres." We suba and less by reason of the disaffection tions recently issued by the Burean of Mines that the jealousies and complications in which is making itself apparent in many parts and Railways it is significant to note that it 18 dictional matters, which must inevitably arise of the Empire. What then is likely to be the expressly stated that they are not to have effect between the different occupants form a far more result upon foreign trade in the interior of the in Manchuria or in the province of Shantung;
serious danger to the general pesos, than an country? The revenue of the Imperial Marit-it is not explicitly admitted, but the inference which is entailed in a bold policy for the main- ime Customs, of which the Provinces have in is clear, that already these regions are with tenance of China's integrity with a contra the past received their share, is now practically drawn from the field where British capital may point of strength. Great things may be wholly hypothecated for the service of the be invested on equal terms with those given to by small, and the, jealousies, and cons foreign loans; concurrently with this the de- other nations. On the question of progress dangers, involved in the "sphere of influ mands from Peking for more money from the and reform we believe that the new teachings policy are to-day being illustrated in Sha Provinces are increased; what can be the result have been widely accepted throughout the Em. through the claims of one nation to exclusi other than an increase of inland taxation? As pire, and we cannot but think that, in fostering jurisdiction over parts of these Settlements, one means of supplying the deficiency in her and guiding this reform movement, Great in which we maintain the door is open to all revenne China Las given notice of revision of Britain would be following a policy worthy of "We say then, that the one thing wanted the existing Foreign Customs' Tariff, but she herself, and of her best traditions. It is plain for the development of trade, for the protection offers no security for the remedying of the that wholesale administrative and fiscal reform of capital, and for the extension to enterprise abuses of which we have for forty years is imperative both for the salvation of Chins in China, is security, and we say that such complained; the proposition put forward by herself, as well as for the security of the foreign security must be sought in fiscal and adminis Li-Hung-chang, during his visit to London in capital which she is inviting for the develop-trative reform of the country, which can only 1896, was merely that the exis.ing duties be ment of her resources. Suggestions as to me be effected through pressure from without, and doubled an ingenious oriental expedient by thods of reform do not full within the scope of we further say that the vast preponderance of which foreign trade should be made to bear the this memorandum; suffice it to say that the prac. British interests in China clearly demand that expenses of China's foreign indebtedness. For tical side of the question has not been neglected Great Britain shall lead and guide the move. eign traders in China ar generally favourably by this Association, and it may be fairly claimed ment. We attribute the hitherto neglect lo disposed towards a revision of the existing tariff that the British Government has received, from the China question by our Government, and in China's favour, but they at the same time its Ministers, Consuls, and Merchants, a suffici. the policy of drift into which we have most distinctly demand that no such concession enoy of facts, opinions and suggestions from fallen, to a mistaken estimate of the strength shall be granted, unless full security be given
which a definite and resolute policy might long of. British prestige in the Far East, con for the protection of foreign trade in the in- ago have been deduced. The future of our re-pled with a fallacious belief in the power of terior against the abuses experienced in the lations with China may safely be gauged by the China herself; other nations, never in the field, past. It seems plain that such security can experience of our relations with China in and comparatively unhampered by traditions of only be found in the entire reform of the pre- the past; nothing has ever been gained the past, have seemingly been better able to sent corrupt system of Chinese Government; from China except through pressure, backed by interpret events in the light of common ex- the undertaking of such a task no doubt bristles force, and nothing ever will be gained from her perience, and have found opportunity in on with difficulties, and entails responsibilities except by the same means, Great Britain is complaisance and inactivity to exploit the which will necessarily be complicated by inter- to-day looking with some anxiety for new fields situation to our disadvantage. We do, pot national jealousies; it is nevertheless clear for her exports; no finer field in the world exists wish to concern ourselves with, any; im- that unless the situation be boldly faced. still than in China; other nations also are equally perfectly understood catch phrases such as open door or sphere of influence, fur- greater difficulties, and still greater inter- anxious for the peaceful development of the national troubles, will have to be faced in the vast commercial possibilities of this country; ther than to that Great Britain's sphere
Bay let the nations. who are so interested, and whose of influence should be wherever British near future.
open for equal trading opportunity, to all; this is an ideal which can never be reached without re- solute determination on the part of the British Cabinet to lead and not to follow in Peking. We do not hide from ourselves the difficulties which must be faced in order to bring abo China's reform, and we therefore urge that Great Britain, in leading the movement, should endeavour to obtain the co-operation of other great nations who have like aims and interests with ourselves."
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together in exerting the necessary pressure for reform, through which alone the required security for trade can be found, the integrity of the Empire maintained, and the door of trade kept open to all on equal terms.aka
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“China's financial-necessities. brought about aims are not territorial aggrandisement, join trade preponderates, with the doo by the disaster of her war with Japan, and the obligations which she has in consequence in curred with European countries, make it plain that a continuance of her policy of exclusion, and contempt for foreign ways, cannot longer be-maintaine, Presure from without, power- fully aided by an empty exchequer within, has already persuaded her so-called rulers that the rast natural resources of the country can no longer be permitted to remain undeveloped. and in consequence there are now put out to the world huge schemes of railway and miu- ing enterprise, for the carrying ont of which forsign capital is invited. It may, however, be taken for granted that before responding to the invitation, the capitalist will panse to look into the security which is offered; he may reason ably ask:-What power has the Central 1 Government in Peking to protect concessions granted in the Provinces? What has been the experience in the past as to China's good faith in the matter of Treaty engagements and contracts? What amount of foreign con. trol and supervision is to be allowed in the ex penditure of the capital asked for? Is the present prohibition of foreign inland-residence to be relaxed in order to enable foreign super vision of foreign inlaud-enterprise ? It is clear that in the auswering of these questions is involved the further one :—Is this much talked of opening of Chins to be made real, or is it x sham? If it is to be made real, it is plainly necessary that strong foreign influence must be used to prevent repetition of the * Whilst writing, practical demonstration is received of DOW of the Chinese, authorities to protect new en- terprise; we learn to day that a riotous mob has destroyed orks in connection with the opening of a mine in ngpo district (comparatively close to Shanghai), and that the European Manager barely escaped with his tition to Peking Prompt and decisive action on the spot
the
Hife. No doubt the matter will be made one of represen-
would be more to the point.
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Sinsonr
to
the
oint,
For the carrying out of schemes of reform, it is, as has been said, necessary that there must be some foundation of strength upon which to base action; naturally this ought to be supplied by Peking, the Central Government there being made an effective power for the execution of its commanda throughout the Empire; for it is
THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION. plain that, in the absence of a dominating central power-a power strong enough to min-
We are given to understand that telegraphic tain the Empire's integrity-there need be no further talk about the maintenance of the open information has been received from Washington door and equality of trading opportunity, con- to the effect that President McKinley hin cerning which our statesmen have said so much. appointing a Commission to proceed It is however a great error to proceed on Philippines has limited the scope of its useful- the assumption that the few high offcialsness in that he has declined to have associated who, with the Court, may be said to consti- with the United States Commissioners repre- tate the Central Government are desirous of sentatives of the Filipino National Government. seeing Ching strong, or of maintaining the On the face of it, it would seem that there integrity of the Empire. The people wish it, must be some misunderstanding on this but public opinion can scarcely make itself or some misreading of the teleg heard, much less oan it be proclaimed in a way it is hard to see how such a Commission' can that will influence the Government. Those in arrive at a satisfactory solution of the complex
is aided In power probably foresee that without reform Philippines problem unless it i China as a nation is doomed, but arguments inquiries by influential Filipinos, who could tending to impress this fact upon her rulers escort the American Commissioners to Malolos. are wasted; it is sufficient for them that the the national capital, and to any places in
to vint ohange will not affect them personally. If interior which they may desire t China is to be saved, she will have to be saved purpose of observing, the conditions prev in spite of her Government; Great Britain in the islands and conducting inquiries an cannot look for any assistance from that quar- the natives of all ola ter, on the contrary she must be prepared to meet with sullen opposition from those whom she would succour. It is this weakness and corruption in Peking which theatens the dis- ruption and partition of the Empire, and it may be reasonably suggested that it was some sha- dowy conception of this fact, and an unwilling nesa to accept the responsibilities of maintain-
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If the Commission to ascertaining the tions of the pe ment, and the degree amongst the varions
Router puts it in President McKinley truth respecting
rith
for
of affairs in
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