160
Suddenly all this is reversed. The Empress Dowager returns to power, The reforming Emperor is reduced to a nullity. The enemy of Sir Nicholas O'Conor is brought back to the Tamen, and Li Hung-chang, the foe of all British interest in China, although nominally sent elsewhere, is again in the ascendant. The principal reformers lose their heads, and a reign of terror may be said to have begun in the Capital like to the Spanish Inquisition. If any improvement is to be forthcoming in Chinese official character, it would appear impossible that it can be spoutaneous. It must be from without and not from within. It must be grafted on by Foreign influences, and out of this sour and crabbed stock may come forth sweet and valuable fruit.
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CHINESE
PEOPLE AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
succeed as well as we have done? We are now in a much stronger position than we were half a century ago. We must advance or retire. ~ A stationary position is untenable for us. The old saw "nothing venture, nothing have" is fitting and appropriate to our cases. May we not then suitably go forward? Are we really able to do this? The Chinese in many of the provinces would welcome us with joy.
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THE PROGRAMME,
The present system of Government, which has some valuable features, might be, in part, continued. The Royal Family would, of course, be provided for. The present Viceroys, Gover- nors, and Mandarins, in a large number of cases, might be retained in office at salaries adequate to their value and position. The system of squeezing and robbery must be wholly stopped, and a plan of watobful and exacting check adopted, by which the revenue would be enormously increased. There is. at present, a large staff of European and American Chinese-speaking men and women, who, together with trustworthy natives, who have been in foreign employ, might afford most valuable aid. The people are easily governed, and have a reverence for the just ad- ministration of the law.
DANGER OF REBELLION.
space,
The essential and wide distinction between the Chinese people and the Chinese Government cannot be stated too forcibly; and this is one of the most important facts to be borne in mind in all discussions about Chins. We have some maxims which seem to contradict the possibility of this. If so, then it must ever be remembered that China is full, nay is made up, of contradic tions and anomalies. The people are mostly honest, steady, dutiful, and hardworking. Moore, the philanthropist, said he would not give much Owing to the total absence of all sense of for a young man who could not, upon occasion, attachment to the Dynasty, the chief and work sixteen hours out of twenty four. The most serious danger which has to be reckoned Chinese workman, if it please him, will do with in the transformation of China, is that of twenty hours. The officials, ou the other hand, widespread and uncontrollable rebellion. The are abominably, incorrigibly, hopelessly sloth-effect of this would be the speedy and serious ful and corrupt. Naturally we are inclined to loss of population, without which the country tura aside from this most sad anomaly, and seek would be`valueless. The element of danger our pleasure in the contemplation of a brighter arising from rebellion against the rule of the picture, but are we not rather bound to attempt present dynasty is ever present, and irremovable. to share with others the blessings of firm and The disaffection is universal and its destructive honest government uuder which, by God's good forces may be developed, within a brief providence, we live? I say emphatically, by over wide areas distant from the coast." In God's good providence. Do any suppose that it view of this undoubted fact, ought we to be is our own arm or our own sword that has got satisfied with keeping a large, even a very large ten as all this wealth ? Who strengthened our and costly fleet of war vessels in the China seas? hands and weakened others arms ? Who Should we be content to go on just as we have gave
the power to get wealth P" since the beginning of the century, with treaties We answer unhesitatingly that it is all in
and negotiations, now that we are well aware consequence of the favoar which God has
of the absolute worthlessness and helplessness had towards our nations. And why? Because of the Chinese Government? Whilst keeping there are more of His servants among us than vigilantly on the look-out for means to preserve there are among some other people. Are we our indispensable commerce upon the rivers not thus under heavy obligations? Have we and the coast, may we not also have some re- not herein large responsibilities ? We believe gard to the interests of China's millions? that these are only limited by our national power and means, and that, within that measure, we are not only justified, but called upon to govern those who are misgoverned, and, if need be, for the good of the inhabitants, and, in so far as in us lies, with the concurrence, if obtain- able, of others, to occupy, proteot, and adminis- ter their lands, appropriating every dollar which those lauds yield to the advancement and well being of their people.
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WHO IS TO LEAD?
THE VOICE OF THE LITTLE ENGLANDER.
Conflicting views are still held upon the mat- ter of intervention in these affairs. The voice
of the "Little Englander" is occasionally
heard, together with the statement that we, as a nation, have already as much to do as we can manage properly. At the same time, notwith standing the great, and ever increasing, demand of the Government upon the highly educated class in Britain, to which Lord Salisbury re- cently referred, there seems to be an unfailing supply of suitable men to meet it.
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[February 25, 1899.
should we cherish and nurso into and activity a power against which we long learned to be ever on our guard, and whose only approach to European civilisation has been manifested by a desire to possess armaments, which, it is quite possible, may be used against us, when, in her fickle policy, it may appear op portune to do so ?
CO-OPERATION OF THE POWERS.
No one single nation can, unaided, safely un- dertake to mould the transformation of the Chinese Empire, and its reformation under a strong, true, enlightened government; but Great Britain and the United States, with the assistance of Germany and Japan, might ven- tare it. Were this undertaken, it is probable that European sympathy would not be witheld, as the world would know that any ad- vantage gained would be for the good of all. Whether the present. Government continues or is superseded, railways are essential to the maintainance of order. China cannot build these; they must be constructed for her, with foreign capital. Lord Charles Beresford, as re- presenting the Associated Chambers of Com merce in England, has stated at Singapore, on 24th September, and subsequently at Hong- kong and Shanghai, that ho "desires
to
see adequate security in China for invested capital." Without such security Wo may well be assured that British and American money will not be forthcoming. Russia has found that a measure of occupation is essential for the preservation of the safety of her works. It is certain that we also shall find the same. Indeed, in England a like need has been of late very sadly demonstrated. A thous and miles of railway in China will, at first, require the constant presence of from five to ten thousand men in the near neighbour- bood and along the line. There can be no advantage in concealing this. The arrange. ment is essential, and without it no con- cession can be of the smallest value. If joint occupation with other Powers can be arranged it would be best. A very large contingent from European and English speaking peoples will be required in China if the control and Govern ment is to fall on them. There will be work for all, and all must work together. All must similarly share in the assumption of China's obligations, and in the labour of increasing the means of meeting them, so soon as a harmonious plan of the respective "spheres" is agreed upon. Then it may be found expedient that twenty-five thousand boys and girls be set to work in Britain, the United States, and Germany to learn Chinese, whilst twice as many in China may be instructed in English and the other European languages.
OPENINGS FOR ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLES
AND THEIR MONEY.
In all likelihood, very shortly there would be openings for the profitable employ ment of one hundred thousand English speaking people, and one hundred millions sterling of their money. The British and American share in all this provision must, anyway, be very large; but our resources are large; and the spirit of the race will go forth in support of the effort, if the claim should be laid upon it. The inducement on our side is to preserve and extend the large portion of the trade which we have long enjoyed; on that of the United States to develope the trade with China which they at this time possess, and to obtain access to the limitless markets which their growing manufacturing skill and power so well qualify them to supply. The weight of obligation in the matter rests equally upon us both, according to our strength and resources to help those who are in need.
None will follow those who will not lead. Who is to lead? What are the essential quali-
THE SECURITY FÓR CHINA'S BONDS. fications ? Courage, knowledge, power, re-
Our national prudence and caution are inten- source, altruism. Do we possess these? Are sified by China's heavy obligations to us, lead we, as nations, the best fitted for the work? ing to groundless fears of possible loss from Do the results of past experience lead us on? her disintegration. It is overlooked that the Are we entitled to entertain the courage re- security for Chinese Bonds is the Chinese sulting from success Are we, in the main. Empire, rather than its present Manchu Go. disinterested and actuated by righteous mo-
vernment; hence the desire to preserve the tives? Do the present circumstances of the status quo which is full of hazard. To this end United State and the British and the it is influentially recommended that offorts Chinese Empires call for action on our part ? should be made to strengthen the Central Go- as the moment favourable? Is there not vernment, whose weakness endangers her ability I wonderful consensus of opinion? Are not to observe treaty obligations. Does not past our peoples very much at one, and quite pre-experience prove that these are endangered as pared to support their governments ? Does it much by China's imagined strength as by her not appear clear that necessity is laid upon us real weakness? When any limb or portion of in this matter? We do not want any of these the body corporate is absolutely corrupt, we do provinces for ourselves, but we require to share not apply anodynes or administer tonios, but the trade of all with the whole world. This for recognize that the only way of dealing success-
On the 25th of September, at the celebration us is absolutely indispensable. It is possible fully with the case is by excision or amputation. of the relief of Lucknow, the Rev. Canon Duck- THE YELLOW TERROR. that the policy which has successfully retained
worth said :—“Across the Atlantio there was this for us during the last half century, may Were the present Government of China to a kindred people, one in mind and speech with not be found equal to keeping it for next. The become thoroughly Europeanized, and poten- us, who throbbed to the pulse of our life and old Home land has been long established in this tially instructed in the arts of war, as some held the names of those who founded our colonising business. The British occupation of kindly enthusiasts have lately recommended, the liberties, and shed lustre on our art and liters- India has answered. Egypt and the Sues yellow terror, as described by Lord Wolseley, ture, in almost as grateful remembrancess we our. Canal Investment have answered. Africa is an- might possibly become something more sub-selves could claim. This bond between the Old swering. You have made a good start with stantial than a myth.
We do
seek Country and the New World was stronger far Hawaai,
i, Cuba, and the Philippines. The several to strengthen the wild and blood seeking than any formal alliance; there could be no responsibilities have been met, if not yet carnivora, and we place our heel on objects firmer or surer pledge of union than that altogether fulfilled. And why should you not which we know are dangerons, Why then which lay in so great a partnership.
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THE BOND BETWEEN THE OLD COUNTRY AND THE STATES.
"The Ber
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