August 12, 1899.]
AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.
The report that a secret treaty has actually been concluded between China and Japan may bo premature, but there is every reason to be lieve that the two countries, if the treaty has not already been signed, are negotiating the condi- | tions of a defensive alliance. The rumoured | terms of this alliance are quite plausible, and we shall not be surprised to hear that they are sub- stantially correct. That Japan should engage | to defend Chêkiang and Fukien from foreign aggression, in exchange for the monopoly of ex- ploiting mines and building railways in the two provinces, is just what we should expect from a country not yet emerged from the imita- tive phase. The iden is. 80
entirely lacking in originality and so far removed from practical politics that it appeals to us as exactly the kind of proposal Japan would be likely to put forward. And the Government of China, which acts like a hen escaping from an advanc ing vehicle, running first to one side and then to the other in complete bewilderment. need not be supposed te have considered whether such an arrangement is the wisest and best. We do not wish to minimise the wonderful advance Japan bas made as a military Power, nor do we desire to ignore the strength and efficiency of her flest; but we do not believe that Western Powers will concent to be dictated to by the Parvenue nation which was so easily persuaded to resign Port Arthur, or that any serious desigus upon the two provinces, should such exist, will be check, ed by Japanese frowns. As to the exploitations of mines and the building of railways, we should be glad to know where Japan is to find the capital. Her finances are not in an altogether satisfactory condition, as evidenced by the difficulty encountered in floating the late loau, and we are not aware that the progress made in the development of Formosa has been such as to encourage sanguine expectations in her new sphere of influence. If Chekiang and Fukien are to wait for Japanese capital and enterprise before mines are opened and railways built, they are likely to remain in their present benighted condition for many years to come.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The next provision is that Japan should un- dertake the training of the Chinese armies and navy in coneideration of which Japan should return the fleet of obsolete vessels captured at Weihaiwei. This again is an extremely plausi blo agreement. The same threatening cloud overhangs the two countries, and it would ap pear sound policy to unite in self-defence, Conld Japan make the armies and navy of China as efficient as her own. the whole espect of Far Eastern politics would be changed, and the spectre of the Yellow Peril might actually materialise. The possibility is, however, re mote The Chinese not ouly hate but despise the Japanese, and are not altogether with ont justification for their sentiment towards what they consider the inferior race, and only by the strictest discipline—by force, iu fact-coult Chinese be made subservient to Japanese officers. It would be useless to engage Japanese instrue tors and advisers without exectifive power. We are hot of those who believe that where Europeans have failed Japanese will succeed, and it has been the refusal of executive autho- rity to foreign instructors which has hitherto rendered nugatory all attempts at reform. Does anyone suppose that the Chinese will consent to invest Japanese officers with control over finances and discipline? to give them, in fact and not in pretence, the actual command of the military forces of the country. That the Chinese are excellent material is recognised; but the best material is ruined aqd wasted by un- skilful workmen persuing inferior methods with bad tools. Chinese officers, ignorant of their profession and with no ambition beyond filling their pockets and escaping work, will continue to ruin their men in spite of the most enthusias- tio instructors. The question of finance will probably wre the scheme more certainly than even the natural jealousy which will be opposed to alien authority, and unless the troops are properly equipped and regular paid that is unless the funds are, honestly administered- there will be no fundamental improvement in the Chinese forces. We have no doubt that Japanese officers would be an improvement on Chinese in this respect, but we cannot bring
JAPAN IN DISGRACE.
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ourselves to believe that the Chinese Government THE SECRET COMMISSIONERS TO would support them against the dishonesty of its own officials. They would be thwarted and oppose in every possible way and the men would be secretly encouraged in every act of insubor dination against their hinted officers. We think it more likely that the Japanese would be demoralised by the Chinese, than that they should raise the tone of the latter.
We admit that the idea is excellent in theory, but we believe it is doomed to failure. The Peking and Tientsin Times takes the opposite view and believes that Japan is fully competent to take the work in haud. Assuning this to be the case and that Jupa is destined to succeed in throughly reorganising the Chinese forces, we cannot agree with our Northern contemporary that there is very good reason why we should wish the report of the secret treaty to be true. Regard for international law and an intelligent appreciation of the economies of commerce have not even in Europe reached so high a standard as to prevent avoidable complications; and the prospect of enormous and efficient armies of yellow men, unhampered by traditions of inter- national morality, Geneva conventions, Hague conferences, and so forth. with. a. mi-sion to conquer and plunder the whole of Asia and drive away the Western barbarians, is not comfortable, Successful opposition to aggres- sion would rapidly develop ambition for con- quest, and the Japanese would be irresistibly templed along the easier path of persuading their ignorant ally to use the new weapon to expel the foreigner and hamper trade, rather than to police the country and assist advance in' the gentle arts of peace. However, although we believe the secret treaty is or will be a fact, we do not imagine it will have any practical effect on the situation, except to make the Chinese rather more pigheaded and suicidal than they are now.-N. C. Daily News.
THE EMPRESS-DOWAGER'S LETTER TO THE MIKADO.
A contributor to the Shanghai Mercury gives the following as the substance of the letter recently sent by the Empress-Dowager to the Emperor of Japan by Her emissaries Liu and Cheng
The letter thanked her good cousin for his good wishes, The writer was, however, in great difficulties; the European Powers regardless of the Tienisze were pressing for a partition of the Empire. England. France, Germany, and last of all Italy, had presented demands and the Empress did not know what to do to satisfy these gready dogs. England was the worst of all, for she had not dis. nised her longings for the Yangtze Valley, and had even set on Italy to claim Fubki-n. But she had done more, she had attempted to frustrate her (the Empress) relations with Russia, and bad openly protested against her advancing her railways in North China. Such indignities were insufferable and she had therefore ad- dressed herself to her good friend the Emperor of Japan, for succour in her distress. The greatest danger in the future was te attrance of England. England had lately contrary to her orders, annexed a portion of Kwangtung and is now proceeding to lay her plans in Kiaugnau. She had given orders to her Viceroys to resist the encroachments of this most danger- ous enemy, but they had stated that for want of ships they were unable to act, and that even with the return of the Peiyang fleet England would be in a position of superiority. She therefore appealed confidently to her very good friend and neighbour to assist her, etc.. etc Promises of subsidies, of appointing Japanese to command the fleet and armies, of freedom of trade to Japanese ships and merchants accompanied this precious spistle, and finally Japan was invited tenter into an alliance offensive and defensive to get rid of these dangerous enemies. Such we have every reason to believe is the bait which has been offered to Japan to enlist her in the Empress-Dowager's service.
special telegram from its Natire correspondents The N. C. Daily News publishes the following. at Peking, dated 30th July-
get
that, instead of being secret in their conduct ma Word has recently reached this from Japan, the importance of the occasion demanded, the Empress Dowager's Secret Commissioners,” Liu and Ching, have been guilty of grave ludisore. tion and have flaunted abroad their importance even to openly showing the Empresa Dowager's antograph letter, meant for the eyes of the Mikado alone; in order, it is supposed, to a recognition from the Japanese, whilsen route, of the high importance of their Mis- sion. Then five days ago the Tsunghi. Yas Government complaining of the doubtful ch men received a telegram from the Japanese racter of the two Commissioners and refus to treat with such men on grave matters! State in connection with the two Governmen The Empress Dowager is extremely indignan at the conduct of her protégés and has ordered their return by telegraphic decres. It is furs had several interviews with the Japanese ther known now that, although Liu and Ching! Foreign Minister, they have not yet had nudis ence of the Mikado, Lin and Chʻings are abo protégés of Prince Ch'ing who backed up the eunuch in recommending them to the Empress Dowager. The fiasco of the Secret Mission, it is believed, will canse grave complications al round.
It is notified in the Gazette that after the 10th inst. no registered covers will be received at the Post Office unless the same shall bear on the left hand lower. corner thereof the name and address of the sender.
THE
WOODCOCK."
When Her Majesty's river 'gunboat, Woods cock, was put together in Shanghai, baying been bronght from the old country in sections, there were not a few steamboat experte, Shanghai, who scouted the idea of such a cockles rapids. It is now three months ago since the shell being able to negotiate the Yangtass Woodcock arrived at Ichaug, and we are in. vessel altogether failed to ascend the rapids. formed, on the most reliable authority, that this
The first rapid, just beyond Ishang, and
8
very small оде, was safely negotiated, but it was found impossible to take the ressel further. Her engineer has reported knots, per hour, than 14, to successfully ao- that the vessel's speed will have to be nearer 19 complish the task and consequently the ve
will have to be left on the lower reaches of the Yangtzee or "tracked" by coolies through the gorges. Why the Admiralty allowed such monstrosity as the Woodcock to be constructed is beyond comprehension, but her peculiar shape was thought to be specially adapted for the proposed work. Her dismal failure, however, proves incompetency on somebody's part and it will be interesting to hear the explanation of the first Lord of the Admiralty when somu member asks a question about this land bird which attempted aquatic duties –Shanghai Daily Press.
COAL AND HOLD MINING AT --WELHAIWEÏ.
Shanghai, Ist August. Particulars are to hand of the formation of owerful syndicate which has obtained 2.000- cession to mine for coal in the vicinity of Wei- haiwei, and it is gratifying to note that the working thereof is confined to British pocket holders. The amount of the capital is not specified, but, is said to be of considerable magnitude. The Directors, as at present noti fied, are Messrs. E. Jenner Hogg (chairmen of the Shanghai Gas Company), Chairman, J. R. Twentyman (Messrs. S. C. Farnham Co., Ltd.), Mr. Brodie Clarke (Messrs. Hopkins Dunn & Co.), Mr. H, O'Shea (Oking Gaset and Mr. J. Welch (Messrs. Welch and Co.) Mr. F. Lavers has been secretary pro tem; and Mr. Jurgens the chief engineer. The subscription includes the names of Messrs. Wade Gardʼner, E. B. Skottowe, J. C. Bois, J, Prantics, J. H. Osborne, and many others. Messrs. Jurgens and O'Shea are the vendors.
We have been informed that cropped up with regard to
2nd Angust.
dimenity has rights held by