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of annexation. Her abstention did not suf fice to prevent the game of grab beginning, and it was only when other Powers had commenced to prefer territorial demands that the home Government was induced to take steps for procuring for Hongkong the extension of territory which was deemed necessary both on defensive and industrial grounds Shamchun was nofortunately not included in the territory so obtained, but was occupied afterwards as part satisfaction for the Chinese breach of faith in connec tion with the taking over of the extension. It has now been restored to Chinn, and as no other explanation is forthcoming of such an extraordinary and apparently ill-advised step we may assume it to be connected with considerations of high policy which have not yet been made public here..
November 18, 1899.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. necessary. It cannot be a
be admitted, as Mr. from the Asintic Continent. Russin, in pur- DREW claims in his report, that "the evil suit of this policy, is reported not only to is a most difficult one to cope with, and have taken up an aggressive attitude with that a much more vigorous Government reference to the Masupo affair, but also to than the Chinese would be put to an havenddressed a remonstrance to Chinn with "extreme test of its resources in the effort reference to the despatch of Chinese students "to put a stop to it." All that is required to Japan, the engagement of Japanese is an honest administration and an efficient officers to drill the Chinese troops, and the police system. So far from the evil being | reported engagement of a Japanese in the inherently difficult to put a stop to, it is capacity of foreign adviser to the Chinese impossible to contemplate the possibility of Government. Reports of this description | such a state of things being allowed to exist | are probably magnified in importance as in any ordinary well regulated country, they go the round of the press, and it is said What would be thought, for instance, that in Japan there are at present no visible if organised piracy existed on any of signs of preparation for war. We are fami- the waterways of India and the Government liar enough with heated international con- confessed itself unable to suppress it and to troversies in the European ¡ress, and with guarantee reasonable security to the legi-strained relations that never rench breaking timate traffic? In such a case it would be poiut, and in the case of Russia and Japan thought that the Government was no longer the probability is that their outstanding If the United States are really pursuing fit to rule. The same conclusion must be difficulties will in some way be tided over an active policy aiming at the preservation arrived at with regard to the Government without resort to the arbitrament of war, of China's integrity it will presumably be of China in general and the Canton Govern- The jealousy of these two Powers, however, by making agreements with each of the ment in particular. Except for the corrup- undoubtedly constitutes a menace to the other interested Powers on the lines of tion and incompetence of the Chinese nu- pence of the Far East, and possible con- the agreement between France and Great thorities there is no reason why travel or tingencies in this direction presumably Britain with reference to Yunnan and the West River should not be as safe us on have something to do with the Bri- Szechuen. That agreement is in the follow. the Thames. Even if Mr. SchŒNICKE'S re- tish preparations, which, according to ouring terms :-"The two Governments agree gulations could be effectively carried out telegram, exceed all known demands. "that all commercial and other privileges they would affect only one branch of the In the event of a rupture taking place "and advantages conceded in the two trade preyed upon by the pirates, namely, between Russia and Japan, with the possi "Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Bze- the
passenger traffic; the goods traffic would bility of other Powers being dragged into "chuen either to Great Britain or France, till remain in the same unfortunate possi- the quarrel, it would be necessary for tion as at present, a position so intolerable Great Britain to be thoroughly prepared to that producers are afraid to send their pro- protect her own interests should they be duce to Canton for fear of its being seized in any way threatened. And in considering on the way.
the possibilities of the case we cannot over- look the suggestion of the Times, that if Japan is convinced that there is to be war she may consider it imprudent to wait while her rival improves her position. At present" Japan is believed to be in a fairly satisfac- tory position to meet Kussin, but in four or five years, when the Siberian Railway is fiuished, Russia's strength will be ma- On the other hand, terially incrensed. while Russin has been credited with a de sire to avoid any breach of the pence until her railway communications are completed, there is a possibility that she any consider Great Britain's preoccu- pation in the Transvaal a favourable oppor- tunity for pursuing a more vigorous policy in regard to the Far East than she other- wise might have doue. There are very few absolute facts in the case upon which to base speculation, but there is an unmistak- able feeling of uneasiness in the air.
RUSSO-JAPANESE FRICTION.
[
(Daily Press, 14th November.) More uneasiness appears to be felt at home with regard to the Russo-Japanese friction in Korea than the circumstances so far as they are known here would seem to warraut. It is, however, generally believed that n contest of strength between Ruggin and Japan is bound to take place sooner or later,
and in the temper in which each of the two Powers views the other a very small spark might suffice to produce an explosion. The only point actually in dispute between them at the moment has reference to their respective concessions at Masanpo, a newly opened port in Korea. The Russians svine- time ago arrived at the conclusion that this would be a favourable point at which to establish a conling and docking station for their fleet, and a site for the proposed concession was fixed upon. The project, however, was not carried through with the celerity that under the circumstances of the case might have been expected. The result of this tardiness was that Japan, getting (Daily Press, 17th November.) wind of the affuir, promptly came in and According to recent telegrams, the United bought up the water frontage from the na- States are actively moving in the matter of tive owners. Russia now demands her con- China and the open door, and the Daily cession, and Korea, in the face of Japanese Chronicle is credited with the declaration action, can only return a non possumus. The that as soon as the full details of Am- difficulty is in itself a trivial one and ought | er.ca's policy are made known they will to be capable of easy adjustment were the two Powers animated by conciliatory sentiments. Unfortunately their sentiments are the reverse of conciliatory and it is within the bounds of possibility that the trumpery Masanpo affair may be elevated to the dignity of a casus belli, though neither Power can really attach very much import- ance to the point in dispute.
ance
THE UNITED STATES AND THE OPEN DOOR IN CHINA.
invirtue of their respective Conventions "with China-of March 1, 1894, and June "20, 1895, and all privileges and advan-
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暴露
to
tages of any nature which may in the "future he conceded in these two Chinese "provinces, either to Great Britain or France, shall, as far as rests with them, "be extended and rendered common
both Powers and to their nationals and dependents, and they engage to use their "influence and good offices with the Chinese "Government for this purpose." The word- ing of the telegrams that have been received favours the view that it is in the negotia- tion of agreements of this description that the United States are now engaged. A telegram of the 7th November reads as follows:-"The Daily Chronicle's Washing. ton correspondent is informed on the highest authority that if the United "States obtains written assurances from the "other Powers as to keeping an open door "policy; Japan will follow with similar "demands." That we take to mean that if Russia, for instance, agrees that any pri- vileges secured by her shall be participated in by the United States Japan will also ask Russia for an agreement to the same effect. According to a later telegram, dated 9th November, "the United States Ambassa- "dors at St. Petersburg and Berlin state "that they have presented requests to Rus- "sia and Germany with regard to the open "door policy, and that both these countries
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1
have expressed themselves favourably in- "clined towards the policy of equal rights." Putting the two messages together the United States policy appears fairly clear, namely, that the various Powers shall bind themselves by mutual agreements not to acquire any exclusive privileges in China.
amaze the world; that policy, it is said, is aimed at preventing the dismember ment of China. Details of the policy that is to amazo the world will be awaited with interest. In the meantime the The policy may prove successful in so far suggestion presents itself that the retroces as regards commercial privileges, but we are sion of Shamehun to China, a movement inclined to doubt its effectiveness in prevent- universally condemned in Hongkong, maying the acquisition of territorial concessions, be due to the co-operation of Great Britain either by lease or otherwise. Both Ger- with the United States in the policy now many and Russia have alrendy given under- credited to the latter. Great Britain, for takings that in the territory controlled by many years after she had recoguised the them in Shaatung and Manchuria respec- necessity for an extension of the Kowloon tively persons of all nationalities may parti- irontier, abstained from naking for the con- cipate in the trade on equal terms with be a very different thing to promise that they would under no circumstances
ོ་;
Japan keenly resents the action of Russia the Linotung affair and is also very solicitous as to the mainten
of her own influence in Koren, while on her part is extremely jealous the growing power of the Island cession, on the ground that if she preferred German or Russinn subjects, but it would Empire and is believed to aim at the exclusion of Japanese political entire
Russia
any demand of the kind other Powers would make it an excuse for entering on a policy
!