430
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[November 25, 1898.
THE CONTROL OF TELEGRAPHS IN that the European Powers did not espouse the | ious than is at present supposed. In our
TIME OF WAR.
|
cause of the Transvaal could only have been London telegram published yesterday it was intended as a deliberate insult to Great stated that two French officers had been Britain. Coming nearer home, it is to be killed in Hainan and the Prefect seized feared that the French aggression at Kwang This news most likely reached London via chauwan is only part of a design for securing Paris, and it is possible that in the frequent control of Kwangtung with a view to transmissions of the telegram the name of hampering the development of British trade, the place may have been changed,* No Our Government, however, are acting on direct news has been received locally, the sound principle si vie pacem parabellum, tar as we can ascertain, of any such occur and it is to be hoped that this may prevent rence in Hainan, and it seems not improb- our little affair with the Transvaal being able that the message really relates to taken advantage of by any other Power to Kwangchauwan, that the French losses in strike a blow at British influence either include two officers killed, and that the China or elsewhere.
THE FRENCH AT KWANG- CHAUWAN.
i
Lord Salisbury in his recent Guildhall speech scouted the idea of foreign complica- tions. According to the version published in a Japan contemporary "the tendency of "the speech was cheerful with regard to the country's international ralations (with European Powers). He declared that for eign interference in Africa (on the Trans- "yanl issue) was neither expected nor would "it be tolerated." That such interference would not be tolerated goes without saying. Whether it is expected or not is another
French have seized the Chinese official in question. The fact that foreign Government
charge. Marshal Su, na appears from a messages for South and East Africa and the
translation given in another column from adjacent islands will no longer be accepted
the Courrier d'Haiphong, has been deprived upless they are written in plain language
of the powers which had originally and that they are subjected to a British
(Daily Press, 18th November.)
been conferred upon him and is no longer consorate seems to indicate that the con-
The position at Kwangchuuwan has a the responsible representative of China in tingency of foreign interference is con- decidedly unpleasant appearance. It may the matter of the delimitation. This is con- sidered sufficiently near to justify un-
be remembered that Bone three weeks firmed by the statement of the Chung Ngoi usual precautions. The effect of the order ago we published a translation from the San Po that the Viceroy has wired to the is that foreign Powers who happen Courrier d'Haiphong of an article giving "Taungli Yamen asking what steps he is ta to have men-of-war or territorial possessions
an account of an engagement between take, as he is quite unable to satisfy the French in the regions affected by the order will be Chinese and French troops in which the in the matter of the delimitation. Some days unable to communicate with them without former were defeated and had about n huango we heard that the local official had been the complete cognisance of the British Go-dred killed. In that account it was stated sending urgent messages to the Viceroy, for vernment. The order is issued under the that a French detachment of seventy-five instructions in the matter, and the Viceroy is provisions of the International Telegraph men was sent from Hoiteou fort to make now apparently passing the messages on to the Convention and therefore no Power can
a reconnoisance at some distance, and on the Tsungli Yatnen. Before MARSHAL Su conje have any legal ground of objection. It is
way met several bands of Chinese armed down from the North it was reported that his not to be expected, however, that the order with rifles. On the return march it was instructions were to resist French encroach will, in certain quarters, be regarded without found that these bands had united, and they ments even at the risk of war, and the irritation and resentment. The Powers prim- opened fire on the French. Another com- subsequent course of events leads to the arily affected are Germany, Portugal, and pany of French troops was sent out to sup- conclusion that China is not disposed to France, all of whom have colonies in South port the reconnoitring force, and the result yield more than she thinks is due, and per- or East Africa or near thereto. With of the skirmish was that the Chinese were baps even less. If either Power wants a Germany and Portugal Great Britain put to flight with heavy loss, the French loss casus belli it will have no difficulty in finding is understood to have a perfect agreement, being only three wounded. This occurred it now at Kwangchauwan. Knowing the and it may be assured that neither of those
two days before the arrival of Marshal Su. | duplicity with which the Viceroy of Powers will make any outcry in the matter. the Chinese delimitation commissioner. Canton acted in the matter of our own ex From France, however, we may expect to Immediately upon news of the affair reach-etnsion it would not be at all surprising to hear a storm of indignation and passionate ing Canton a couple of thousand Chinese learn that the trouble at Kwangchauwan complaint. Our neighbours will be unable troops were sent to the scene. In reporting to communicate with their colony of Mada- the despatch of that force we remarked that gascar or their men-of-war on that station whether the troops were sent merely to pre- without their messages passing through the serve order amongst the Chinese and pre- bands of British officials in plain language, vent opposition to the delimitation arrange and the messages may be rejected altogether ments or with the more sinister view of if they are considered inimical to British in- giving the French trouble did not appear. terests. The circumstance brings into relief Whatever the object, the natual effect has the important part that telegraphic cables been unfortunate, for we now learn from the must play in modern warfare, provided they hung Ngoi San Po that news has been re- can be kept in working order. Seeing, how-ceived at Canton of another conflict, in which ever, the material advantages that the cables the French are said to have been routed and would give to the party controlling them, to have lost about thirty meu. The Chinese.
(Daily Press, 24th November.). it is to be presumed that the enemy would are referred to as natives of the district, The statement mude through Reuteris make every possible effort to cut them. One but if there be any truth as to the heavy Agency, to the effect that the difficulty be of the first duties of the British fleet in French loss it must be assumed that trained tween France and China has been settled by time of war, therefore, would be to protect soldiers were engaged. The report may the cession to the former of two islands on the the cables. As the duplication of routes prove to have been exaggerated, as Chinese coast in the Bay of Kwangchau, is interest- diminishes the chances of interruption we in reports so frequently do, but there is nothing ing-and instructive What these islands Hongkong may congratulate ourselves that a impossible nor even improbable in it. The may be, and what use France ex pects to make cable between this colony and Singapore via French, apart from the Navy, have, we of them, must for the present remain matters Labuan was laid some years ago and that believe, only a few hundred soldiers at of conjecture. Whether they are valuable we are not now solely dependent upon the Kwangchauwan, and the Chinese troops, or not, the obief point to be noted is that line vin Saigon. The strategical advantages numbering several thousands, armed with France gets her demand, while we forgo of the Labuan line may possibly receive a modern weapons, might easily cut up a com ours, even for the valueless city of practical exemplification ere long, for un-pany or two of the French troops while out Shamchun, not to speak the impor fortunately the attitude of France towards on a march, Reinforcements for the French tant hill frontier, which later would Great Britain the reverse of friendly. are now being hurried up from Tonkin, and have saved a harvest of future disputes Should a diplomatic rupture occur it will although the reason for this is given merely and troubles sure to arise from leaving be reassuring to know that we in the as the result of the breaking off of diplomatic a new Alsatin to grow up on the opposite. Far East are not solely dependent for our negotiations there may be the further rea-side of the little river which at present telegraphic communication upon a line touch-son that the French position is actually en ing at the French colony of Saigon. War between France and Great Britain would be most lamentable, and we may rest assured that our Government to avoid it would make every sacrifice consistent with houour and self-respect. France, however, appears anable to break loose from her unhappy polioy of pinpricks. The resolution of the Paris Municipal Council expressing regret
!!
dangered. At the same time that the French are sending reinforcements the Viceroy of Canton is also sending down any other thousand men,
was principally of his making. On the other hand there is good reason to suppose that France would not be disinclineil to seize upon any pretext for mak- ing encroachments upon the Kwangtung province. Something of that kind may be the particular chestnut that she hopes to draw out of the Transvnal fire,
KWANGCHAUWAN AND SHAM. CHUN: A CONTRAST.
constitutes the boundary line in the north- west of the Territory, The French Minister will be able to congratulate himself, on having scored again, while we have to lament a weakness on the part of our Forsign News from Kwangchau'wan, it may Office which will nasuredly produce trouble remarked, takes some few days thereafter. The loss of t prestige involved, reach the outer world, and when tullin having to retire from a position wo had details are received it may be found timt taken up is also to be deplored. It is idle the latest conflict has been, even more ser- to contend that there has been