January 20, 1900,Į
THE PACIFIC CABLE.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
KWANGO KAUWAŃ.
35
nerose and arrived after terrible sufferings | foreigners, but, oni the contrary, there is tei. at Canton. The voyage was really ope on to believe that they have secretly ap (Daily Press, 18th January.)
of the events in that period. Up to proved of the anti-foreign agitation. It is to be hoped that the present war in that time the ocean was almost a closed South Africa will not have the effect of lake in the occupation of Spain, and delaying the construction of the Pacific the world nt large knew nothing of cable. The lesson afforded by the war is it till Captain Cook explored its mysteries, that our telegraph system even to Africa is England had pretty well her own way in not equal to our requirements. The present the solitary ocean until gold discoveries in Eastern Extension line to China, while California in he early fitties shed barely sufficient for present circumstances, sudden light on its importance. The open would be altogether inefficient were difficuling of the Canadian Pacific Railway my
ties to arise, and has,, in addition, the ex- cessively dangerous drawback that not only is it laid in shallow waters capable of being tapped by a hostile cruiser, but that both northern and southern lines are actually dependent on foreign goodwill. The Great Northern line is entirely from Germany to Vladivostock through Russian territory, and the Eastern Company's cable is landed at Cape St. Jacques. Though it may not be necessary for sometime to lay an in- dependent cable from Fauning Island or the Fijis to Borneo and Hongkong it is essential that everything should be prepared for undertaking the work. The British
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(Daily Press, 15th January,) Referring to the telegraphic announce- ment that Rwangchuuwan is to be attached for administrative purposes to Indo-China, will give the Indo-China Government an the Avenir du Tonkin says the arrangement opportunity of making trial of a free port.
he said to have commenced a third epoch, and now the kitherto deserted Pacific has
ur contemporary hails the prospect with become a highway amongst nation. To satisfaction, and says it is persunded the Englishmen its chief interest is that it trial will prove successful. The writer reaches Canada on the north and Austraargues, however, as though it were optional lasin in the south, but it should not be to France to make the port free or not forgotten that it also leaves China
according to its own judgment. This, we the west, and so brings England in
believe, is not the case. tion with what in Europe is called the Far under which the port was lensed to Frauce The agreement East, where England's interests are still the has not been made public, but presumably greatest. Nor is that all. To England the the terms are similar to those incorporated Far East is but the extension of thật
in the agreements referring to Kiaoohau, nearer East where England's power is
Talieawan, and Weihaiwei, namely, that paramount and which, at the same time; trade of all nations or equal terms. This the port shall be open to the vessels and as a possibly vulnerable point demands all
condition would not preclude the imposition
Government, in its arrangements about the the care which such a jewel needs for its of Customs duties if that should be con-
safekeeping. It is in respect to China and India that an untrammelled Pacific cable is likely to be of the highest importance, and
on behalf of both, we look with interest at
the slow progress being made towards the realization of the project.
THE RECALL OF VICEROY TAN,
on.
sidered a necessary or desirable form of duties would have to be levied on all alike raising revenue, but in such case the and could not be used for protective purposes, that is to say, for giving an advantage to the trade of the nation owning the lease over that of other nutions.
con-
As to the commercial prospects of Kwangchauwan, while no doubt a siderable local trade may spring up if no official restrictions be placed upon it, it is unlikely that the port will become a great emporium. It is too near Hongkong to become a regular port of call or the seat of the harbour is much inferior to that of a large transhipment trade, especially as
counterbalancing advantages in the way of Hongkong and it could not offer any economy, seeing that Hongkong is a free port, except as regards light dues, and is
nations are in the field trying to divert one of the cheapest places in the world for shipping. The fact, however, that other trade from British ports to their own is one that ought to be taken note of by those who advocate the imposition of tonnage dues as a means of raising revenue. should be a cardinal point in the policy of Hongkong to impose no additional burdens upon shipping, and it may even become necessary to sacrifice the existing light dues.
It
Pacific Ocean, has not heen neglectful of the requirements of a cable from Van couver Island to Fiji, and has acquired by occupation or exchange the intermediate islands with the exception, of course, of the Hawaian Archipelago. For its connections with Borneo it has not been equally far- sighted, and any cable laid must be in waters more or less controlled by foreign powers. To a certain extent this seems now
(Daily Press, 15th January.) inevitable. The Carolines and the Solomon
The Peking and Tientsin Times quotes from Group are now in the hands of Germany, the Kwo-wen-pao a statement to the effect and though, of course, no nation is entitled that the recall of Viceroy TAN is not entirely to monopolise the ocean this fact has to due to the French trouble, but is partly due be taken into consideration. As the Chinese to a strong British representation about squadron is, besides the Mediterranean, the the piracy which he has permitted largest and most important of our perman- and ent fleets, it is highly important for the na- made to an official representation there an insulting rejoinder which he tional interest that it should be always in
We hope the statement is true, touch not only with home but with the and there is some reason for believing Australian and Pacific detachments, and it that it may be so. Speaking at the din cannot be alleged, after our experience in Africa, that the present system is at all ciation just before his departure from Eng ner given in his honour hy the China Asso Batisfactory. We may call to notice the laud, Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD referred to apparent apathy of the Governments con- the lawlessness prevailing inhina, and the cerned with regard to our Pacific lines when present unsettled state of the West River compared with the corresponding activity in owing to frequent and unpunished acts of the United States with regard to their com- piracy, and went on to say:-"I think the munication with the Philippines. At the mo-
Taungli Yamen are alive to the necessity ment, though, as possessions, Hawaii and Lu- "of putting down these deeds of lawlessness son are of extreme importance, they are not "with a firm band. Shortly before I left so vital as Canada and Australia to England. A British Pacific cable would be on per-
Peking the president and members of the "Board consulted me with regard to the fectly friendly terms with the American "best means of putting an end to this de Government, and would, unless in the most plorable state of affairs. I said, hanging au remote eventuality, be always at the service official, the higher the better--I mean the of the United States, with whose develop- higher the official-a Viceroy for choice." ment in the Pacific, England is in perfect Bir CLAUDE MACDONALD on his return to sympathy. In the face of this acknowledged China found the state of affairs on the West fact, America feels that it is due to herself River worse than ever, and there is every and the position she occupies that sho reason why he should have urged the prac should be quite independent in the import- tical application of the policy of which he ant matter of her telegraphic communica. [ had so recently declared himself an advo- tions, and we can fully endorse the senti- cate. During the brief period of his stay in ment
It is rumoured, writes the Tokyo correspon. No unfriendly spirit in iudicated hy | Hongkong the Minister consulted with some our desire to keen in our own hands our
dent of the Nagasaki Press, that the yearly of those best acquainted with the West subridy of Y 880,000 grauted to the Nippon communications, which is one, we take it, River and is thoroughly posted as to the Yusen Kwaisha will be reduced by Y. 260,000 that affects our national pride in time of present conditions. If the removal of TAN and that the Osaka Stosen Kwaisha will receive peace only a little less than in war time, is in any degree due to Sir CLAude Mac
Ỷ. 180,000. On these sans the Treasury will when it becomes a matter of necessity to DONALD's representations 'it must be ac
save about Y. 80,000. In 1889 the foreigu have no possible breaks in our commuuien counted a gratifying success for British the twenty-two ports) aggregated 469 million trade of China (represented by nineteen out of tions. The importance of the Pacific diplomacy. It will now devolve upon His taels and grew to 610 million taeis in 1898. Ocean to Great Britain as à nation Excellency to urge the adoption of a similar During the same period the trade of the ports has, in
fact, been plant of glow course with reference to the high officials of of Tientsin, Chetoo and Newchwang was 194 growth. To Great Britain in great weasure | Shantung in connection with the murder of millions, collectively. The greater portion of was due the opening of the Great Ocean the Rev. S. M. BROOKE by members of the rapidly folowing in the wake of the N.Y.K., the trade goes to Shanghai. The 0.8.K. is It was only in the year 1742 that Lord Boxers' Society." The officials in that pro- | that is, they are extending their Kobe-Newch- ANSON took the first British man-of-war' vince liave shown no înclination to protect | Wang-Tientsin-Amoy service,
营养
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beee successfully floated at Sanghai
The Yue Kang Glue Factory Co., Ltd., has
in Kobe under the charge of Mr. E. Carlson.
A brauch Russo-Chinese Bank is to be opened
last year amounted to Y6,196,550, and the The total value of exports at Nagasaki for imports to Y11,148,002.
Singapore beat the midshipmen of the Hermi- The staff of the Telegraph Company at one at water polo by two goals to one.