tion and there is some idea of an escort of British troops being furnished; but on this point there are conflicting ideas, the mili- tary authorities being unwilling to risk the possibility of disaster to a small body of men and not having the requisite authority to move the whole of the force at present at their disposal either up to the scene of the outrage or to Hangchow where it is possible reparation, in a restricted and inadequate degree, will be made by the execution of one official-or one coolie. As has been remark- ed before, it has not transpired who is to be executed, and judging by the past it is quite as likely that our Foreign Office will accept the one coolie in place of insisting on a dozen or more of the officials.
March 9, 1901.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. there shall be stationed at Moukden a ultimately been decided that someone-it, Russian Political Resident exercising general | has not transpired who-is to be executed. powers of control, to whom full information A member of the Consular Service is with respect to any measures of importance to be deputed to be present at the execu must be furnished by the Tartar General. Even Russia's tools among the Chinese apparently resent each open humiliation.
The Governments of Great Britain and Germany have been studiously silent on the subject of Manchuria, and, beyond what indications we have that Lord SALISBURY is prepared to regard Manchuria as outside the terms of the Anglo-German Agreement, have given no sign of how they are likely to face the situation. Japan has made a statement to China, as we have seen. Italy and Austria are waiting upon Germany and Great Britain. The United States, though they are supposed to be among the remon strators against LI HUNG-CHANG's willing- ness to yield to Russian pressure, are not free from the suspicion of being ready to acquiesce in Russia taking what she wants if only she undertakes not to interfere with commercial interests. Nor are there wanting those in England who think we can well afford to see Russia permanent mistress of this large province, trusting, it would seem, that the Tsar's Government will reverse its traditional commercial policy in the case of Manchuria. It is impossible to imagine what grounds they have for so thinking, and they have not deigned to state them. The new China. League has given an important place in its programme to the maintenance of the full integrity of the Chinese Empire, not excluding Man churia, but it almost looks as if the League -is too late in this respect. Much as we respect the founders of the League and far- sighted and accurate in their views as they appear to us, we fear that they will hardly be able at this stage to make their ideas prevail with the great exponents of the policy of apathy in China, who have neg- lected British interests for so many years. We would willingly think that the home Government had been enlightened by the course of events since the China-Japan War, were there any convincing signs of such a change. But the Times, which should be well informed in such matters, has evidently little faith in the attitude of the Government, and there seems no reason for optimism.
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191
THE ELLIOTT AND BLONDE INCIDENT.
(Daily Press, 8th March.)
formation with regard to the Anglo-Russian The home papers give a little more in- incident in connection with the Elliott and Blonde Islands. It will be remembered that some Chinese pirates established them- selves on these islands toward the end of last year, and made them their headquarters from which to harry and plunder such native craft as they could safely attack. Admiral Sir EDWARD SEYMOUR thereupon despatched a British gunboat, H.M.S. Plover, which succeeded in its mission of capturing the pirate junks and putting an end to the nuisance. Thereupon the senior Russian naval officer on the station, Admiral ALE- XIEFF, #rote to Admiral SEYMOUR, protest- ing against the action of the Plover and "I return, therefore, and shall return, claiming that the Elliott and Blonde Islands ictibus crebris, to my unwelcome task of were Russian territory. He finally stated hammering for attention to English in- that he hoped Admiral SEYMOUR's sense of terests in China." So wrote WINGROVE equity and justice would lead him to see Cooke to the Times in 1857, and it is a curious and significant fact that on two British Admiral answered that, although the matter in the same light. To this the occasions pregnant with issues vital to he had been officially informed that Port British interests in China public opinion Arthur and Talienwan had become Russian should have been diverted by other and ap- possessions, he was not aware that this parently larger issues. In 1857 the Indian applied to the islands in question. He was Mutiny overshadowed and absorbed Bri- therefore unable to coincide with Admiral tish public interest to the neglect of China; ALEXIEFF's views, and could only refer the and in 1900 the South African question has question to his Government. The matter acted in a similar way. A recognition of now therefore rests in the hands of the Bri- importance of the stake that Britain bas tish and Russian Governments. Admiral in the Far East will come some day. SEYMOUR in his presentation of the case It will be well for her that it does not come contends that if the claim were allowed too late. To quote again the able writer Russia would at once assume possession of whose remarks apply to-day equally as well the Miao-tao group, which lies much nearer as they did in 1857: "When we have got to Port Arthur and extends completely "this city of Canton, about the neck of across the Gulf of Pechili. The Elliott and which we are now tightening the lasso, we Blonde group lie out in the Corean Bay, "must use it for the purpose of preventing some ninety miles away and to the north-east 'future wars and establishing a feeling of of Port Arthur. What the result of the dis- "mutual regard between the people of the cussion between London and St. Petersburg country and ourselves. There is only one is likely to be, it is impossible to forecast. 'way in which this can ever be effected. Admiral Seymour's fear about the Miao-tao "We must break down the door of partition. Islands we need not perhaps make too much If the bureaucracy of China will remain of, for their proximity to the coast of Shan- "in the way, we must walk over it. But we tung will no doubt render Germany jealous "must have free and unrestricted inter- of their integrity. But the position which
I do not propose this as an easy Russia takes up with regard to the islands. point to gain. It will require great fact cleared of their undesirable residents by and decision in our plenipotentiary to ob- H.M.S. Plover is significant. The value of tain the privilege, and great study and the islands themselves may be nothing. "foresight to hedge it about with the proper The spread of the Government established " securities. You will get nothing till you at Port Arthur and Talienwan not only in- (Daily Press, 2nd March,) ́ The Chuchow case seems at last to have
show you are irresistible, and you will land but also over the sea is not to be reached a definite stage. After dragging "resolved to have. If Lord ELGIN has the terises Russia's move as "sheer bluff." No
"then get everything you show yourself regarded lightly. A service journal charac on for months, SHENG and the other Chinese officials who acted on behalf of the Imperial
'perspicacity to see and the courage to doubt Admiral ALEXIEFF acted as he did Governinent calmly announced that they
follow this bold safe course, you people at with a desire to see how Great Britain would had looked into the matter and had come to
home, and especially you men of commerce take it. For this reason the incident ac- the conclusion that the officials who were
"at home, must support him, or he will quires an importance which it would not in prison in Hangchow as accessories to
fail. If he has not, you must push him, otherwise have. The question of the extent the crime could not in any way- be held "deserve to fail, and must fail. This is Port Arthur calls for consideration. If only force him, or supersede him; for he will of Russia's rule in the nieghbourhood of responsible. During this shuffling and evasion strenous efforts were being made by "it, and, in the
"the key to the whole position. Gain for the sake of avoiding future complica- the friends of the imprisoned officials to
words of a Chinese tions it is eminently desirable that all the obtain their release. Bribery was freely
'merchant, with whom I often discussed world should know whether the Tsar's con- used, and every nerve was strained to get meant, and I mean, all men except the indefinitely expansive character is a menace this question, all men will be glad. He trol does end in the East. Its present them free; once free, the rest would be easy,corrupt officials." and the threats and remonstrances of the
to the peace of the world. British, in the face of an accomplished fact, ERNEST SATOW for Lord ELGIN, and we have Substitute Peking for Canton and Sir might safely be disregarded. Affairs cul- the situtation as it stands to-day. It is Pacific in the way of breeding horses for A now industry is to be established on the minated, however, in Consul-General WARREN closing the case as far as he was
you people at home" and "esp cially you China. The matter has been placed in the concerned and
men of commerce at home" who must de- hands of the Chinese consul at San Francisco, leaving it to the Foreign cide whether in Sir ERNEST SATOW you and he, it is said, will select three places on the Office to take a strong line or not, as they have a representative who will follow this Pacific coast where horses will be raised for the had pointed cut the absolute ne- safe and bold course; whether he will be Chinese trade. The whole enterprite will be cessity strong measures being taken, and allowed to do so by the Government, of managed by Chinese. The farms will be ran the responsibility for adopting or neglecting which you are or should be the controllinger, who will be an American. It is not known by Chinamen, with the exception of the ovTGF- this advice rested with them. The reply of factor. Neglect the opportunity now pre-at present where the locations will be, but the Foreign Office does not appear to have sented to you, and bitter will bɔ your re- been of a very enthusiastic nature, but it has pentance in the years to come.
Chinamen on the Pacific coast are of the opini« on that one will be in Washington.
THE CHUCHOW AFFAIR,
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