ľ
April 20, 1901.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. underlaid Russian society, which, especially violence, and too, probably in, the near amongst the student classes, is saturated future so near in fact to be comfortably with revolution. The Emperor ALEXANDER viewed by the present generation of officials. II himself was assassinated; his successor Under such circumstances statesmen, other Alexander III found his throne constantly than Russian, have in all ages been found threatened; and though the present occup-willing to distract the attention of their aut, NICHOLAS II, has sought to alleviate nationals from home mismanagement, and the position of his people bis life more then its inevitable consequences to themselves, by once has been in jeopardy. Russia is really foreign aggression-indifferent to governed by a powerful and closely knitted dangers entailed on their country, provided the bureaucracy, which controls and fetters the only it promised a Tsar at every turn, and does not hesitate selves with a whole skin.
hope of escape for them by the mere power of its inertia, if not enly reasonable explanation of the very dis- This seems the now and then by active measures, to creditable intrigues in which set aside all his
Count wishes: nominally LAMSDORFF has engaged himself with so, an autocracy of the most pronounced notorious a time-server as LI HUNG-CHANG. character, the Tsar has less real power than in the most limited of coustitu- tional monarchies.
There are apparent. signs that the present Tsar is not quite content to be made the cypher that Russian bureaucracy demands, and that the struggle is becoming so intense that a spark may precipitate the inevitable explosion. racent order of the Tsr abolished, apparent ly, banishment to Siberia as a punishment for political crime; but as in the case of the emancipation, the thing did not fall in with the views of the Bureaucracy, and the order exists only on paper as a record of the futility of the Tear. The Tsar is bitterly. opposed to the spirit of encroachment which has made Russia mistress of already more territory than she can control, and in pur- suance of his desire for peace called a congress; he had, however, reckoned with- out his host, and his Bureaucracy took care to make the Congress something more than a mere failure. These things cannot be done in a country just awakening from the sleep of centur.es without danger. Russia is sufficiently awake to feel the irritation of her fetters; she is not yet sufficiently awake to reason on the means for their removal; she knows indeed that her Bureaucracy is at the bottom of her troubles, and in her dazed condition would strike wildly. The Bureaucracy is sufficiently awake to the fact that the first action of the patient on coming to vigourous life would be to reform it out of existence; and that in this work the Tsar and the nation would be one From its very composition, though enor- mously strong collectively, it lacks an individual head, and instinctively falls back on a policy of vacillation, as one or other strong hand takes momentarily the helm. One thing it is however convinced of; it cannot adopt the Tarquinian method of striking off the offending heads, because none are prominent enough in the ripe field
THE SANITARY BOARD ELECTION.
319
forthcoming that the Government will give immediate effect to some at least of the Board's recoinmendations." That resolution was proposed by Mr E. OSBORNE (the pre- sent member) and seconded by Dr HARTIGAN, and supported by Mr. J. McKie, Major BROWN (the military representative) and Dr. F. CLARK (the Medical Officer of Health). Acting Colonial Secretary referred to in the It was opposed by Hon. F. H. May (the resolution) and Dr. J. BELL (l'rincipal Civil bers, Chinese-like, refused to vote, and the Medical Officer): The two Chinese mem- President (Hon. R. D. ORм8BÝ, Director of Public Works), while not voting, spoke against the resolution." It is possible for us to quote numerous instances within the period since we have been honoured, with HE.'s supervision of our parochial affairs. We
e refrain, however.
men agreeable to test their skill in casuistry against the Official phalanx, and willing to devote a portion of their time to the interests of the ratepayers if, officially consent to be elected. If they resigned im- they may be considered to possess any will mediately after election it would be an effective rebuke to the local Government. We do not, however, counsel such an ex- treme course, for it is. all, the ratepayers should be as fully repre- essential that, after sented as possible on the Board. Absten- tion from representation would increase the evil, not mitigate it.
..
(Daily Press, 15th April.) This afternoon, at four o'clock, is the time whether any gentlemen will have the good.
We are unable to inform our readers - fixed by H.E. the GOVERNOR for the elec- ness to stand to-day as the representatives of Ation of two representatives of the ratepayers the ratepayers. It is to be hoped the rate- as Members of the Sanitary Board. The new payers will attend in full strength and not Members are to fill vacancies caused by the give the Government an: opportunity of retirement of Dr. HARTIGAN and the depar- stating to Downing Street that the colony ture of Mr. McKIE. Both of these gentle- looks with apathy on the whole question. men, it is almost unnecessary to state, have They should be prepared either to elect served conscientiously and well. Dr. HAR- members who will voice their reason. TIGAN has brought to bear on question which has come before him that against being practically deprived of every able demands, or to enter a strong protest ripe judgment and valuable experience the small modicum of local control given which many years' practical nection with the health of the colony of State.
con- them at the instance of the Secretary has given him.
There is no need for us to This fact was recently assure any such aspirants "to municipal acknowledged officially. Mr. has likewise given the Board the benefit of virtues are required for such a post, also MCKIE honours that much courage and many a valuable business experience, coupled much sacrifice of time and attention to duty. with a desire to promote the good sanitation It is to be hoped, however, that two gentle- and well-being of the colony. It is with much regret that we have to remind the ratepayers of Hongkong that one, if not both, of these gentlemen resigned from the Board for a specific cause. cause which once again the ratepayers It is a have to face, namely, the uselessness of the Unofficial position. Dr. HARTIGAN has publicly stated this to be the case, and as he speaks from the impregnable position of painful experience, it is incumbent upon all to accept the statement of their represen- titive; especially when it is confirmed by the other Unoffical Members. H.E. the | GOVERNOR has naturally attempted to
We cannot refrain from stating that if refute the present Unofficial position, and the Unofficial Members of the Board re...... has stated, for the benefit of Downing ceived more practical support and co-opera- Street, that the Board NITIA entirely tion from the Unofficial. Members" of "the "untrammelled." We cannot congratulate Legislative Council, their labours would HE. on his choice of an expression, not be in vain. In fact, we consider which is one of flexibility; and were not that one solution of the problem lies with been interpreted in a Pickwickian sense. be the primary duty of the Indeed, if "H.E. intended his letter to be to assist as much as accepted as a reasonable explanation by the colleagues on the Board. At present there possible their ratepayers, then his observation must have is a big gulf between the two bodies, and a been officially enshrouded behind a pair of great lack of Unofficial sympathy. To-day Bob Sawyer's convenient green barnacles. the opportunity is presented to the Senior Anyone who has the patience and energy Unofficial Member to state truly and empha to peruse the reports of the meetings of the tically the grievances of the Unofficial Mem- Sanitary Board is impressed with the re-bars of the Sanitary Board. It should be peated opposition which the Officials there the opportunity for an united Unofficial on, untrammelled in their serene confidence protest. The community of Hongkong has and strength, offer to Unofficial suggestions recently given readily to the Home Govern- The recent disturbances in the chief cities and schemes. In support of this it is only ment practical assurances of its synipati of Russia, the preparations against which necessary to give one instance, quoted by our and loyalty. Surely the' colony is ent point to their serious nature, coincident as senior evening e ‹ntemporary, as follows:- to ask that it be permitted to exerc they are with Count LAMSDORFF's other- "At a meeting held on 4th January last, and comprehensive control of its wise incomprehensible policy at Peking, by 5 votes to 2, the Board passed the cipal affairs. The cry for an adequate seem to indicate that something more than following resolution:That in regard to system of local government has repeatedly the mer gain of territory is at the the Acting Colonial Secretary's letter to the gone up from our midst ; and bottom of the more than usually toituous Sanitary Board, of 1st-May, 1900, asking ture when the nee and truculent conduct, with regard to the the Board to formulate a comprehensive being consider difficulty in China, which has marked his scheme of sanitary improvements; a reply be standing, it tenure. The old system of forcible repres- sent that the Board are not disposed to for by the Senior Un sion of the disease is becoming too dange-mulate a comprehensive scheme of sanitary would carry : rous; burst forth it must with redoubled improvements unless some assurance be' satisfactory-
to rise so far above their neighbours as to the subject indeed so serious, it must have the Unofficials on the Council. ARMRES
become conspicuous; and it does not dare to apply the scythe to the whole crop. It has therefore to fall back on the old device of diverting the attention of the masses while it makes its secret preparations. It was thus that the last of the series brought to judgement-the corrupt bureaucracy which had taken possession of France in the later days of NAPOLEON III, to hide its own misconduct commenced the war with Germany, and met its own punishment on the disastrous field of Fedan."
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