44
392
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[November 18, 1901.
THE DEATH OF LI HUNG-CHANG, { difficult to think of any except the Viceroys are not aware that any Power, or even China LIU KUNG-YI and CHANG CHIN-TUNG, herself, desired a Tariff that could be called neither of whom, of course, can be put in protective, China's views being confined to the same class as LI HUNG-CHANG-are the very natural desire of getting the inost patriots whose attitude to Russia is there-out of her foreign trade. While all, pro- One youn: tectionists and freetraders, are agreed that of themselves duties on imports are a hindrance to trade, the protectionist holds that in order to encourage the production at hoine of certain articles it is sound policy to put such a duty on similar goods im- ported as to prevent their being laid down from abroad at rates at which the home manufacturer cannot compete. Beyond this he is as ready to see the advantage to the people at large of trade having to bear as light taxation as possible. While then the extremist on each side would respectively advocate either the entire abolition of duties, or the fixing of duties at such a rate as would effectively debar the access of foreigns made goods, the inoderate man sees in Cus- toms duties merely a convenient method raising revenue, a thing without which in some shape or other no nation can exist. "Tariff for Revenue "only is then with such men the univers..l cry, a cry which it is satisfactory to notice is gradually making its way in the world, and bids fair to temper, even in the United States, the system of high protection introduced in 1890.
•
Hither-
(Daily Press, 9th November,) The full significance of the denth on Thurs- day of H.E. LI HUNG-CHANG, Viceroy of Chihli, cannot readily be estimated. Un-fore the reverse of friendly, doubtedly the most able Chinaman of his and ambitious, the other old and a man of age and the best known, to the oute: world, proven honesty, both of them put their cf any Chinese in history passed away in country first and do ut allow themselves -the person of the deceased. It is perhaps to be dazzled either by Russian gold or by a sufficient commentary on his unique pos- specious promises of protection against the tion that at the age of 79 years it should be rest of the Powers. Apparently they have possible to say with justice, as our Shanghai already had sufficient influence to secure the correspondent said, that there is no other rejection of the Manchurian Convention, prominent Chinese statesman who under- which Li was unable to sign before his stands foreign affairs. Bett r men and death. But what is to happen next more honest diplomatists there most nn. Russia, according to the secret despatch doubtedly are, but not one in the whole of from the Chinese Minister at St. Petersburg, China who has his grasp of the international mentioned by our Shanghai correspondent situation. Moreover, among the Chinese in his telegram of the 7th instant, intends themselves, however discredited he might in event of a denunciation of the Convention be temporarily, he was always the last to retain Manchuria and to exact other resource in any grave emergency. It may terms menacing China's independence. If be recalled that in June, 1900, when a this is not mere "bluff," the time has come representative o this paper went over to for a joint reminder of the other Powers Canton to interview Li, who was then interested that they do not intend to see Viceroy of the two Kwang provinces, he China made a Russian vassal. said: "It is generally believed that your to the Powers in question have contented Excellency is the only man in China at themselves with giving China more or less present who can cope with this difficulty secret moral support in fencing against that was, the Boxer rising. Li replied. the Russian demands about Marchuria. In laughing, but with emphasis: I believe face of a direct threat from Russia, already that myself." The precise influence which in oceuption of Manchuria, China alone is LI HUNG-CHANG bad in the restoration of practically helpless. There are only three peace will perhaps never be known. At Powers to whom China can look at this The time of his appointment as Peace junction-Japan, the United States, and There is ro doubt about Plenipotentiary we regretted the necessity Great Britain. of the selection of so notorious a Russian the wishes of the Japanese Government, partisan, but admitted that there was no
but unfortunately the same cannot one to be suggested in his place. Admira said about the other two Governments. tion for his abilities murt al ays be ten- Both have intimated that they do not wish pered by regret that he preferred to use China to enter upon separate negotiatious them in guiding his country by crooked with one Power while the international paths, allying himself with some of the settlement is still pending. But more than worst elements among the ruling clique and this is wanted. The outlook is the reverse seeking his own gain simultaneously with of pleasant, but it will certainly be less the safety of the reactionary party at the pleasant hereafter if Russia carries all before Imperial Court. It would be interesting, her Manchuria in itself, at the but it is now probably impossible, to moment, is not of great value; but a prin- know whether it was entirely self seek-riple is at stake in the attide of the ing which in the first instance induced Powers toward Russian aggression in the
throw hitaseif
him
to
into
the
arms of Russia, with such die results
to the country with
serve.
he rofessed to
I
He was reputed to be by far the
11
NOW.
Manchuria.
Now it is acknowledged that it was merely with the purpose of obtaining re venue with the slightest possible burden on trade that a readjustment of tariff was approved of in the new conventions with China, and what most concerns those en- trusted with the execution of the conven- letions is that this particular end should be attained. It is a fact known from long experience that the highest duties do not always bring in the highest return, and there are instances where the revenue actu ally in the long run benefitted by the removal of vexatious dues. Prior to 1848 there were on the British Tariff list no less than some
revenue in cases where, though not actually removed, the dues were considerably reduced and simplified. There seems to be no inkling of this fact on the part of the authorities
1,200 separate articles, each of which had to be charged at a different rate. Many of these dues did not pay the expenses incurred in collection, and in all the obstructions, caused by the complicated system of collection, were an actual burden on trade in general. province, and this principle is of more importance than the actual territory of The removal of the burdensome restrictions, Russia is also fighting for a and in many cases the entire removal of the principle, her own absolute predominance duties, it was found entailed no loss on the in Northern and Central Asia. It looks as exchequer, and the simpler system of enu- richest man in China, and in China officials do not accumulate riches by horest dealing. if the death of LI HUNG-CHANG must pre-neration introduced actually increased the Yet it cannot be denied that his adminis- cipitate this war of principles before either tration at Canton was marked by a compara-side is quite prepared; but of the two sides tive freedom from piracy and brigandage and Russia is certainly in a better state of pre- a general-peace which the Kwang provinces parations, for she at least has her plans have seldom enjoye 1, and that his departure | Put and dried. was viewed with dismay alike in South China, Hongkong, and at home. that his position at Canton, removing him temporarily from the reach of Russian wiles, gave an opportunity for the display of the more cominnendable side of Li's character. Certain it is that never did his influence tend so much to the benefit of Great Britain and the commercial Powers generally as during his period of office at Canton which ter minated last year. His removal to Chibli immediately gave scope again to the intrigo ing side of his nature, and once more his pro-Russian bias worked to the detriment of his country.
It may be
Russia, it may readily be allowed, has lost in LI HUNG-CHANG a friend who has schemed in her favour for many years, and one at all to he leaves apparently no carry on his policy, The reactionaries who work with the Empress Dowager are all, indeed, nominally pro-Russian, but they are all striving merely to keep their places, to which end Russia seems the surest assistant. The remaining great men of China-it is
1
THE CHINESE TARIFF.
(Daily Presa, 13th November.) The Imperial Customs. acting in the letter, but not in any respect in the spirit of the new Convention with China, have published a notification that after the 11th November all articles except rice, cereals and flour, besides of course bullion, are to pay an import duty estimated at the rate of five per cent. No objection naturally was raised on the part of any of the nations to this principle: in theory it had been long ago conceded as a right to which under the Tariff clauses of the Treaty of Tientsin China was entitled, and it would have been allowed at any time that the Chinese had shown any disposition to amend a Tariff, which the chief mercantile nations concurred in thinking out of date. The question had been mooted several times by England, but We under one pretence or other it was always China herself who stood in the way.
who have issued the recent notification. Ad valorem duties are at all times the most vexatious for the importer, and the most unprofitable for the state, yet a system of uncompromising ad valorem dues, wherein each package will have to undergo a separate valuation, seems to be aimed at. Anyone accustomed to the work of a Customs-house will comprehend how much additional out such a system; and additional labour labour must be thrown on a staff to carry
thrown on the staff means the employment of more hands, and increased charges for labour and supervision. To take an in- stance that falls within the cognisance of everyone, it has been the custom hitherto to pass personal baggage free; not only the individual was saved annoyance, but a few watchers were found able to do all the preventive work required. Trade was cer- underwent no loss. If a new tainly benefitted in general, while the revenue system be introduced, and each passenger's many countries where obstruction prevails baggage has to be turned out, as in too