December 16, 1901.]
too that the new tariff speci ic duties should be fully considered in Shanghai and England before the tariff comes into force.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE UNITED STATES AND
MANCHURIA,
475
com.
A peace.
THE ISTHMIAN CANAL AND THE
U.S. SENATE.
be correct, it only remains for the British~~~~ Government to give effect to the assurauces which it has made in answer to On the 22nd August, the Association
(Doily Prox, 14th December.) mercial representations about Manchuria. wrote to the Foreign Office, expressing the The remarks in the New York Times with Russia, having assured the world of her apprehension of the merchantile community regard to the attitude of the United States disinterestedness in the matter of Man- in China at the stateLent that the projected toward Russia in the matter of Manchuria, churia and her intention of restoring the increase in the Customs tariff would be put if they have a basis of fact, constitute a province to Chin', would hardly in the face in force two months after the signature very important declaration. As for the of the three Powers' wishes, be disposed to of the final Protocol, and suggesting a
claim that the United States have lost, ignore her previous declarations. satisfactory schedule of specific values could heavily so far through the Russian occupa-ful solution of the Manchurian question only be based on a sufficient average of tion of Manchuria, there can be no doubt would then be far more likely to result than. years, such as the five years 1894-99-1900 of the truth of this, for the evidence is through a continuance of the nerveless being abnormal. In view of the amount forthcoming from the consular reports. attitude adopted up to now in official circles of business done in China by forward We have seen no complete list of the figures in Washington and London, contract, Mr. GUNDRY added that full of American trade in China since the notice of the precise figures of a new tariff outbreak in the North, so that we cannot was essential to the foreign merchant, and verify the statement that the loss to the the Association therefore asked for delay. United States in China is a direct con- To this the Foreign Office replied on the sequence of Russia's occupation of Man- (Daily Press, 10th December.) 5th September that Sir ERNEST SATOW had churia. It is indisputable, however, that It will be seen that, as was feared, the been unable to induce his colleagues at Pekin that province the States have suffered a Jingoes in the United States Senate ing to postpone the date of the new tariff heavy commercial blow. We have in the have attacked the new Isthmian Canal until January next. As for the specific duties pa spoken of the uncertainty as to Ameri-treaty, the draft of which was signed by (into which the ad ralorem duties would be
ean policy with regard to China, and Lord PAUNCEFOTE and Mr. HAY, on the converted as soon as possible), the basis of put the Washington Government with that ground that it does not authorise the forti- calculation would be the average values of of Great Britain as doubtful elements in the fication of the waterway by the States. the years 1897-99. On the 3rd October the situation which has risen over Manchuria. The Foreign Committee of the Senate his Association wrote again, reiterating the We cannot say whether, from the pro-already reported favourably on the treaty anxiety in commercial circles as to the effect
nouncement of the New York Times, it may as signed, and President ROOSEVELT in his of ad valorem duties pending the calla-
be concluded that the United States Go-message to Congress urged its ratification. tion of specific rates; but expressed grati-vernment has woken to the real import of The full text of the treaty has been made a permanent Russian occupation of Man-public, but we have so far only REUTER'S duties would be converted as soon as possible, churia. That such an occupation would summary in his telegram of the 6th instant. and accepted the period 1897-99 fixed by
mean the absolute boycotting of all but This confirms the previous sketch of the the Government as a basis of calculation. Russian traile, no commercial man in China terms of the agreement, which provides for With regard to the arrangement that two
ean have a doubt; but Governments are the construction of the Canal by, or under months after the signature of the Protocol slower to observe sueli obvious facts than the auspices of, the United States, who are five per cent. l ralorem duties would be the mercantile community.
own given all rights incident to such construc- enforced, Mr. GUNDRY wrote,
the Foreign Office, in spite of its protestations tion, and the exclusive right of manage. Association's behalf :-
that it recognises the importance of the ment; aad for the free and equal navigation :-" It
scarcely appears possible that the necessary calculations can
various questions brought before it by the of the Canal by the merchantmen and be made by that date." Specific duties, it China Association and the various Cham warships of all nations, as with the Suez was pointed out, were a protection against ers of Commerce, hardly yet inspires con- Canal. The question of fortifications is not dishonest declarations of value, a fact which fidence. It may be (and it is earnestly to mentioned in the published treaty, and on this made a speedy conversion essential. In be hoped that this is so) that the Government point the Jingoes, vho are the anti-British reply to this game the final letter in the at Washington is more really aware of the party in the Senate, have fixed their attention. Appendix before us, written from the Foreign critical state of affairs now existing for all We quoted some days ago a letter from the Office on the 18th October last, in which engaged in Chinese trade. Hitherto all Washington correspondent of the Times, in the Association was informed that Lord definite official declarations on the point which a warning was given that outbursts LANSDOWNE was fully alive to the com-have been carefully avoided, for we cannot of apparent hostility to Great Britain mercial anxiety that there should be no
might be looked for during the debates in unavoidable delay in the conversion of
the Senate, to which too great weight must duties, and that every effort to expedite the
not be attached. Such behaviour is dictated more by traditional policy than, by any very deep feeling The Jingoes for their New York journal own ends are making an appeal to the ave no intention worst elements in the United States
fication at the assurance that ad valorem
work would be made.
on
The story is carried on, partly, in the report of our own Chamber of Commerce, published in yesterday's issue. In the memorandum accompanying that report, the Chamber gives priority to five among the questions more intimately concern. ing trade, of which the first is the conversion of the ad valorem into specific duties. The memorandum says: The greatest importance is attached to this conversion being carried through with the least possible delay. Referring to this point, we venture to express the strong hope that if the framing of the permanent specific tariff is likely to be a work of time, steps will be taken to bring "into effect a temporary specific tariff."| All commercial men interested in China
04
will be glad to see the persistence which the China Association and various Chambers of Commerce are displaying in keeping the Government's attention directed to this and other most important questions.
The offices at No. 23, Water St., Yokohama, occupied by Messrs. Bisset & Ure, and Daniel and Coutts, brokers, were destroyed by fire at 4 a.m. on the 4th inst. The upstairs rooms were occupied by Mr. Williamson, Lloyd's Surveyor, who lost everything. The building belonged to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Onr
consider phrases about "maintaining the open door" as of much weight. But if the New York Times has any authority for its forecast of the policy of the United States, then we have a very important new factor
As an
in the situation. Says that the States of fighting Russia, but would doubtless electorate, elements fortunately as unlikely towards any Power doing so exercise a highly benevolent neutrality to gain control of affairs there as in other
over the constitutionally governed countries. Manchurian or Corean situations." Now, argument to the more ignorant the claim it would be considered a very bold statement, allowed to occupy and fortify the route is were such a statement to be made officially, that the builders of the Canal must be
even from the American Government, less specious and effective. But it is plain that trammelled by diplomatic conventions than level-headed politicians in the States do not those of the European Powers. Coming court, the burden of having to fortify and merely through newspapers channels, its guard the Canal. The Times spoke recently gravity cannot exactly be estimated. It is of many Americans being "startled by the perhaps needless to say that the commercial discovery that the right claimed would community will hope that there is something carry with it onerous responsibilities, in- behind the report in the New York Times, cluding the maintenance of fortifications for the knowledge that the United States and a considerable military force in territory are prepared to be firm would put strength not. at present in the possession of the into other governments. France and Ger- United States" Subsequent advices from many, it may be held certain, are for the States have confirmed this statement. different reasons in favour of Russia remain- The staunchest upholders of the ing in Manchuria; and these two countries doctrine (which we may perhaps be alone, it may also be presumed, are in allowed to style the fashionable fetish of favour of it. Japan, the States, and Great modern American politics) are not exerting Britain are the most concerned in the themselves to secure the right of ratification evacuation of the province. Japan has of the Isthmian waterway. They rest con- already shown how strongly she is opposed tent in the possession of all rights incident to China giving a free hand to Russia. As vet the other two of the three Powers have hung back. If the forecast which we have been discussing of the United States' attitude
**
Monroe
to the construction of the Janal and its exclusive management. We have still to learn the precise meaning of the stipulation that the United States are, to be left sole