GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.
(Daily Press, 17th June.)
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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{June 21, 1902.
FRANCE AND MACAO:
(Daily Press, 18th June.)
A little over a month ago we received from our correspondent at Macao some particulars about a French scheme of establishing, or re-establishing rather (sitice such an institution was formerly in exist ence on the saine spot), a naval hospital at Ca Tai, a promontory on the Kwangtung coast about half an hour's ride from Macao. At the time when we published the news some expressions of incredulity were heard, in consequence of which we have made further investigations into the matter. Naturally the affuir is one about which it is by no means easy to arrive at the actual facts, Therefore we place the following statement before our readers without guaranteeing more than that it is made in all good-faith and that the attention of the Hongkong as well as the Macao authorities is known to have been called to it. Less than a month ago-in fact, soon after we published our information about Ca (Tai- the news went the rounds in Macao that certain boundary stones had been surrepti tiously placed round the plot of ground at Ca Tai it was alleged that the French had acquired. On these stones, it was further reported, there was to be found the following inscription, in Chinese:-
This ground is the property of the Foreign Missions of Great France." Upon the discovery of these boundary stones the officials on the spot of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs (presumably Europeans) had them removed. In consequence, reports were sent to Lisbon from Macao and, we believe, from the British representative at Macao both to the Consul-General at Canton and to Hongkong. Moreover the Portu- guese Special Envoy to Peking, Senhor CASTELLO BRANCO, also received telegraphic intimation to the same effect. So far the story is circumstantial, but against it is the fact that it is hardly possible for a landing to be effected on the Ca Tai promontory without the watchful Imperial Customs staff detecting it at once, since the Customs posts in the neighbourhood are excellently placed for the observation of the coast and of the sea for miles around. Visitors to the locality have told us that they do not think a landing could be effected unseen. The nearest establishment of the Missions Etrangères, moreover, is at Hongkong, and those acquainted with that establishment here would hesitate to ascribe to its members such conduct as is alleged. How- ever we do not feel justified in holding back the result of our investigations into the affair, which is now laid before our readers. The attempt by the French to acquire the Boa Vista Hotel property, coupled with the stories of French designs on the peaceful acquisition of the Portuguese Colony, renders it necessary that all possible signs of French activity in the vicinity should be watched. It is probably entirely a coincidence that a French official from Saigon last week paid a visit to Macao. We do not think that Portugal wishes to get rid of her famous colony, the first outpost of Western civilisation in China. But ns in event of her so wishing she would find a ready market it is well worth while that the situation should be carefully studied.
(at least on paper) along the, borders of Manchuria, and there is no doubt that she was fully convinced that for once she would Between the conclusion of peace in South have been able to steal a free march Africa and the approaching Coronation of without the possible interference of England their Majesties King EDWARD and his The subservience of France she knew she Consort the world seems to be enjoying à could depend on; over Germany when momentary respite. The solemn investi. affairs became serious she had only to hold ture of the sovereign as the head of his out the old threat of an invasion of ber people bas in few countries preserved as Polish provinces, which Germany has much of its original dignity as in England; never had the savoir faire to conciliate; and the approaching rite, followin, as it and the rest were a negligeable quan- does, the conclusion of a peace where the tity. The immediate action of England, rights and feelings of the conquered have and her despatch of a considerable force been as studiously and zealously respected from India, was a contingency she had as those of the victorious people, points to never contemplated. Even so it seemed the Coronation of King EDWARD VII. as
at first to be a comparatively light matter, likely to remain for all futurity one of the and Russia probably thought that the landmarks of history. Six years ago iu the presence beside her own Cossacks of an ancient city of Moscow a similar occasion inferior force of Indian troops, whose for the instant diverted the thoughts of fidelity she was content to believe was Europe from projects of internecine hosti.
more than doubtful, might be actually lity; and the hope was universal that in turned to her advantage. When, however, the crowning of the young Tsar, and of bis in place of such a body, she found within a graceful Consort, more especially dear to few weeks a thoroughly equipped army of English hearts, there was a promise and well-drilled troops proud of their service, pledge of future relations of a more and far superior to her own levies in every amicable nature arising between the great thing that constitutes an army, it may well powers of Europe. Unfortunately these have been that the sight was not a welcome hopes have been blighted, and the newly one. At all events the methods of Russia inaugurated Tear, whether from inuate have plainly undergone a marked change. infirmity of purpose, or from a desire to Brute force has evidently for the moment emulate his great grandfather and name- been discarded as out of the question. sake NICHOLAS I., has permitted his govern. But it is not to be supposed that the idea ment to drift into even worse excesses than has in the slightest degree changed; and those that marked the reign of his prede- we miss unfortunately from the present cessor of evil augury. The condition of occasion those feelings of assured peace Russia, dangerous to herself, as well as with which the nation had hoped to greet threatening to the peace of her neighbours, the great event. The Coronation of King is in fact the one black spot on the horizon EDWARD VII. will indeed take place during the preliminaries of King EDWARD'S according to all outward appearance in Coronation. The conclusion of peace in profound peace, but it is only right that South Africa curiously lias given occasion the nation at large should recognise that to display the feelings with which Bussia that peace is a condition of unstable equi- regarded the Boer contest. Russia's ac-librium, and that there are force; at work cepted policy of supporting always the cause of administrative government, whe- ther right or wrong, would not permit her openly to take the part of the Boers against the English Government, but nevertheless she took no care to conceal her desires that, That under one form or other a revolu- happen what would to the Boers, they tion is imminent in Russia is clear to the would be able to paralyse the British power, most superficial observer. The unmistak and prevent its exercise, at all events, in able signs which ushered in the great Asia. She had already planned a general Revolution that destroyed the old French advance from the Caspian in the west to Monarchy are evident to all beholders with Corea in the east. It was evidently eyes to see: but what is to follow? Here Russia's hope that the result of the war history is as dubious as the old Delphic would be that sooner or later the British oracle. England and the British Empire Government would be compelled to send a cannot avoid, even if they wished it, being sufficiently large portion of her Indian drawn into the vortex. The only lesson we army to Africa to weakon seriously her can draw from the past is the necessity forces on the north-western frontier of of being ready. Overweening confidence India, and that Russia would be able to has more than once in the past carried us take advantage of this to push her intrigues o the verge of destruction; still, thought amongst the always exeitable natives of the warning has been sounded, it is more Afghanistan; and that thus she would find than questionable if the Empire at large a free hand for a movement in force into has awakened to the immensity of the issues Persia, which would at once give her a long at stake. A fenther shows how the wind coveted opening to the Persian Gulf: What blows, and an incipient rustle of France she was to do then would of course, depend has before this presaged a movement of the upon the course of events. Since the big nation. What has France to gain by Coronation of the Tsar NICHOLAS II. she restlessness in Cores? Certainly nothing has steadily pursued the opening which the for herself; yet France has of late been amenableness of the late HUNG-CHANG making claims which would practically to Russian methods offered of fomenting amount to the dissolution of that interesting disturbances in China, and the results of though insignificant state. Col. MARCHAND these methods were seen even more con- has likewise been travelling in Russia and spicuously than Bussia quite intended in been asuring the Tear's Government that the émeute of June, 1900, in Peking itself. to a Frenchman, England's Indian army However that was, Russia was unexpectedly was a quantité négligeable. France has
to take a hand in the strange events that followed, etir
Without imputing to Russia, the incep- tion of the revolt of the Chinese Court, it,
certumly by no blind chance that Russia, found herself with a formidable army
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which may in an instant convert the present state of armed neutrality into a condition of warfare, which can scarcely end without altering the entire political aspect of the world.
missed her own opportunity and would fain push her neighbour forward into her place. France as a nation by no means desires a quarrel with England; but if she could induce Russia to fight, what unconsidered trifles could she not pick up?
The number of German pot offices in Chins has been increased by two, and by the middle of this month another one will be opened, so that there will be seventeen German post oničes in China. On the let insa, one was o
opened in Weihaien and on the 2nd inst. one in Canton, whilst a third is to be opened în ̈Am
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