:
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Canton, was fatally injured by pirates. Piracy and brigandage having been rampant on the neighbouring mainland last year, it is perhaps rather to be won- dered at that no more foreigners were molested. The turbulence of the Chinese across the water seems to some extent to have affected their fellow-countrymen in Hongkong, for the word strike has been in the air a good deal, and labour troubles have been threatening. Altogether, the promise of 1902 cannot be said to have been fulfilled. Still more reason, therefore, have we to wish our readers in 1903
A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
THE PEACE OF EUROPE.
idea was first suggested to point out to Russia that any change of policy on our part must be preceeded by a fundamental change in her own methods. For instance, we have permitted ourselves little by little to be excluded from the entire of the continent of Asia except the seaboard. When Russia takes measures to throw these regions open to our commerce and our influence we are quite prepared to view in the fullest and most friendly spirit of reciprocity her wishes. As the case is, every step gained by Russia becomes the ground for asking for more, to the direct loss not only of our prestige, but of our means and capacity for trade. When is this to stop?
Stop it must, and that soon unless we intend to give up our independence, and continue to exist merely on the sufferance of Russia, The question is not here of waiting for 稿 convenient season.
As matters stand we have to face the inevitable; shall we be better prepared six weeks or six months, or even two years hence, if by going back we should encourage Russia in her present mood? When we come to look into Russia's internal condition, we can see that unless some very definite course be taken to put an end to this game of aggression, Russia herself will be utterly unable to extricate herself from the consequences of her own wilful acts, As yet Russia is in a
manuer
a free agent, but the internal causes at work are rapidly driving her along a course where the only alternativo to bursting up her own Empire will be to dominate the liberty not of one state, but of the whole of Europe. A very interesting letter from a Russian stateman, Prince MESTCHERSKY, which appeared in the Times, arrived by last mail, throws a lurid light on the internal condition of the Empire. You English speak lightly, he said, of the
January 3, 1903.] comparatively small. Large shipments of rice have bal to be imported from Wuhu and Chinkiang for Canton, owing to the failure of the southern rice crops. Freights have ruled low throughout the year, and the shipping trade generally has been bad. Some of the local industries have also been less prosperous than usual this year, and the business in refined sugar has been simply disastrous. The stock market has been depressed during the latter half of the year, and quotations have, in many cases, undergone a sharp decline. Altogether the commercial record is a most unfavourable one, and there seems no immediate prospect of any durable improvement setting in unless successful measures are taken to secure a fixed basis of exchange. In other! respects, too, 1902 has left many causes for regret. During the year there have been
Daily Press, 29th December.) 572 cases of plague, with 559 deaths; there. was also a severe outbreak of cholera and a Notwithstanding the very cautious and slight one of small-pox. The water supply statesmanlike speech delivered by Mr. has been deficient, and the year opened and BALFOUR at the Lord Mayor's banquet last closed with the intermittent system in force. month, it is clear to any one who can read It is proposed, as a result of the visits of between the lines that the condition in Messrs. SIMPSON and CHADWICK, the expert Europe is is by no means satisfactory, and; commission despatched from home which that uuless 8. mething very unexpected issued several reports in the first half of happens the continent is rapidly drifting 1902, to attempt a thorough regeneration of into a war which, as far as can be foreseen, Hongkong, and the means proposed is the will not be of less importance nor fraught Public Health and Buildings Ordinance with fewer territorial and constitutional which has occupied so much of the Legisla- changes than the struggle that followed the tive Council's attention. But it is obvious great upheaval of the nations after the We have lately that the process must be slow, and that all great French Revolution. important adjunct of good sanitation, a at some length spoken of one of the causes plentiful water-supply, is very far off making for war in the mischievous move- indeed. Though 1902 closed with none too ment of. Pan-Germanism. The inevitable hopeful auguries, however, some notable result of any attempt on the part of the local improvements and additions have been North Germans to possess themselves of made. For the first time in Hongkong's the German provinces of Austria will be history, a school fer exclusively European the claim of Russia, with the tacit adhesion children has been open, at Kowloou. On of the Slavonic provinces, to seize the former the 15th January last the foundation-portions of Poland which she condescend-introduction of representative institutions stone was laid of a great undertaking, the ingly gave to Prussia and Austria, as a sop into Russia, as if that could be a panacea. Nuval Yard Extension. Many think that to induce them to close their eyes while How would Englishmen with their ex- the removal of the Naval Yard to the she swallowed up the lion's share of that perience of free institutions behave under mainland would have been preferable, but ill-fated kingdom. But the position of an autocracy? The real evil of Russia is all must admit the magnitude of the present Russia herself is one calling for grave her irresponsible bureaucracy: would you works. On the 4th August Major-General consideration, as there are there also serious desire to see that increased and strength- GASCOIGNE, who administered the Colony's movements which seem to be impelling her, ened? Yet that would be the inevitable government to the general satisfaction almost unconsciously to herself, into a life
result of introducing institutions which during H.E. the Governor's absence from or death contest. Somewhat foolishly, it need the education of centuries. Look at January to September, turned the first so seems to us in the face of recent develop. Frauce, whose "farcical" constitution is of King's Park, Kowloon, which promises to meuts, our recent policy of yielding has debasing and degrading her; would not Russia be in worse state? The real evil is be a worthy memorial of the Coronation been, as it was certain to be, interpreted as
Prince MESTCHERSKY sees year. Another memorial of 1902 is the due to fear, pure and simple, that being far deeper. CONNAUGHT statue, soon to be followed by the only motive comprehensible to a nation the only possible escape for Russia in an two others to be erected in the neighbour-iu Russia's stage of semi-civilisation. That autocracy; but is an autocracy on the old hood of the late Queen's statue. There we committed a grave error in withdrawing lines that have built up the Russian Empire We trow not, and were many changes in the personnel of the our feet from Port Arthur when we held in any more possible? Colony last year, from various causes. Byour hands the key to the entire position is herein lies the danger that is driving death Hongkong saw carried off two very
now only too apparent to the most peace. Russia headlong to perdition, and threaten- familiar figures, Commander W. C. H. fully disposed. Our apparent weakness basing to take Europe with her. Circumstances HASTINGS and Mr. DAVID GILLIES. The in fact already brought us dangerously are uncanny at the moment; the Emperor Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART left us for near the inevitable. But have we been NICOLAS II is not certainly fitted for an son, and is now Weihaiwei, being succeeded at the Colonial lately displaying any firiner purpose? We autocrat: he has no
The next heir Secretary's Office by the Hon. F. H. MAY. unde, it is true, an alliance practically hardly likely to have one.
is of feeble constitution, and at best dis- Commodore PowELL departed in April, his offensive with Japan, but we find that, so place being filled by Commodore ROBINSON. far from taking any notice of it, Russia is plays none of those marks of a strong man Sir THOMAS JACKSON, whose name must quietly and steadily advancing in places that would enable him to grasp the needs always be associated with the story of the and by methods that not very many months of the country, and insist on their being The third heir is Colony's growth, has gone, and Mr. T. H. ago we held out to her would end in war. brought into action. WHITEHEAD was called to London. Sir Yet in the face of this, with each step unpopular with people and bureacracy, and JOHN CARRINGTON had already left when forward we withdraw and take a less any attempt to disturb the latter except by 1902 opened, and his place is filled by Sir prominent position. It is only a week or a prince who possessed the confidence of the entire people would bring him to the W. MEIGH GOODMAN, while a new Attorney-so ago since Russia quietly informed our - General is here iu Sir H. S. BERKELEY.
end only too familiar to reforming Tsars, Many other changes might be mentioned
Whatever happen, the bureaucracy feels as well. Hongkong's external relations have
that there is coming a struggle for existence, not been devoid of trouble. Two outrages
and every effort to divert the attention of against British subjects occurred on the
the nation by diplomatic or military victories Canton waterways, one on the 13th January
may, we may rest assured, be attempted. when the Nanning was fired upon and the
Our statesmen probably have foreseen this, Rev. C. E. L. COWAN wounded, the other
but they exhibit no sign of comprehending it. Herein lies the danger. Unless we take some stronger steps than we have hitherto
on
the 12th November, when Mr. EVANS, constable at H.B.M. Consulate,
Government that the time had come when in her own interests she ought to open direct communications with Afghanistan. We seem to have simply said no, but to have refused our consent in such a half hearted manner that not unnaturally she now tells us that she has been ever so long ago in direct correspondence and does not intend to withdraw. It never seems to have occurred to our statesmen when the