January 12, 1903. ]
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THE *K
EVACUATION" OF MANCHURIA.
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(Daily Press, 7th January.) The criticisms by a Manchurian correspon- dent of the Novoe Vremya, as given in another column to-day, respecting the state of affairs in Manchuria, are sufficiently explicit to have been written by an observer unfriendly to Russin's policy. Coming as they do from the representative of a St. Petersburg newspaper, they must be looked upon as a clear revelation of the present situation. It will be remarked that they bear out in the strongest possible manner the recent statements of Dr. MORRISON, Peking correspondent of the Times, as to Russin's evacuation" of the Chinese province. Dr. MORRISON pointed out that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Manchuria was merely nominal, as they were simply retired to the various strategic points of the so-called “evacuated" districts and were in as complete possession ns if Manchuria were generally recognised as a Russian possession. The Novoe Vremya's correspondent states that it seems as if his fellow-countrymen had just begun to settle in the province, instead of leaving it, and that no Russian doubts that there is a brilliant future for his nationals in Man- churia. The annexation of Manchuria to Russia, therefore, would seem
to be,an accomplished fact, and in taking into `con- sideration the state of affairs in China wo must no longer disguise this. It is needless to point out that this is a breach of faith on the part of the St. Petersburg Government, which, though not of a nature to create surprise, yet cannot be entirely disregarded.
The consequence entailed upon Great Britain is a change of attitude, which, it is sincerely to be trusted, will be included in the alteration of British policy which is expected to spring out of Sir ERNEST SATOW's visit to London. If no attention is be paid by Russia to promises involving herself, China, and other Powers, it is obvious that such Powers cannot observe the same line of conduct as if Russia bad acted honestly. At the present moment the latter country is pursuing a policy tending to give her not only the predominant, but even the sole voice in the affairs of Northern Asin.
A year ago there was concluded a compact between Britain and Japan, the real intent of which canuot bo interpreted except as a desire to check any attempt to disturb the balance of power at that time. The annexation of Manchuria, important in itself, also threatens alike Peking and Corea.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. Chinese subjects." As China is thus | ago might have brought about a change in bound by Treaty to provide a coinage with, the status quo in the Yargteze territory, it out delay, it will be well for her Government appeared only logical to require guarantees to consider, without further waste of time, from China as a preliminary to the evacua in what way she shall meet the stipulation. tion of Shanghai, which guarantees, on the It would naturally be a great relif to re-establishment of peace, would take the Hongkong if she declared for gold, for place of the actual guarantees given by that would not only smooth all diffi- the occupation of Shanghai. But Count culties from the path of this Colony, but | METTERNICH, it is to be observed, did not almost necessitate the same change here. say that the crisis had brought about Would it not be worth while, therefore, for any change in the status quo in the the colonists to consider the policy of Yangtsze territory, so that it is hard addressing the British Imperial Government to see how he and his government could suggesting that Great Britaia should throw persuade themselves of the logical the full weight of her influence into the scale necessity of new garautees in place of, or and join in inducing the Chinese Govern in addition to, the previous guarantees; ment to follow the example of Japan and which latter were not the occupation of adopt a gold standard? It is apparent that Shanghai by foreigu garrisons, but engage- China will soon be the last refuge of the ments entered into between China and the white metal, and in the not unlikely cou interested Powers and between the latter tingency of Mexico sme day placing her themselves. When Lord LANSDOWNE OD currency on the same basis as that of her the 6th November stated that the British great neighbour the United States, this Government could see no reason why the event would actually come to pass. It is withdrawal of the troops from Shaughai for this Colony and all foreigners engage should be made the occasion for a fresh in trade with China, therefore, to take affirmation of the accepted principles of the action in good time. We are drifting open do or "and of the sovereign rights of steadily from depression to disaster; it is Caina, he advanced on behalf of his country vital to our safety that we should pull up an irrefutable argument, which Count before we reach the brink, The critical METTERNICH made no attempt to meet. moment has arrived.
The Straits Settle Lord LANSDOWNE was, of course, debarred by ments are agitating for relief from the diplomatic usage from mentioning directly incubus of silver, and if they succeed in the bad faith of the German government in their efforis, the situation in Hongkong and dealing secretly with China in a matter China will be greatly i. tensified. Now, which that government was bound to hold therefore, is the hour for action. Whatever concerned all the Powers interested in the doubts may be entertained by soma timid or Yangtsze región; but that Count METTER; cautious souls as to the policy of Hongkong NICH was fully able to read between the taking the plunge alone, there ar, we lines of the despateles is evident from the imagine, none who would not welcome the tone of his note of the 7th November. His change to a fixed standard if it were effected anxiety that Great Britain should recognise simultaneously in the Colony and in Chica. her misapprehension" in thinking the eu- Assuming that on this point at least there gagements given to Germany by China were would be unanimity we would suggest that directed against herself is patent. But his steps be at once taken to petition the line of defence is absurdly feeble, and the Imperial Government to urge upon the effect of the double-dealing has been to Government of Peking to take inmediate awaken the British Government to the steps to establish a gold currency, Also to existence of a plot to undermine British suggest that Great Britain should lend all influence in central China. To call this the assistance possible by securing the co- successful diplomacy would be ridiculous. operation of the Powers and by flating a Coming after the exhibitions of German gold loan to China for the purpose.
unfriendliness during the South African War, the whole affair can but he disastrous in its effects on the feelings between two ua i us which have every reason for working (Daily Press, 5th January)
hand in hand, more particularly in the Far It is impossible after reading the correspun- East. In some ways, however, British dence contained in the new Parliamentary policy in Ching shoull gain by the lis- paper on China, which we publish on another covery of the intrigue. We have been told page to-day, not to agree with Dr. MORRI- by te home papers that the visit of Sir SON's charge of diplomat e duplicity against ERNEST SATOW to London is believed to be Gern any in connection with the Yangtze at least partly due to the desire of the question. As the [assag s whic
are Foreign Office to consult him as to Chiuesc quoted from the Parliamentary paper fully affairs, and that the result of the conference explain the progress of the negotiations may be a different. British policy in China. which delayed the evacuation of Shanghai, We sincerely trust that this will be so and it is unnecessary to describe it here; more- that one of the marks of the new policy will over, all the essential facts have already be that Britain will cease to play into the been made kn. wu by telegrams from hands of her friendly rivals, to the serious London. The newly issu d paper only fils detr ment of her own interests and the des- in details of the plot with which we were pair of her subjects engaged in business in acquainted before. The net result of the the Far East. No alteration is required in intrigues between the German and Chinese the amiable attitude which has been pre erved governments his Leen that the gracuation toward competitors in the past, except that of Shanghai has been delayed about two it must be amiability no longer blind, but months, and that China has given to based ou a consciousness that our eyes are Germany a guarantee by which Grea: open to the fact that rivalry for China Britain is not bound, while the atlier Powers trade is very keen, and that vigilance alone except China, on Count METTERNICH's Own - will keep a competitor to the front. admission in bis despatch of the 7th November last, arc equally unfettered The German Minister, in the defence which he put forward on that date of Germany's conduct, stated that, as his Government merely took part in the occupation of Shanghai because the serious crisis which prevailed in the interior of China two years' contracted.
THE YANGTSZE INTRIGUE.
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In a lawsuit with the Hongkong and Shang. bai Bank as plaintiff, the International Court at Bangkok as decided that widows in Siam are liable for their husband's debts. Hitherto, it
has been by no means an uncommon practice in Bangkok for a widow who has taken over her husband's estate to ignore the debts he had
Unless the whole of North-eastern Asia is to be bauded over
to
Russian rule and exploitation it is necessary to establish a counterpoise to the additional weight which the gain of Man- churia gives to Russia. A continuation of the diplouncy by which Port Arthur was presented to Russia in return for nothing at means that Britain retires all merely definitely from North China, and with her the other commercial Powers too.
The Tsar of Russi、 granted an audience at Livadia on the 25th November to a deputation of Buddhist Buriats from E-stern Siberia, who are Russian subjects. They prayed the Tsar to permit them to coutinue their nomadic life as heretofore, and not to bind them down to fixed domiciles. The Tsar expressed his pleasure at the trust reposed in him by the Euriats, but they must submit to the laws and abandon their nomadic life for the future. They must seek settled habitations for them- selves, and with entire confidence conform to the laws relating thereto, for it was incompatible with the increasing culture and economic in tensts of the remaining population of Siberis that nomad tribes should be further tolerated.
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