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neutrality hetween the two Powers pre- paring to battle in her territory, neither of whom in the slightest degree intended to respect her neutrality. In event of Russian success in the war she might fall a prey to Russia (with the consent of Europe and the United States); but, had she remained neutral, Russian success would still have meant Russia's predominance iu, and gradual absorption of, Corea. On the other hand, Corea's alliance with Japan promises to her, - should Japan win, a larger measure of autonomy under Japanese guidance than she could otherwise expect. In yielding to compulsion, Corea has done herself at least! no harm.
120
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
RUSSIA'S UNPREPAREDNESS.
Assured by the new Protocol of Corea's aid, Japan has pushed forward rapidly, and on Sunday last had reached the town of, Ping-yang or Phyeng yang, a town some LO 130 miles north-nath-west of Seoul, in the province known as Phyeng-an. Here, though the place is 100 miles on the Core.. side of the Ya'u River, Russian cav. alry scouts were met and driven back by the Japanese infantry. The outposts of the hostile armies are therefore iù close touch in North-west Corea, and a heavy engage. ment cannot be far off. The relative strength of the opposing forces is, of course, absolutely unknown to us. Russia's military movements since the outbreak of war have becu lust in entire obscurity, and Japau's ouly slightly less so. Wiju, on the esat bank of the Yalu estuary, is in Russian hands, but there is the Japauesc feet to threaten Russia's flauk, with part of its strength, if only Port Arthur cau be bottled up," as it does not seem to be yet. Iast week's news of Japan's move at Possiet Bay has not been confirmed.
A distance of considerably more than 300 miles separates Porsiet Bay from the scene of the coming collision, so that the two movement, if har- monigus, would be distinct. A mystery surrounds the proceedings of the four strong Russian cruisers which sunk a small Japan- ese steamer off the Hokkaido on the 11th February. After being reporte damaged by a Japanese torped-squadron, they were said to have retired to Vladivostock; but there has been no certainty about them. If they ure at Vladivostock, it is highly improbable that the Japanese could laud at Posiet Bay. not 60 miles away, without a neval engage meut. Accounts of the progress of events in the extreme North must be received with extreme caution. And, indeed,the rame might almost be said of those regarding events on the other side of Corea; only it is impossible that all the latter could be hidden. We have the advantage of reading some of the Japanese official despatches, which seem on the whole fairly free from exaggeration, s remark which cannot be made of Admirale ALEXIEFF'S despatches. The table about the four sunken Japanese battleships must ake us very chary of crediting Russian official reports.
Russia is certainly very consistent in ber adoption of the worse råle in her contest with Japan.
"An Eyewitness" published in Shanghai the following account of the outrage on the U. S. Consul 'at No wo warg: - Du thu 12th February as Mr. Miller was turning from the gauboat Helena, he observed a Cossack, who had arrested a small, weak-looking Norwegian, and was ill-treating the man; and when the Consul went up to find out the cans and details the Coss ok struck in with his whip, and afterwards the prisoner, hurrying him along to the Polios Station, where he was at once released, after Consul Miller had
Been the Administrator Grosse. The popular indigna tion was intense, and the British Consul was also taking steps to move in the matter. The Russian authorities were greatly demoralised and none knew what might happen.
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[March 7, 1904.
CHINESE LABOUR FOR SOUTH
AFRICA.
(Daily Press, 2nd March.)
New
(Daily Press, 27th February.) That Russia, like the engineer, has been hoist with her own petard in the struggle The last mail papers from home contain on which she is embarked, is pretty certain. the full text of the telegrams which_passed This is shown by casual remarks gleaned between the Government of New Zealand from Russian and Continental papers, and and the Colonial Office in London with by the want of preparedness in which the regard to the proposed introduction_of commencement of the outbreak of hostilities Chinese labour in South Africa. found her. In short, Russin was, as usuale | Zealand, as we already knew, protested playing the game which she has playel so without avail against the measure for which long and so successfully with other Powers. the Transvaal mine-owners have been so But in playing this game with an Oriental eager and which they have now the satis- Power she forgot to make allowances, and faction of seeing passed; for telegrams told has come to grief in consequence. She bluffed so high that, when the bluff failed, has sanctioned the Bill and that the Trans- us more than a week ago that Parliament
she was unable to retreat without a disus- vaal may now proceed with the introduc trous loss of prestige. Some of the home tion of Chinese. It is interesting to see the papers received by list mail confirm this reasons given by New Zealand, through Lord view of the position. A telegram from RANFURLY, the Governor, and by the Hon A. Vienna to the Sunday Special says:—" It LYTTELTON on behalf of the Colonial Office. appears that up to a week ago the Russian New Zealand "after years' experience diplomatists were absolutely certain that (we quote the telegram) agreed prohibi- "they could at any moment master the tion of Chinese immigration imperative "Corean question by making some trifting in the best interests of British com- "concession to the Japanese, But since "munities, especially those with, or likely
Tuesday they are undeceived. They have "to have, responsible Government discovered that Japan is determined on "Great dangers would be introduced by getting all her points, if necessary by force "Chinese influx, however stringent con- of arts. The effect of this awakening "has been electric.
ditions of introduction and employ- Consternation best
ment may be
In South Africa "describes the feeling of the high "such introduction may create vested "Russian officialdom, which kuows that "interests on the part of employers, making "Russia is caught, when just most inade- "it extremely difficult to terminate practice quately prepared, in a struggle that will be "one sanctioned." The New Zealand pregnant with incalculable possibilities, Government concluded with an earnest ap. "No doubt everything will be attempted peal for consideration, stating finally that "to get out of the impasse, but the fear here they thought the immediate advantages of "is that it is too late." That fear was soon the introduction of Chinese would be dearly justified. The Japanese grew tired at length purchased by the influx of a foreign element, of Muscovite procrastination and pretence,dangerous while unassimilated, and not and determined to force the issue. The Ru-sians have themselves only to thank for progress, institutions, and patriotic ideals." to be assimilated withont prejudice to our their fully and marvellous wint of caution. Mr. LYTTELTON, in reply, fully recognised Practically the two Powers had been in a state of war for some days-cach miking express their opinion on so important a the right of all self-governing Colonies to
the most strenuous able to strike the first b'ow-before the Government have declare that their policy preparations to be question, but stated that His Majesty's Japanese attacked Port Arthur and destroy is to treat the Transvaal as though it were ed a portion of the Russian flect. It is almost inconceivable that a great military Imperial interest is concerned."
a self-governing Colony, unless a distinct Power sould have been caught napping in on to say that it must not be forgotten that such a matter. It is stated that the officers there is much that is abnormal in the of the garrison were gaily footing it at a economic condition of the Transvaal which ball when the attack was delivered, and the may call for abnormal measures, and the "sound of revelry by night' interrupted by the cannon's opening roar.'
was, again Government, consistently with the policy which they have laid down, could not refuse If this really should be the case, will show to accede to the wishes of one part of the a blind carelessness and recklessness which Empire on a matter which it regarded as of even Anglo-Saxons would hardly be guilty paramount importance to its well-being, in of. Where were the night-patrols? Where deference to representations from another the 8 arch-lights sweeping the barbour? part of the Empire not directly interested. Where the torpedo-nets? Evidently no Nevertheless, the Government felt assured precautions were taken, and the Russian tha the Transvaal would give to the opinion offices were as much iuclined to undervalue of any self-governing colony such weight as the enemy as British forces have ever d ne its own exceptional circumstances permitted either in South Africa or elsewhere. For Stripped of its phraseology, the Colonial this want of knowledge and miscalculation Office's reply to New Zealand is that the there was surely no excuse. The Japanese Transvaal itself must have the determining proved first in their campaign against China voice in a matter which affects its own wel- that in attention to detail and the plan of the Imperin! interests. We do not see that and subsequently during the Boxer troubles, fare, if it does not at the same time affect campaign they had little to learn from any the home authorities could well have lower, and that they would not easily be answered otherwise, if they wished to adhere led into a trap. But Russia had seen with to the declaration quoted by Mr. LYTTELTON out heeling, had heard without remember- 'above. It is open for the New Zealan·1 ing, the result being that she by the practice Government and all supporting the same of her peculiar diplomacy virtually com cause to argue that the mater is que affect- polled Japan, who had already announced ing Imperial interest. This, however, we the irreducible minimum of her demands, hardly think en by mad out.
We have to take the initiative and “let slip the logs never advosited the introductioù of Chinese of war." And having thus precipitated at labour into South Africa, nt believing terrible conflict, for which her aggressive it to promise benefits sufficient to policy is alone responsible, Russ a whinos compensats for the many disadvantages. › and whimpers like a beaten bully about But we do not think that the Empire is Japanese treachery and bad faith !
actually menaced by such a measure. It
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