378
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE WAR AND INTERNATIONAL the position was becoming explosive, and
POLITICS.
[May 21, 1904.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
hoth probably felt that their momentary allies had other schemes in hand than were
(Daily Press, 18th May.) (Daily Press, 17th May.)
quite consistent with their professions of The disaster suffered by the Japanese Whatever we may think of the rights disinterestedress. This feeling it was that near Talienwan on Saturday, as announced and wrongs of the present conflict in the gradually led Francs to review her recent in our Kobe correspondent's telegram and Far East, in one respect the various nations attitude towards England. England, it was confirmed by the Japanese Consul's des. in Europe must look upon it as a blessing. true, had all along professed her desire to be patch, is the severest blow to the Japanese even if one in disguise. Till the actual ou more neighbourly terms with France; fleet during more than three months of outbreak of the war it was held by most of but so had Germany and Russia. Certain warfare. No damage has been inflicted by the European authorities that, hostilities little circumstances had lately come to light the Russians at all equivalent to the sinking having once broken out between Russia and of Germany's peculiar methods of aiding of the Miyako while destroying. Russian Japan, the interests involved were of so her allies, more especially Prince BISMARCK'S mines. Though the loss of life was little complicated a nature that they could not secret understanding with Russia about a -the total casualties were eight-much be confined to the limits of the Far East, possible partition of Austria, then her sympathy will be felt with Japan on the but almost of necessity would kindle the nominal ally. France, any more than Eng- | sinking of a modern and rapid, if small, torch of baleful war throughout the plains land and Italy, could not but see in these cruiser. The incident well illustrates the of Continental Europe itself. The fear and flirtations a source of embarrassment, if not enduring menace of submarine mines, even the dread of Rus ia, which, like the strange danger to herself, and the suspicions aroused when their position is more or less known, fascination said to proceed from the ser- were certainly not diminished when she saw as must have been the case on Saturday; pent's eyes when pursuing his feathered Russia, her own special ally, without con. for the Japanese flotilla successfully found prey, has been the ruling factor in Consulting her, entering into schemes for settling and destroyed five mines in all, though tinental politics for the last quarter of a the ever vexed Balkan tangle. When, there- under the fire of a Russian battery. The century, has apparently shown some symp-fore, it was unofficially suggested to France catastrophe serves to remind us of what toms of diminishing virulence, and a dis- that some means could possibly be found appears to be a grave danger to neutrals position to look on things as they really for settling some long outstanding disputes in northern water We are told that the are has been conspicuous during the last with England in which neither party was Russians have evacuated Newchwang, taking few weeks. The altered position of affairs very deeply interested, and which both had
away their guns, but leaving the mines in is well shown in the very different manner at various times acknowledged were subjects the Liao River. We have no indication in which the disorders in the Balkan regions on which either, without affecting their in- whether the Japanese intend to occupy are being treated. At the beginning of the terests or prestige, could give way, France Newchwang or not. If they do, of course year the strange sight was witnessed of found that the psychic moment had arrived. they will find it incumbent to explode the Russia and Austro-Hungary in apparent The time was opportune, and, both sides mines. But if they do not take the town, concord uniting to settle, by fores of arms yielding a little, au understanding eminent-leaving it to revert to its proper position if necessary, the discord prevailing in Bully satisfactory to both was soon arrived at, under Chinese control, we may well ask garia and Macedonia. It was known to and the long outstanding grievances were who is going to undertake the duty of everyone that the main instigator of these quickly removed, and in Lord ROSEBERY'S rendering the river mouth safe for shipping. troubles was Russia herself. It was also words, both commenced with a clean slate.
If this is not done, we shall see disasters perfectly well known that the German
overtaking merchantmen through touching Government, though solemnly talking in
hidden mines, and possibly serious loss of difference was inwardly licking its chops
life and property. On land order will have at the distant prospect of blood. More
to be maintained either by some of Viceroy than all this it was known that the quarry
YUAN SHI-KAI'S troops, or possibly by really aimed at by these two benevolent
detachments from foreign warships. But Powers was nothing less than the partition
that question is far more easily settled thau of their mutual friend and ally, Austria.
that as to how to give trading vessels The unnatural pact between the two Stares,
security against the mines abandoned by Russia and Austro-Hungary, it was felt by
the Russians. all, was only undertaken by the latter Power in the interests of self-preservation; yet of all this intrigue with its various plots and counterplots, the diplomatic world was by a fiction supposed to be entirely igno- rant. Ambassadors nodded and embraced, monarchs paid professional visits and spoke of the Larmonies; wars and their possibili- ties were subjects too vulgar to be discussed by the polite. The game of whist or casino went on apparently as merrily as if the parties were seated in the quiet shades of Parnassus; yet after all the mail-clad spectre of war would obtrude itself un- asked into the quietest groves of the pre- teuded Elysium, and sometimes, even to the careless players themselves, strange visions of the yawning gulf beneath would unfold themselves.
Meanwhile Russia had been pushing her pretensions in the Far East in such a man- ner and with such language that the
Western Powers most interested in the great Eastern trade could not fail to see a challenge; and this feeling of uneasiness was doubled by the evident acquiescence of ermany, who, under pretence of an in- difference entirely contrary to her usual practice, professed not to see any danger in the advances of Russia, which had within The general situation has been slowly the last two years entirely altered the but very markedly changing since the battle relations towards Europe of Eastern Asia, of the Yalu was fought. The exact point It is certain that, from whatever cause, the which the advancing Japanese have reached Infperial family of Germany are under some is not known at the present moment, but curious spell in their relations with Russia; telegrams received in Shanghai last week we would scarcely like to stigmatise it as indicated that the Russians expected the fear, but to all outward app-arance it very enemy near Haicheng very shortly, and much resembles it. if not fear, the spell indeed that their abandonment of New- must of course proceed from some equally chwang and its neighbourhood was prompt- unworthy source. On either supposition weed by the dread of being cut off. The two may account for the very marked change that has come over the scene since the morning of the 10th February last. If the feeling were attributable to fear, the events of the last three months bave shown how slender was its foundation; if to other causes, the progress of events proves how little
useful would be Russia's assistance were Germany to be brought into hostile contact with the other Continental Powers. For- tunately both these conditions make for peace. Germany, now that, she has driven the other Continental Powers into the arms of England, is little likely of herself to seek a ground of quarrel, while Russia has shown such extreme unpreparedness in` her fight with Japan that she is hardly likely to be accepted by the other as an eligible ally in her ambitions towards the empire of the world.
Now we do not intend to flatter our readers, nor ourselves, by the assert on that all this unrest and carefulness was but the baseless fabric of a dream; for while it lasted it was very real indeed, none the less real that it had never been formulated. When, some three years ago, without any apparent remonstrance from the British Government, approaches commenced to be made between the French and Italian Governments on the basis of both being Latin Powers, prophets of ill were not want ing who saw in the movement a direct menace to British interests, especially in the The writer of "Topics for the Times" in the Mediterranean; better informed, the Govern, Shanghai Mer ury says:-"As I write the ment was content to stand by and wait weather is everything that could be desired for the opening of the cricket season. I hope developments. The rapprochement was
to see some good new blood in both the senior really at the time rather instinctive than cln's. We have to recover certain ashes deliberately planned; without exactly re- from the south." Well, Hongkong will be cognising the cause, both Powers felt that quite ready when the weather permits,
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Japanese armies seem now to be acting in unison, the First pressing on from Feng- hwangcheng through the Motienling region, and the Second advancing up the Man- churian railway to Tashihchiao, the junction of the lines to Port Arthur and New- chwang. The next battle may be expected to take place at Haicheng, unless a retreat to Liaoyang rather be thought advisable in view of the danger of an outflanking move- ment by the Japanese First Army. Further south there is no longer any doubt of the investment of Port Arthur being complete, and though the Russians have not yet admitted that the fleet there is actually "bottled up" it is to be noticed that not a sign of its existence has been given since the last Japanese attempt to close the bar. bour mouth. Admiral Togo reported last week that explosions were continually being heard from Port Arthur, from which it has been thought that the Russians are destroy- ing the remains of their imprisoned fleet. As for Dalny, it is said to have been com. pletely wrecked by the Russians, to prevent it being of use to Japan. If Port Arthur's fall becomes inevitable, the same policy will most likely be adopted by its
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