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INTERNATIONAL FRICTIONS.
S
(Daily Press, 27th August.) Our Japanese contemporary the Ji-ji recently struck a correct chord when it said: International troubles are, ninety- "nine times out of a hundred, the result of an accumulation of numerous instances of friction, and it is therefore well for coun. tries to try to nip such troubles in the bud." As the most numerous instances of friction are presented in the Press, it is not too much to ask that efforts of a pacifi. catory nature should be forthcoming from that institution. At the very least, news papers should avoid the responsibiliy of needlessly multiplying instances of friction. We bad occasion quite recently to deal with the porteutous publication by the Daily Express of a Russian alleged project for the invasion of India. Not long afterward it published over a column of stuff showing how Germany dreams of the end of the British Empire." The nuisance of that sort of thing is that so many men-the men in the street-give the most superficial con- sideration to such matters, with the result that a really pleasant incident like the German Beet's recent visit to Plymouth gives rise to all sorts of ridiculous ide us. These follies find their way into the columns of the journals that cater for thoughtless folk, and then we have comments such as those which have recently alarmed our good patriots, by telling them that our Teutonic naval guests walked about the Dockyards asking pointed questions and using cameras where they ought not to have done. They were spying out the laud, laying bare our mobilisation secrets, and otherwise betraying our foolish Government, which would never have allowed them to approach in sight of the Hoe if the advice of the sapient ha'penny papers had only been heeded. It is too late to cry over spilt milk, of course. The mischief is done; and the Daily Mail's special correspondent, gazing horror-stricken on the KAISER'S men-o'-war, telegraphed that they constituted pre-eminently a fighting force, designed and trained for battle, and for battle alone." It is quite understool, of course, that our own warships are not designed for battle. They are merely subjects provided by a paternal government for jubilee displays, coloured pictures, and music-hall ditties. The alarmed Britisher has been reminded of the sinister fact that on a former occasion the KAISER was per- mitted to see the works and fortifications of Gibraltar. They must think our hated friends from Berlin very simple to send a whole squadron on a mission of espionage; but there that is the trouble. They don't think. The journalistic assertions consum-
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ed with the breakfast bacon are retailed in the train, and the swopping of opinions with another equally unreasoning reader confirms the impression that those Germans are too wicked for words, and that if only JOE CHAMBERLAIN were King-? Small wonder that our Continental cousins are puzzled by the friendliness of our rulers and the hostility of our Press. Following a like train of thought with the Ji-ji, the Saturday Review says, apropos similar matters, "the absurdity of this kind of agitation would secure it from all serious attention were it "not that it does in fact inflame or keep "alive international animosities which com- mon sense and good feeling would wish to put to rest. It would almost seem as if the patriotic Briton could not be happy "unless he were in a scare about the designs "of some foreign nation.” We cannot go the whole way with our Saturday contem- porary, and speak of these good men as
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
"Teutophobic corybants.' It is simply shortage of copy on the one side; and lack of thinking on the part of both writer and reader. A remarkable ample of journalis tie thoughtlessness of the sort we would contemn is supplied in the telegrams we publish this morning. That Anglophobic corybaut, the Novoe Vremya, must have Boured many a Chauvinistic Russian's break fast when it complained that our Malta pro- clamation, about not supplying belligerents with coal, must be directed solely against Russia, as it could not possibly apply to Japan. It does apply to Japanese ships, the moment they begin to play the pirate in European waters.
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[September 5, 1904.
CHINESE CURRENCY REFORM (1), scheme for a gold standard.
+
rank and titles in accordance with the re- gulations of the Board.
The Imperial Rescript is very decided and to the point :-
Let it be as recommended." .We hope that this action not only reflects the views of most Chinese officials, but is also an indication of the policy the Chinese Govern- ment intend to pursue in regard to the currency. They have undertaken, by the recent Commercial Treaty signed at Shang- hai with Sir JAMES MACKAY, to establish a uniform national coinage, and it will pro- bably prove no more difficult to place this on a gold basis than to establish a uniform silver currency. The advantages of the former have been proved to the hilt, and the Treaty Powers, or most of them, have expressed their approval of the The Straits
(Daily Press 29th August.)
Settlements and the Philippines have In whatever direction and on whatever already adopted a fixed standard, and Indo- question China moves, she moves slowly. China and Siam are prepared to follow Festina lente is really, if not avowedly, the suit. Hongkong will soon be the only Celestial motto. No matter how vitally Colony afflicted with this unstable medium. necessary a change may be in relation to The large majority of the colonists are her best and dearest interests, she will not do strongly in favour of a different policy: more than hasten slowly," and then only they would prefer to see Hongkong setting under pressure of circumstances or persons. the example to China rather than submit to No one who knows China can doubt that it wait for her tardy action in the matter. is her interest to join the ranks of the gold-But there is unfortunately a want of un- standard countries, for not only is it disas animity on the subject, owing to a divergeney trous to her trade to continue on a silver of interests, the profits made on the fluc- basis, but it also severely handicaps her in tuations of exchange apparently counter- the payment of her large foreign indemnity. balancing in some directions the loss Her rulers and statesmen have all freely accruing to trade thereby. The permanent admitted this, and her great foreign adviser good of the Colony, the prosperity of and director of the Imperial Maritime Cus-legitimate trade, demand that the change toms has boldly pronounced in favour of should be made, and that without delay. the creation of u gold standard for China. The difficulties raised as bugbears in the The Chinese Government, feeling convinced path would speedily disappear if the change that the white metal
was the source
were resolved upon, and Hongkong would of loss and an impediment to trade, joined be saved from further loss, both of trade Mexico in a petition to the Washington and prestige. Who will take the initiative Government to appoint a Commission to in the matter? It might be thought that inquire into the circumstances and ascertain
the Banks would lead the van in any move- the best means of placing the finances of inent of this kind. The conservation of the China on a gold basis. When the exceed. trade of the Colony must of necessity be ingly lucid and valuable report of that Cou- their care and aim, for whatever temporary mission had been drawn up Professor JENKS, profits may accrue from the oscillations of a member of the Commission, was instructed exchange, such profits canuot make up for to proceed to Peking in order to present to the loss to their constituents and the diver- the Chinese Government the results of the sion or restriction of trade. It is to be Commission's inquiries and labours, and we hoped therefore that if this question is once believe he is still in China, advising and more publicly agitated we shall find con- conferring with the authorities on this siderable unanimity of opinion upon the most important question. What the up desirability of not waiting until China finds shot of the efforts of the U.S. Commission financial salvation, but a determination will be it is difficult to say. With any other rather to show her the way to secure it Government in the world the issue could | not long be in doubt, but in the Central | HORTICULTURE AT HONGKONG. Kingdom there Are so many diverse interests at work, so much vis inertia
(Daily Press, 30th August.) to overcome, that it is not easy to predict
Fourteen years ago, His Majesty the KING, what may happen in this regard.. The then Prince of Wales, addressing the Fellows reputed predilections of the mandarins of the Royal Horticultural Society, assured are in favour of a gold basis, though silver, them that a Hall for the exclusive use of as in the case of many other countries, the Society would be of the greatest use and would have to be mostly used for coinage advantage. At that time the Society had purposes. But there may be some powerful begun to talk of getting one, but up to officials who have aves to grind and whose quite recently, the Society has had to manage purpose will best be served by the retention without headquarters of its own, the office of a silver standard. We do not know that at 117, Victoria Street, Westminster, such is the fact, but we hope that the scarcely counting as such. The shows have President of the Board of Revenue more been held in the Drill Hall of the London. accurately reflects the proclivities of the Scottish Volunteers, a badly lighted build- mandarins. In a recent memorial to the ing, and one that never afforded sufficient Throne he says that owing to the high price space for the beautiful exhibits sent. This of gold China has lost considerably both in year, being the centenary year, there is to hi the matter of trade and in the payment of a special winter show, held in the new the indemnities. He therefore suggests Centennial Hall in Vincent Square, West- that it is absolutely necessary that the Im- minster, erected at a total cost of some- Perhaps, beyond perial Government should follow the good thing like £40,000. example of Japan and adopt a gold standard. clearing off the adverse balance of the As a preliminary step in this direction, he building fund, the members asks permission to take in gold at Tls. 32 Society could have hit upon no happier per 1 tael of pure gold from those officials way of celebrating the hundredth year and others who purchase brevet official' of its existence than by inviting the
of the