May 15, 1905.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ships, reported by our Kobe correspondent, | of China, and doubtless we have come to may possibly be explained by the be regarded, where Chinese politics are con theory that a Japanese naval redistribution cerned, as outsiders who are indifferent to has been effected for the purpose of a deci. what goes on in the pigtailed and pig-headed sive movement against the approaching empire. We are the vestibule to the much- Armada. We have despatched a reporter talked-of "open door," and "by no means in a steamer specially chartered, and he indifferent. It was with a certain measure should arrive at a certain place just about of satisfaction that we noted the suggestion the time that the situation develops. The that the only practical policy must be a public must now be aware, however, that forcible one; and it was with a correspond- both belligerents are exceedingly distrusting feeling of discomfiture that we noted ful of newspaper ships; and will therefore the subsequent qualification. If the British not expect too much. We know how keen Government is to accept as its guide the rule and anxious everybody is just now, as is never to make a demand "that is not just," evident by the discussions constant where the candour that admits force as the most ever two or three are gathered together; and suitable argument with stupid, perverse, or can enter fully into the feelings that inspire hacksliding people goes for nothing. It is most of the comments overheard. We waste.l. We are left as we were, rud. should not, however, become impatient derlessly drifting on the conflicting currents with our friends the Japanese, for making of diverse opiniou. For how many of the their preparations in their own deliberately foreign demands made upon China are uni- careful way. Their anxieties are greater than versally regarded as just? Just none. The ours; their stake greater; they are entitled Chinese and the pro-Chinese faddists declare to all the time and elbow-room we can give most of them not just. At every demand them. If similar feelings were apparent in
made in the name of commerce or political Japan as are now evident in Hongkong, progress there arises some crank with accus- and if the Japanese admiral were amenable ing finger. It is not just to force upon the to their influence, we should not be so con- Chinese religious teaching when they have fident of a successful issue for our allies. enough and to spare. We have an indulgent As it is, Toco is not lost because unseen; regard for that crank. What is wanted, in he is not inactive because unheard of; the more parts of the world than Chin, is less terrible fate of the Russian Armada is not teaching and more acting. It is unjust to less certain because delayed. It is almost sell opium to China, say others. This amusing bow neutral opinion has blown hot would come well enough from a Chinese and cold where Japan is concerned. She JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN; but it is said on "presumptuous" when challenging other than fiscal grounds. It is unjust Russia, marvellously shrewd and some- to seize ("to grab" is the expression what lucky" at the first attack on Port in favour) pieces of Chinese territory. Arthur, "too successful to last" at the Some of these ingenuous adherents of Yalu and after, "invincible at sea" when strict all-round justice smile approvingly the Port Arthur fleet scattered and
the policy of the
was
[L
fled, 'riding for a fall" before the Liaoyang affair, sure to repeat Trafalgar'
<
on
RO
open door,'
open, that some trouble and, co-existently, some injustice, must make its appearance. The open door was opened by force aud force only. It is kept open by the insertion
magical is the effect of a well sounding phrase. They forget that if the when the voyage of the Balticers was begun, tenant is trying to close the door, and the and now, because Toco does not act pre-book-agents and drummers agree to keep it cipitately, there are doubts and suggestions that all is not well with Japan. Her ships have been long at sea, and must be the worse for wear, it is said. The life of a gun is only so many rounds, many of her guus must now be useless, it is confidently asserted. Poor, fickle human nature. These ideas that occur with such startling force in the mind of the mau in the street" do not always represent factors of which the responsible ones are unaware. The patriotism of Japan is universally admitted. Why not grant a little intelligence on the part of Tokyo? The temptation to prophesy seems alnost irresistible; but let us be patient. The mills of the gods grind slowly, and ToGo just now seems too slow for some people. The end of the saying, 'yet they grind exceeding small" will be remembered by-and-by, when we shall see what we shall see."
(4
EMBARRASSING RECTITUDE.
(Daily Press, 9th May.) "China yields nothing to reason, but every- thing to force." These words by one of the most distinguished of British diplomatists are repeated with very evident approval by our Shanghai contemporary, who expresses the opinion that, in conjunction with an- other official dictum, "Make no demand that is not just; never recede from a demand once made," they constitute an epitomised, ideal of policy in dealing with Chinese Officials. At any rate, to give our con- temporary's own words," it outlines the only practical policy to be pursued in China." Qualifications are $3 stubborn in their nature as facts are supposed to be. It is long since Hongkong ceased to be a part
а
of a foot or feet between door and lintel. This is what we understand by force; and so we do not quite follow our contem. porary's analogy that the Russian occupa tion of Manchuria was a closing of the door. It was surely a further opening, and except to the parties concerned, it did not seem to matter much whether Russian boot or a Japanese clog propped it open. The real “
open door
is not as American Secretary HAY and the just ones conceive it at all, otherwise things would be different in Shantung, and the Chinese railway system would be less hybrid aud patchy. There woul never have been any ideal open door talk but for two things. One was the fear of painful jostlings by those struggling to enter, which the guarantee of perpetual openness was intended to remove. The other was that peculiar human characteristic that makes a confirmed rogue wear black kids and a silk hat on Sundays, the desperate clutch of a bad conscience at respectability! It is this which, perhaps more than any- thing else, prevents England from joining neighbours in the worship of expe liency, and making good her position in her some what nebulous sphere of influence." Those who, like our contemporary, see MACKAY treaties ignored with impunity, and really believe that force is the only, practical policy," should steer clear of embarrassing qualifications. China may enjoy fuller justice when she has been purged of her injustices by some foreign efforts that must to many appear at first
not just.”
C
|
NAVAL COMMENTS,
299
(Daily Press, 10th May.) As we suspected, REUTER was misled in reporting Admiral ROZHDESTVENSKY sick. At least, there is reason to believe so, now that B well informed French journal L'Opinion, publishes an emphatic démenti. On the other hand, the fact that two of his sailors have had to be put ashore with cholera is a bad omen for the well-being of his forces. Our French contemporaries are also confirming our idea that France, in respect of the neutrality of her Chinese colouy, has been more signed against than sinning.
With regard to the Colonial Government's much commented upon cen. sorship of telegrams, we omitted to point out that if the authorities had accorded acilities to the correspondents who were besieging the telegraph offices, they would have laid Russia's ally open to a charge of bad faith. It is not yet forgotten what a fuss was made about the British Govern. ment's failure to put an immediate stop to the erection by the Times en of wireless telegraphing apparatus at Wei-hai-wei. It is now further stated, with every semblance of earnestness and authority, that it was false to say that the Russian Armada stayed in or returned to French waters with the complicity of the local Government. The story published in these columns, describ. ing how the officials prayed Admiral ROZHDESTVENSKY to
consider their
dilemma, toru between inclination and duty, has colour lent to it by one French newspaper which refers in the warmest of terms to the Russian Admiral's consideration, courtesy and discretion. The account that tells bow the Russians made a boom across a side entrance to Camranh
Bay by meaus of chained barges does not detract from this, since the device was prob- ably resorted to before the French made their appeal to him. Incidentally, we learn that the French did not know, until the Russians showed them, what a magnificent harbour they had at Camrauh. Admiral ROZHDESTVENSKY and his officers raved about its capacity and natural advantages, and the first named pointed out that it could easily be inade into a French Hong- kong. Little wonder, therefore, that the discoverers were loath to leave such a fine refuge. One French journal, remarking on the advantages of a good barbour right on the Singapore-Hongkong route, says that although it has been left to strangers to discover it, the Colonial Government may find it still well worth their attention. No doubt, as time goes on, the French Goverment will find it useful to devote some study to its possibilities. The Russian Armada really seems to have torn itself away this time; but it is still in or near French waters. When last seen by our French confrères, the Armada included a steam water boat. In addition to the twenty-five fighting craft, and the floating blacksmith's shop about which we heard before, this vessel, formerly au oil tank steamer, was carrying fresh water to supply the Russians. The price of six centimes a litre, or approximately fourteen cents Mexican a gallon, is reported as the amount paid by the Russians for the water supplied to this carrier. Here seems to be promised a chance for the Hongkong Steam Water- boat Company, which presumably would be glad to water the whole fleet on those terms. We do not suppose that at this late date either of the belligerent Powers will attempt to add water to their lists of articles con- traband! At Vladivostock, it is now stated there are half a dozen submarines, which arrived by rail, the Phorel, the Protector,