46
ANGLO-JAPANESE RELATIONS.
35
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
a
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was
[July 24, 1905.
direction. But it is too much to hope that such a step was at one time seriously con- more than a general expression of policy templated; and the astonishing announce- (Daily Press, 15th July.)
will be made with respect to presenting the ment was made in some well-informed Ger- The continuation of the alliance between integrity of China generally. The question mar organs that such a step was actually Japan and Great Britain, which has recently whether this can be done must depend under contemplation. How far this was been announced as the intention of the upon the degree to which China can be actually the case can be only known by British Government, was anticipated as induced to improve her system and tɔ come those who are in the secrets of official life almost a matter of course by all who had into line with modern requirements. This in Berlin; but, as might well have been watched the circumstances which led up to cannot be decided at once. It is a matter nticipated, the idea was not long entertained, the original arrangement. The main object which must be left for time to decide. It and Germany was too shrewd deliberately which was in view at the time it was is quite possible that China may take a to accept a position which has proved any. arrived at was to come to some such under- lesson from Japan and adopt a more liberal thing but a satisfactory one to Fiance in standing with Japan as might have the policy externally and a more stable form of the past. The Cologne Gazette in which the effect of averting the hostilities which then internal Government, In that case it would suggestion was originally thrown out went quar. threatened. Unfortunately the alliance did le manifestly to the interests of foreign back (no doubt on a hint from bead not succeed to this extent, though it was nations generally to adopt a policy which ters) upon its somewhat hasty proposition reasonable to assume that it would have the will leave this very difficult country to that the Vatican might approach Germany desired effect, which undoubtedly it would manage her own affairs. It would, how. on the subject of that country's assuming have had with any nation less fatally ill-ever, be going too far in connection with so the position of temporal support of the advised than Russia. That nation was ap-important a matter, as the renewal of the Roman Catholic Church in China, and de- parently the victim of a fixed idea that the alliance with Japan, to assume that this clared that Germany was unwilling to be saddled with any such responsibility. It disagreements between her and Japan were will be the case; and however desirable the merely a quarrel between a giant and a maintenance of Chinese integrity may be is quite possible that this may have been' pigmy, and that, come what might, her it would b a mistake to overlook that the result of its being discovered that such an arrangement would not meet the views vast power and resources must in the end circumstances might arise when it would be succeed in crushing a foe, which, despite impossible to support it. It may, therefore, of the Vatican, which might naturally all fact showing the contrary, she persise taken as likely that the renewed under-¦ hesitate in accepting protection for its Mis- tently regarded as a "little country. standing with Japan will be of a guarded sions of a nation which, though in part But even with this mistaken idea of the character; and while uniting the nations Catholic is in the main Protestant and,
on the main lines of a true state of affairs, it might have been
common policy | indeed, bas generally been regarded as in But how- supposed that she would have hesitated to clearly dictated by their common interests the fore-front of Protestantism. force things to the issue of battle, when she will avoid too hard and fast a declaration; ever this may be, it is certain that no greater knew that she would either have to act of what each or both of the cations will do mistake could be made by Germany than to
undertake any such task. singly, or to face the opposition of Great under possible eventualities. This was Britain. But bere again another fixed idea necessary factor in the alliance made before completely misled her. She was fully under the outbreak of the war, when that con- the impression that Britain could be kept tingency loomed large and had to be speci- But the case stands differently quiet at any time by merely threatening the fically met. Indian frontier; and undoubtedly imagined in respect to a general and continuous entente, England would never adhere to her agre- and great care will be necessary to guard ment with Japan if it in any way threatened against the assumption of responsibilities to draw Russia down upon the Indian which may not be apparent at the time but Border. The calculation was upon merely which subsequent events may bring about. abstract grounds, probably not a very
We had a strong illustration of this bearing unreasonable one, but events, as they have of the subject in the difficulty which a bad habit of doing, have turned out very arose with respect to the alleged breach differently to what was imagined in Russian of neutrality by the French in Saigon philosophy. As things, however, stood before shortly after the es'ablishment the outbreak of the war, the chances of the entente between Great Britain and that policy upon which Russia was embarked nation; and it will be necessary to appeared fairly good; and might have guard against being again placed in tempted a nation far less reckless than so anomalous a position as we, at that Russia into a mistaken course. It thus time, occupied-the ally of one nation friend of the other, when happened that in face of the warning which and the the Anglo-Japanese alliance affordel, she there were threats of these two coming to we might went with a light heart into the war which blows-a position in which has proved so disastrous to her. It is, exclaim, "How happy I could be with however, acknowledged that that alliance either, were t'other dear charm r away!" has had a very important effect in confiu- What is possibly indicated by Lord LANS- ing the war to the two belligerents instead of, DOWNE's statement that it is hoped to s Russia hoped, dragging in other renew the understanding with such modi. Powers. Lord LANSDOWNE in speaking tication that it would prevent the out- upon the subject recently at a Conservative break of war is that some common under- dinner gave an assurance that the agree-standing will be arrived at among Europeau ment would be maintained, and went on to say that it would be renewed and, if possible, would be so modified that it would not only prevent the spread of war, when it had once begun, but would also prevent war altogether.
consummation would undoubtedly be welcomed by all who desire to see peace and progress in these parts, but at the same time it will require very nice arrangement to secure this end. What the modifcation was to be was not stated, and it would be hazardous to attempt to forecast the plan that will be ultimately arrivelat. Much must, of depend upon the attitude of other foreign nations and the influence which they are disposed to exercise in respect to annex- ation in the Far East. It is probable that, at all events, some definite understanding will be arrived at as to the question of Manchuria; and that there will be a con- currence of opinion among the Powers against a renewal of Russian encroachment in that
Such a
course,
of
an
nations, the maintenance of whose terms will also form the subject of an alliance between Great Britain and Japan. To such au arrangement Russia would be an un- willing party, but if there is a concurrence of opinion among the other Powers that it is necessary for the preservation of prace, Russia would probably find it impossible or, at least, undesirable to refuse her assent.
MISSIONARIES AND GUNBOATS.
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for
It may safely be assumed that France has long recognised that the position which she took up in this respect was a mistaken one. Whether regarded in a political or a religious aspect, it
au anomaly anl in its practical effects it has proved in every way disappointing. Its political effect was to arouse needless suspicious as to the designs of Frauce, and to cause the Chinese officials, both local and central, to be even more averse to France than they were to foreign nations generally. France for many years was looked upon in China as the nation against whose designa
territorial acquisi tion it was "specially necessary to guard, and there can be no doubt that this feeling was largely due to the posi- tion which she assumel as Protector of of the Catholic Missions. On the other! hand, the fact that they were specially protected made the Catholic Missions the special objects of opposition, and was rather a stumbling block in their way than assistance in their legitimate work. To what extent this feeling went and how dangerously it could be worked upon was shown by the Tientsin Massacre and by many other outbreaks of the same character. Much has been said as to the manuer in which the Catholic Missions, by interferin in judicial and other like matters in which native converts were concerned, provoked the hostility which was manifested against them,
That there was in some cases a want of discretion ig such interference cannot be denied; but in fairness it must be admitted that there is room to doubt whether Catholic Missionaries erred more in this resp et than any others. There are some cases in which it is so natural a thing | for the head of a Mission in the interior to do what he can with the officials to protect (Daily Press 17th July.)
one of his converts from what appears to It must have been a matter of great sur- him, and in many cases may be, a manifest rise to those who are aware of the thorny injustice, that it could hardly be expected nature of the position which was assumed that at times soine difficulties would not by France, as the Protector of Catholic arise between Missionaries and the Chinese Missions in China, that so prudent a nation local officials; and that the latter more suo as Germany should have even for a moment
would take their revenge by stirring up thought of following in her footsteps in popular feeling in their districts against this direction. It appears, however, that those who in their opinion, were unwarran- In many in consequence of the regrettable disagreeably interfering with them. ments between France and the Vatican nstances this was all that could be charged