1
64
Japan has been engaged in deadly contest over China's disjecta membra of Manchuria. She and Russia have made the war one a l'outrance, and being so, both combatants are ill disposed to have their attention dis- į tracted by any damages inflicted on an out- Under the sider who comes in the road.
¦
7
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
a time when China loved to play pranks with her own engagements, and sought her means, by setting one of her friends against the other, of wriggling out of her promises. She has in turn played the game against all three with, it must be acknowledged, It is doubtless con- but indifferent success. venient to forget the use she herself made of the Burlinghame treaty. She would | doubtless also wish buried in oblivion the compact with Russia, the only part of which remaining is that the sum of fifteen million sterling which she was to pay to Russia for enabling her to get rid of foreign (American and English) pressure at Peking, is still a Altogether China has charge against her. played her cards none too wisely, and she now, in the absence of all outside sympathy, has to submit to indignities against which she somewhat lamely protests. Altogether while the situation is undoubtedly hard, and while we are willing to acknowledge as a wholesome sign her somewhat tardy appeal to patriotism, we are not convinced that her attitude is altogether a wise one.
inspiration of the United States, who have assumed the position of bottle-holder, both Japan and Russia professed themselves willing, should nothing better appear in sight, to respect "the neutrality of China."' Naturally China asked, "What is neu-, trality?
The reply was akin to that of the showman to the enquiring boy. At all, events, it did not comuiit either belligerent to much; and China, so long as she con- tented the party momentarily in front, was committed to nothing. Neutrality was, in short, the exercise of neutral functions, and it was for China to find out what they were, and not make herself objectionable by ask ing questions. China on the whole, jogged of course by Japan, whom she found on the winning side, contrived to inake a very fair! neutral, and wrote able despatches concern. ing the duties of interned neutrals. side nations naturally nodded their heads THE 12-INCH MARK YIII, GUNS, in approval; for had not China's action saved them a deal of trouble?
Out-
So far so good, but a second fit comes on. America approaches the two belligerents, suggesting they have had about enough of punishment between them; the two agree so far as to name their umpires. China, not unnaturally, conceives that the bone of con- tention being her property, she is concerned and requires representation. "What cheek!" both the rival hospital surgeons cry out. "The patient wants to dictate his treatment. Of course," they add, "the patient must know that the whole treatment is for his
VOWS.
"J
(Daily Press, 28th July.)
[July 29, 1905.
engaged around Port Arthur. As a matter of fact, the probability is, that in the Tsushima Battle a great part of the Japanese guns were quite new, for it must not be supposed that a man of ToGo's ability could have overlooked this fine old maxim of bringing up the "last"
gun, which is practically applicable to land and sea war- It is, however, feared that with fare. members of Parliament imagining that all our guns want is "a little adjustment," as has been stated in the House of Commons lately, and a nation led by such inadequately we shall find the "little informed men,
or, as the adjustment" done for us; Americans put it, “some one'll fix our flint for us one of these days". The actual truth as to our requirements is, that we want stronger and more efficient guns, a better explosive and an adequate reserve of gun for gun throughout the Fleet. When these are supplied we may consider that the necessary degree of naval efficiency as been obtained.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held at the Council Chamber on the 27th July.
I here were prezent :-
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR
MATTHEW NATHAN, K.C.M.G.
Hon. COLONEL C. H. DARLING, R.E. (General Officer Commanding the Troops).
Hon. Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. SIR H. S. BERKELLY, K.C. (Attorney General),
Hon. Mr. L. A. M. JOHNSTON (Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. Mr. E. A. IRVING (Acting Registrar- General).
Hon. Captain. L. A. W. BARNES-LAWRENCE, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. SIR C. P. CHATER, C.M.G. Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. R. SHEWAN.
Hon. Mr. GERSHOM STEWART. Hon. MR. WEI YUX.
Hon. Mr. C. W. DICKSON.
Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
NEW MEMBERS. Colonel C. H. Darling and Mr. E. A. Irving took the cath and assumed their seats 18 members of the council.
In our columns some time back we printed an article upon the 12-inch Mark VIII. guns of the China Squadron, an article which distinctly pointed out, not only the causes of weakness-by reason of their construc- tion of these guns, but also the absolute necessity in matters pertaining to Naval Armaments of every weapon being of the latest and best. Should any defect be noticeable in any particular gun or class of guns then such defect should be attended to, the gun or guus removed from the ships in which they are mounted and fresh ones Now this re supplied in their places. placing is a matter for the keenest and most generous consideration. In the army it is considered that a General who can lay his hand upon the last reserve to throw into the firing line stands the best chance of winning. In the Navy, the Admiral who can lay his hand upon the last reserve gun may consider himself at an overwhelming advantage. In the case of our 12-inch guns it is noted that the Navy League Journal has drawn attention to the defects mentioned in these columns, laying stress more partic- of accuracy ularly upon the "short life they possess owing to weak construction and the erosion caused by cordite, the explosive in use with these weapons. Statistics give the lives of these guns at from 25 to 70 rounds instead of 150 to 200 as officially expected when firing full charges. Then ensue, as our correspondent pointed out in his well-informed article, cracked inner tubes and possibly drooping or even blowing-off of the muzzles. one general naval engagement would about cancel the usefulness of these short-lived weapons and demand an immediate replace- ment of them to enable the Fleet to keep the seas, the question of reserve guys
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Sir, I have becomes more and more important. Our reserve is reckoned at one gun per ship the honour to lay on the table a minute as to for these guns instead of, as we should have, the effect of Government market rents and a duplicate to each weapon (i.e., four per slaughter house fees upon the retail selling
price of beef and mutton. These ship). It is pointed out that Japan had a duplicate of each heavy gun in reserve, knowledge of which fact renders the foreign estimates of Japan's fighting sea power before the last naval battle, extremely amusing. Nearly all estimates expressed distrust as to Japan's ability to successfully engage the Russians owing to the length of time her guns had been in use and the hard wear and tear upon the rifling during the bombardments in which they had been
At all events
good; so he must trust us. Is it necessary to explain to him that he is in safe hands, whose only anxiety is for his recovery?
But not alone Japan and Russia have this answer ready. America, whom China in her distress had trusted, is equally obdurate. China had made a treaty with the States when, in a moment of gush, both had declared that they were men and brothers. True, neither quite meant it, but that is beside the question. Now, China thought that under the treaty she was entitled to make America her home whenever she felt in the humour, and America thought in so many word she was going to "plant the Shining Cross on China's bills." Sometimes, when individuals come to reflect on their after dinner speeches, they discover what fools they must have been. neither America nor China ever made the attempt to put in practice their lovers' One passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the other without any such formality excluded. But times change; circumstances compel China to open her doors just a trifle wider, and in America the Exclusion Act is, about to lapse. Under the circumstances China puts in her claim to have affairs amended; the American Government assures her of its kindest wishes, and that she may depend on it to look after her interests. But, says the proverb, soft words butter no parsnips, and China, when the times comes, reminds her of her case. It is, of course, the hospital treatment over again. patients," sighs the Secretary of State, and | turns him over, but neglects to write. Now, as we said, our sympathies are very much with China, and doubtless she has made out But does China a good prima facie case. come into court with altogether clean hands? This is the rub. There is little doubt, looking back over the course of past events, that China has to a very considerable extent brought the trouble on herself. There was
|
Since
|
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to lay on the table financial minutes Nos. 20/23. Two of these were not received in time to circulate with the orders of the day. I beg to move
COLONIAL
TREASURER
that the four be referred to the finance committee.
The
seconded.
Carried,
The COLONIAL 3ecretary-Sir, I have the honour to bring up report of the finance committee No. 4, and move its adoption.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was carried.
PAPERS.
This memorandum
was prepared for the information of Hon. members owing to certain comments made in the public press and elsewhere as to the effect проп the price of food; returns of the sub- of these market rents and slaughter house Lees ordinate court for the year 1904; Your Excellency's award in the claim of Messrs. Howard and Stephens (this award is the subject of a financial minute which will presently be laid before members); report on the assess- ment for the year 1905-6.