March 19, 1906.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
THE CHANGING BRITISH TEMPERAMENT.
(Daily Press, 16th March.)
193
without giving a fair hearing to the other side. The result of this excited action was equally unfortunatein the latter direction and the threats that if Chinese labour were withṣ drawn, the Transvaal might again seek in- dependence, were absolutely premature and ill-advised; and were likely to work into the hands of those opposed to the immigra tion. It is on every ground to be much regretted that this question should in any way have been made a party cry at an election, and it is certainly significant of the change which has sprung up in recent times that it was possible to do so. The result of the elections would have probably been strongly in favour of the Liberal party, without lugging this question upon the platform; and the new Government would have commanded the public confidence much more if they had left this matter alone as one outside the range of party politics and election cries. Possibly with calmer counsels the trouble may simmer down, as many difficulties of the kind vanish in as. unexpected a way as they arise; but still it cannot be denied that the course which has been adopted is one fraught with danger and which it is to be hoped will not be repeated. It will be sad if MAX NORDAU should be able to roint to Britons as typical "degenerates," yet that is the fear of thoughtful observers.
THE FLOOD OF FICTION.
likely otherwise to take place on her part. It is doubtful whether at any time Great Britain would have taken the respon- sibility of adopting a forward policy in China, and landing herself in the position An opinion has been expressed from time of being responsible for the government of to time in many different directions that nny part of the Celestial Empire. She had the British public is becoming much more quite enough responsibility of this kind excitable than it was in former times. It was I already in India and other directions. But a tradition accepted not only among it'ewas always assumed by the Chinese that "Britishers" but also by most of the nations such was her design, and they were quite on the Continent that the chief charac- willing to pit her against Russia and rely teristic of the British was level-headedness. upon the jealousies between the two nations Germany, who is not as a rule inclined to being sufficient to enable her to defy them be over complimentary to them, has always both. When, however, it appeared that been willing frankly to acknowledge English Great Britain was not prepared to go beyond common sense; and the French, some- moral infinence in trying to prevent the times perhaps with a slight smile at some advent of Russin, the Chinese were no eccentric demonstration of the quality, have doubt much disappointed; but looking at been equally willing to give due credit to the matter fairly, it can hardly be said English sang froid. It must
now be they had reason for complaint. Had they confessed that it is an interesting question at an earlier stage made common cause with how our Continental friends will look upon Britain by at least showing a willingness to certain occurrences in connection with the adhere to Treaty obligations, they might recent General Elections. No one expects have had some kind of claim to more con- things to be over delicate at election times. sideration. But the precise opposite was An election is a fight and cannot be fought the fact, and it would have been Quixotic in kid gloves. But making every allow. indeed for Britain to run the risk of hostiliance for this, there seems to have been an ties for the benefit of so doubtful a friend amount of excitement quite new among as China. In the meantime, however, Japan Englishmen; and it must also be admitted came to the front and her rise and progress that the exhibition which has been made altered the whole position. It was worth has not been exactly edifying; and that it her while for her own sake to withstand may lead to some serious considerations in the Russian advance first on China and the minds of those who are disposed to look a next on Corea, which threatened her own little ahead. When they find that an ex. independence; and she was ready and able Prime Minister is absolutely refused a
(Daily Press, 17th March). to do so, with the concurrence and alliance hearing and shouted off the platform, and A circular issued in the Colony this week of Great Britain. Events, however, would that the same treatment was meted out to by what society it is immaterial to men- have been in all probability very different other public men of scarcely less note, tiou-says it is "pitiably sad" to think of if Great Britain had rushed in at the time people may be excused if they have some the number of people whose mental exercise China wished to obtain her assistance, to slight fear that perhaps after all Sir consists of "merely frittering newspaper which she certainly had but little claim. LEICESTER DEADLOCK's "flood gates" have and novel reading." By a coincidence, on Such action might have involved Britain in been opened. Without being disposed to the same day Mr. H. HURSTHOUSE Was great difficulties, and whatever the outcome, attach too much importance to what may lecturing to the Union Church Literary the gratitude of the Chinese would havo prove only temporary and transitory, people Society on "The Evolution of the Modern been a very poor recompense for the respon- who have been in the habit of looking upon Novel." The subject interests and concerns aibility incurred. It is to be doubted public matters seriously may see some such a wide circle that it is really lifted whether the antagonisms which have ground for apprehension in the changes higher than the level of most of the side recently been shown have much to do with which have taken place. No one wishes to issues discussed in the intervals dividing the success of Japan in the recent war with underrate the importance of conducting the supposedly more momentous happenings. with Russia. They are but manifestations government upon the most liberal basis, The prevailing cominent is that the favourite of the old antagonism of the ignorant classes and there is every reason why the working reading of the modern Briton, as proved by to foreigners. The better informed among classes should be fully represented seeing sales and public library statistics, is trashy the Chinese are fully aware that any grave the immense importance they are to the in the extreme. As usual, there is some- anti-foreign movement would involve Japan nation and the extent to which its pros. thing to be said on the other side; but our as well as other nations; and cannot fail to perity depends upon them. That they opinion is that the mental pabulum of the see that any serious anti-foreign action should aspire to direct representation in average Briton to-day is not only unprofit would be likely to lead to hostilities with the House is also ouly natural and no one able but injurious, and that it largely that country, the result of which, they can of liberal principles will object to their accounts for the degeneracy which we have hardly doubt, would be adverse to them. having it. But the history of the election just noticed as making itself apparent China is much more likely to make friends has given prominence to a danger which during the general elections, and in other with the only Power who might threaten undoubtedly exists, namely, that of the ways to which we have not referred. Un- her integrity. This Japan will not do so masses being misled by specious wire pullers, fortunately, the phenomenon appears to be long as China maintains reasonable reln-
to jump to conclusions upon important like the earthquake, a disturbing influence tions with her and also with foreign nations; matters while perfectly ignorant of the true which we may study but not cure. but if China defy the latter, she will have facts connected with them. The use which has local lecturer made an apt selection in Japan against her, and the result of any been made at the election of the question describing the modern novel as a product disturbance brought about against any for- of Chinese immigration into the Transvaal of evolution. Like Topsy, it has certainly eign Power would thus in all human prob- is a salient illustration of this; and it will 'growed." Everybody has laughed at the ability be to bring things to such a pass be fortunate if the Government can get out parenthetical remark by the late Mr. GIL- that in the end Japan could dictate terms of its hasty pledges on this subject, and BERT in that "Bab Ballad" which conveys to China as effectually as she might have stop short of iuflicting serious injury to he pessimistic gush of a sombre young done after the China-Japan war, had she the Empire. The large mass of those who poet, whose refrain of resignation was not been restrained by the influence of supported the Government in this matter "Roll op, great world, roll on." As we' some of the European nations. It is not were fully convinced that the system in know, and as the deceased humourist naive- likely that any such intervention would vogue was one of slavery. This one cry ly commented, "It rolled on." And the take place a second time.
was all sufficient. No pains were taken to literary Juggernaut of Britain rolls on, Ascertain the true facts and anyone who influencing, despite caOPENHAUEE's iden tried to bring them forward was hooted of its permanance, the national character. down. This is scarcely the way to treat a We need only mention one instance as a serious question upon which the welfare of stimulus to indepudent consideration of important industry was dependent; and it stories that "en I well," and the satisfactory a most important Colony and of an equally the paint. The devourer of fiction prefers certainly was entirely contrary to the ending, as we know, must be in the way ordinary sense of justice among English- of poetic justice. The character who enlists men, which will not admit of a system any his or her sympathies must triumph; all more than of a person being condemned I obstacles that prevent the fruition of bis
Antire
en el u
Singapore it seems is to have two more daily newspapers, making five in all. Singapore Telegraph is the name of one which will probably start publication in June. Most of the members of the Telegraph syndicate are said to be repre- sentative- European business men, the only Chinsman having a share in the enterprise being the Hon. Tan Jink Kim. Another paper is to be started to represent Chinese interests.
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The