October 14, 1907.]
other nations were permitted to draw the benefits of open trade. The right of re- sidence was never mentioned in these early negotiations, and it was only as a matter of necessity, in face of the truculent action of the Chinese authorities at the ports, that it was finally made a right under treaty, and then only by slow degrees, and in conse- quence of continual failure on China's part to respect her often repeated promises.
A SUGGESTION.
(Daily Press, October 4th.)
A
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REFORT.
KOREA.
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and effate government in Korea. All who have written upon the subject agree that in Korea a system obtained which was pro-infinitely worse than that of China from which it had been originally derived, and almost hopeless that that system could be that, under Korean administration, it was improved. So far as Korea is concerned there can be no doubt that it would have been a blessing to the country if she had fallen under Russia; but ou the whole it will be far more ber benefit to be under Japan, who is infinitely better acquainted with the country and the wants and feelings of the people than it is possible for any European nation, however well informed, to be. It is also of course doubtful whether the other foreign nations having interests in the Far East could bave felt satisfied with Russia's obtaining so strong a position in the East and on the Pacific as her domi. nation over Korea could have secured to her. They might for the sake of peace have acquiesced and would in all probability have done so, but the question would still have remained and the time has undoubtedly there abould be as few as possible open come when foreign nations are anxious that questions of this sort in connection with the Far East,
(Daily Press, October 5th.) Although in theory, it was carefully pounded from time to time that the presence of Japan in Korea was not intended to lead to annexation of the country, there has all along been very little doubt in the minds of those thoroughly acquainted with the circumstances which led up to the Russo-Japanese war, that, at its conclusion, the Korea question was bound to come to the front, and that, whatever might be wished, the only solution of it would be that Korea would fall in reality, if not in name, under the domination either of Russia or Japan or possibly (though not probably) be divided between them. At the opening of the war, it may be recollected that General KUROPATKIN, with a want of re- servation somewhat noticeable on the part of a Russian diplomatist, frankly declared "Korea must be Russian." The view was of course based upon the supposition, which | the sanguine General took as a certainty, that Russia would be certain to be the victor. This bird has however cone back to roost in a form which may not be altogether gratifying to Russia, but which, at all events, shows that KUROPATKIN'S idea was so far right that Korea was bound to fall under the sway of the party which happened to be the victor, though it turned out that that party was Japan and not Russia,
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The Japanese were all along very much more guarded in their utterances, and it was not till after the war was concluded that they gave any official indication of gradually given out that their views with their ideas upon the subject. It was then regard to Korea were to take charge of it in the same way as the British had taken charge of the Soudan-and as time has progressed, it has become tolerably evident that their intention has all along been to do so au pied de la lettre. They are quite willing, if possible, to establish merely a species of Protectorate under which, while directed in its more important issues by Japan, Korea should still be in name, and to some extent in practice, under a Korean Government. Such a state of affairs would afford an opportunity of ascertaining the could be permitted to continue to govern one essential fact namely whether Korea itself or not, or whether it was essential for its own welfare and for the preservation of peace in the East that it should fall under the dominion of Japan. The latter event has come about far more rapidly than was at all anticipated; and there can be no question that the convention which has been recently signed has the effect of placing Korea definitely under the domination of Japan.
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The unsuccess of the search for traces of the 8.8. Sullberg, now believed to have been lost in the last typhoon, on its way to Hong kong, adds one more to the long list of (painful mysteries of seafaring. It would have been so much more satisfactory, to the living at anyrate, if there could have been discovered even the slightest clue to the actual fate of the crew of the missing ship. So many things may have happened. Sur- vivors may have eluded the maw of the deep, if only for a time. Islands and rocks are so numerous on these coasts, that no one can say with certainty that there may not have been or be still a shipwrecked survivor or two in dire need. The fate of a helpless white man, cast ashore in an enfeebled and starving condition on some inhospitable | beach, is not pleasant to contemplate. The natives are sʊmetimes far from being Samari- tans, and even in the still more likely event of there being co human beings at all to interfere with them, the white men RO circumstanced would still be in evil case. We
We cannot doubt for a moment that the search was as thorough as was humanly possible, that it was not abandoned until there was really no hope left of rendering assistance or of ascertaining with as much certainty as possible the melancholy facts. It occurs to us that more might be done than is done, as general rule. If news comes of actual opportunities of rescue, there is never any besitation or delay in going to do what can be done; and never is the fate of our fellow men left in more doubt than the disturbed elements compel. We suggest, however, that the claims of humanity require more than this. Why wait until assistance is asked for, or desiderated by arriving intelligence. If after every typhoon were over, the torpedo- boats and other fast war craft in harbour were to sally forth, north, south, and east, patrolling the various routes and keeping a good look out, it seems quite certain they would find numerous opportunities of being of use, and there would be at any rate less risk of valuable lives being thrown away in the utter loneliness that seems to have been the fate of the crew of the dullberg.
It is a significant indication of the feeling One existing generally in Europe with respect day, two days, or more of exposure may be to the Far East that a change of such far endured by hardy men clinging to bits of reaching importance should have been wreckage, but as the hours wear on, and no brought about without any protest on the help appears, the will to live weakens pari part of European nations. There seems to passu with the advancement of physical have been a very general consensus of fatigue, and exhaustion and death and total opinion that it was best to leave Japan to disappearance ensue where there might have fulfil her natural destiny in becoming been a rescue. The risk could be minimised dominant in Korea; or at least that so far as commonsense naval requirements after recent events, it was useless or un- demand, and the extra expense would be desirable to oppose her. On the whole the compensated for by the experience and feeling in diplomatic circles was probably practice gained. We submit that our ships one of relief that the complications which would be better so employed than loafing in would have arisen, had it been Russia in the harbour, and their officers would feel place of Japan who had obtained possession better men and fill their uniforms more or virtual possession of this much mis- worthily so occupied than junketing in governed country, had been escaped. There society ashore. Perhaps someone in is no doubt that Russia, defective though authority will at least consider the sugges- tion for what it may be worth..
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her own system is in many respects, would have greatly improved the utterly corrupt
Even before the war she already possessed, With Japan, the case stands differently. though she wisely kept the fact to herself, the dominant position in the Far East and since the war that position has become consolidated and has in effect, though not formally, become recognised both by Europe and the United States. On the whole, therefore, the recent assertion there can be little doubt, amounts practi- of authority by Japan in Korea, which cally to her taking over the country, may of a difficult question that could be arrived be looked upon as probably the best solution at; and judging from the acquiescence with which it has been received, this is apparent. ly the view which has been wisely accepted in diplomatic circles.
TYPHOON SHELTER,
(Daily Press, October 7th.) Before the new typhoon shelter, promised be actually ready for occupation, all sorts a year ago by Sir MATTHEW Nathan, can of dreadful things may happen. It will be no comfort or help to the unfortunate boat people, next time they are driving to wreck aud ruin on a lee shore, that the Govern ment has promised to provide shelter for them as soon as possible. While the money is being arranged for, the plans being drawn and approved, and other preparations made, there is one way in which the Government can prove its good faith and make good its, pledge, and that is to dredge the existing refuge at Causeway Bay. By setting coolies to work immediately with baskets, at each low tide, the authorities can secure sufficient accommodation for the small craft of the harbour to allow them to take their own time with the new refuge, and this without straiuing their finances. That would be a cheap and feasible way of tackling the work, and incidentally many poor people would be helped through the winter months thereby. Possibly there would be people willing to take away the excavated matter to use it as a fertiliser; if not, there should be no serious difficulty in the way of its disposal. We wonder what could have been the real reason for allowing this shelter to silt up as it has. There must have been a time when even Mrs. PARTINGTON's famous broom would have sufficed to keep the place ship- shape and useful. The suggestion has been
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