September 28, 1908.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
this danger has become markedly apparent. The labour classes and to some extent the
THE RACIAL PROBLEM. Socialists, have established a position sach (Daily Press, 23rd September.) as gives them so great a power both at
ONE of those subjects that come up for elections and in Parliament that any given discussion every now and then is the racial administration is forced to accede to problem. The Anglican clergy recently measures which they advocate though they had it under consideration and on Sunday may have very grave doubts as to their last the Venerable Archdeacon BANISTER, expediency, and even in some instances preaching at St. John's Cathedral, founded where they may be conscious of their his sermon to a large congregation dangerous tendency. "Measures not men оп the sa me themo. used to be the old familiar cry; but now this sermon might pass without special notice Ordinarily the has to be changed into measures not were it not for the suggestion which party"
-to have its old significance; and he made that the East and the West should the difficulty of obtaining a really represent- have a meeting place in Hongkong where ative vote upon any matter that is brought they could discuss each other's problems before Parliament is almost insuperable, and learn from one another. Few can take when nine members out of ten, if not ninety-exception to the sentiment. It is beautiful: nine out of a hundred, are prepared to vote it is laudable. But is it practicable ? Lu blindly with their party--and the chief considering the question we have to be object of the Leaders is to keep their party careful to limit ourselves to the meaning in power-not to pass measures which are which the preacher had in view when he really to benefit the nation at large.
enunciated this proposal. First of all we may assume that he did not suggest a mingling of the races, intermarriage between East and West, and it is apparent then that his suggestion was for a rapprochement on a social and intellectual basis. That, we think, ought not to be beyond the bounds of possibility. The racial differences, due to different cuvironment, will doubtless persist, but it does not follow that the Occidentals and the Orientals-notwith. standing the varying climatic influences- may not ultimately be imbued with the saine ideals and be found working for the same ends-the enlightenment of all and the
The necessity for due representation of all classes of the people is now so well established, and GO thoroughly accepted 2.8 the only principle upon which Government can be properly.con. ducted, that, even with such drawbacks as those which from time to time became apparent, hardly any ouc can be found in the present day who doubts the advantages of constitutional institutions. With those who are alive to the defects of the system in certain directions, the hope is entertained that improved education among the masses will counteract the evils, and will, in the course of time make the working classes as
greatest good of all. Differences little disposed to pass measures of a detri- need not imply estrangement and strife. mental character to the country generally Differences should only mean distinctions, as any other class; and it cannot be denied and that being so it should be comparatively that there are apparcutly good grounds for easy to bridge the dividing line and bring this belief and for the hope that the better the various races togetber. As to the informed of the working classes will in suggestion itself, the formation of an course of time, become as little disposed to organisation for the discussion of the pass basty and ill-considered measures as problems of the East and the West by re- the middle classes, in whose hands the power presentatives of exch, it is difficult to pro- has hitherto mainly reated, have always plesy as to its prospects of inauguration. shown themselves to be. This however The man aud the opportunity may both must be a work of time, and in the interval arise in the near future, but there can be there can be no gainsaying that there are little doubt that such an organisation would many difficulties to be faced and overcome, result in good-provided, of course, the re. and that the present state of affairs as religious element did not become too obtrusive. gards representative institutions is one which may give rise to well founded anxiety even among the most liberal minded. | This is of course likely to be much more the case among people like the Chinese, to whom the ideal of any organised representation of the people at large is new, especially as they have not to look very far to see an illustra- tion of some of the dangers that have to be faced in applying such a system to a nation who have been for ages governed under an autocratic system. In Japan, however much may have been gained by the introduction of constitutional government, complaints are made in well informed directions of the same defects which have become apparent in Europe. The old respect for authority and the force of family influence on charac- ter have largely diminished, while a tendency to strikes and to other forms of resistance and insubordination has, accord- ing to all recent accounts, became increa- singly mainfest. Statesmen in Japan are, in fact, troubled by many of the same problems, from over demands on the part of the masses, as have caused difficulty else where. That they will be able to deal with them there seams every reason to believe, but the fact of these difficulties arising both in Japan and in Europo is not likely to be overlooked by the opponents of reform in China, in whose hands it is to be feared it will be made a strong argument in a reactionary direction,
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THE CANTON AFFAIR.
$18
(Daily Press, September 23rd.) the Chinese authorities sought to arrest on THE release of the alleged pirates whom the French steamer "Paul Beau" last week has been made the subject of a complaint by the Viceroy to the Government at Pek- ing. Communications which have reached us since our comments on the affair appeared information first published, and in justios correct in certain important details the
to the French Consul we willingly give to the corrected version the same publicity Had the Viceroy communicated with the was given to the original report. French Consul his wish to have the pirates arrested, we are informed that the Chief of the French police would have been directed to arrest the men and keep them on the Shameen guard boat pending receipt of full particulars of the charges, as is usually done in such cases.
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Instead, the Colonel of the Shameen guard seat a runner to the Consulate with his card to ask permission to make the arrest. The Consul not only did not give this man any letter to deliver to the Captain of the steamer, but distinctly explained to him that he must not make any arrests on board, though he could place arrest the men as they came off.
guard around the ship and Another communication attributes the whole trouble to some objection entertained by certain Consuls to the new Superintendent of the Shameen Guard. We are informed that at least two Consulates, including the French, have refused "to receive" the new commandant of the guard. That probably explains why a subordinate officer-describ- ed in one account as a captain, and in another AS a ruuner—was sent to the Consulate ou an errand of such importance.
IS HONGKONG APATHETIC?
Colony and to secure that these shall be directly represented to the Colonial Office when occasion arises. Our contemporary is apparently somewhat distressed to find that the Press of the Colony has given the iden no sign of support, As we are rowing in the same boat with Hongkong,
11 it says,
(Daily Press, September 24th.) We recently reproduced from the Singapore Free Preas an article (anent the order to close the opium divans) in which it was urged that Hongkong should provide itself When the different peoples of the world are with a " Hongkong Association" to deal ex- brought together, when they begin to unclusively with its own interests as a Crown derstaud one another, then old-time barriers will be removed and something will be achieved in the direction of the "Parliament of mau and the federation of the world" about which the poet was inspired to sing. The highest culture really knows no colour uor racial distinctions, no white nor black, no brown nor yellow. As the backward races become more enlightened and the civilised races more sympathetict there will be a greater communion between both. We need no other example than that of Japan. There a people bave forsaken their primitive ideas in favour of western knowledge. They have stepped into the front rank of the Powers in the world. Their colour did not prevent their being allied to Great Britain. Therefore it seems very clear that as the various races seek the highest knowledge, the most satisfactory plilosophy, and the most useful religion- using the word in its broadest sense-- that unity of men which is the ideal of so many of our best thinkers will be attained on an intellectual basis, a basis the most firm of all, and on no other.
Mr. H. Cookburo, H. M. Consul-General at Lay, H. M. Consul at Chemulpo, will act as Seoul has left for England, vià Siberia. Mr. Consul-General at Seoul during Mr. Cockburn's absence,
it will be a great advantage to us to hear that an Eastern Crown Colony, threatened by the same danger as ourselves, though in a less degree, will help to contribute to its own safety by ceasing to be a passenger and by taking an oar itself." The metaphor is a little puzzling. If Singapore is rowing with Hongkong, how can it be said in the same breath that the latter is merely a skulking` passenger? We suppose that our contem- porary means to suggest that it has been left to the Straits Association to make a com- motion about the ill-considered instruction sent by the Imperial Government to the Crown Colonies with regard to the closing of the opium divans, and that Hongkong stands to gain by the activities of that Association and not by any effort it is mak- ing on its own behalf. There is something about this represention of the situation that irresistibly reminds us of the ancient fable of the fly sitting on the axle-tree of a chariot wheel crying “Lo! what a dust do I make!" The Straits Association may be doing more than the fly on the axle-tree,