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THE POLICY OF THE UNITED
STATES IN ASIA.
(Daily Press, February 5th.)
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The importance of this understanding seems to have been somewhat overestimated. As was at once pointed out, no treaty has been concluded. This could only be done
.6
[February 6, 1909.
RANDOM REFLECTIONS.
The world must be coming to an end. A day or two ago I read that a Chinaman left his do. No use for a man of that disposition attempting to hold several of the offices I know in Hongkong. No, I shan't mention names.
"The hand that makes the biscuit rules the
world," exclaimed a speaker at a conference in
What's
San Jose on household economics. wrong with the cradle ? Has it been relegated to oblivion? The re-writing of the old axióm may make us fear for the future of the race. It suggests race suicide.
"
*
*
Stands Scotland where she did? Hongkong Scots allowed the 25th to pass without anything immemorial being done to commemorate the memory of the National Bard. A most unaccountable omission. Where are all our lovers of Burns? Surely the poet is not with- out admirers even in Hongkong. There are many I know who have been fired by his patriot- ism, by his burning love of country. There are many who have been melted by his tenderness. And there are many who have been inspired by his love songs. Yet not one raised a voice on the one great night in the year when so many are sounding his praises, Pair auld Scotland! Oh, that she has lived to see such a day! Woo
is me.
"
After reading the Daily Press telegram, about the daring robbery in London I feel quite sorry for the shade of "Dick Turpin if it happened to be floating around Tottenham some days ago, and I can imagine how its shadowy breast must have heaved with envy. Of course, we cannot always hold records and like true gentlemen of the road, if we are beaten there's nothing to do but admit it. All the same its jolly hard luck to be outdone in one's profession. It's not so bad if patent chemical - sprays, silent pistols and other advanced weapons are used, so long as the good old horse figures in the scene; but to dash about in motor cars and race along in trams-it's really not playing the game! And the tragic end which befelf the perpetrators told too plainly that with the advance of civilization and its new-fangled inventions dies the romance of life.
- It is somewhat noticeable that the under with the assent of the Senate, which might employment because he had not enough work to standing which was recently come to between hesitate to give it on account of the immi- the United States and Japan as to their gration troubles in California. On other policy with regard to China, is looked upon grounds also, the United States would as something new and as introducing an hesitate to bind herself absolutely by a element which did not before exist in the treaty on such a point with Japan. But, as relations between the United States and the a deliberate declaration of future policy, Far East. In truth what is set forth in the so far as it is possible to maintain it, on the diplomatic notes which have been exchanged part of both nations, the displomatic notes is merely an extension of the policy which are of scarcely less importance than an has always been adopted by the United actual formal treaty. So far as the United States in regard both to Japan and China States is concerned, as already noticed, they but more especially in respect to the latter indicate nothing new, but with respect to -the policy, namely of exerting her influence Japan, they have a different bearing. They at all times towards the preservation of the have the effect of a formal declaration by integrity of both.countries. With respect that nation that she is willing to follow to Japan, the question never assumed any foreign nations in their present policy with definite form except with regard to Russia, regard to China, that namely of preserving as no other foreign nation had conceived the integrity if the Empire, and equal trad- the idea of trying issues with that country; ing rights to all nations. This policy on but with reference to China the idea for the part of Japan will probably be the best many years past was widely spread that some in the long run for her, and it will cer European nation-most probably Great tainly be that which for some time to come Britain-would be compelled to, or, at least, will tend most to preserve the peace in the justified by circumstances, in annexing some Far East, which, there might be some rea- portion of the apparently effete Chinese son to apprehend, might be disturbed by a Empire. Against any such policy, which disagreement between China and Japan, of was binted at as far back as soon after the which there have been threatenings from Treaty of Tientsin, whose provisions the time to time. China will do well to fall in Chinese undoubtedly endeavoured to evade, with so reasonable a line of policy as that the United States steadily set her face--and which has been agreed to on her behalf, by it is not surprising, viewing the state of two nations who are likely to have the public feeling among the Europeans in China, greatest say in the matter. Indeed that this policy on the part of America, was the declaration between the United States looked upon with disfavour. It was, how- and Japan, follows closely the terms of the ever, manifestly the only one which the agreement made between Great Britain and United States could adopt; as, until recent Japan in 1905, so far as the integrity of years, the recognised policy of that country China is concerned. It is, of course, to be was absolutely to avoid foreign conquest noticed that there is a reservation which and to confine herself strictly to the develop prevents this " understanding" from being ment of her own vast internal resources. taken by China as an ab-olute guarantee to It was not unnatural that those who were in maintain her independence. This might, favour of more high-handed dealing with and probably would, be a temptation to China, attributed the position taken by the China to presume upon so comfortable a United 8 ates merely to her special position position. The "understanding "sets forth -thatis, that, not being able to make foreign that both nations are determined to preserve conquests abroad, she wished to prevent the common interests of all Powers. in China other nations doing so to her possible detri- by supporting by all pacific means at their ment. Events, however, have shown that disposal the independence and integrity of this was not the only motive which dictated China, but it also provides that if anything her policy-which was that which was should occur to threaten this status the two followed by the British Ministers at Peking Governments will "communicate with each who were supposed to have been influenced other in order to arrive at an under at-nding to a great extent by the attitude of America. as to wht measures they may consider it For this supposition, however, there does useful to take.” On the whole the agree- not appear to be much foundation, and there ment is set forth in as definite a manner as is good reason to believe that the repre- can be expected and has the advantage of sentatives of Great Britain recognised at an not being of so binding a character as an early period the desirability, if possible, of actual Treaty, which might lead to difficul. avoiding the responsibility of anything in ties, if the circumstances at a given future the form of annexation in China. At all time became markedly different from those events England and America were quite at under which it was made. one on the subject, though the Chinese authorities always gave more credit to the latter for this non-interfering policy, being aware that the United States could not adopt any other line. Later a different attitude was assumed toward China, and there was much talk of spheres of different foreign nations and hints at possible annexations and a partition of the Empire. The Japanese war, however, effectually put an end to ideas of this kind, by giving an object lesson such as could not be overlooked as to what the responsibilities were likely to be, which would devolve upon any nation who adopted anything like a high-handed policy in the Far East. Thus the old policy of maintain. ing the integrity of China was reverted to, and it is that policy which is enunciated in the diplomatic note which has been ex- changed between the United States and Japan.
At last month's meeting of the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute, Commander John G. Heugh, R.N., D.S.O., of Peking, was elected a Fellow of the Institute.
The Saigon Opinion says, that Chinese brigands captured in Upper Tonkin, continue ment of Indo-China. to be forwarded to Singapore by the Govern- Every mail steamer arriving there from that province brings num- bers of these evil-doers for despatch to Singapore, and it seems that the inflow is likely to continue for a good while. Flying columns in Upper Tonkin are hunting down the brigands and capturing many of them each day. The Straits Times, however, says it is officially informed that the Straits Government has consented to receive 700 of these man, who are not really brigands, but may be correctly described as refugees. They are arriving in batches by every ship and are considered to be a superior
class of Chinese,
The frequent burglaries seem to suggest that perhaps we do not treat our midnight callers in the right way in Hongkong, but the eccentric yet entirely original method adopted by a beautiful lady figuring in a story in the Xmas number of Sketch is hardly likely to become popular here; for I am sure it would be hard to find any one willing to place cigars and whisky at the disposal of Mr. Bill Sykes, to sustain him during his arduous task of rifling the strong room. Personally, I do not advocate the idea, but it may really be found to be the most economical in the long run, for when the spirit courses the veins the feeling of good fellowship and peace and goodwill to men will surely follow so long as the supply is restricted, and all thoughts of
disturbing your rest, or your treasures will be- come abhorrent and the silent visitor will depart at peace with all the world.
Jurors will feel interested in learning that a judge in Seattle excused a number of men from serving on a jury because they had read an account of the crime upon which they would have been called to find a verdict had they been selected as jurors. It suggests an easy way of shirking a tedious duty, but the disqualification does not tend to raise the standard of intelli- gence among jurymen. What intelligent men will forego the privilege of keeping themselves informed concerning what is going in the world?
Pardon me, fair readers, if I seem ungallant. I do not wish to reflect upon you, although it is my duty to indulge in reflections, but I could not resist several questions which suggested themselves to me when I read that the Emperor of Korea the other day received in audience,
some Korean women who had distinguished themselves by their devotion to their husbands. Naturally I wanted to know if the ladies of the