138
HONGKONG-MANILA ENTENTE.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
BRITAIN'S SO-CALLED OPIUM WAR.
(Daily Press, 16th February.) The general public is hearing or reading a great deal these days about the so-called Opium Was with China in 1840. Every mail brings us either from the Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade (London) or from the International Reform Bureau of Washington literature in which prominence is given to the historic episode of 1840 at Canton. In an article published in the Anti-Opium Society's organ it is stated that: "In the East, the abuse (of Opium) dates back several centuries. In India, the Opium habit amongst native troops contributed to the British victories of the eightenth century, In China, Opium smoking was introduced from Formosa at the beginning of that century, and was met by prohibitive Edicts. It continued, however, to spread. In 1840, the measures taken by the Chinese Govern ment for its suppression led to war with Great Britain? In 1858, after a second war, the Chinese consented to legalise the import of Opium; thenceforth, being unable to prevent the import, they allowed their laws against poppy cultivation to fall into desuetude. In consequence, the production of native Opium increased so rapidly that a report recently prepared in the British Legation at Peking estimated it at about six times the amount of the import. In the publications of the Washington Society we are told that in 1840, by war- ships and cannon England forced opium on China and preserved 'British trade interests,' and again in 1908-9 by diplomacy she is still forcing the opium on China so as avoid injury to British trade interests." A letter from the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce to the British Minister at Peking is quoted in support of the latter statement.
}}
|
|
(2
[February 20, 1909.
prosperity would come in the wake of this comfort in the society in which be bad mutual interest, and the greater good of the lived for years. "But he also stated with (Daily Press, February 15th.) greatest number would certainly result to perfect truth," says Dr. ETTEL, "and in this The establishment of closer relations bless the union founded not only upon ties | Chinese history supports him, when he between Hongkong and Manila was the of personal friendship but upon common wrote to Lord PALMERSTON (February 2, avowed object which the promoters of the commercial and trading interests.
1887) that the opiumn trade commenced and recent Carnival had in view when they
subsisted only by reason of the hearty invited representatives of the Hongkong
concurrence of the chief authorities of the newspapers to visit their shores. Whether
southern provinces of China, and indeed the local Pressmen will be able to influence
also of the Court at Peking; that no portion colonial opinion in the desired direction
of the foreign trade to China more re.. may perhaps be questioned, but there can
gularly paid its entrance dues than this be no doubt that they have returned with
opium traffic; and that the least attempt to agreeable impressions, which in themselves
evade the fees of the mandarins was almost may have weight in helping to create a
certain of detection and punishment." What better understanding between the Americans
prevented Captaiu ELLIOT from taking in Manila and the British here and prove
official proceedings against the opium trade, helpful in arriving at estimates of each
which he personally loathed, was the con- other which will not only be accurate but
sideration which had prevented the Parlia generous. It is quite true that Americans
mentary Committee of 1832 disavowing it in the Orient have many bad impressions to
altogether. The opium trade had by its eradicate. They may have been themselves
financial operations, become so intertwined responsible for these, or they may have
with the legitimate trade that separate suffered from ungenerous criticism, or
dealing with it was impossible. The import possibly both; but the fact remains that too
of opium into China, as it gradually often they have not been held in the high
expanded, gave an enormous impetus to the esteem to which as a nation they are entitled.
export of tea and silk from China to the Like the British when they first went
European markets, and the whole trade had stalking over the continent without regard
imperceptibly become a necessity both for to the prejudices or susceptibilities of the
China and for Europe; for China because peoples among whom they sojourned, they
the craving for opium was so wide-spread too have achieved a reputation which leaves
among the Chinese people that the demand much to be desired. Their independence
for it defied the severest criminal enactment; in thought and action, their original way of
for Europe because the sale of opium which looking at things, and their disregard oftra-
had by this time come to form three-fifths. dition made them more or less inexplicable
of the whole British imports into China, to a people whose lives were still moulded by
provided a very large portion of the funds the past, and this may perhaps explain to
required for operations in Chinese produce some extent the sentiments entertained by
destined for European markets." But the many folks towards our American cousins.
great question at issue in the war was the It goes without saying that a nation is not
supremacy of China over England. It to be judged by its units, yet, unfortunately,
was not to force opium on China" that represents what has taken place in many
that the war of 1840 WRS fought, quarters in the East, with the result that
but to assert the dignity of the British Americans have been pained to find that the
Crown and to seek relief from the, into- fair name of their country has been somewhat
lerable oppression of the foreign resident tarnished. The tourist and the pioneer
a letter to the Viceroy expressed his regret are not always desirable types of men, and
that peace between the two countries America has suffered as much as, perhaps
(meaning, of course, China and England) more than, other nations through the
was placed in imminent jeopardy by un- disrepute of those who left its shores to see
explained and alarming proceedings of the the world. All honour to the honest,
Chinese Authorities that had happened, the earnest, hardworking thrifty pioneer who The discussion of the historical aspect of Viceroy in a supercilious reply said he could makes the road which others tread, hut as the question is barred at the International not understand what ELLIOT meant by 'the a companion he occasionally has a shiftless Conference, if the Chairman's wishes are two countries'; that, of course, he could not creature who acquires the distinction of being respected, but seeing the use that the Anti-possibly mean to compare England with termed a pioneer without accomplishing Opium Societies are making of this aspect China which would be absolutely prepos any real useful work, but instead alienating of the question, it is desirable at least to terous because all regions under heaven were the sympathies of those among whom he point out that the episodes of sixty or in humble submission to the Government of comes. It is he who causes the mischief, it seventy years ago in which opium figured so China, while the heaven-like goodness of the is he who brings discredit upon his country, prominently have aspects other than that Emperor over-shadowed all; and that the and it is he who is responsible for that feel which is represented in the Anti-Opium English nation and the Americans had, ing, the more difficult to overcome because Societies' publications, and it is well that by their trade at Canton, of all those not always expressed, which restrains they should be borne in mind now.
No one
nations in subjection, enjoyed the largest people from giving Americans that cordial who has read the history of the times measure of favour. Therefore, argued the greeting which in ordinary circumstanc's preceding the so-called Opium War"
sarcastic Viceroy, "I presume it must be they might expect. The American com- of 1840 can honestly conclude that it was England and America that are conjointly munity in the Philippines had doubtless for the purpose of forcing the opium trade named 'the two countries' but the meaning realised the misrepresentations under which upon China. Nor will the student find that of the language is greatly wanting in per- they suffered in the Orie t, and it was per- China then strongly objected to opium on spicuity." No impartial realer of the his- haps with a view to dispel the cloud of moral grounds. To borrow the words of tory of those times can honestly come to the calumny that they invited representative Dr. EITEL, the objection to the opium trade conclusion that it was for the purpose of people from Hongkong to see them at their of all the principal Chinese statesmen of the forcing apium on China that England best. Most peoples are seen at their best at time was "not that it fostered a vice went to war in 1839-40. She went to war to home. Manila is now the home of many gnawing at the vitals of the nation, but that uphold the dignity of the British Crown, to Americans, who, according to newspaper it caused the balance of trade to turn protect it from insult, and to relieve the accounts, are as hospitable, as loveable, and against China and that it accordingly foreign residents from the intolerable as delightful people as could be found any drained China of silver and impoverished oppression to which foreigners were subject. where in the world. The visitors are the nation." On the other haud the Britished by the native authorities and which had returning with better impressions of Ameri- Government of the day by no means approv. cans and of Manila. Misunderstandings ed of the traffic, and Captain ELLIOT, the have been removed, prejudices have been the Government's representative in China cleared away, and the way to more cordial "personally abhorred the trade, root and relations has been indicated. A more dis- and branch," and he wrote to Lord tinet rapprochement between the two cities PALMERSTON that he had steadily discount- and the two trading interests seems not im-enanced it by all lawful meals in his power probable. Reciprocal benefits would follow, and at the total sacrifice of his private
to
been growing more and more obnoxious as the influx of independent residents increased after the cessation of the East India Company's mon ply.
Bishop BRENT when, on his appointment as Chairman of the Shanghai Conference, he cautioned the Commissioners against raising the historical aspect of the question possibly