April 8, 1895.1
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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England should prevent the acquisition of less, of effecting a landing somewhere in at some time bé advanced. When the ph- Formosa by Japan, on the ground that the the north of the island. Remembering nouncement was inade that the members of possession of that island carries with it the com- what the French attempted and how they the service were to be allowed to draw half mand of the Formosa Channel and that a new failed to make good the occupation they their salary while on active service at 8s, to risk for British trade and shipping would intended, it may be useful to recall their the dollar the general impression was thất thereby be created. The risk cannot be proceedings. 1boy landed at Kelung and for the arrangement was definite and would res denied, but the way to meet it is, not to some months held the port, but they were main in force permanently unless exchange make an enemy of Japan, but to keep the never able to penetrate into the surround should again reach 33., when it would British fleet in these waters up to such a ing country; and the landings at Tamsui, naturally cease, as the officials then would standard as shall be sufficient to guard though effected under the guns of the be willing to take the whole of their pay in against the risk. We fail to see on what squadron, proved abortive, for the landing silver. But it would seem that this is mt grounds of equity or reason England could parties had to return to their boats. The the idea of the officials themselves. If ex- interfere with Japanese designs on Formos, blockade which Admiral COURBET was at change goes down even to a shilling the England has had opportunities of taking the such pains to establish proved ineffective colony is to pay themthe difference between island before and has not thought fit and in no way incommoded the Chinese in the current rate and the fixed rate of 38. to avail itself of them. To step Formosa, who found both junks and steamers There will be no reconsideration on in now and prevent Japan taking pos- to successfully run the gauntlet of the French that side of the scale we may be sure, session would not only be a dog in cruisers. The Chinese defences in Formosa But if exchange goes up, what then? the
manger policy but would create a were under the command of LiU MING-As the rise will diminish the number of greater danger than that which it is suggested CHUAN, who was certainly no more of a dollars an officer will receive: he will have should be guarded against. It would secure military genius, than the mandarins who another grievance and will perhaps claim for us the undying hatred of Japan, and al-have failed so ignominiously in the present compensation for the rise in exchange.. Thať though that country standing alone would war in Korea and Manchuria. But Liv seems to be the only interpretation that can not be able to cause much embarrassment to knew how to keep out the enemy from For. be put upon the statement that the arrange- England, in the event of our being involved mosa, chiefly because the latter was ignorant ment is to be subject to reconsideration in a war with some other Power or Powers of local conditions and partly because he yearly and the Colonial Secretary's remark her alliance with the enemy might become was numerically weak. Another reason was that if exchange fluctuates very larg-ly the a matter of serious danger. On the other the fact that the French had no base suffi- matter will be reconsidered. Since the hand, if Japan is allowed to work her will ciently near from which to organise their Secretary of State's decision was given in Formosa uninterfered with she will attack. The Japanese have already avoided exchange has, much to offi isl disgust, risen open up that rich island to trade, will this initial mistake by seizing Makung, in nearly a penny, thereby reducing incomes develop its resources, and so contribute to the Pescadores, a good harbour and con-under the new scheme by two per cent. If the commercial progress of the Far East venient for the purpose, one moreover they exchange were to rise steadily, month by and to the profits of British merchants and doubtless intend to retain as a dependency month and an official had a smaller number shipowners.
of Formosa. They will also, when ready to of dollars to draw every pay day he would Then we are confronted by the rabid land, do so in sufficient force to push on to naturally feel sore about it, and the utterances of a portion of the Japanese Taipeh, the inland capital. Another landing arrangement being subject, as now appears, press, in which a strong anti-English feel- will probably be made at Takow with a view to reconsideration yearly, and the vote for ing is now finding vent. That, too, is a to investing Taiwan, the seat of government. exchange compensation having become matter of which note must be taken, for the It is hardly likely, however, that the Gover fixed feature in the budget, he would proceed trend of public opinion in Japan has now nor of Formosa will allow the invasion to be to seek a readjustment. When exchange become a matter of some material import an absolute walk over, though the resistance rises say to 2s. 6d., if it ever does, and ance to England. There is no doubt a very may prove very feeble. If the Chinese are official incomes have thereby been diminished considerable party of Japanese, ignorant, determined to oppose all attempts to land by some twelve per cent.., a movement ultra-patriotic, and hot-headed, who, having they may, spite of their lack of discipline may be anticipated for raising the basis seen the ease with which China has been and ignorance of military tactics, make it of compensation from the fixed rate of 3s. to conquered, and inspired with a thirst for warm for the invaders. According to latest the dollar to 33. 6d. to the dollar, say; and national glory, would," absurd and advices they have some 80,000 troops of ultimately, if exchange still continued its hairbrained as the idea seems, be glad sorts, and most of them are armed with upward course, to 4s. 21. At that point the to see their country try conclusions with Meuser rifles. The forts and batteries are demand would necessarily have to change its England. But that party represents onlyarined with Krupp and Armstrong guns, name and the so-called compensation would the froth and scum of Japanese public opin- and they are well provided with ammunition. have to be frankly asked for under the name ion and its utterances should be appraised The country, too, is difficult, being provided of an increase of salary. We do not advo at their true value. Japanese statesmen, with plenty of cover, offering great facilities cate a niggardly scale of pay for the civil who are supported by the real solid public for the maintenance of a protracted guerilla service, and we sympathise with them in the opinion of the nation, recognise the actuali-warfare. The Hakkas, who are hunters by loss that they, in common with other classes ties of the situation, and, while no doubt trade, are also skilled marksmen and good in the colony, have been subjected to by the ready to take advantage of any opportunities bush fighters. Yet we do not anticipate fall in exchange, but we object to the exchange for national aggrandisement which the course any prolonged resistance to Japanese pro-compensation scheme. If salaries had from of events may place in their way they are gress when once they have established a any cause become too small it would bave too astute not to value the friendship of landing. That the Japanese have laid their been better to bave given an honest increase England and to avoid becoming em-plans we may be sure, and they will be cer. than to have introduced the uncertainty of broiled with her. But the Japanese are not tain to astonish the Chinese by taking steps exchange into the contracts between the co- to be taken on trust any more than other never anticipated. The uncertainty and looy and its servants. Officials have grumbled Powers. As England atoh her mystery which have always attended Japan. enough about their loss by the fall in 'ex- neighbours in Europe an to increase her ese movements have done much to take the change, though that was à loss that touched armament as they increase theirs, taking care heart out of the Chinese, who are always only some of them, and them only indirectly, always to keep the command of the seasantly disgusted, and demoralised by any but if they find that, owing to a rise in er must she watch her neighbours in the Far unexpect attack in a vulnerable quarter.
change, the actual number of dollars they t and be prepa1 to strengthener posi-
receive diminishes month by month, they will all become a prey to discontent until the money which has been voted under the specious name of exchange compensation 18 given to them by a readjustment of the basis on which that compensation is payable or by a frank and quen increase of salaries. The present arrangement is very much like playing at tossing for halfpence. If exchange goes down the officials win and the colony loses; if exchange goes up the officials lose and the colony wins. But as
tion circur
that ens
ma
AN-Thon require. All
EXCHANGE COMPENSATION.
will be me sum of $58,000 for profits from Fernor recommates, but these increased mpensation is respect one occupa-
At the meeting of the Finance Committee tion of Fapproximately the unexper and Pheon Thursday the Hon. E. R. BELILIOS opening mm previously voted. F follow as mber that at the meeting
sfoncted to học thứ họ
1st
THE JAPANESE IN FORMOSA,
said he did not suppose the question of exchange compensation had been cleared up even now, and the hon. gentle man appears to have been right in his sup- position, for the Colonial Secretary replied **hat Lord RIPON had laid it down
It will be interesting to watch the move at the arrangement was to be subject to the game seems to be considered a little too ments of the Japanese in Formosa. So fartconsideration yearly. What is to be the risky for the officials the conditions are to
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there is little information to hand con bering the operations against the island asis of this reconsideration? The Colonial be subject to reconsideration yearly, so that beyond the facts, received by telegram, secretary says he has no doubt that if ex- in the long run it shall resolve itself, for the that the Pescadores have been taken and will be reconsidered, which seems to indicate, bre: That, at least, is the inference to be |
change fluctuates very largely the matter oficials, into a game of heads I win tails you blockading Tamsui, with a view, dou to exstate under
entitled to for further compensation may drawn from what was' said as the meeting o
Judgment was¬
that a portion of the Japanese fleet is
for his shield. It is chief that is the greatere
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