66
"
January 16, 1896.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
23
on many points fail to convince. He is on good grounds for objecting when they safe ground, however, when he urges the know that in practice the regulations would necessity of the "clear and rational policy only be fully enforced in regard to British of holding as our own the reversion to the ships and that vessels of other nationalities southern provinces of China. As for Korea would be allowed to evade them either par- and Manchuria, for our own part we think tially or altogether. And that this would the less England concerns herself about be so there can be no doubt, notwithstand them the better. Ten years or even three ing any nominal adhesion to the regulations years ago the case might have presented that might be given by other Governments. itself in a different light, but circum- The reasons for this conclusion are fully set stances have changed, and, to quote once out in the correspondence published in more the words from the Novost which Mr. another column. Messrs. BUTTERFIELD AND BOULGER takes as his text, "The final advant-SWIRE are to be congratulated on the vigi- age will rest with that Power which shows lance they have displayed in this matter and "most skill in understanding and in shaping it is to be hoped that the letter of the Shang- "to its own ends the new conditions brought hai Branch of the China Association to the "into being by the war between China and Secretary of State may have the effect of
Japan."
bringing out instructions to the Hongkong Government that it is undesirable it should exercise its superabundant energy in the direction of handicapping British trade.
"China: The enterprise seems so vast that "it may terrify the imagination to contem- plate it, but there will be no practical "alternative when Russia's power is estab- lished in the North, with perhaps a "ROMANOFF installed on the Dragon Throne "of Pekin. We shall want associates and "assistants in that undertaking; and with "these possibilities ahead the one immediate step that could be taken is to support Japan in her task of pacifying Korea. "The condition of that country has so far been aggravated by the war that was nominally undertaken for its benefit, "and China has formally waived all her 'pretensions in that quarter. Our cordial support would enable the Japanese, now "that they have concluded their operations "in Formosa, to achieve this portion of their "programme, but, for our true and best "allies in maintaining our premier place in "the Far East we should look to men of our own race, to that Australian nation "which in the course of years will "constitute the new and perhaps the pre- dominating influence over the China seas." Had the latter part of this paragraph been omitted the policy presented would have commanded admiration for its boldness and practical common sense, for when the dis- memberment of China commences England must be prepared to take her proper share and to see that the markets she now supplies are not closed to her. The reference to Australia may be dismissed as a piece of rhodomontade, while the suggestion of an alliance with Japan and interference in Korea is altogether ill-advised. We have no interests in Korea worth serious con- sideration, and if the view that Russia is ultimately to be predominant in the North be accepted it would be folly to court her ill-will by adopting a course calculated to irritate her intensely and to bring us no advantage either temporary or permanent. As to the suggested alliance with Japan, while not underrating the material assist ance we might under certain conditions obtain from that country neither can we overlook the dangers that an alliance would bring. Mr. BOULGER, in an earlier part of his article, says :- Japan is naturally an ambitious and aggressive power, and having tasted blood in a profitable continental adventure there "will be no holding her back whenever she "thinks she sees or can make an opportunity of carrying out her plans." That is not exactly the temperament that one would desire in an ally. Furthermore, it is by no means certain that Japan would accept the proposed alliance. She has her own ends in view and an alliance with England or any other Western Power might embarrass her in their execution. She would certainly not give her assistance to a scheme for the partition of China between Great Britain and Russia, she herself being left out in the cold nor would England be very willing to assist Japan to take a slice of China, though she might, as in the case of Liaotung, refrain from interference so long as her own interests were not affected. Japan has earned the admiration of England by her conduct of the late war and the temperance with which she has comported herself in victory; and for the moment Eng. land seems to be in favour in Japan, though it is not long since the reverse was the case. That the present friendship may be per- manent we sincerely hope, but there is no community of feeling or sims that would justify the two Powers in going into part- nership; if they did so they would quarrel directly. Mr. BoULGER'S case, in fact, is very loosely put together and his arguments
46
"L
A DANGER TO BRITISH SHIPPING.
|
THE TRANSVAAL,
*
To be forewarned is to be forearmed is a good motto to proceed on in business and has been acted upon by Messrs. BUTTER- FIELD AND SWIRE in bringing to the notice That England's little trouble in the Trans- of the Shanghai Branch of the China As- vaal should cause her Continental friends sociation the new regulations proposed to be to jeer was what might be expected, but for imposed on British shipping engaged in the the German press to censure Britain's passenger trade between Chinese ports. "colonial policy in unmeasured terms " The references made in the firm's letter to appears the height of offensive effrontery. the Association and in the Association's Wherever the British flag has been planted letter to the Secretary of State to previous Germaus have been as free as Englishmen representations on other matters having to avail themselves of the trading facilities been disregarded because they came too late it covers, and they have not been slow to apply more particularly, we believe, to the take advantage of the privilege. It is to arrangement of the tariff under the new the opportunities afforded by England's treaty with Japan, and the experience colonies that the development of Germany's gained in that matter may well put com- foreign trade is largely due and though we mercial men on their guard against allowing| do not expect gratitude for a liberal important interests to be damaged behind policy that has been adopted and followed in their backs. Had the Chambers of Com- what we believe to be our own interests merce been consulted in reference to the desistance from abuse might at least be Japanese tariff there is reason to believe looked for. If, however, the censure be much better terms might have been arranged confined to the policy pursued in regard to in regard to certain important articles, the Chartered Companies there may be but the Foreign Office apparently could some ground for it. There has been no think of little more than the duty on hats, lack of criticism of these institutions in a fly with which the astute Japanese negotia England itself, and the recent lamentable tor very cleverly caught his fis. In contretemps would seem to show that the regard to the proposed new regulations criticism has been in some measure justified. affecting British shipping the same disastrous Dr. JAMESON was the Administrator of the secrecy could not be observed, because the territory of the South African Company, and matter would have to come before the Hong- whether he acted under the direction of his kong Legislative Council, where there would Board or on his own initiative the Company. be full opportunity for discussion, and the must be held responsible for his acts. The unofficial members would perhaps exercise dangers of government by Company have due vigilance in a matter so closely affecting received a striking illustration, and the result commercial interests, though most of the will probably be the substitution of direct hon. gentlemen have of late years been very Imperial rule. Dr. JAMESON's ill-advised complaisant in accepting Governmental action will in any case bring very unpalat- proposals that were fairly open to objection. able consequences to the shareholders in the However, it is much better to be too soon Company that was expected to do such great than too late, and as Mr. CHAMBERLAIN things in the development of the Dark is desirous of being informed of all matters Continent, but which has instead brought affecting trade the Shanghai Branch of the down upon itself and upon England the China Association has done well in accept opprobrium of the whole world. England, ing the right hon. gentleman's invitation however, can manage her own affairs with- and informing him of this threatened blow
out dictation from abroad, and she will settle to the British shipping trade. The case
the South African question in her own way. made out against the proposed regulations Happily in Lord SALISBURY and Mr. CHAM- appears quite conclusive.
BERLAIN we have men in whose judgment aware that there are any substantial com-and decision general confidence will be felt. plaints to be made against the way in which The present unhappy muddle with which the passenger trade on the China coast is they are called upon to deal may be carried on, though from an ideal point of view regarded as a legacy from Mr. GLADSTONE'S it is possible that some improvement might pusillanimous settlement of the last Boer be effected. If China were strong enough | war. and enlightened enough to control the matter herself and enforce uniform regulations upon vessels of all nationa- lities in all her ports British ship- owners would not be likely to object to any reasonable measures that might be adopted for enhancing the safety or com- fort of the passengers, but they have very
We are not
II.
At the present juncture, when recent events have brought the Transvaal once more into unpleasant prominence, it is interesting to note what a foreign critic says of the South African Republic and its inhabitants. In his recent work, "John Bull & Co., written after a tour of the Colonies in 1893, MAX
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