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China should exert her utmost endeavours to assist in every way her ally. To which end China allows Russia to use any of her harbours along the maritime coasts of China, to enter them at pleasure or leave at any time or to mobilise hor fleet therein or for the purpose of repairs or to take in supplies, huy coal, etc. If there be any critical danger for Russia, China allows. Russia to secretly recruit her forces in Chinese territory, to buy horses or to get coolies, etc. This is of course to be done. quietly and is to be considered as secret assist- ance given to Russia. Should it also happen that remonstrances be made to China in the above matter, China is to reply that Russia being the stronger and Chins the weaker of the two she has no help but to allow Russia to do as she pleased. If, however, China is desirons of manifesting further her friendship for Russia by openly aiding the latter country and attack ing Russia's enemies in concert with her, this shall also be permissible, but it should be done as circumstances allow and must be the subject of further discussion.
"At present the harbours of Russia although plentiful in number still labour under the dis- advantage of being liable to be frozen up several feet during the winter months, hence Russian ships cannot enter or leave thom at will. The harm this will lead to in time of war would therefore be disastrous to Russia to a great degree and this goes without saying. His Majesty the Emperor of China being therefore grateful to Russia for ber friendly help is willing to devise methods to assist his ally in this matter and now permits Russia to use Port Arthur to anchor her flect and to accommodate her troops fhora. If, however, in order to avoid complications with other Powers it be deemed inadvisable to uso Port Arthur as stated, then Russia shall be permitted to use the harbour of Kinochon Bay, in Shantung province; there Russin shall be at liberty to
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
the sole control over the lines within her own territories.
To provide against harm to the said line on the part of the Powers actuated by jealousy, China shall permit Russia to hold one of the islands near Talienhuan and opposite that port for the purpose of making it a rendezvous for Russian ships and land troops and also to fortify the same in order to protect the said Talienhuan terminus and provide against disasters.
The country about Vladivostock is of the atmost importance to Russia in this part of Asia. The Siberian railway having been com- pleted it will be necessary that Russia shall protect the line against the jealousy and hostile intentions of other countries. China therefore shall permit Russia to choose some points on the southern side of Hünch'un Chinese city opposite Vladivostock] to be fortified and for the purpose of storing supplies and troops, thereby forming mutual supports to the forts on the northern side Vladivostock. In this way the Russian cities there shall be freed from auxiety. This is really helping a heighbouring country to solidify her base and in an instance of the deep and lasting friendship China cuter- tains towards Russia.
If in the future, owing to Korea, Russia and Japan should come to blows, China sball grant permission to Russia to attack the western frontiers of Korea by way of the Yalu river.
$4
Tho Siberian railway will also be of great benefit to China. China is therefore willing to open markets for the sale of Russian goods and piece-goods and assist Russian trade in every way in order that unobstructed Russian mann- factures may come into Chips in a ceaseless stream similar to the present condition of trade in Chinese Turkestan.
In the present crisis the military organisa- tion of China is the most important to that country. China will therefore request of Russia the loan of several hundred officers to drill about 100,000 Chinese troops. Commence- ment shall be made in the three eastern pro- vinces (ie., Fengtion, Kirin, and Heilung chiang, and if this he successful then the system shall be extended to the northern five provinces [ie. Chill, Shantung, Shansi, Shensi, and Kansu]. This shall one way of strengthening China's power."
[March 12, 1896,
be officially denied, but there is much corrobo rating evidence. The offer of Kiaochou Bay is known to have been made; the Chinese interpreters mentioned are actually on board Russian ships, and were in Yokohama quite recently; Russian officers have, as we know from our own correspondents, been moving about Manchuria ; and surveying freely for the extension of the Siberian railway to the Liaotang Peninsula has actually begun. The fact seems to be that Russia has made up her mind that the partition of China is inevitable, and she will have Manchuria, and probably Mon- golia, and the five northern provinces mentioned above. She has just practically declared that neither Japan nor any other Power shall have Korea, while Mr. Curzon is sure that she does not mean to take it herself. Will our Government op- pose the ratification of this treaty, or will it take compensation in the Yangtze Valley and so join It is Russia in the partitioning China? difficult to believe that Russia would counsel China to break without provocation the treaty of Shimonoseki by refusing to pay the balance of the indemnity due to Japan; but the long delay in concluding the negotiations for the second indemnity loau has aeuspicious appear- ance, and there is some reason to fear that the prediction that we should see a renewal of hos- tilities here in the spring may possibly be fulfilled.-N. C. Daily News.
:
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAIGON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THE CHINESE,
A VIOLENT PHILIPPIC.
M. Rolland, the Chairman of the Saigon. Chamber of Commerce, which is an elected body, at the final meeting of the last session, held on the 25th February, made a notable speech. We give below a translation:-
It will
enter or leave the harbour at will; to cauton
Gentlemen and colleagues,--The mission con. her troops; and she shall also be allowed
fided to us by the electors of Cochin-China ap- build barracks for ker land troops
proaches its termination. Our successors will and coal sheds, etc., in order to fill
be designated in a few days and I think you argent want on the part of Russia. If, again,
will consider it useful to transmit to them some Kinochou bo not suitable then Russia shall be
indication of what has been done by preceding permitted to choose any port or harbour on the
Chambers, which will enable them to see what. maritime coasts of Kiangsa and Chekiang for
remains to be done. At the time when a new her purposo. This is a further proof of the So far the treaty itself. The writer of the order has been made profoundly modifying the desire of China to strengthen the friendship letter goes on to say: "I am sure that after composition of the Chamber of Commerce it she feels for Russia. It being, however, foared having read the above you will be greatly appears to me especially necessary to declare that the local authorities of the places visited grieved at the way China bus wantonly put her in your name that in this fact there is by the Russian floot, being ignorant of the head into the ropo held by Russia. I think the no rupture of traditions, but only an adap- understanding made with Russia, may make Princes and Ministers who had the doing oftation to new economic conditions. opposition, a secrot decree shall, on the one this have much to answer for for throwing be useful to prevent all possibility of mis- hand, be sent to the various Viceroys and away their country like this, and I am afraid understanding on this point, which would Governors notifying them of the caso, and that they cannot get rid of the name of having be regrettable. I need not assure you, my it is that our these shall on their part advise their subordi- sold their country and bringing fnture shame colleagues, how necessary nates not to prevout or obstruct the movements on thoir Sovereign; deeds which will have an Chamber should have a large and indisputable of the Russians, while on the other hand the unsavoury flavour for a myriad years to come! authority. The colonial policy of the metro- Tsungli Yaman shall bo instructed to appoint From this you will clearly parceive that it will polis is not always enlightened, if even it is so three interpreters who shall proceed to Shang- be but a matter of time when not only Man- sometimes. Our local administration has need hai with all haste and report to the Russian Ad-churia but the five northern provinces will all to be on its guard to defend itself against miral for service with his ships. It shall be the fall into the hands of Russia, and this will take ordors, often ill considered and ill conceived, duty of these interpreters to assist the Russian place in the near future. Just wait and see. emanating from the Department of the Colonies, and Chinese officials in their mutual intercourse
and our Colonial Council has need of all its and also to transmit to the latter his Imperial
energy and knowledge of local affairs to resist Majesty's wishes in the matter.
these orders and defend the interests of the colony. The Administration, as well as the Colonial Council, requires the support of public opinion, which, hore as everywhere else, ought to have the last werd, for it alone ought to remain mistress. In commercial matters public opinion is represented by the Chamber of Commerce, the direct emanation of the producers of public wealth. It is necessary then that our Chamber should be armed Ita with an indisputable moral authority, rôle does not call upon it to act, but it represents in the management of public affairs Lithe Advocate-General of great private enter- prises, without whose advice no measure should be adopted. Now, in times past, when our Chamber has protested, and sometimes with justifiable heat, against measures, or at least pretensions, contrary to the interests of our colony, the reply has been made, "Your Cham- ber is not a French Chamber." In the poli- tical and economic atmosphere now prevailing in all countries this is a grave accusation and one that, being admitted without examination, would deprive as of all influence. We had to trai-reply to it, and we have replied that the foreign European merchants who formed part of our
"If China on her part shall have any difficul- ties with other Powers, Russia shall use her endeavours to arrange the said difficulties; but if these good offices be of no affect it shall be the duty of Russia to give her help to China before other Powers, thereby binding firmly the alliance between the two countries.
"China is also willing to permit Russian officers freedom of movement in the eastern frontiers of her possessions of Fengtien and Kirin and to navigate the Yaln river with its several affluents along these provinces, either for the purpose of trade or to assist China to police the frontiers of the respective countries. "When the Siberian railway shall have been completed, joining the eastern and western limits of Russia, thon China shall permit Russia to build a branch line through Heilungohiang, Kirin, and Manchuria down to Talienhuan in Fêngtien, or any other point to be chosen by Bussia. The power over this branch line shall be hold jointly by Russia and China, but after fifteen years when China shall have shown her ability to do so alone, then it shall be permis- sible for her to buy the Russian share of the line at cost price, and she shall thenceforth have
"I now hear that it was the intention of the Tsungli Yamen to have the three interpreters stay on the Russian ships only three months. But as the Korean King has recently sur- rendered himself to Russin, it is feared that the anger of Japan will plunge her into war with the former, and so the Russians are ever on the alert against attack by Japan, and it is expooted here that to prevent this Russia will be the first to attack Japan unawares. In this way Japan will be made to lose courage and become demoralised at the outset. Hence instructions have been telegraphed by the Tsungli Yamên to the three interpreters in question to remain with the Russians until the crisis be over.
Furthermore, the present journey of Hung-chang to Russia is not only for the purpose of attending the coronation there, but I hear that he goes to get the personal ratification of the secret treaty by the Czar. It is therefore my opinion that China will not pay the balance of her war indequnity to Japan but will instead get the money from Russia, and get her to buy some ready made ironclads for her in order to try to wash away the past disgrace she has received from Japan.
The existence of this secret treaty. which is, as the writer of the letter says, & torons sale of China to Russia, will of course
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