Mary 6, 1897.1
▲ notable event of the year in Hongkong was the unveiling of the Queen's statue, which took place on the 28th May and evoked a warm demonstration of loyalty on the part of the inhabitants. In a few months more we will be called upon to celebrate the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Ma- jesty's reign, and to all loyal subjects it must be a source of lively satisfaction to reflect that the celebration of so notable an event is likely to take place under auspices entirely favourable. The difficulties that existed between our American cousins and ourselves and which at one time threatened to lead to an open rupture have now been relegated for settlement by friendly arbitra- tion. On the Turkish question the Powers appear to be approaching an agreement, thereby removing the danger of a European convulsion in which Great Britain might have found herself involved. Even in France, where England is regarded as the "here- ditary enemy," there may be descerned some little inclination to consider whether the national antipathy towards us is justified. The rivalries of Russia and Great Britain are losing their bitterness; and in whatever other direction we look the political barometer seems to indicate "set fair" for the present, so far as British interests are concerned, This should not lead to any relaxation in our preparedness for storms, but in the meantime it is permissible to take pleasure in the reflexion that the Empire is strong without and prosperous within and that the cele- bration of the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's reign is unlikely to be marred by dangerous international com- plications. In the hope that nothing may occur to disturb that happy prospect we
wish our readers
A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
THE RUSSO-CHINESE TREATY.
In discussing the terms of the Russo-Chi- nese Treaty as published by our Shanghai morning contemporary, The Times takes a view of the matter which we hope will be endorsed by public opinion generally in the United Kingdom. The great London journal declares that there is room in the Far East for both Russin and Great Britain, but "the “latter must_simply strengthen her own positions and extend her markets, and, if ever her interests are directly assailed, must-resist, if necessary, in arms.' For tunately The Times helps, more than any other organ of the Press, to mould public opinion, and undoubtedly exercises more influence on the Government than any party journal. What it says is invariably received with attention, and, if not exactly an oracle, it is certainly believed to reflect the most weighty portion of public opinion. When, therefore, › we find The Times] which was once strongly anti-Russian, ready to concede to the great Northern Power the second most prominent place in the Far East it is a sure indication of a decided change in British policy. It is time that the irresistible logic of events was recognised. For many years Muscovite statesmen have been steadily working with the object of acquiring for Russia the position she now holds in the Pacific Time has worked for Russia lat terly, and hastened on the consummation desired. The war between China and Japan and the subsequent cession of a part of Man- churin to the victors gave Russia a most opportune chance of interfering to check mate the one and to win the obligations of the other part The rapid prosecution of ork the Trans-Siberian Railway till nearer to her goal, Cabinet of St. Petersburg has not
that great
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
been slow to avail itself of the opportunity offered for Russian claims to be pushed into the foreground. There is a steady unfailing continuity in Russian policy that is sure to make itself felt before long. For years the Russian Government, through their indefa- tigable representative, M. WAEBER, laboured and waited in Korea, gradually undermining both Chinese and Japanese influence until now Russian influence is all powerful at Seoul. At Peking, too, taking ready advantage of the turn of the cards. Count CASSINI has contrived to at length secure all that his Government ever hoped to win in the next twenty years whether by strategy, compulsion, or force of arms.
Ire alive to
There are not wanting signs that the Brit Government are in situation. The fleet is al we believe be augmented by the addition of a new ! ship, one of the vessels of the UR, clas battleships, and several i cruisers torpedo-boat destroyers have alrea and we hope the other contemplate tions to the squadron will shortly. out. It would be reassuring to he that some sensible increase to the of this colony is soon to be made, present force is insufficient to do more man the guns in the forts. The expedition shown by Russia contrasts rather un- pleasantly (for us) with the leisurelyt way in which reinforcements are allowed to drib- ble out from England. Whilst it is well to show Russia-and France that we do not suspect them of sinister or hostile dengi!, it is also true policy to let all the would see that we leave nothing to chance and are in a position to face any sudden combination against us or to effectually protect our enormous and preponderating interests in the Far East.
THE NEED FOR MORE BATTLESHIPS.
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Muscovite diplomacy is indeed trium- phant! But the Russian Government left nothing to mere chance. Simultaneously with the exercise of consummate statecraft, they pushed on the construction of the great Siberian railway, designed to open up communications and render Eastern Siberia reasonably accessible from the European base. At the same time the fleet in the Pacific was continually being strengthened until now it is fully a watch in most particulars for the British Squadron, largely as that has been reinforced. of late years. Even. yet Russia is not satisfied, it woupl
The local branch of the Navy League, as seem, for it is asserted she is sending the fine new cruiser Rossia out to replace the announced in the Secretary's communication ironclad Imperator Nicolai I. Reuter tells to the press the other day, is calling upon all us, moreover, in one of his latest despatches, British residents in the colony to sign that the Russian Government have ordered declaration to the effect that, having regard that the eight ironclads now building halk to the recent Admiralty Return of Com be completed with all despatch, and have parative Naval Strength, they view with a resolved on the construction of two more prehension the alleged intention of the Ad- powerful battleships, four cruisers, miralty to omit provision for the construc and two torpedo boat destroyers. They tion of new battleships from the forthcom are evidently determined to provide against ing Navy Estimates, and therefore urge on all contingencies and no doubt firmly Her Majesty's Government the necessity believe that Providence is on the side of the of taking such steps as will restore the big battalions. It does not follow that they predominance of the British Fleet as re- either intend or wish to use these great forces. gards battleships and officers and men. Recent events have shown that they
This action is taken on the suggestion of the vastly prefer the victories won by a mere central office of the League, which has display of force. At the same time it is called for an expression of opinion on impossible for Great Britain to stand idly the subject, either by public meeting for by while Russia makes this enormous dis- otherwise, from all the towns in the United play of force. However ready to concede Kingdom and the branches abroad. The to Russia the right to a great and active Increased Armaments Protest Committee part in the politics of Eastern Asin; includ- have been speedily on the track of the ing a large extension of her influence in Navy League, and at a meeting of the Korea and Manchuria, the British Govern-executive, held on the 4th December, Sir ment must needs keep a sharp look out for her own interests and see that these are not jeopardised or contracted by Russia's expansion. It must not be forgotten that Rus- sia, like France and most Continental states, closes the markets she acquires to foreigu goods, designing to give Russian goods a preference over then. This being the case, it is essential to Great Britain that she should retain the markets to which she has access and develop them as much as possible. If Russia secures Korea and Manchuria— and England is not anxious to oppose her in either country-it will become necessary for us to secure our markets in Central and Southern China, even to the extent perhaps of declaring a protectorate over them. The Chinese Government have shown themselves hope- lessly incapable of protecting their own interests, and it may at any moment become indispensable to British and indeed foreign trade generally that the country should be administered by foreigners and its neutrality guaranteed. To that end it is obviously necessary that the British fleet in these waters should be further strengthened, the garrison in Hongkong largely increased, the frontiers of the colony extended, and Chusan or some other island secured for a coaling station within easy reach of Shanghai:
ROBERT HEAD presiding, the following re resolution was adopted:-"That this com "mittee learns with astonishment of the "further audacious attempt of the Navy
League to enlist the mayors
United Kingdom in their mischievous propaganda, and, feeling that the facts give no warrant for such alarmist appeals, "the committee is reluctantly compelled to "memorialize the municipal officers in a
contrary direction," and a statistical state- ment to show that the British Navy il already equal to four Continental fleets combined, together with other literature on the subject, is to be forthwith issued to all the mayors of the country.The statement referred to cannot fail to interesting as an example of power of weighing figures, shows that our-- regards battleships, not only to four Continental navies, equal to the combined navies of France and Russia. The efforts of the Pr Committee will, however, p promoting discussion” and Navy League a definite on which it can conc so carry convictio mind of the nation,
appearance of the Prote
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