THE TRANSIT PÅSS TRADE AT CANTON.
are now
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
as follows:-1894, 41,135 gallons; 1895, 7,495 gallons: 1896, 7,140 gallons; 1897, 657,345 gallons. Of the last named quantity no less than 649,950 gallons were taken inland under transit pass. This is not a mere transfer of trade from junks, because the quantity passing the Kowloon Customs during the first quarter of the present year was 3,266,690 gallons as against 3,028,255 gallons in the correspond- ing quarter of 1896 and 2,685,350 gallons in 1895. In the small quantity passing the Lappa stations there was also an increase. It is a justifiable inference, therefore, that the quantity conveyed inland from Canton under transit pass represents so much absolutely new trade brought into existence by increased tradal facilities.
THE UNITED STATES and
HAWAII.
The Customs revenue at the Chinese Treaty Ports during the first quarter of the present year amounted to Tls. 3,935,704, as against Tls. 3,737,998 in the corresponding quarter of last year. The Kowloon and Lappa returns, which are not included in those of the Treaty Ports, also show a grati- fying increase, the amount collected being Tls. 269,154 as against Tls. 229,596 in the January-March quarter of 1896. This in- crease in the Customs collections necessarily indicates an increase in the volume of trade, and amongst the Treaty Ports the largest increases have taken place at Shanghai and Canton, the collection at the former being nearly Tls. 113,000 in excess of that of the corresponding quarter of 1896, while the Canton increase amounts to over Tls. 64,000. apecial interest attaches to the Canton
It would seem that President MCKINLEY returns, as they show the business done under transit passes, which
has not taken an undue time in making up issued in accordance with the provisions his mind on the Hawaiian question, for on of the Treaties. It was only in January the 14th inst., REUTER telegraphed that last that the proclamations officially there were indications showing that the recognising and sanctioning the issue of transit passes in Kwangtung and Kwangsi
President was considering the annexation of were issued and some little time had to the Hawaiian Islands or of proclaiming a elapse before traders in general were protectorate over them which would even- prepared to take advantage of the privilege. tually lead to annexation, and two days We find, nevertheless, that the total num-later we are told that a treaty for the ber of passes issued during the quarter was 563, which must be considered satisfactory as a commencement. Possibly the number may show some diminution during the succeeding quarters, owing to the opening of the new ports on the West River, as it will now be unnecessary to take out passes for goods destined for those points, but the transit pass privilege has evidently proved valuable and been appreciated, and if its strict observance by the Chinese authorities be insisted upon it cannot fail to largely minister to the growth of foreign trade in the inland markets. The goods conveyed under transit passes were as follows:-
Cotton goods:-
Shirtings, grey
» white...
T-Cloths
Chintzes and furnitures
Cotton damasks..
Cambrics and muslins
Handkerchiefs, cotton
Japanese cotton cloth
11. старе
yaru, Indian.
thread
Woollen goods:-
Lastings...
Cotton towelling, Japanese....
"
pieces 2,290 1,220 2,022 240
J
"
"?
dozens
61 417 250
pieces 41
178
"}
catties
10
...piculs
"}
75 10
pieces 20
annexation has been signed at Washington. This Treaty is to be submitted to the Senate immediately, and as that body is undoubtedly jingo there is every reason to believe that it will pass the Bill. The House of Representatives will possibly de- hate the question, and may even reject the Treaty, but we think this is unlikely. It is true that the United States Government has, in past times, refused to entertain the idea of annexing either the Hawaiian Islands or any other territory outside the American continent. It has been an article of faith with American statesman, indeed it has been regarded as almost a law of the constitution, that the limits of the republic should not be extended beyond the North American Continent. That the republic should remain compact and self contained has always been the aim and intention of its founders and successive rulers, one great object being to avoid imbroglios with Foreign States. In later years there has been some departure from this policy of insulation. President MONROE, when inaugurating his doctrine that the United States could not admit the right of European States to interveue politically on the American Continent, unconsciously paved the way for the gradual evolution of a new policy which may destroy that in- sulation hitherto so strongly cherished. Whether or not the MONROE doctrine is calculated to enure to the benefit of the American nation it is as yet too early to pro- nounce, at all events dogmatically. It may Silk and cotton ribbons
be argued, for instance, that the great Sundries, unenumerated
Anglo-Saxon Republic should by right of A notable feature in the above is the its size, wealth, importance, and intelligence quantity of kerosine oil taken inland, being naturally assume a leading position on the practically the whole quantity imported into American Continent, and claim the right to Canton. For several years past the kerosine intervene in any quarrel between a lesser oil trade has been confined almost ex-Power and any European States. This was clusively to junks and so has not come under the cognisance of the Foreign Cus- toms at Canton, but with the establishment of the transit pass trade a considerable amount has been passed through the Customs in order to avail of the new pri- vilege. Thus the total quantity of kerosine of all descriptions imported into Canton dur- ing the first quarter of the years 1894-97 was
Carpets..
Long ells
Spanish stripes....
Bundries:-
Alum, white..
Furniture
India-rubber shoes
Matches, wood, Japan
Oil, kerosine, American
Lade, silk.
Russian...
"
}}
Sumatra
Safes, iron..
JJ
70 12
2
piculs pieces
138
33
pairs
500
value, Hk. Tls.
82
gross
65,749
23
"}
120,600 73,500
pieces
2
value, Hk. Tls.
1
111 211
gallons 455,850
done in the case of the French invasion of Mexico, when NAPOLEON III. was warned off, and the unfortunate MAXIMILIAN left to his tragic fate. Only the other day the Republic claimed the right to arbitrate between Great Britain and Venezuela; and she may, on another occasion, interpose in a quarrel between Germany and Brazil, or Italy and Argentina. It is quite within
[June 22, 1897,
the bounds of probability that perseverance in this policy may involve the United States in a war with a great military Power, but the Republic is well able to take care of itself, and though at present singularly vulnerable to attack on its coasts, would soon show that it possessed the means where- with to enforce its menaces and decisions.
In the event of the Senate and House of Representatives endorsing the action of the President, there is not likely to be any serious opposition to the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States. The British Government will not raise any protest, for although British in- terests are considerable in the whilom kingdom those of American citizens are greater. Years ago, if we remember rightly, Great Britain was asked to establish a pro- tectorate over the islands but refused to do so, partly from an indisposition to intervene and partly from a desire not to wound American susceptibilities. British interests in the islands will be much more assured if the islands are annexed to the United States
than they would be, say, under Japanese part of the dog in the manger. A crisis rule, and England is not wont to act the
has undoubtedly arrived in the history of the islands. The provisional Government has come into collision with Japan, and or must seek outside assistance to _endorse must either kunckle down to superior force and defend its action in excluding Japanese immigrants. Rightly or wrongly, the island Government has become alarmed at the influx of the Japanese. The population of 34,436 (little over one-third) were natives, the islands: in 1890 was 89,990, of whom 6,186 half-castes, 7,495 born in Hawaii of European and American parents, 15,301 Chinese, 12,360 Japanese, 8,602 Portuguese, 1,928 Americans, 1,344 British, 1,034 Ger- mans, 297 Norwegians, 70 French, 588 Polynesians, and 419 other foreigners. At the present moment the Japanese population is estimated at nearly 30,000, and is con- stantly increasing. The recent success of Japanese arms over China, the acquisition by Japan of a powerful fleet, and the appear- ance in so many foreign ports of Japanese merchantmen, have strongly impressed the Government of weaker States, and there is obviously some likelihood of Japanese in- terests in the group eventually overshadow- ing those of all other Powers combined. There are, too, many temptations to Japan to aspire to the sovereignty of these lovely and fertile islands. They already afford a capital field for Japanese labour and would, if acquired, give employment for Japanese capital and manufacturing industry. The Japanese might also win over the support of the natives, who are not antipathetic, and they would soon find ways of ousting the Chinese population. It would therefore be far less difficult for Japan to absorb Hawaii than it has proved for her to assimilate Formosa. Not unnaturally Japan has protested against the American annexation of the islands, and Germany may be inclined to follow suite, but if the American people approve, the treaty will be ratified, England acquiescing. Some action has become necess- ary in the interests of the Caucasians re- sident in Hawaii, and if the United States Congress were to decline to endorse Presid- ent MCKINLEY'S action, Great Britain would probably be asked to annex the islands in order to save them from becoming the appanage of an Oriental State. But there is little question of the treaty being accepted by the American nation. Such acceptance will necessarily mark a new departure in American policy and may one day prove to have far-reaching results.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.