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June 25, 1898.]
It would be rather strange, therefore, if France were in a hurry to construct the line from Pakhoi, unless, indeed, her idea is to establish interests with a view to the subsequent annexation of the province of Kwaugai, for which she might be prepared to make some prosent sacrifice. In any scheme of that kind, however, she would have to count on the opposition of Great Britain. Pakhoi is, as Mr. WILKINSON says, a branch establishment as it were of Hongkong, where all purchases are made and whither the greater part of all surplus local products go. If France chooses to improve the communications of our branch establishment we ought to feel very much obliged to her, but if she tries to appro- priate the establishment to herself and eject the original principals by hostile tariffs there will be another tale to tell. As a inat- ter of fact, however, we believe that Great Britain and France have already mutually agreed to respect the integrity of the southern provinces. As to the prospects of the Pakhoi, Nanning railway from a commercial point of view, the change that the opening of the West River has brought about must not be overlooked. In his report already referred to Mr. MORSE says :-"Time is not impor- "tant in China, and, other things being equal, water transport will always be pre- "ferred for its cheapness. The only ob- "stacle to the present use of the magnificent waterway of the West River, extending navigably to the extreme western limit of Kwangsi, is found in the numerous "lekin barriers, especially below Wuchow." The advantage expected to accrue from the construction of a railway from Pakhoi to Nanning was that it would set down goods transported by it at a point above the financial barriers mentioned by Mr. MORSE. But these barriers have now been removed and trade is free to follow its uatural course. There will no doubt always be a certain amount of trade at Pakhoi, and a railway might assist in its expansion, but under the changed conditions the proposed line is not one that would be likely to commend itself to capitalists. working only in their own financial interests.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. that at least they ought to take the whole of the shores of the Bay and the various rivers as far as they are subject to the influence of the tides. The discussion took a disagree able turn and the Admiral brought about the rupture by observing Monsieur "DOUMER as Governor has the right to "command in Indo-China only; on the coasts of China that right belongs to the Admiral," whereupon M. DOUMER re- turned to Saigon.
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The dispute suggests to our contemporary the question whether Kwangchanwan is to form a part of the colony of Indo-China, in which case the Governor-General would command, or is to constitute a distinct possession under the orders of the Admiral. An article in an issue of our contemporary, apparently by earlier
a different pen, would seem to suggest that the Bay is really to remain Chinese and subject to Chinese jurisdiction, the French having only a right of user, for they are now demanding the removal of the Man- darin in charge and that he shall be replaced by another of their own choice, namely, a man who is at present stationed near the Tonkin frontier and their good opinion. If the territory is to who has earned be exclusively under French jurisdiction it would seem that they would require no Mandarins and that the man now in charge would leave and not be replaced.
But our contemporary suggests that the selection of Kwangchauwan has been a mistake altogether and that the place is, practically useless. The entrance, it is said, is difficult and greatly obstructed by sand- banks. The Duguay-Trouin, so it is reported, was only able to enter on a high tide, and having got in could not get out again. She was there some days afterwards sounding and resounding, trying to find a channel, but, so the writer of the article was informed, without success. The date of the paper in which this article ap pears is the 8th June, and the concluding paragraph is as follows:-"In the course "of the week the vessels now at Along Bay "and the Surprise, at Haiphong, are to "leave for Kwangchauwan. We are not "in the secrets of the gods and we do upt "know if the squadron is going there to do anything. In any case, if there is no "result of a political order, we hope the
Duguay Trouin will be got out. "all events will be something."
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annex Hawaii. This resolution is not likely to be rejected by the Senate and certainly will not be vetoed by the President. We may therefore look almost immediately to see the stars and stripes floating over Honolulu and that harbour turned into an American naval station. The British Go- vernment never opposed this course when first mooted; and the idea was generally favoured by the British Press, though many journals were careful to point out all that it involved, more especially the virtual surrender of the Monroe doctrine. Great Britain will cordially endorse the action now, more especially as it will bring the United States one great step nearer to China and the Far East, and, as a corollary, teresting portion of the world. into a participation in the affairs of this in-
some of the American legislators that in the. It is significant of the present temper of course of the debate on the Hawaiian ques- tion in the House of Representatives strong declarations were made in favour of seizing and retaining the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The United States is flushed. with success no doubt, and her sons may not thing of the spirit of their forbears, who impossibly feel stirring within them some- have conquered and appropriated so many eeling only which has produced the recent various lands and races; but it is not that
change in the views of the American people. They have lately seen themselves con- every country but Great Britain in connee- demned and belittled in the press of almost tion with their quarrel with Spain; while the mother land stood firmly by her eldest born and refused to participate in any attempt to hamper her, at the same time offering her fullest sympathy to the Presid- ent and his Ministry. The Americans have expressions of Great Britain, and they have not been slow to respond to the friendly marked with no little displeasure the isola- tion of the Anglo-Saxon race in Asia. They have seen Great Britain standing up alone and single handed to contend for interests which they have promptly recognised as their own, and they have applauded the unselfish policy of the "open door." have marked the efforts, prompted by They jealousy, of several of the continental A curious state of affairs exists with regard
Powers to embarrass and injure Great to Kwangchauwan. All kinds of rumours
Britain, and they have felt the sting of are being published by the Tonkin papers,
hostile criticism directed against them- which may or may not be true, but putting
selves by the same unfriendly hands. them all together it becomes fairly clear that
It is dawning upon the American mind that the French officials have been premature in
in the union of the race there would be taking possession of the Bay before the
power alike to avert and to repel these at details as to boundaries and jurisdiction had It is very clear from recent events that, in tacks, and that neither for Great Britain been decided upon and a suitable ceremony her foreign policy, the United States now
nor for the United States is a splendid arranged for the act of transfer. It will be stands at the parting of the ways.
isolation necessarily the best policy. remembered that the French simply went more than a hundred years the great Anglo- Even from a purely selfish point of view it into the Bay and hoisted the flag without Saxon Republic hus clung faithfully to the
is no longer certain that the Anglo-Saxons any official recognition of the act by the policy laid down by WASHINGTON and
can secure most advantages from maintain- Chinese, and when subsequently the Ad- reiterated with
emphasis by THOMAS ing that isolation. Whether there are actu- miral and the Governor-General of Indo- JEFFERSON, namely, to steer clear of for-ally any negotiations opened between Lon- China paid a visit to the place the Chinese eigu alliances and avoid being drawn into don and Washington for an alliance it authorities were again absent and the populace interference with outside territory. But a would be hard to say, though Mr. CHAM- are said to have made unfriendly demonstra-chauge has for some time been creeping BERLAIN's celebrated speech at Birmingham tions. From more recent files of the Avenir over the opinion as well as the aims of the seemed to foreshadow it, and the appoint- du Tonkin we learn that on the occasion of nation. The first step towards the development of Professor J. B. MOORE to the post the visit referred to a serious difference of ment of a foreign policy was the expression of Assistant Secretary of State by President opinion occurred between the Admiral and of a desire to take over the Hawaiian MCKINLEY lends further probability to the Governor-General, the difference tirn Islands, owing to the strategic position they such an idea, as Mr. MOORE is well ing on a no less important question than occupy vis-à-vis the Pacific coast of the known as an advocate of the unity of the that of the interpretation to be given to the States, and the outbreak of the war with Anglo-Saxon race. But whatever may be rights conceded to France by China, upon Spain has crystallised this desire into deter-happening now, there can be little doubt, which it would appear neither of them had mination to possess. President MCKINLEY
we think, that one outcome of present dif- any precise information. The opinion of M. has never concealed his views on this ficulties will be the virtual federation of DOUMER is said to have been that they ought question, and in his presidential address Anglo-Saxondom, and though it will per- to take as little territory as possible. The openly advocated the annexation of the haps not be effected within the narro
THE FRENCH ÅT KWANGCHAUWAN.
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Admiral on the other hand maintained that as they had the right to help themselves they ought to help themselves largely, and
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That at
FOREIGN POLICY OF THE
UNITED STATES.
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For
little island republic. Reuter now informs us that the House of Representatives at Washington has passed a resolution to
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gin of the dying century, it will probably be one of the first and most important events. of the Twentieth Century.
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