The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1898-11-12 — Page 3

November 12, 1898:]

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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.

387

COMPOUNDING WITH REBELS,

is no doubt correct, in the sense that the abroad, have felt impelled to take a course ¦ ference to the mutilation of the bodies. ¿¡At Fashoda question was only the 1

∙last straw; which will make the great American Re- the time of the plot the Ministry was re- but it was undoubtedly that question

question that public surrender one of its most cherished actionary, and was said to have been trying was the proximate cause, and for that cause traditions and become a colonising Power. to start an anti-foreign movement. the nation was determined to fight if a set- Destiny has proved stronger than policy, Independence Club held meetings in front The tlement could not be arrived at peaceably, more potent than prejudice. The step is of the Palace for five days demanding the The crisis having been allowed to reach such one that has not been taken unadvisedly resignation of the Ministers, and one of the an acute stage the Government may now deem the opportunity a favourable one for MCKINLEY has no doubt reckoned on the should have been given a fair and open or without counting the cost. President points they made was that KIM HONG-YUK making a clean sweep of all outstanding opposition, on paper, of various Powers, and trial, in which case he would have implicated disputes, and it would, we think, be well | is no doubt ready to meet it if it should some of the Ministers. There was extreme advised in so

so doing. As Lord ROSEBERY by any chance assume a more active form. tension, but the King dismissed the Con- reminded us the other day, at the time of We expected to hear of French oppositionservative ministers, the Independent party the Siam difficulty we were within an ace of to the cession of the Philippines to the thus coming into power. That was about being forced' into a war with France. The United States, and it has already been the middle of last month, and now the news Newfoundland and West African questions clardeed, but we are somewhat surprised to have also for many years been a source of fined the Press of Germany and Russia Independence Club have been arrested and

comes that nineteen of the leaders of constant irritation. With reference to following suit. Russia has heretofore been that the President has fled, so that their West Africa, a settlement was recently on good terms with the United States, and term of power has been a short one. The arrived at which may perhaps prove it is difficult to see on what grounds she can durable, but the Newfoundland question is oppose the retention of the Philippines by named YUN and is, or was, the editor of President of the Independence Club is still open, French intrigues in Siam con- the republic. Germany, there is reason to the Korean Independent, an ably conducted stitute a standing menace to friendly re believe, indulged in some hope that she paper of rather iconoclastic tendencies lations, and there is the Great China ques- would profit by the weakness of Spain and which will presumably have suspended tion awaiting solution. In the latter we obtain some foothold in the group. She publication since its editor has become a are brought face to face not only with already possesses the Marshall Islands and fugitive. A poj ular uprising is feared, and France, but also, and on the surface more would probably have been willing to extend should it take place we will have an oppor- acutely, with Russia. A settlement with her protection to the Carolines. the latter Power, however, would probably under other circumstances there would have ment between Russia and Japan "to refrain

Whether tunity of seeing how far the recent agree not be difficult to arrive at if racial pre- been a chance of her securing the latter by judice were laid aside and the question a little diplomacy we cannot tell, but the

"from all direct interference in the internal approached in a liberal minded manner, for attitude assumed by her througout the is possible that outside interference from some "affairs" of Korea will stand the test. It it is not England's policy to unnecessarily Spanish-American War served to irritate quarter may become absolutely necessary, thwart and embitter Russin by playing the the Americans to such an extent that they unless the civilised would is to stand by dog in the manger with her. There is a would not now be likely to listen to any and see the country involved in a bar- marked distinction between France's action proposals for giving Germany a coaling barous factional war. The position in Korea at Fashoda and Russia's action in Man- station in the group. Nor is the United bears a resemblance to that in China, and churia. In the former case France tried to States Government likely to abate any jot affords another illustration of the fact that step into territory over which Great Britain of its demands at the dictation of a foreign the attempt to put new wine into old bottles claimed to exercise direct influence and press, even though that press should be is not unattended with danger. administrative authority; in the latter officially inspired. If the British Govern- Russia is simply supplanting the barbaricment turns restive under too frequent at- rule of China in a region in which Great tempts to twist the Lion's tail, how much Britain has neither the intention nor wish less patient will be that of Washington to establish herself. If Russia's policy in under a process of attempting to clip the relation to tradal facilities is not all that Eagle's wings. we could wish it is nevertheless infinitely preferable to China's. But though we may be willing to see Manchuria fall within the Russian sphere of influence Great Britain could not consent to the whole of China being parcelled out without her "gree ment and participation. We would prefer that it should not be parcelled out at all, but that it should be transformed into a strong and progressive state in which commercial enterprise should have

In the kaleidos- free play under the policy of the open door. in the politics of the Peninsular Kingdom it copic changes that take place so frequently For the realisation of this ideal European assistance and direction are necessary, and which each in succession is brought about, is difficult to follow the influences by now that Great Britain has placed herself but the political camp may be divided into on a war footing we may be permitted to two main divisions, namely, the reactionaries hope that she will use her strength for the and the progressives, the ranks of the latter establishment of her paramount influence at being swollen no doubt by many self seekers Peking, not with the selfish idea of keeping whose instinct leads them to fish in troubled others out, but with the fixed determination waters. The Independence Club is the of exercising a controlling voice in the ad-party organisation of the progressives. ministration with a view to the opening up On the 11th September an attempt was of the country to the trade of all nations made to murder the Emperor and the and giving the population the benefit of Crown Prince poison being put in their civilised government.

coffee. The attempt fortunately proved unsuccessful, though both the intended victims were made ill by the poison. KIM HONG-YUK, formerly in the em- rccused of being the leader in the plot, ploy of

Russian

and he and two alleged accomplices were executed, after they had signed confessions. The bodies were afterwards publicly ex- posed and were horribly mutilated by the mob. The Russian Minister is reported to have asked for an explanation of the rea- sons for the precipitate execution of the alleged criminals, and representations are also said to have been made by other members of the diplomatic body with re-

THE UNITED STATES AND THE PHILIPPINES.

(Daily 7th

The decision of the United States Govern- ment to insist upon the cession of the whole of the Philippine Islands was the only logical outcome of the situation. Having once occupied the capital there were only two practical courses open to the Americans

either to withdraw from the islands al together or to annex the whole group. The Washington Government, in spite of a strong feeling in the Democratic party against the acquisition of responsibilities

POLITICAL CRISIS IN KOREA,

(Daily Press, 8th November.) terday to the effect that a political crisis The special telegram we published yes- exists leaders of the Independence Club have at Seoul and that nineteen been arrested would seem to show that the reactionaries are again in the ascendant in that unhappy country.

1

(Daily Press, 8th November.) Another striking proof of the utter weak- ness and futility of the Chinese Government has just been given, which, in the present exciting times, is liable to be passed over without much comment. We refer to the action of the Acting Viceroy of Szechuen in rebels who have been so active in the per- buying over Yu MAN-TZE, the leader of the

vince. YUMAN-TZE has been the chief instru secution of the Roman Catholics in that pro- ment in engineering the movement against the Christians, who have been harried and burnt out in numerous districts until there refugees in Chungking, and their numbers are are now about six thousand Roman Catholic

with this man and his followers as rebels, the being daily augmented. Instead of dealing Viceroy has all along, since foreign inter vention was commenced, been patting then begging them to lay down their arms, and on the back, appealing to their feelings, praising their patriotism and former good behaviour, with hints no doubt of rewards if they would only listen to the Viceroy's wishes. This method of procedure has not, at any rate, been resultless. terms and to release Father FLEURY, whom Yu agreed to listen to he has been holding in captivity. In return for this the acting Viceroy has practically promised him immunity from consequences, and has conferred upon him a commission rebel's followers are to be either en carrying brevet button it. The the local military battalions or be paid their enlisted in

expenses of proceeding to their homes. This is certainly one way of dealing with rebellion, and it may be characterised as a truly Chinese method of treating it. But it can- gang would have been differently treated not be doubted that YU MAN-TZE and his had they not been engaged in a crusade against the Christians. This was, in the eyes of the officials, unquestionably a great