+
January 21, 1899.]
-11592 70 8"
the then French Consul created riots by attempting to seize it, but was compelled to acknowledge the right of the Ningpu Guild to this now famous landmark. Since then and up to the recent display of energy op the part of the Count DE BEZAURE we fail to see that the French have or can, produce any legal proof to support their right of pos- session.Then to occupy, as the French have recently endeavoured to do, by forcible means is an act as invalid as it is unwise, If the Municipalité Française at Shanghai desired extension its applicati.d should have been made in proper channels and in a correct and peaceful manner. The duty of the Municipalité. Française, isto provide, an object, lesson to the Chinese in good local self-government, and to develop sound trade within its borders. The as in the case of the other Foreign settle- ments, the beneficence of its control and its growing needs would have demanded, and secured its expansion. From this incident have arisen, the present demands of the Franch Consul-General, who. ns
anin demnification for the riots in last July claims not only the Joss-house but large territorial concessions adjoining the French Settlement. To support those demands the cruiser Descartes, has been dispatched to Nanking to intimidate the Viceroy, where, if China was, anything like a Power, she might, reinio at her anchors till that glorious millenium zing ..the.. visiou of "Locksley Hall" approaches.
የ
<THINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT"
-
THE FUTILITY OF ALLIANUES.
man.
{r
い
+
"
་་
44
કે
see
order to best safeguard its interests. good and serions. alliance is like the (Daily Press, 19th January.)
mirage the desert in the distance it fascinates the The question of international alliances has eye, excites the imagination, but when one recently been brought closely home to us in approaches it in the hope of resting in its the Far East by Lord CHARLES BERIS shile there is nothing there, all has vanished; FORD's suggested alliance of Great Britain, nd if another pursuit te made it is with the United States, Germany, and Japan the same fruitless result. The problem has with the object of maintaining the integrity
reacheil complexity which leaves far of China as an open market for the trade
behind all the cases of conscience imagined of the world. awake" has already suggested the anomaly ur correspondent Wide-
by the most subtle casuists..
A
diplomat in these days can never say with of free trade and rotectionist countries
h certainty, "On this point of the globe such and such combining together to influence the commer
interests are in conflict; in order to pre cial policy of a third another correspondent
“serve and develop those of my country it signing himself "B" reminds us that Ger-
"will suffice to use such and such means, many was the real cause of Jajkin's having Ambassador." No sooner would he have to .pproach such and such a Minister or to relinquish the Linotung Peninsula, u fict which Japan will never forget; and Reiter arrived at such a conclusion than some tells us that the debates in the United event would happen to overthrow his fine States Senate bil tion are revealing a prolippine ques-pujects. The writer in our contemporary strong anti-Ger- theù goes on to give instances of the feeling. The material certainly futility of alliances, in some of which seems unpromising for a cordial and his conclusions may be dissented from, permanent alliance, and after hearing all but the general line of argument that our recent distinguished visitor has had sound. He refers to the Franco-Russian to say in favour of his proposal we still alliance and says that since the memorable remain of the opinion long ago expressed in day when that alliance was proclaimed with this column that England will best conserve such enthusiasm the French have been a her interests by standing on her own legs little disillusioned. The condition of Rus- Lord CHARLES BERESFORD speaks of thesia and its inevitable development are Triple alliance having preserved the pencewentioned and the pertinent question pro- of Europe; but he gives no proof that the pounded why Russia should support France two circumstances stau in the relation of and in concert with her make war against cause and effect. The Triple Alliance was
the world." Besides," he continues, One thing obvious is, that this is no. the formed for the preservation of peace, what treaties are worth. France and action of the Municipalité Française; it is the and peace has been preserved; but then
England-I speak of a time when we action, of the French, Government through we pray in church every Sunday for the never lost a chance of pulling the chest- its Consul General. The demands are not preservation of peace, nul it would be as
"puts out of the fire for our grate.ul neigh- those of the Municipalité; they are those of logical to ascribe the fact that peace has
bour-France (and England agreed that the French Government, unless that Ge-been preserved solely and entirely to the
it was necessary to muzzle the Northern vernment permits its representative to efficacy of prayer. An astrologer also
Bear in order to prevent him disporting îndulge on his own responsibility in these might contend that the result was due
hituself in the waters of the Bosphorus. little vagaries,, which it is not easy to to the influences of the planets. Pence
And the result? It is Germany whose believe Thus when a foreign government might have been preserved had the Triple
voice is now listened to with the greatest intimidates by a naval display the Viceregal Alliance never been called into existence,
atteption on the banks of the Golden powers at Nanking into the granting of car-and preserved possibly without the assist-
Horn.: Who would have thought it ??? tain idemnifications, which is a travesty on uce of the enormous armaments that have Our contemporary gives other instances, Justice, it leads up to the fine logical or had to be kept up. Assuming that the including that of the Triple alliance, and goes rather practical point as to where the "cou- Triple Alliance has really been the cause on to say :-“No; whatever may be said, it is cession
"euds and the "colony" begins, of the preservation of peace it is open to especially if the consular, representative of debate. whether the short and sharp ex- France be empowered to seize land when perience of a war would not have been ever he so desires, and have au armed force preferable to the long drawn out agony of maintained by local ratepayers to effect in the armed peace that has been sapping the part his bidding. On the death of a mis- financial and industrial resources of several sionary Emperor WILLIAM seized a proof the European countries, which have been vinces for killing certain Chinese, France called upon to bear burdens beyond their claims the same privilege though politely strength. An hour with the dentist may modified.in dimensions. Truly the Chinese be a painful experience, but it is preferable deep in the morals of Confucius must be im to months of gnawing toothache pressed with the political morality of the foreigners. Fortunately for China and her people opinions amongst foreigners differ, and though the Chinese Viceroy perforce uny have to grant the French claims Great Britaifa undoubtedly views those claims as unjust, and aggressive. In the Yangtze Val ley and in the neighbourhood of Shanghaid especially Great Britain cannot afford to ignore that spirit of aggression. In the nation should form an alliance with such Foreign Settlements at Shanghai where and such a one, that the interests of this Eugland and America decided to join hands people suggest an understanding with that, and admit all, there is ample room for that other two powers have everything to French trade The best of the French gain by working together, and so on. Bút ommercial houses are, wisely there already. It is easier to write these fine things than the nibst important, business, houses in the to place them in execution.*In the good
rench Concession are British and German old lays questions of alliances were less com-question has become so intense, so vital for The demands of the French Consul General plicated, Politics then were directed to the aredsot supported by them the French maintenance of the
ce of the balance of power amongst theatricsly performances at Nanking are the European nations and within the limits" neither desired nor encouraged by the
the of the Continentia stroke of the pen, a foreigners who live nd bave their being in marriage, the gift of ram principality." the China hind are honestly concerned in her cassion of a town sufficed to restore order welfare.* It is well the French Government and satisfy everyone. Today, each nation should recognise this.
3. is asking on what side to range itself in'!“
1307 31AE
11
به علمی
|
1
It is not often that we find ourselves in agreement with our loukiu contemporaries, but on this subject of allinuces a well written article appears in the Avenir du Tonkin of the 11th January, the main com clusions of which commend themselves as eminently sensible. The newspapers and reviews of the present day, says the writer, formulate propositions that such and such
辉
“
芙露
•
4.
4K 111 8LA
27
impossible for any pation at the present time “to stand on a prearranged line of conduct carefully studied and nicely determined. "If the thing nall been realisable it would already have been accomʻlished. There are too many interests at stake
ench wants the whole blanket for himself, each
one..
natión to assure for itself the first rank. "There results a defiance or animosity, which keeps the Powers apart, without speaking of the uncertainties of the morrow. All the "Cabinets recognise that there is something......... “in thể air, that it would be prudent to take precautions against the time when the tempest shall break, but that is all, Anxious glances are turned to all of the horizon
points without discovering a port of reluge;
all it is most likely on himself, “alone that each one will in future have to rely. What renders agreement "difficult and hazardous is that the elements “which formerly presided over alliances have lisippeareil. Formerly one fought for a principles sentiment entered into politics. To-day, with the possible exception of *Russin, it is the industrial and commercial question that overrides all others. As this
粤曲
j
"all countries, as at bottom it is simply a struggle of opposed interests, of contrary ambitious, and as the last word must be- long to the people who can place in line “the most # colonies, the most mer. H chalts,” manufacturers, and experts, it will; belɛuddlerstood that "the balance amongst all these rivalries inot: easily
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.