TE RECORD OF THE YEAR.
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January 6, 1900.
FE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND come from Peking, but they have not been | boundary had been demarcated by British followed by equally startling events, and and Chinese officinis, and a date (17th April) (Daily Press, 1st January.)
in Chinese internal politics stagnation must had been fixed for-the hoisting of the fing, The opening of the last year of the century. be pronounced the main feature of the year. when it was discovered that the Chinese harl Ands Great Britain engaged in a war that is Railway construction, however, has made munted guns on a site commanding the minking more serious demands upon her progress and must in time exercise its in-cene of the intended ceremony, with the senergy and military resources than any con- fluence upon the Chinese Court by promoting amiable design of opening fire upon the Bict in which she has been engaged within intercourse and accustoming the nation to company that was expected to assemble. the memory of the present generation. The innovations. The line from "Peking to Pao- The whole district was found to be in re- Transvaal Republic, declining to redress the tingfu has been completed, work is actively volt, sedition having been stirred up by the grievances of the Uitlanders, determined to proceeding on the Peking and Hankow line, gentry with the connivance if not at the try a fall with the Suzerain Power and to the line from Shanhaikwan to Newchwang direct instigation of the Native Authorities. attempt to eject her from South Africa. An is approaching completion, and progress has The military subdued the opposition in the insolent ultimatum was accordingly de- been mule with the Russian lines in Man-course of two or three days, fortunately livered, early in October, and the invasion churia and the German lines in Shantung. | with no loss of life on our side and but little on that of the Chinese, anıl subsequently, to of Natal and Cape Colony immediately fol- Work has not yet been commened on the lowed, the Orange Free State joining forces American concession for live from Hankow punish the duplicity displayed by the Na- with the Transvaal. Military critics preto Canton, the Anglo-German concession tive Authorities, Kowlom walled city (which dicted that the commencement of the cam- for the fientsin and Chink:ang line, or the had been expressly excepted from the paign would be marked by some reverses to British concessions for lines connecting original concession) and the city of Sham- the British armis, but probably no one nuti- Shanghai with Souchow and Nauking and chun, n the Chinese side of the border, were occupied. The latter, unfortunately cipated that the reverses would be so disas- Canton with Kowloon, but it is hoped that
Il soon trous as has actually been the case.
the year now opening may see the com- has been retroceded to China, much to the became evident that the enemy's strength, meucement of these important undertakings. | disappointment of the residents of Hong- both in men and in resources, especially in The permission for steamers to navigate the kong, who had hoped that, instead of re- the matter of artillery, had been greatly inland waterways of Chifua has been reduced trocession, advantage would be taken of the underestimated, and that the task before almost to a nullity bỷ the illiberal rules circumstances to set back the boundary at our army was a much more arduous one than that have been framed for the regulation least to the crest of the range of hills that the military authorities had expected. The of the traffic, the protection of the squeeze divides the Sunon District from that of reverses that have been sustained, however, privileges of the local officials having ap- Tungkun. Later in the year there was a have had the effect of strengthening the de-parently been accorded greater weight than similar opposition by the Chinese to the termination of the nation to place on a secure the promotion of trade. There is some French occupation of the territory claimed footing once for all British paramountcy in reason to hope, however, that the rules will to be included in the Kwauchauwan con- South Africa and to sweep away the danger shortly be subjected to revision and that the cession, and severe conflicts took place with which the Cape route to India has been concessi 'n notninally granted will be made attended with serious loss of life on both threatened. Lord ROBERTS is now on his a reality. In our own immediate vicinity sides.
as also been retarded Considerable excitement was caused dur-a way out to take sup.eme command of Her the growth of trade
course of the year by adle- Majesty's forces in the field, with Lord by the prevalence of piracy on the Canton | iug the KITCHENER as his chief of staff; reinforce watere, with which the Chinese Authorities | mand preferred by ftaly for a territorial met by China ments are being despatched; and, although | have hitherto shown themselves powerless concession, which was
Although it is impossible to say how long the enemy or unwilling to cope. The Viceroy TAN has with a point blank refusal. may be able to keep the field, there can be now been removed and is to be succeeded | Italy made a display of force by send- -no doubt as to the final result. While de by La HUNG-CHANG, who, although he maying out several cruisers she apparently- ploring the loss of life and the suffering en- not be animated by any friendly feelings does not intend to enforce her demand, tailed by the war the nation is firmly con- towards foreigners in general or Great except as regards something in the nature vinced of the justice of its cause and is pre- Britain in particular, will at least make some of a railway and mining concession, negotia- pared to make any sacrifice necessary to attempt to suppress law'e sness in his pro- tions with reference to which are still peud- carry it to a successful issue. Hongkong vinces and stamp out the brigandage and ing. Excitement has also been caused by rumours of struined relations between Russia and the British communities in the Far piracy by which they are now infested. East are doing their share in contributing to Meantime the increasing traffic by steamer and Japan, but what foundation there was the Fund being raised to afford assistance to between Hongkong and the treaty port of for the rumours, remains doubtful. the wives and families of the soldiers en- Wuchow affords some indication of the two Powers are rivals, however, both in Chius and Korea, and there is a widespread gaged, and there are numbers of men who, tradal possibilities of the district. like the Canadians and Australians, would When the year opened the question of belief that their rivalry will in the end gladly take part in the fighting itself if the spheres of influence and the open d or result in hostilities. During the year tan opportunity were afforded them, as is evi- was being actively discussed. The Powers-alliance between China and Japan was denced by the offer of a large proportion of appear to have arrived at the conclusion the members of the Hongkong and Singa- that the two things are not irreconcilable, pore Volunteer Corps as well as the offers and while none of them are prepared to that have been made from Manila and guarantee China's integrity they have Shanghai. Meanwhile our sympathies are mutually agreed that in territory that may with the brave garrisons that have been fur come under the control or influence of any the last ten weeks so gallantly holding out of them there shall be no curtailment of at Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking, the trading privileges to which the remain and. Britishers all over the world will to-day ing Powers are entitled under their trentie. in thought send them hearty New Year with China. There are indications, also, greetings with the hope that they may soon of a nasceut recognition of the principle thear the march of the relieving forces. that the possession of a sphere of influence carries with it some muensure of responsibility for the maintenance of order and reasonable good government of the territory comprised within the sphere. There is some reason to believe that had Britain's attention not been so fully engaged in South Africa we should have seen ere this the strengthening the garrison of Hongkong in order that troops might be available for despatch to any part of China where British interests might call for a display of military force.
In China, as compared with the feverish excitement of 1898, the course of politics has produced few startling changes. The Empress Dowager continues to hold the reins of power, but the Emperor still lives and retains his title, though he remains in obscu- arity Whatever truth there may have been in the rumours at one time current of an intention to ussist his "ascent upon, the Dragon to be a guest on high" the fact that the eyes of the civilised world were centred upon Peking seems to have exer oiseda restraining influence, and Kwang Su has neither <been deposed nor nurdered. -The same influence has prevented a markedly reactionary policy being pursued, but it has "not sufficed to advance the cause of reform. "From time to time startling rumours haye
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discussed, and Russia plainly indicated to China her disapprobation of anything of the kind. Luer a dispute arose with reference to a land concession at the Korean port of Masanpo, where the Japanese had forestalled Russia in the purchase of land which the latter had fixed upon as a site for a coaling and docking station. The importance of this question was probably considerably magnified in the press discussion that ensued, but in the temper of the tw› Powers a very small spark might at any time suffice to bring them into actual conflict.
In Japan the year has seen the abolition of exterritoriality, and foreigners resident, in that country are now subject to Japanese law. While the change could not be ex- pected to be welcome to oreigners, they have loyally accepted the new conditions with an evident desire to maintain amicable relations with the people and the officials of the country. The native courts have already had to deal with several cases How little relince can be placed upon | affecting foreigners, and on the whole the Chinese good faith, and how necessary is | decisions have been fair, but a recent c the steady use of pressure, was brought-for-| in which a ship's officer was senteno cibly home to us in Hongkong in connection six months' imprisonment on with the taking over of the New Territory arising out of a scuffle with a added to this colony. A definite agreementswain, has excited indignation: for the cession had been arrived at, the doubt upon the impartiality of the native
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