1
August 4, 1900.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
LI HUNG-CHANG'S MISSION.
upon as hitherto unequalled performance | their wise and patriotic action of refusing | mania. The late DUKE was an ardent lover though of course with the facilities afforded to acknowledge the existing Government of of music and no mean performer on the and the state of preparation in which we Peking, unless it can be proved that their violin. There are probably some residents were always given to understand the Indian military preparations are greater than are still in the Colony who remember His Royal Army was kept, it is not to be looked upon necessary for protecting their provinces Highness taking part in the orchestra at an as phenomenal. Still for us in China the against the pretended "Imperial" troops amateur performance in the Theatre Royal, result is eminently satisfactory, as any from the north. It is natural enough that City Hall. The Duke had, we understand, break-down at the present critical position Shanghai should feel anxious at the busy made himself greatly beloved in his princi- of affairs would be certainly looked upon as aspect of affairs in the Yangtze Valley, and pality, where he will be much regretted. a sign of weakness, and would lead to the caution demands that Admiral SEYMOUR As a souvenir of his visit to Hongkong, an still vavering ones, who are waiting till the shall keep as many ships as can be spared oil-painting, representing the Duke as he signs of the times declare themselves before to watch the Settlements. Events are amply appeared in 1869, hangs on the wall of St. they decide what side they shall take them- proving the wisdom of putting Hongkong Andrew's Hall, which, though beneath con- selves in the coming struggle, going with on as strong a footing as possible, and em- tempt as a work of art, now possesses some the enemy. The British Government has, ploying it as a secondary base, from which historic interest. however, done even better, and for this we all emergencies in Central China can be met. ought to be thankful. As we hinted, there Owing to the tardy. recognition of this ne were signs of jealousy being exhibited in cessity by the home Government, any rapid view of the proposals of the Japanese Govern- spread of trouble in Chekiang and the neigh- ment to sent further troops, and these pro- bouring region may place us in an awkward ceeded so far that there arose actual danger position; but the energetic manner in which of the Japanese withdrawing; it is to the transports and warships have been hastened credit of the British Foreign Office that this forward to China has gone a long way to new danger was averted. It was besides repairing years of wilful blindness and ne- known that the Japanese Government at theglect. As was the case in South Africa, we beginning of the year found its finances in an excessively strained position, and could but ill afford the means for an extensive expedi- tion; here again it is right to recollect that Lord SALISBURY found himself able without hurting the pride of the sensitive Japanese to make proposals, which although not im- mediately accepted will in all probability re- sult in some measures being taken to reim- burse Japan for her extra share in suppress- ing the threatenened trouble. On the whole, we may fairly plume ourselves on having learned a lesson, and though in common with all our neighbours, we have been taken un- awares, our resources have even in an exceed- ingly difficult time, while we are engaged in the carrying on of a serious war to South Africa, proved fairly equal to the strain.
YANGTZE AFFAIRS.
have risen to the occasion and done far better in the matter of mobilisation than anyone could have anticipated. But this is a small item on the credit side to put against previous apathy. All's well that ends
is not the motto of statesmen.
well
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THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA.
!! s
(Daily Press, 31st July.) As will be seen from our Canton correspon- dent's letter, there is an impression among the Cantonese (though it is not accepted as a correct impression) that Viceroy L HUNG-CHANG is about to return south, his mission at Shanghai having failed. That the "mission" would fail was obvious at the start, and we can hardly believe that so old a diplomatist as Lr imagined otherwise, even though he, if any one, knows the weak- nesses of the nations of the West in dealing with China. Who imposed the mission on LI he has not condescended to explain, so that he laboured under the double burden of having to offer ridiculous proposals and of having no credentials to show from any Government which the rest of the world re- cognized. Seeing now the futility of fur- ther attempts to deal with the foreign representatives at Shanghai unless he can prove that he is the accredited agent of some legitimate central authority capable of di- plomatic intercourse with other nations, he can gain nothing by a further stay at Shang- hai. It is unlikely, if not actually impossible, that he can proceed further north. He can- not indeed be sure of his reception by the Boxer-led criminals who have landed China in her present position. There re- mains the alternative of returning to Can- ton, where the name of Lr HUNG-CHANG is still awe-inspiring, and where, if he con- tinues in the policy which he maintained Duke of Edinburgh and an Admiral in the before his recent mistaken departure, he may British Fleet, he was formerly a prominent yet prove of service to his countrymen. figure in Great Britain, and was much liked Shanghai, we know, will be glad to see him by his officers. He visited the Far East in gone; so too will the Yangtze Viceroys, as 1869, and on the 31st October in that year the North China Daily News pointed out arrived in Hongkong, where he was most in an article in Thursday's issue. His pre- cordially received and hospitably entertain- sence there only adds to the difficulties ed. During his stay in the Colony he laid of their position, which are gradually the foundation stone of the choir of St. becoming greater. If it is true that John's Cathedral, and took part in other CHANG CHIH-TUNG, Viceroy of the Hu- functions. He also visited Peking, but was kuang, is doubtful of his ability to res- refused audience by the then Emperor TUNG train his troops many days more, affairs on CHI, an honour the sailor prince probably felt the Yangtze are indeed precarious, and Ad- little anxiety to receive. His short reign in miral SEYMOUR has not arrived a moment Saxe Coburg was clouded by the sad death too soon at the river mouth. But unfortu- at an early age of his only son and heir, nately the fleet can do no more than safe- Prince ALFRED. He will be succeeded guard the coast. The defence of the status by his nephew the Duke of ALBANY, who quo in the interior must be left in the hands was recently selected on the refusal of the of the Viceroys, who in their turn can only Duke of CONNAUGHT, the next in succes- rely on the personal loyalty of their troops. sion, to be nominated as his brother's suc- If these fail them, nothing can prevent the cessor to the ducal crown. The late Duke accomplishment of the anti-foreign party's ALFRED, who was the second son of Her desire-the extinction of the foreigner in the Majesty the QUEEN, was born on the 6th interior in China, for all v who have not yet August, 1844, and was therefore nearly the fled must perish. News from the Yang- same age as the late lamented King Hux-tze will now be awaited with eagerness BERT of Italy, who was not quite five months second only to news of the Peking prisoners. the Duke's senior. Duke ALFEED married But in these days of exaggerated rumours on the 23rd January, 1874, the Grand does not do to accept the most authoritative- Duchess MARIE of Russia, only daughter of looking statements without the utmost cau the Emperor ALEXANDER II., and aunt of tion, and we must be prepared to await fur the present Czar NICHOLAS II. He leaves ther intelligence of CHANG CHIH-TUNG before four daughters, three of whom are married, concluding that an outbreak in the Yangtze the elder being now Crown Princess of Rou- Valley is upon us,
(Daily Press, 3rd August.) Her Majesty's millions of subjects in her world-wide Empire will all join in a sincere expression of sympathy in her fresh bereave- ment. The death of Prince ALFRED, Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, and Duke of Edinburgh in the peerage of Great Britain, will undoubtedly be a blow to our venerated Sovereign, which she will probably feel the more at the present juncture, coming as it (Daily Press, 80th July.)
does on the top of the South African War, As far as Central China is concerned, the in the course of which Her Majesty has lost telegram which reached us from Shanghai so many faithful servants and devoted yesterday afternoon brings the most serious soldiers. His Royal Highness the late item of intelligence since the beginning of the Duke was a reigning Prince having suc- present crisis. The murderous outbreak of ceeded his uncle ERNEST II., on the 22nd anti-foreign feeling so far south as Chu-August, 1893, only seven years ago. As chowfu, in Chekiang, cannot fail to arouse the greatest anxiety for the safety of the region at the mouth of the Yangtze, and above all for the Settlements at Shanghai. It is true that the telegram announces that the prefect and four of his yamen-rumers perished with the missionaries, but while This tends to show that the officials are re- maining loyal to their undertaking, it also proves that the rising is a strong one and capable of overcoming the local authorities. There is a distinct note of uneasiness in the last part of the telegram describing the energetic preparations of the Yangtze Vic- eroys and the strengthening of the forts. The fact of Admiral Seymour remaining at Woosung indicates that it is not only the people of Shanghai who think that the situa- tion needs careful attention. With regard to the Woosung Forts, which rumour makes the object on which the foreign warships near the mouth of the Yangtze are keeping a watch, the old batteries near Princess Wharf, Woosung, were dismantled recently after Woosung was declared an open port, but the existing batteries are at Setze- lin, eight miles nearer the Yangtze, and these forts have good guns commanding the anchorage and the river entrance. In the unhappy event of a rupture with the Yang. tze Viceroys it would be these forts with which the allies would have to deal,
We have, however, no real iudications that the Yangtze Viceroys intend to abandon
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