October 6, 1900.J
from our arms, are content to look upon these silly fulminations as serious; and being masters of the situation, by so doing impress the Provinces with the idea that we desire that they should respect them also. We profess not to be at war with China; and yet we accept as China the very faction we have just driven from the seat of Government, and fail to see the incongruity of our actions with our professions. If we accept the vapourings of the Dowager and her crew as the genuine outcomings of the government of China, then ipso facto we acknowledge that we are carrying on war with China. If, however, we take the more natural and straightforward course of refusing to acknowledge the woman and her followers as other than insurgents at war with their Emperor, as well as with civilisation in general, then the only policy is at once to declare openly our position as regards the situation, and take care that the provinces shall be warned to give no more support to the irregular faction now pre- tending to usurp the functions of Imperial government; and further that no person professing to act on their authority or 8.8 their emissary shall be permitted to assume any rank or title thereby conferred; or to act in any way as if possessed of Imperial authority. The provinces are waiting for this declaration, which if given would justify them in their refusal to acknowledge these irregular proceedings; but unfortunately the whole course of our actions with regard to China has been marked by so much vacillation and senility, that we need not wonder that the provincial governments require some more binding assurance than we have as yet given, that they shall not in the end be handed over to the vengeance of the Dowager and her bloodthirsty satellites.
THE END OF THE INLAND WATERS FARCE.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
the ordinary man can have no doubt what- ever. With regard to the threat of the Cus- toms officials to fine the Lungkiang, this can be taken for what it is worth. It can only be regarded as an attempt at " undertaken on behalf of the local officials
bluff,
in order, if possible, to complicate and evade the very plain question of their responsibility for an unprovoked outrage on a British vessel. The Customs are perfectly well aware that in passing Luklao-which is in one of the delta channels joining Canton with the West River-the Lungkiang was only doing what she and all other vessels have been doing with their (the Customs') full knowledge and consent for the past three years; although to do so may be contrary to the letter of certain regulations which were drawn up under conditions now no longer existing. But whether the vessel's presence at that particular spot was or was not in accordance with some restrictive and absurd regulation, it cannot allowed to
be
the point at issue.
or in any way hide Avanto attack is made on a vessel under the British flag, and it is plainly the duty of the British Govern- ment to take some more effective steps to obtain redress than can be obtained by firing at a mud bank; and it is equally plainly the duty of the Chinese Government to offer some other reparation for the out- rage than is contained in a threat of the infliction of a fine-on the outraged vessel. Piracy, murder and outrage have, however, become so common that a little more or less does not seem to affect our Government, but there is a power arising slowly but surely which will sooner or later make itself felt the power of public opinion and public indignation. The public indignation of the world, it may be; but that of Britain cer- tainly. The cup is nearly full, and it will be well for the Chinese that the last few drops are not added to make it overflow.
cover
**
14
44
263
are of such a nature as to prevent the
C
expansion of trade, while the prevalence "of piracy,' as it is somewhat exaggeratedly
called, had practically put a stop
ta trade altogether. No doubt these statements have been made to some extent under the idea that exaggeration is necessary where change or reform is desired, but in this case it would seem that they have over- shot their mark, so wide are the real facts
teresting to know Mr. Scorr's opinion on "from those predicated. It would be in-
shipping companies' steamers from the West the complete withdrawal of the British- River, which we announced on Where now is the “
Wednesday. what are the "facts"?
exaggeration," and ber seeing the statement that piracy "had We do not remem- practically put a stop to trade altogether," but with regard to the working of the Inland Water Regulations the case of the complainants is established in such a way that even Consular Reports cannot shake it.
THE CHINESE IMPERIAL POLICY.
t
11
(Daily Press, 2nd October.)
Shanghai on Sunday night and appeared in
The telegram which reached
us from
our issue of yesterday brought news indica- tive of a complete change of attitude on the part of the Chinese Government and gives occasion for no little wonder what is the reason for the sudden volte face. It was only on the 26th ult. that we read of a, defiant secret edict from Prince TUAN, published in the Emperor's name, declaring China determined to continue the war at all costs against the foreign Powers; and of a public decree awarding posthumous honours to that most infamous of the ruffians promin- ent in the recent outbreak, LI PING-HENG. And now October has scarcely opened when we hear of tributes to the memories of the German Minister and Japanese Chan- cellor, the first foreign diplomatic victims of the reactionary madness; of the de- gradation of Princes and Ministers con- nected with the Boxer movement, and in particular of the arch-villain Prince TUAN himself, who must give up his offices and submit to the verdict of his peers. Nothing could be in greater contrast than the attitude of defiance last week and the yielding dis- position manifested in the new announce- ment. Internal alterations must have occurred of a sweeping character, but how they were
Closely connected with and forming part (Daily Press, 4th October.)
of the same restrictive regulations which Referring to the attack made by the the Chinese now advance in an attempt to Chinese on the British steamer Lungkiang, we palliate their attack on the Lungkiang, is now learn that H.M. gunboat Robin, with the reason for the withdrawal and sale of the Consul from Samshui on board, went to the Shipping Companies' vessels from Luklao (the place where the outrage occur- the West River trade. After two years red), where she too was stoned by the people of representation and petitioning against of the place, whereupon she fired some shots these restrictive regulations, which only re- into the bank. Later, a petty official was sulted in polite acknowledgments from the got hold of, who regretted his inability to British Government and in active resistance restrain the people, but promised to baniboo on the part of the Chinese, they have been someone! With regard to the Lungkiang compelled to withdraw their vessels, with herself we understand the Customs at Can- the result that the British Flag is now prac- are not yet in a position to say. It brought about we ton threatened to fine her for passing Luklaotically unrepresented on the West River, as might be suggested that the reactionary at all and her captain was instructed, far as trade is concerned. Abstract reason- party are trying to buy their lives at the under orders from H.M. Consul-General in ings on the right of the Chinese to make cost of their offices and honours, and to Canton, that he had better not go there what regulations they see fit are interesting appease the avengers by the spontaneous again. A British merchant vessel is fired when one's pocket is not affected, but we offering of respect to the murdered diploma- at; a British gunboat is pelted with stones, cannot help wondering whether, if our re-tists. This attempt, it is needless to say, and what happens? The merchant vessel is presentatives from the Minister down. I must on no account be allowed to succeed. threatened with a fine by the Chinese Gov-wards to the Consuls at the various ports It has already been proved time after time ernment and the captain is warned by the British Authorities that-like Sam Weller in the Bardell case-he bad better be care- ful; while the gunboat fires at a mud bank and gets a coolie bambooed. A truly logical, dignified, and strong attitude!
had been financially affected by the result, they would not have introduced a little more practical energy into the performance of their duties and made some more efforts to secure the recognition of equality of opportunity for British ships than will ever be accomplished by discussions as to the exact meaning to be attached to some abstruse Chinese hierogly.
It is, of course, necessary that H.M. Con- suls should do their best to preserve order and peace in the southern provinces if pos-phic. sible, but it is doubtful if an exhibition which is characterised by neither dignity nor force can be calculated to increase the chances of this. Firing into a mud bank as a method of impressing the Chinese is doubtless effective, but whether the impres- sion made tends to increase that respect for England's power with which it is so neces- sary the Chinese should be inspired, and upon which depends the lives of hundreds of Foreigners in China, is a matter on which
(Daily Press, 5th October.) In another column appears a notice of the report of Mr. B. C. G. SCOTT, H.M. Consul General at Canton, on the trade of that place during last year. Mr. SCOTT, it will be seen, says :-"Statements have appeared from sources that should be responsible " and well informed that the West River “and Inland Water Navigation, alations
that the degradation of Chinese officials is a mere farce. It has, moreover, been declared in no hesitating manner by public opinion in Europe that for Prince TUAN and those with him who are beyond a doubt personally responsible for the murders of foreigners nothing short of the death penalty will suffice. There is also the question of the Empress Dowager left untouched-though this perhaps could hardly be dealt with in an Imperial Decree at the present moment. If the latest crop of decrees really indicates the revival of the influence of the long sup- pressed Emperor's party, it will be followed by a second yield of far finer promise. But it unfortunately appears too good to be true that the Emperor should be able to get free from his captors and their plot- tings under cover of his name and seal. It is, at any rate, undoubtedly a fact that
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