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THE DEMANDS OF THE ALLIES.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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to the world, the isolation of the Emperor must be relaxed. We must do away with (Daily Press, 16th November.) corrupt and useless go-betweens, and have There is nothing very startling in the recourse to the actual fountain-head. Last terms demanded by the Allies from China, on the list of terms comes the indemnity to as set forth in the summary telegraphed by states, corporations, and individuals." Dr. MORRISON to the Times. Taking them This is, of course, inevitable; but we have point by point, rightly enough prominence already expressed the hope that no huge is given to the reparation due to Germany sums will be demanded for two reasons. for the murder of her representative at The first is that it will be difficult to avoid Peking, and, provided that it be insisted the incidence of the burden on the mass of upon that the mission of apology be fully the people, who are not guilty, or only guilty explained in the Peking Gazette, an excellent to a small extent, of the recent outrages; effect should be produced by the course pro-and the second that, in the case of murder, posed by the Allies. The monument, to be it is an evil principle to set up that the loss erected, we suppose, in a conspicuous posi- of European lives can be compensated for tion in the capital, will serve as a memorial by a good round sum of money. If this in time to come that the sanctity of envoys point be fully recognised in the negotia- cannot be lightly disregarded. The abolitions, the terms now set out as the basis of tion of the Tsungli Yamen is an absolutely the future treaty will be received with satis- essential step. This body has too long been faction; but there are, of course, very many allowed to befool the representatives of the details, as to intercourse, freedom of ports Powers. Over and over again has its futi-and waterways, etc., etc., which are not lity and insincerity been demonstrated. It dealt with at all.
has been a standing proof of the readiness
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of the foreign nations, when dealing with AMERICAN POLICY IN THE EAST. China, to tolerate what they would put up with nowhere else. By its conduct in the
(Daily Press, 14th November.) events leading up to the Boxer outbreak it
Two declarations of policy have been made filled up the list of its evil deeds and must at Washington, since the re-election of Mr. be swept off the face of the earth with the MCKINLEY to the post of President of the majority of its present members. As to the United States, which are of interest to every- punishment of the guilty officials we have one in the Far East. The Washington already spoken often enough and in common Government has declared its intention of with everyone else who hopes for the paci- maintaining its previous line of conduct in fication of China have always insisted that China; and has decided to resume a vigorous this is one condition (in spite of all China policy in the Philippine Islands. As far as has to say on the question) of the settlement China is concerned, it would have been more which cannot be foregone, if the name of satisfactory had the word vigour" also foreigner in China is to count for anything been used in connection with Americau at all in future. The destructi on of all policy here. The attitude of the United fortifications in Chihli province, including States up to the present has not been reas- the celebrated Taku Forts, is not ouly asuring for those who are hoping to see a salutary lesson, but an essential step. No statesmanlike settlement of the affairs of the longer must it be possible for the Euro-Chinese Empire. It has indeed been at peans in Peking to be cut off from the sur.least as weak and ineffective as the attitude rounding world for months at a time, un-of our own Government. While the pre- til with heavy loss a force can cut its waysidential election was still pending we put through to their rescue. In this connec-
this down to the exigencies of candidature tion, too, we may take the stipulations for on the part of Mr. MCKINLEY; but if the the presence of permanent Legation guards new pronouncement means that no more in Peking and along the lines of commu-decision and firinness are to be shown now nication to the capital from the sea-coasthan in the summer of this year, the out- Without these provisons there would still be look is not pleasant. It is true that German the danger of losing touch completely with action has infused a little energy into our the Peking Europeans. It. may come to own conduct, but all along a majority of pass that one day China can be trusted to Englishmen have centred their hopes in the respect her guests; until then their lives co-operation of the States and of Japan, must be guarded, as indeed they ought to neither of which countries now seems in- have been before now. However, we have clined to make a stand. But possibly the learnt the lesson and we must profit by it, Washington Cabinet meaus no more by its though late in the day. The prohibition of decision to continue unchanged the policy the import of arms into China is a step in heretofore pursued in China than that it the same direction. Thanks to the freedom will still hold by the principle of the “open which this traffic has been allowed to enjoy, door," in which case the declaration is we have during the fighting up north diplomatically vague and will require further often found our enemies as well, if not elucidation.
better armed than our own troops. We The other announcement from official cannot prevent the Chinese arming them-sources, that the United States have decided selves as well as they can, but we can to adopt a vigorous policy in the Philip. stop our manufacturers selling to them the pines, will be welcomed, if only for the weapons which may be turned against us. reason that the present state of affairs There has been too much license to arms. could not possibly continue much longer traders all over abe world, and the Powers: General MCARTHUR'S message alone have come at length to recognise this. The shows this. It is fair neither to the suspension of public examinations for five Americans nor to the Filipinos. The in- years in districts which have disgraced fluence of the Bryanite party has been us themselves by outrages on foreginers is a disastrous to the States and the Islands as measure which will cut off many from the the influence of the Little Englanders (or attainment of honours for some time, and whatever they prefer to be called) has been will therefore impress itself on the popular to Britain and the Boers. In both cases mind. The introduction of a system of ra- false hopes have been raised quite unjusti- tional intercourse with the Emperor follows fiably, by those who professed to have on the abolition of the Tsungli Yamen. The their country's ultimate good at heart, in question has often be mooted before, but the breasts of their country's avowed' China has managed so far to avoid the enemies. Though the Americans have concession, As her Empire, however, opens not ceased their civilising and pacifying
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[November 17, 1903.
work in the islands, yet undoubtedly much of their action has been paralysed by the want of absolute certainty as to the policy to be pursued with regard to the Philippines. The uncertainty has now been removed, and the order has gone forth for vigorous action. We shall look for a rapid change in the line of conduct toward the insurgent leaders, for up to now they have been in a very anoma- lous position. In this question about the Filipino leaders Hongkong is concerned. It will be seen that the New York Post states that America has decided to ask Great Britain to suppress the Filipino Junta in this Colony. This question of the Junta has been in obeyance oyer long already, and it is high time it is settled. The consi- deration of the matter, however, must be reserved for another occasion, as it is too important to dismiss summarily.
CHINESE LABOUR IN MALAYA.
(Daily Press, 13th November.) There are several points of interest to re- sidents in China in the last annual report of Sir F. A. SWETTENHAM on the Federated Malay States, but the matter in which the two countries are most closely concerned is. the Chinese labour question; for while the Malay States are literally at their wits' end to fulfill the demand for labour, South China alone seems capable of supplying the want. The Resident-General does not hesi- tate to call the labour question the most important question of the moment in the States, and says that the scarcity of Chinese and Indian labour is now so great that not only is it necessary to pay double and some- times treble the wages current a few years ago, but the scarcity has been so great that the most important works-railways, irriga- tion, roads, &c.—have been very seriously delayed. And yet he admits that the Chinese have come in hundreds of thousands"; but this is not enough.
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The Government, as Sir FRANK points out, has done everything in its power to relieve the situation. They have arranged for direct steam communication between several Chinese ports and the Malay States, and have promised a subsidy of $5 a head for every Chinese labourer imported by this means-up to a certain number and for a term of years.
There is a somewhat similar arrangement for the introduction of Indian labour, but curionsly enough famine-stricken India fails to respond. The Government offers free passages, very high wages, quar- ters, medical attendance, and perfectly rea- sonable work in a climate similar to that of their own homes, yet cannot induce the surplus labouring population of India to leave their over-populated land for an easy life and plenty in the Malay Peninsula. For the last quarter of a century, Sir FRANK goes on to say, the Malay States have offered well-paid work, food, and comfort- able housing; but "the poor of British In- dia seem to prefer starvation at home."
Whatever be the true cause of this con- duct of the part of the British Indians, the same remarks do not apply to the Chinese, They have flocked to the Malay Peninsula, but so great is the demand for labour that at present the immigrants fail to satisfy it, and goverment work is thereby seriously hindered. This scarcity of labour is pos sibly a matter which will right itself in the course of years, when peace is restored to the Empire and the outflow of workmen resumes its course unchecked. The severo restrictive measures which have been thought necessary by some of our own colonies and by the United States of America show how very strong is the outward ten- In the last copy dency of the Chinese race.
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