April 6, 1001.]
people, and graciously accepted as it was intended.
shaken, a fact which speaks well for the way in which the country has settled down under its still nowly imported system of rule. Did Japan suffer the misfortune of being led by a warlike Prime Minister, it is difficult to see how a precipitation of events could have been avoided over the Masampo affair and subsequent Russian intrigues with Corea. Marquis Iro, however, is a man of sufficient strength to control those elements in his country which threaten the peace of the East, and thanks greatly to him the Russo-Japanese question looks less acute well to avoid any false feeling of security, now than it did several months ago. It is but still more must be neglected the reports of the panic-mongers who would make out might occur at any moment over Corea. that a collision between Japan and Russia Japan will not sacrifice her interests in Corea, but her Government does not propose to look a ter these interests by a policy of bluster, as suggested by her undiscriminat- ing critics.
,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPÓRT, so far as to almost approach to subserviency. Russia has met this feeling by encroach- This was the feeling, not only in England ments which have pressed closely on each in and Germany but it may be said universally turn. The only difference has been that -with but one exception. The Emperor of her encroachments on England have been Russia, as the German Emperor, holds an the more direct. None the less both com- honourable commission in the British army, mercially and politically she has all the being Colonel in Chief of the Scots Greys, while been secretly, but steadily, trying to The Tear is like the Kaiser, closely connected undermine the influence of her good neigh- with the Great Queen, having married her bour Germany. At the commencement of granddaughter, who as the daughter of the the recent troubles in China she was even late Princess ALICE was doubly dear to her more explicit in her vows to Germany that late Majesty. In spite of these common she sought no personal aggrandisement, but amenities, it is from Russia, and from Russia was interfering in the cause of civilisation. alone, that the first discordant note has been As soon as she had engaged both these sounded. Personal ly the people of England Powers in a policy of self-denial, her have always taken a personal interest in the own conduct began to tend in a very Tsar; they remembered the noble work different direction. In 1860, under cover done by his father in elevating the millions of helping China to resist the demands of of his Empire, and this hereditary hold on the Allies, she had procured the cession of their affections was intensified by his mar. the coast of Manchuria; but unfortunately riage with the Princess ALICE of Hesse, Russia is afflicted with one of those unruly daughter of their own beloved Princess appetites, that increase with indulgence. ALICE, who more than any other of their The morsel proved so sweet that she has Sovereign's children had won the personal since been ambitious of renewing the game, affection of her people. For the sake of and the opportunity offering in the unblush. by the writer of whose letter we have been An interesting point which is brought out these memories the people of England were ing venality of the Chinese minister, she speaking is the way in which the South willing to put into the background past has not scrupled to take advantage of it to African War has affected Japan. The pol- differences, and even to assist Russia in her the uttermost. Russia is in that position in itical issues have only so far interested her advances. Without arrière pensée England her growth that she has not learnt the as they tend to weaken British influence joined Russia in the delimitation of the necessity of caution. As, however, she has and British policy in the Far East. But Afghan boundary, and found her efforts now come in contact with a higher civili- the military progress of the struggle has thwarted by Russia's discreditable affair to sation than her own, and sooner or later been keenly followed, and the prolonged advance her lines at Panjdeb. Refraining must be compelled to yield to its restraints, resistance of the Boers has convinced the from proceeding to extremities, she was it is perhaps as well that the inevitable Japanese that they have nothing to fear rewarded by the occupation of Port Arthur; should come now, At all events she from foreign invasion. A Japanese officer to which, still in the face of promises evi- has so far truly gauged the position speaking to the Times correspondent said : dently never intended to be kept, England, as to recognise that England and Ger-"Imagine what would be the position of in hope of coming eventually into more many must take cognizance of her friendly relations, acceded. On the com- capacity for encroachment. Conscience mencement of the recent troubles in China ever gives unconsciously a clue to inten. no continental country was so profuse tious; and as Russia would act herself, she in her expressions of disinterestedness as conceives that others must act likewise. In Russia; yet all the while she was secretly the dread that England- and Germany are plotting with the arch-traitor LI HUNG- contemplating an attack on her, we see CHANG the acquisition for herself of Man- merely a reflex of her own condition of churia as her price of interference to uphold mind towards those two Powers, which are the Dowager Taz'нI and her party. Now perfectly friendly so long as Russia herself that affairs are coming to a head she is still does not begin the trouble. This is the carrying on the old misleading game, and lesson to be learnt from the inspired ap- under the cover of strange phrases invented prehensions of the Russian Press. for the occasion seeking to cover her ad- vances, under the misuse of words to which JAPAN AND THE FAR EASTERN she can attach any "meaning she sees fit when the time comes for further action. The exception to which we have alluded
QUESTION.
(Daily Press, 2nd April.)
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an invading army, even if we no longer had a fleet in being, in a country scarcely less broken and difficult than South
"homogeneous and bitterly hostile popu- Africa, in the midst of an absolutely "lation of forty millions, whose fighting "force would be reckoned not in tens, but “in hundreds of thousands, as blý, as "active, as well trained to the use of modern weapons and inspired by a patriotism at "least as fierce as the Boers." This remark is at least interesting as showing in what spirit the course of the War has been followed entanglement of Great Britain in South Africa in Japan. There is no doubt also that the has been regretted, for Japan is impressed with the idea that, next to herself, Britain has the above is characteristic. Though in no In the Times of the 1st March appears a
greatest interest in the preservation of peace in the Far East, and that, had her hands country in the world the Press is kept in letter from that journal's special correspon- been free in the present crisis, she would such close tutelage as Russia, no country is dent at Tokyo, which sets forth with admira have taken a strong lead. With regard more ready when a coup is to be tried than ble clearness Japanese interests on the Far to the Anglo-German agreement, Japan Russia to use the Press as a ballon d'essai. Eastern question, and is well worth read-gave her unreserved adhesion at once to its While the other continental nations have ing as a corrective against ideas of Japanese accepted as the most natural return in the policy which may be derived from the write world the Kaiser's appointment as Field ing of certain foreign critics or from some Marshal in the British army, the Russian of the Japanese vernacular papers. This Press affects to see in it a threat of an letter should do much toward dissipating Anglo-German offensive and defensive alli- any impression that the Jingoes in the ance against herself. When the Queen, Island Empire are likely to precipitate a to show her good feeling towards the hus- crisis in the Far East. band of her dear granddaughter, made the recalls the foundation in 1898 of the Dome- The correspondent Tsar Colonel of her crack regiment of Scots kai or National Union, led by Prince Greys, no one voice was hard from Ger. KONOYE, formerly and now again President many protesting against the new alliance. of the House of Peers, to promote a strong Yet, comparing the history of the two national policy. Such a body was likely countries, an alliance between England and enough, if it grew in strength, to bring about Russia, the most encroaching of nations, trouble with Russia. But official pressure was was far more menacing to Germany than brought to bear, and resulted in the Union's England and Ger- propaganda being discountenanced. Marquis
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terms. But she is not so confident, states the writer in the Times, as to the ability and determination of the signatories to carry out their good intentions. DOWNE's statement in the House of Lords Lord LANS-
last week that the British Government con- sidered that the clause about maintaining Empire, including Manchuria, should be the integrity of China applied to the whole reassuring. But how is it to be reconciled with Count von BuLow's statement in the Reichstag on the 15th ult., that the Anglo- German Agreement did not refer to Man- churia ? Such a contradiction of views is not likely to inspire confidence. Japan may well continue to feel anxious. Such anxiety will be fully shared by all Britons whose
any alliancere such a thing on the Iro, says the Times correspondent, is even interests lie out in the Far East.
many, even
cards, could possibly prove to the other. less likely than his predecessor to allow his The policy of Germany towards Russia hands to be forced prematurely by popular always, equally with that of England, agitation. Throughout the events of last has been one of avoiding offence, a policy year and, it may be added, still more during which Russia has not always reciprocated. the opening months of the present year, As a fact neither of the two nations has Japan's attitude has been admirable. Popu- ever had any desire to encroach on Russia, lar scares and agitations have occurred, but and both have carried this feeling sometimes the firmness of the Government has not been
Sirius the Norddeutscher Lloyd is negotiating We understand that in addition to the s.5. for the purchase of other local" steamers to add to their East Asiatic run. The vessel named has just been bought from the Urania Steam Navigation Company, and will now take the new
ame of Kohsichang.
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