July 6, 1901.1
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
much as it will enable the suburbs, where land is cheaper and rents lower, to he got at expeditiously and cheaply. On these grounds alone it appears worthy of support.
FRANCE IN SOUTH CHINA.
(Daily Press, 1st July.)
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difficult to see how the Vicar-General expects German forces suddenly to reach the heart of Shansi. It is of course eminently desir able that no anti-Imperial army should occupy so important a point between Hsianfu and Peking as is Taiyuanfu. But a march of European troops into Shansi, unless an the desire of the Chinese Government, would certainly precipitate a worse crisis that If Taiyuanfu is actually threatened, it should be defended by the Imperial army, whatever that may now be, or better by the drilled troops of the Viceroys of Chihli and the Hu Kuang. The loyal Viceroys have at their disposal for better Chinese soldiers than any General TUNG FUHSIANG can now command. The Allies should of course do all that is in their power to assist the party of order. In some degree, at least, we have helped to disorganise the military and police system of China, so that it becomes our duty, as well as our advantage, to do all we can to build it up again on a sounder basis.
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is to be settled by a special case in the local Supreme Court, unless it is provided for in the Ordinance for which this Company will apply. No portion of the line can be opened for public use till certified fit to be so by the Director of Public Works, or by some other duly appointed official, as well as by special notification in the Government Gazette. The whole of the line authoriseż, The gloomy prediction of the opposer in unless a prolongation of time has been speci- the French Chamber of Deputies of the fically granted by the Governor in Council, is Yunnan Railway Bill, that the measure to be completed and thrown open for public would entail a war between France and traffic within three years from the com- China, is not so far-fetched, perhaps, as it mencement of the Ordinance: and within appears at first sight. As is well known, one year of this particular date the con- the opposition of the Chinese local officials struction must be substantially begun. At ou the Tonkin-Yunnan frontier to the very the end of fifty years from the date of the idea of the railway into Chinese territory Ordinance, the Government has the option, has been most hitter. For this reason, as under certain easy conditions, of acquiring well as from the fact that they do not by purchase, at a fair marketable value, believe that there is any prospect of the the entire undertaking lands, buildings, railway paving its way, the mass of public works, materials and plant, with all pri- opinion in Indo-China has been against the vileges. The motive power is to be electricity, scheme which M. DOUMER has 80 ardently conveyed by a bare overbead wire, and by championed and has succeeded in getting the tram-rails. The speed, ou Sections
The main difficulty in the position lies in his home government to adopt. But the the fact that the Imperial Court, whose to 5 inclusive, i.e. between Kennedytown extreme Colonial party in France and in return to Peking is so essential to the and Causeway Bay, is not to exceed ten Indo-China is not much concerned about welfare of China, cannot be stirred up to miles per hour: the Governor in Council, the effect of the scheme on China. With cast ceremonial to the winds and leave Hsian inay, should he see fit, authorise a maximum their dreams of the extension of French at once. The date of return has now been speed of twelve miles per hour on this part influence over Yunnan, Kwangtung, and fixed by edict for the 1st September, and it of the line. On sections 6 and 7, Causeway | Kwangsi, the adherents of this party will be a piece of rare fortune if when that Bay to Shaukiwañ, a speed of fifteen miles are uot aghast even af the idea of day arrives the Court is on its way to the an hour is allowed. Going though movable u war with China. The revival of the old capital. The Emperor is still, it would facing-points, at crossings and passing-places, | story of France's designs on Hainan is at speed is to be reduced to four iniles per hour. least useful in indicating one thing. If the Mr. CONGER is reported by SUN YAT-SEN seem, a helpless prisoner. Indeed he is, as Subject to the assent of the Governor in war which M. DouMER's opponents prophesy to have called him, Council, the Company has power to sell,
a very child," and the were actually to come to pass, it is certain idea of his being able to assert himself need lease, or mortgage the whole or part of its that the expansionist party would press for not be entertained. As for those who now property and acquired rights. Postmen the bringing of Hainan under the direct guide the Imperial will, they seem amenable and policemen, on duty and in uniform, are rule of France, For this reason it is to fear and to pressure from the loyal to travel free of cost. The tramway may
necessary that it should be clearly under- Viceroys. The only way in which they can be used to carry passengers, animals,; stood that the statements of the Powers as be reached is through these same Viceroys, goods, merchandise, commodities, minerals, to their desire to maintain the integrity of The one possible solution of the problem and parcels, at fixed tariff prices. Special | China should be understood to apply equally appears to be a further stiffening of the cars are to be provided for Chinese 3rd to the South as to the North of China. friendly officials by the advice of the Allies. class passengers.
In consideration of the Tacitly, no doubt, they do; but the French This policy has achieved the best results numerous rights, powers and authorities to Colonial extremists only too evidently show throughout the crisis of last year and this, be conferred by Government, the Company, that they do for the first thirty-five years of its existence, position.
not fully appreciate the and it will be by a continuance of it, if at It is very desirable that this all, that the crisis will be brought to an dating from the day of opening to traffic, should be changed. Nowhere more than in end. A fresh demonstration of European is to pay into the local Treasury a royalty Cauton French agents pushing the military force would be fatal, but a vigorous. of 5 per cent. per annum of its annual gross cause of their country, whereas as far as can display on the part of the patriotic Viceroys profits: after that period, they shall pay be made out the representative of Great promises to save the situation. If it be an increased royalty of 25 per cent. of their Britain is content to remain in the back-necessary, they can oppose to outlaws like annual profits each year as long as they ground. When, as will happen very
Prince TUAN. TUNG, and their followers an exist as a Company. The fares to be charged shortly, the time comes round for the army better in every way. In the mean- are most reasonable. Taking the General appointment of a new representative of this time they can keep up the pressure on the Post Office as the central point, the city country in Canton, it is to be trusted that timid and vacillating Court. This at least portion of the line will stretch westwards to the home Government will show better seems to be China's best hope. Kennedytown, and Eastwards to Causeway judgement in the selection than they have Bay. The fares on each of these two sec-
been wont to do. We have often urged the tions, for either part or whole journey, are need of a new type of British Minister at 15 cents for 1st class, 10 cents for 2nd class, Peking. In Canton also a and 5 cents for 3rd class passengers.
man of vigour Over and ability is most urgently needed. the Shaukiwan part of the line, i.e., east of Causeway Bay, the fares are 20 cents, 15 cents and 5 cents respectively. Further, before 7 a.m., and after 5.30 p.m., at least two cars each way, morning and evening, shall be run daily, at reduced fares, not exceeding 3 cents per journey per passenger, for the special convenience of artisans, mechanics, and the coolie class generally. The Company is to deposit $10,000 with the Government as a guarantee of good faith. Such, in brief, is the outline of the Bill which this Electric Tram Company intends to bring before the Legislative Council at no very distant date. If it passes, and there seems no possible reason to suppose that it will be th warted in any way, it will assuredly revolutionise the traffic and appearance of the lower levels. There can be little reason- able doubt, too, that the scheme will materially help to cut the Gordian knot of cheaper artisan tenements, as well as the equally serious one of overcrowding, in as
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THE LINGERING COURT.
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RUSSIA AND MANCHURIA.
(Daily Press, 4th July.) It is difficult to know what exactly to make of the latest news with regard to Russia and China in Manchuria. The reports of the Odessa and Berlin correspondents of (Daily Press, 3rd July.)
the Standard and Daily News respectively News from North China is the reverse of agiee in this at least, that an understanding encouraging. Within the past few days we has been arrived at between the two countries have heard that the rebellious chiefs, Prince as to the future government of Manchuria. TUAN and General TUNG FURSIANG are The two Russian papers from which the actually attempting to prevent by force of Standard's correspondent takes his informa- arms the return of the Imperial Court to tion assert positively that Russia has made Peking. The former is reported to be a large renunciation, amounting to no less marching on Peking itself, while the latter than an immediate abandonment of Talien- is said to be going to Taiyuanfu. The first wan or Dalny, the resumption of the original part of the story does not seem probable, idea of making Vladivostok the terminus of unless Prince Tuan possesses some remark- the Trans-Siberian railway line, and the able power of locomotion, for he was but a restoration to Chinn within ten years' time short time ago in the recesses of Mongolia. of Port Arthur and the Manchurian railway. That TUNG FURSIANO, however, is making No compensation to Russia is announced in for Taiyuanfu is supported by the appeal, return för these remarkable concessions. The dated the 10th ult., of the Roman Catholic Daily News correspondent at Berlin, on the Vicar-General there for German troops to other hand, states that Russia has renounced defend the place. Considering the advanced her military claims to an indemnity from state of the evacuation proceedings, it is 'China, securing instead political and
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