no
18
CONCERTS AND INTERNA- TIONAL AFFAIRS,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[January 13, 1902.
arose. The accession of Mr.
both cases to yield at discretion. What- | friction ever may have been the justice of the claim | ROOSEVELT to the Presidential chair offered on the part of France, it was hardly the a possibility of arrangement: Mr. ROOSEVELT province of the others to enquire, but it is had possibly more personal influence with only right to say of France that, having the Senators; at all events he was sufficiently gained the immediate objects that led to independent to be able to bring pressure to her hostile attitude, sbe set a good example bear, so a slightly modified treaty was in receding without seeking to complicate negotiated and accepted by both Powers- affairs any more. England too followed and this time the Senate, finding possibly the good example, and the flame, in the the inconvenience of snubbing the President, absence of wilful fanning, almost immedi- gave its assent so that the question has ately died afuy without injury to the been removed from the region of debate. prestige of Turkey herself, or exciting any It has been held that the new treaty jealousy between the Powers. The whole gives up everything without compensation, affair has been a strange comment ou the inasmuch as it does not bind the States to suggestions of those busybodies who profess neutrality during war-time: the omission to see international interference in the probably means little, as the first declara- affairs of nations a path to universal peace. tion of war would result in an abrogation Almost as strange have been the results of previous treaties if found to bear too of the negotiations between England and had on either nation. So long as peace the United States about the Ship Canal lasts the treaty, it is acknowledged, is per- through the Isthmus of Panama. The cen- fectly satisfactory, and as both England tury closed with a very satisfactory con- and the States are anxious that there should clusion to a long series of negotiations, be no further difficulties thrown in the way wherein England surrendered certain rights of construction, both are satisfied with the of interference with the making of the result. Here again is a case in which the Caual which had survived the causes that so-called "Concert of Nations" could have brought them into being. They were really only had the result of rendering a peaceful The nineteenth survivals of the age of GEORGE CANNING, settlement impossible. and were part of the scheme of that states- century was a period of great aspirations, nan to prevent a threatened interference of accompanied too often by contemptible the continental Powers of Europe in the issues: it is a sign of good augury that the The Spanish opening year of the twentieth has been one affairs of the New World. colonies in America, disgusted at the manner wherein with litle parade much actual good in which their interests were being sacrificed has been effected. by the mother country, had broken out in insurrection, and the movement was en- couraged by CANNING's government, as well as meeting with sympathy from the United Ftates. Russia and Prussia, who had in Europe formed a bond to preserve the old condition of things under the name of the
*
(Daily Press, 6th January.) In one respect at least the first year of the twentieth century closes in marked con- trast to its predecessor. This time last year the attempted "Concert of Europe" had well nigh resulted in embroiling the world; this time the year closes without embroil- ment, notwithstanding that an equally diffi- cult situation has been ended without re- ference to any Concert whatever. A few months, indeed it might be said a few weeks ago, the Ottoman Empire was in apparently as ticklish a state between the Powers ase was China in the year of Grace 1900; ths Sultan had been playing a few little tricks not dissimilar in their nature to the little game played by the Dowager of China, and amongst the other Powers he had contrived more e pecially to run foul of both England and France. Fortunately for Europe they were each prepared to act on their own responsibility, and did not seek the advice of their neighbours, nor indeed attempt t make up a patch-work of amity. Probably one outside the Quai d'Orsay and Downing Street knows what the whole thing was about, but there was apparently something very combustible in the wind. It was NAPOLEON III who informed the world that France was the only country that made war for an idea; and in this case an idea seems to have had a good deal to say to the affair. The French Government is in the habit of spreading out its wings widely for the oppressed or discontented, too often the latter, to take refuge under: in this affair an Oriental capitalist had somehow or other procured French protec- tion for a scheme of certain quays at Con- stantinople, in relation to which concessions were obtained from the Sultan. For some reason the Sultan changed his mind, a by no means infrequent event with Sultan ABDUL HAMED when he thinks he can do so with profit or impunity. The French Govern- ment remonstrated, but the Sultan would not condescend to reply; then it threatened, but with a like absence of effect; finally it sent out a fleet, but it was not till the Admiral commenced to land his men for an assault, and got his ships ready for action, that the Sultan began to climb down. He had apparently hoped that as at Peking the other Powers would come, each jealous of the other, and offer their “disinterested advice, and that in the end the whole affair would be but a fizzle, and the French would go away in disgust, and nothing be done. He had, however, tried on the game once too often and had succeeded in offending everybody, so as each and all were tired after the display at Peking all resolved to keep out of the fun this time. It was probably a hard struggle, but as the French had made out a prima facie case, and put the matter very reasonably, Europe for once decided to let affairs go. Curiously enough the Sult in had tried to steal a march on the British Government, thinking it would be too intent on watching France to take notice, but fortunately England was well represented at Calcutta ; and no time was lost in taking very similar steps in the Persian Gulf, so for once England and France found they had a common interest in avoiding complications, and each determined to leave the other a free hand. The re-deadlock. sult was fortunate for everyone except the Sultan. Neither France nor England de- sired to cripple Turkey, but just because they wished no evil to the Porte they were the more determined to bring the Sultan to terms before he had set Europe in a flame; and' the end was that the Sultan had in
13
Holy Alliance," conceived the peace of the world threatened by this new revolt of the peoples of America, and had made up their minds to interfere in the interests of Spain. The incident brought together for the first time since its independence the two coun- tries, Great Britain and the United States, who saw their common interests involved. The results were the evolution of the celebrated "MONROE Doctrine" and the Nicaraguan treaty, wherein both bound themselves not to construct a canal without a common understanding. The position that led to the necessity has long passed away, and both parties have been anxious for the construction of the Canal. The main point required by England was that she should not be at a disadvantage as regarded charges, and that the Canal should be neutralised. The United States had no desire to escape their engagements, and approached England stating they were de- sirous of making the Canal, and suggesting certain conditions, which were acceded to. A party in the United States Senate, more intent probably on snubbing the President than offending England vetoed the treaty. President MCKINLEY did not hesitate to express to England his dissatisfaction at the result, and did not press on England her acceptance of the conditions sought to be imposed. The action of the Senate effec- tually blocked the enterprise of the Canal; and as President MCKINLEY Would not expose himself to another rebuff, and England would not accept the amendment proposed by the Senate, affairs came to a
The Canal was an affair in which practically the whole world were interested, but neither England nor the United States were disposed to make their private differences a subject for discussion by the other Powers, so each kept its own counsel, and as the two Governments con- tinued of common accord, no unpleasant
THE MANCHURIAN CONVENTION
AGAIN.
(Daily Press, 7th January.) Yet another version of the Manchurian Convention has been published, this time purporting to be the new agreement which M. LESSAR has been urging on the Chinese Plenipotentiaries—and therefore, it is to be presuined, that which the late LI HUNG- CHANG was about to sign when his death prevented. This latest version was published by the Japanese journal Mainichi and has been accepted by many of the Anglo- Japanese papers as probably authentic. As it has not yet been made public in this exact form elsewhere than in Japan, we now give it in its entirety. It is as follows : -- ;
I.-The Newchwang Railway, at present under the protection of Russia, to be trans- ferred to China.
a.-With regard to the construction of branch lines to this railway in future China shall consult with Russia before entering upon such.
b.-No branch railway shall cross the Lia-ho, and privileges granted to Russians shall not be interfered with.
c. The Chinese Government shall make restrictions regarding the use of the railway by Japanese and British officials.
d. The Ch nese Government shall pay 1,500,000 taels to Russia in return for the retrocession of the railway.
II.-All Kussian troops, except such as are necessary for the protection of railways, shall be withdrawn from Manchuria.
a.-One-half shall leave within two years from date, and the rest shall leave within three years when order in the Northern districts is completely restored.
b.-China for two years shall pay one- half the expense of maintaining the Russian troops in the province.
C.- The Russian troops retained for the railways shall be entitled to travel anywhere under the protection of the Chinese au- thorities.
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III.-All trade and mining privileges belong to China, but Russia agrees to protect these. Russia shall therefore assist
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