A
154
PORT.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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| March 1, 1902.
is satisfactory as a first step, but if nothing further is done there is no cause for con- gratulation. Those who share these views point out that Russia has recently been displaying a friendly disposition toward Japan, which should have been reciprocated by the latter. If the Anglo-Japanese agree. ment is directed especially against Russia, then it is not advantageous to Japan, as driving Russia into an attitude of direct hostility to her.
But
(Daily Press, 24th February.) Though it is not likely that Weihaiwei will ever become a rival in commercial import- ance of Hongkong, there is no reason why if properly opened out as a commercial port it should not command a large and increas- ing trade. It has the advantage of being the only port in the Gulf of Pechili which is at all times accessible to steamers of the largest size, and in view of the enormous trade of Tientsin already established, and its prospective growth in the future, as well as the growing trade of Shantung, there seems to be ample room for the establish- ment of a great distributing trade. At present the entire foreign trade of the north of China practically passes through Shanghai, whence, after entering the mouth of the Yingtsze, and being carried up to that city, it has to be transhipped into coasting steamers and carried at high freights and in small steamers to the ports of the Gulf of Pechili. Even with the pre- sent route through the Suez Canal, this is at best a costly course, and were the distri- buting port once established in the Gulf of Pechili itself cargoes
could be carried equally economically to Weihaiwei, whence the expense of distributing them along the coasts of the Gulf could be effected under much more economical conditions. In fact, in such circumstances there is no reason to doubt that a special class of steamers adapted for the short distances and com- paratively calm navigation of the Gulf would soon spring up. Shanghai at present re-exports to the three Gulf ports some ten million taels' worth of foreign goods taken there for the purpose; it also exports direct to Great Britain and the United States almost an equal amount of Chinese produce sent down for the purpose from the Gulf. It is impossible to say how much of this could be diverted to the shorter and cheaper route by Weihaiwei, but as com- merce has always a tendency to seek the easiest channels it seems quite possible that in a short time a fair share might be brought to centre at Wehaiwei. In the not distant future a large portion of the direct European trade of China will come to pass through the Isthmian canal, either by way of Panama or Nicaragua, as may be decided. Here a port on the Gulf, accessible at all seasons, and affording good ancl orage and shelter, as well as better facilities, would have still more important advant- ages. Weihaiwei with the opening of the Canal through the Isthmus of Panama would be actually nearer than Shinghai, while the voyage would be practically safer, and
exposed to dangers than the present route through the at all times objectionable Formosa Channel. Up to this the British Govern- ment has placed obstacles in the develop- ment of Weihaiwei as a mercantile port, in (Daily Press, 26th February.) this following the example of Russia, The new agreement between Great Britain rather than her own more usual policy of and Japan continues to be the main sub- encouraging trade as a set-off against the ject of discussion in the latter country, and necessary expenses of maintaining a strong there are no signs of its popularity abating. defensive position. It does not appear an From the last Japanese papers, however, impossibility to make Weihaiwei an import- which have reached us we see that there is ant military post, should such in the future a small but outspoken party which is not be required, any more than it has been satisfied with the agreement as it stands. found impossible to carry on a considerable The spokesman is the leader of the Con- body of trade even in Gibraltar-a stitutional Association, Mr. OZAKI YUKIO, place essentially a fortress, and offering who, the Kobe Chronicle says, is "one of few openings for trade, import or the small band of Japanese publicists who export. Naturally Weihaiwei affords an admirable miltary position, both from its situation at the entrance of the Gulf of Pechili, and from the configuration of the land. Imperial interests would certainly
WEIHAIWEI AS A COMMERCIAL | suffer to an enormous extent were we now to give up the port, which indeed we may rest assured would eventually be taken advantage of by some other Power more far- seeing than ourselves to dominate the entire North of China, politically as well as commercially. The evil would be all the greater that we have ourselves called atten- tion by our occupation to the advantages of the site. In this respect Weihaiwei may be compared with Gibraltar. If there be no other Gibraltar in Europe, there is certainly As we have said, this view of the agree- no other Weihaiwei in Eastern Asia Time ment is only held by a small party in Japan, was, and not very long ago, it is worth, but because of the suggestion that the peace noting, when arguments such as we have of the Far East would be better guaranteed heard about the inutility of Weihaiwei were by the formation of a triple alliance includ- current with regard to Gibraltar, If the ing Great Britaiu, Russia, and Japan, it is world were carried on the principles of at least interesting. It is not difficult, of beneficence and charity, and had learnt the course, to discover the flaws in the proposal. golden rule of not doing to others what it In the first place there is the question of would not have done to itself, such argu- the possibility of such a league. Russia is ment might have some foundation in com-working in Asia with very different objects mon sense. Unfortunately, as we ought to from those of Britain anl of Japan as set Unless Russia have learned from our recent experience in forth in the agreement. international concord, the principle under-alters her policy and makes her actions con- lying the policy of the most civilised nations form to the professions of the S. Petersburg is an undisguised selfishness, where truth government, it is incredible that a common and honourable dealing count for nothing, basis can be found between her and the two In such circumstances any action that allies. It was easy for Japan and Britain would wenken our grasp ou so advantageous to discover in the all-important commercial a position as Weihaiwei would be an action interests of both in China a ground on amounting to little, if at all, less than which to stand shoulder to shoulder. treason. Fortunately we have the utility Russia has no such commercial interests, even from a merely commercial point of and she has a very marked appetite for view, of the site to plead; and we have as land, which menaces the interests of the little apprehension for the commercial future other two and in fact the remainder of the of Weihaiwel as we have of its military and Powers who have any trade in North China. political importance in the near future It is only upon the supposition that the The present obstructive system of China in Tsar's Ministers will cease from their policy commercial matters, and her objections to of publicly declaring their country's dis- cucouraging a coasting trade, are not likely interestedness while all the time secretly to be long retained when she finds it to her encouraging Russian generals and agents advantage financially to permit this im- to push on along the path of aggres- portant trade to be carried on in steamers sion, that such an alliance as that sug- -whether under her own or foreign flags gested could be possible. We have no does not much matter-and for such a trade indication that Russia intends to discon- the Gulf of Pecsili offers many openings in tinue her old policy and work openly and the number of small harbours only acces- honestly for the maintenance of peace. We We have had protestation after protestation sible with safety to small steamers. i may mention of these in Shantung alone, from S. Petersburg of the unselfishness of Tangchow, with its dependency Laichowfu, Russian aims; but in no case has there been the centre of the straw-braid, silk, and any corresponding action. other important trades, as well as Yang. itself cuts at the root of an alliance between chickeo, the natural port of Tsinan. In the three Powers, and renders it practically Chibli, in addition to Tientsin, we have useless to discuss the subject. The agree Shanhaikwan, while ment as it now stands must have the result Chingwautao and several others of less present importance of inspiring respect and should be sufficient would really become so if trade were once to warn off trespassers on the territory of opened. In fact, there are few spots in China and Corea. Its effect on Russian China presenting equal advantages as a port diplomatists and generals should be quieting, for direct foreign shipment as Weihaiwei, and it cannot but do far more for the peace and we hope the Government will not permit of the East than any weak courtship of No doubt, as has been its undoubted advantages to be obstructed Russia's favour. by the usual pettifogging helplessness of the urged, Russia has evinced, to outward seeming, a desire for Japan's friendship, but these amenities do not always mean much. She is more likely now to wish to remain on good terms with Japan strengthened by the support of Great Britain.
less
Chinese Government.
THE ANGLO-JAPANESE
AGREEMENT.
1
•
This fact in
The Foochow Echo of the 15th ult. says: -The fire seen to be raging about half way between Nantai and the City on Sunday night last was at Dr. Kinnear's house at Ponasang. It broke out about 11 o'clock and completely destroved the building and its contents. The alarm of the family may be imagined with such a catastrophe happening at such an hour. Fortunately no lives were lost. The hospital, near adjoining, escaped, but this was looted, the soldiery sent to protect the pro- party being powerless against the mob of thieves. it is naderstood that the property was partially insured. The weather during the Chinese New hold pro-Russian views." He has expresse 1 Year holidays has been exceptionally fine. But the opinion that for the peace of the Far for all the fine weather there has been, and is, East it is necessary that Russia shall be
a good deal of sickness about, what with bad taken into the alliance, making it a triple colds, influenza, and fever, both among foreign-
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