FRANCE AND THE EAST.
On the one
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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[April 7, 1902.
of affairs on the eastern end, where Russia Į armies in the west are in much the same finds herself confronted by the united condition as the savage hordes led to (Daily Press, 2nd April.).
forces of Great Britain and Japan, both in Peking by TUNG FURSIANG to slaughter the It is by no means easy to comprehend the a far higher state of efficiency in all that Legations, we may imagine how feeble a part being played by France with regard to makes nations stronger than Russia herself. stand they could make even against the the Anglo-Japanese treaty.
Nor are signs wanting that the central uncivilised hordes composing the Russian hand France expresses her perfect sympathy portions of this long line, where but a few Asiatic army. From the eastern seaboard with the objects of the agreement, her only years ago Russia was indisputably noassail- ¦ of China, and from India, these vast regions are practically unassailable, yet the occupa- desire being to preserve the autonomy of able, are beginning already to show ominous
Beginning with the tion of Mongolia would be fraught with China, and protect the peace of the Far signs of weakness. East; and as the agreement seems to pro- extreme west, Germany, then a perfectly damage to British, and, we inay add, mise both of these desiderata, M. DELCASSE negligeable quantity, has been exhibiting | Japanese interests. Russia, it is true, is has not only no objection, but is even pre- pretty evident designs that she intends to to a certain extent vulnerable on the coast, pared to express his cordial approbation. have something to say in Asiatic Turkey. and has fortunately given pledges in her On the other haud the French Government Since the visit of the German Emperor to fortifications of Vladivostock and Port Arthur. If, as she did in the Crimea, she asserts that it has led to a clearer under- Palestine, she bus succeeded in obtaining a standing between France and Russia, to the concession for a great railway from Kouiob made up her mind to defend these at any effect that France undertakes, on the one to Bagdad, and there are signs in the air cost, the effort would exhaust her force in the entire of Eastern Asia, and she possibly side, to come to the assistance of Russia in that she does not intend to leave her con-
to lie fallow. Some ill-timed might not try to risk a contest even with case she should be attack d in Asia, while, cession on the other hand, Russia is to protect threats and back-door intrigues of Russia the western forces of China; but it is quite France in Europe should any of the other in Persia have not only awakened the on the cards that Russia would elect to Powers commit any hostile act. Russia, somnolent energies of Great Britain, but retire, feeling sure that in a subsequent while making a poor pretence of indifference, have shown to France that her dearest settlement she would regain by diplomacy finds that she is placed in rather an awk- friend is not to be altogether trusted, and is her lost ground. In such a case France ward position, and is trying her usual game villing on the first opportunity to cast her would doubtless come to her help, but it Foiled in both is scarcely conceivable that in any other of making a diversion in the hopes that promises to the wind. she may be able to change the venue of the theso directions, Russia, who during the issue she would find herself in a position to render any effective service to her not dispute elsewhere than in Manchuria; but lifetime of the late ABDUR RAHMan Khan in this she is at the moment placed somewhat found her blandishments in Afghanistan over-scrupulous ally. It is quite possible that these thoughts have presented them- at a disadvantage, so that altogether the useless, has since the accession of his son situation is by no means so clear as it may HABIBULLA KHAN been seeking to again selves to M. DEL.CASSE, and the apparent with which France pretty appear at first sight. In this, if ably stir up strife in that restless kingdom. indifference managed, Russia has many points in her Although there is some appearance of con- evidently views the situation may after all favour; she possesses the longest land testing interests between him and the have some foundation in hard necessity. frontiers of any Power in te world, her Dowager, widow of the late Ameer, as yet It is something, certainly not much, to have southern boundary being virtually open the trouble does not promise to be serious, Russia's promise to help her if she get into an European mess; but France just now is to attack from the Black Sea to the Sea of and there are a good many signs that even
in one of her more practical moods; at all Japan, being practically conterminous with in Afghanistan there exists too good a Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, India, Mongo-comprehension of the evils of coquetting events M. DELCASSE does not exhibit any effusive desire to embroil the country in lia, and China. All these but India are, it with their good friends the Russians to is true, Asiatic monarchies, and ruled by permit any important defection. At all the pursuit of the inaccessible. We may, governments in the last stage of decrepitude, events the occurrences in North China, which therefore, without attributing them to any and all are in a state of chronic hostility in 1900 brought our Indian troops into profound attempt at dissimulation, accept towards their neighbours east and west, 80 close contact with the Russian forces sent the French Government's assertions that it that no possibility of inducing them to join in there for the pretended purpose of introduc- is really desirous of a peaceful termination of any common object having for its end their ing order into China, did not inspire those the Chinese difficulty, and not over desirous mutual protection is to be looked for. On troops with any exalted notions of the of hastening the disintegration of the the northern side of this frontier line, some civilisation or the prowess of the hitherto | Empire. seven thousand miles in length, sits Russia, unconquered troops of the Tsar; yet this a connected nation under a single head and supposed irresistible army it was which has able by means of her lines of railway, been the true means of Russia's advance. At all events Russia has shown herself in already approaching completion, to con- centrate her efforts on any particular the face of these same Afghan tribes to be
The topic which naturally is causing the portion of the long line. It was in this no longer the dangerous foe they had in manner that Russia, taking skilful advan- their home imagined her to be. If these most discussion in the Far East and in are all we have to fear, remarked more than circles where Far Eastern affairs are re- tage of the interual dissensions of her southern neighbours, has been able to annex one of the Indian contingent, we can soon garded with interest is the international With all her boastings situation as affected by the Anglo-Japanese one after the other, so that within the half account for them. century she has been able to assimilate not of the perfection of her Central Asian and Franco-Russian agreements. Much one knows better than the of the criticism must of course be dismissed only the Khanates and Eastern Manchuria, railways, no
as irresponsible chatter, as when we find but also enormous tracts lying south of Russians themselves that in a sustained war Western Siberia; and having partially con- India could bring overwhelming force the Indo-Chinese papers considering the menace to France's Southern Asiatic posses- solidated all these, she now thinks the time into the field, but here also unfortunately
If Russia sions in the compact between Britain and has arrived still further to push her boun- lies the crux of the matter.
decide to 1ry her
band in Japan. As a matter of fact the only way daries into the comparatively fertile Linds should lying southward. A long land frontier, if | Afghanistan, it will be not a regular in which this compact takes into account it have advantages, has also, it is well to campaig but a sudden rush, and although French Indo-China is in event of French remember, corresponding disadvantages, the Russians are perfectly aware of their aggression in the Two Kwang, which the the chief of which is of course that it offers inability to cope with the Indian troops, it French absurdly misappropriate as within
their "sphere.'
The real interaction' of undoubted advantages for an enterprising is to these sudden rushes which have taken
the two agreements is an interesting pro- M. enemy to cut the long line in two, and the enemy unprepared, that the downfall striking right and left to prevent Russia of all Oriental monarchies has at all ages blem, which only time can solve. from attacking anywhere in force; and been due. We know, or ought to know, DELCASSE has declared that French policy in China is in no way modified by the sooner or later Russia will have to face our foe, and if we are true to ourselves a such an attack. The line already has been Russian advance on India ought to excite agreement with Russia. Such a statement is well in keeping with the satisfaction carried to such a distance from Russia's no apprehensions. When, however, we
which the French Minister of Foreign supports that even at the moment it is come to Mongolia and Northern China, the doubtful if her frontier is not more acces- real difficulty of the case stares us in the Affairs expressed, on behalf of his country, at the guarantee of peace furnished by the The rival sible to possibly hostile forces than to face, an l it is here that we have most reason Russia's defensive resources. The events for anxiety. Beginning at lli and stretch-Anglo-Japanese agreement. of the beginning of the_half century ing castward as far at least as Shensi, pronouncement from Paris and St. Peters- clearly showed such a condition to exist Russia at the moment is practically mistress burg is also couched in terms which claim. at the west of the line, where Russia ex- of the situation. Were the Chinese army the maintenance of peace and the status quo-
—that expression so dear to the diplomatist. hausted all her available force in the defence to be depended on, no invasion here from
-as the object of the disinterested signa- of the Crimea. The beginning of the new Russia could have a chance of even century shows a perfectly similar condition' momentary success, but as the Chinese tories. It however, plain that the real
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MANCHURIA AND THE TWO
AGREEMENTS.
(Daily Press, 5th April.)
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