ANUN
October 25, 1902.1
THE EVACUATION OF SHANGHAI,
to
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
JAPAN AND THE FUTURE OF BUDDHISM.
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817
however, nwoken to the fact that she is the only possible exponent and she has begun to set herself to the task of fitting herself for the mission. What will come of it we would not care to undertake to say, even if we had the qualifications; but that it must have a notable influence in the philosophical history of the world it is at least safe to prophecy.
GREAT BRITAIN AND THE HUNAN MURDERS.
(Daily Press, 22nd October.) In the absence of definite information it is
But as Sir
impossible to tell the precise reason for the very strong action of the British Govern- ment in the matter of the Hunan murders, apart from the indication in our London telegram published to-day. ERNEST SATOw, His Majesty's Minister at Peking, has broken off all social inter- course with the Chinese Court and refused to attend the Chinese Emperor's reception on the 18th instant, while H.M.SS. Brito- mart, Mutine, Phoenix, and Rosario have heen ordered to Hankow, it is quite evident that the Chinese authorities have signally failed to make the promised reparation for the atrocious killing of Messrs. BRUCE and LowIS. All the actual perpetrators of the murder, we were told the other day, have been executed-though unfortunately past experience of Chinese justice does not on this point--but this is not the only step, of course, necessary to atone for so brutal a crime telegram speaks of the insulting levity of the Chinese officials. been advocates of the "gunboat policy," as it has been called, in missionary matters; but it is impossible to dispute the contention that British subjects'. lives in China must be rendered safe and that a callous attitude on the part of the respon- sible authorities cannot be tolerated in the interests of international relations between China and the West. No one acquainted with British policy in China during recent years will suspect Great Britain of undue strictness toward Chinese errors and acts of wrong.
reassure us
Our Londou
We have never
(Daily Press, 24th October.) In its issue of Saturday last our Shanghai (Daily Press, 21st October). German contemporary Der Ostasiatische Oneof the most remarkable features about Lloyd said that no further information in the recent internal history of Japan has connection with the reported approaching been the revival of Buddhism. Japan has evacuation of Shangbai by the foreign not hitherto been the country whose name troops had been received during that week, has been the most associated with this creed, but so far as could be ascertained, the which the late Professor MAX MULLER situation remained unchanged since the declared to be one of the three great mis- withdrawal of the garrisons was first men- sionary religions of the world. Europeans tioned. The implication of this statement who have been attracted by Buddhism have is that the arrangement made with the late as a rule come in contact, with the doctrine Viceroy LI KUNG-YI, that the foreign in its purer form in Burma and Siam. garrison shall be withdrawn from Shanghai Indeed, it is only lately that we have been ou the 1st proximo, stands good. It is rea ling of the presence of some six or seven evident, however, from REUTER'S telegrams European converts living at present in published in pur issue of fo day, that this is Burma, and one of the most remarkable not a correct representation of the case. books in English which deals with the According to the Norddeutsche Allgemeine religion of Buddhia is the work of a British Zeitung, Germany "proposed to China official in the Burmese Civil Service; we that she bind herself. not concede refer to Mr. II. FIELDING's The Soul of a to any Poker ol the Yangtsze any People. But those who embraced Buddhism military or special advantages infringing or have been brought into a state of sym- the principle of the Open Door," and that pathy with its teaching in Indo-China have China expressed her willingness to accept done so as the result not of proselytising by this. Indeed, according to the first of the natives but of their own reading and learn two REUTER'S telegrams, Prince CHINGing. Their environment has not directly accepted the conditions without consulting | caused their conversion. They do not in the other Powers interested. Whether in the fact differ much in the manner of their guarantee about the Open Door we have the change from those to whom Buddhism has whole of the German stipulations," against appealed most strongly in Europe itself. which Sir ERNEST SATOW has protested, it is That there are such people as European impossible to say as yet. The principle of Buddhists is perchance not a familiar fact the master remains the same, however, in to most. An interesting little book just any case, for it is evident that the Powers trauslated into English,"under the title of who jintly garrisoned Shanghai in 1900 | A German Buddhist, may enlighten these. have no right to make separate conditions THEODOR SCHULTZE, the subject of that with China before withdrawing their troops. ske ch, was perhaps not a Buddhist as the We fail to und rstand the attitude of the
term is understood in Buddhist countries, German Government all through in con- but his great object was to give the world nection with the evacuation of Shanghai. | the real nucleus of the Buddhist system, as Months ago the other Powers represented he said him-elf. His writings have caused in the garrison were willing, even anxious, in Germany itself a controversy of a bitter to send away their men. Germany held | kind. We do not propose to enter into any back, without giving any definite reason, details of it here. We only mention and in spite of official statements that she ScuULTZE as the foremost example of an did not wish to delay the evacuation. { avowed Buddhist in Europe. The ordinary Finally, last mouth an agreement seems to man, if told of a Buddhist propaganda, have been reached between all the Powers would probably scoff at the idea. Never concerned and the Chinese Viceroy that the theless, were he to study the question, he European forces should be sent away from would be compelled to admit that the idea Shanghai on the 1st November. No talk of is not in itself impossible. The fact is that conditions was then mentioned. Hardly, how the study of Buddhism has hitherto been ever, had H.E. Liu KUNG-YI died before the confined to so few that it may be sail to be report begin to circulate that the evacuation practically untouched. This is almost as would not take place on the appointed date. true of the East as of the West. Japan, The statement was definitely telegraphed to as we have sail, is beginning to manifest a us by our Shanghai correspondent on the great revival in Buddhist culture. This fact REUTER'S despatches seem could be gathered even from the English to explain, to a certain extent, the reason Press alone in Japan during the past few for the delay, but they do not give any clue
years. The Japanese verument, though to Germany's action. We should be foth to by no means committe to the upholding accuse Germany of going behind her allies of Buddhism, finds it impossible to stand at the present moment or of intentionally aloof. It has therefore shown considerable putting obstacles in the way of the with-interest in a Japanese expedition, composed drawal of the unnecessary garrison from of scholars of repute, now in search of the Shanghai, and should prefer to think that Buddhist remains in Central Asia. The there is some key to the puzzle which will head of the mission is Count OTANI, whose be discovered soon. Apart from the ques-brother-in-law is the Crown Prince of tion of loyalty between the Powers, which as we say we cannot believe that the Germans wish to betray, night also asked what is the reason for raising once again the matter of the Open Door on the Yangtze River. Has the Anglo-German Agreement, miscalled by some German | intention and partly by force of circum-addresses before His Majesty who has been politicians the Yangt ze Agreement," stances, has taken on herself the role of been forgotten by our allies? If it is only desired that China shall recognise afresh the equality of trade on the Yangtsze, why is the guarantee to be made to Germany alone? An honest negotiation does not require to be carried on in a hole-and-corner manner. Decidedly the explanation of the Shanghai evacuation difficulty is wanting.
12th instant.
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14.
Japan, and very important discoveries are anticipated from its labours. It is plain that Japan is anxious to study early Buddhism in a scientific manner. The significance of such a phenomenon might casily be underrated. Japan, partly of
interpreter between the East and West. Among those points on which an under- standing is above all desirable between the two great divisions of the world that of religion, in the widest sense of the word. is perhaps the chief. Japan has not hitherto been the best qualified exponent of the greatest of Oriental religions. She has,
It is safe therefore to conclude that
the conduct of the native officials with respect torparation for the murders at Chenchou has been very bad in leed. Sir ERNEST SATOW is a man with more courage of his opinions than most recent British Ministers at Peking, but he woul! never have taken the step he has without the gravest cause. It is sincerely to be hoped that he will receive the full support of the home Government in this affair.
1
HONGKONG'S ADDRESSES TO THE KING.
HIS MAJESTY'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT. The following despatch from the the Secretary of State for the Colonies is published in the
Gazette:-
Downing Street,
11th September, 1902, Sic.I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 312 of the 15th of July last, and of the addresses to His Majesty there referred to, from the General Community, the Chiues Community, the Ma onic Lodges and the Roman Catholics of Hongkong.
2. I have had the honour to lay these pleased to express his high appreciation of the loyalty of the inhabitants of bis Colony of Hongkong, and to comman that a suitable acknowledgment may be conveyed to the who signed the addresses. obedient, humble servant,
persons
I have the honour to be, s'r, your most
J. (HAMBERLAIN.
&o., &c., &o.
Governor Sir H. A BLAKE, G.C.M.G.,
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