$
January 11, 1904.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
“ment necessitated by the rapids above | GERMANY, RUSSIA, AND OTHERS.
44
“Wan-hsien and elsewhere is a serious hin- drance to trade; and it is becoming more and more important as the volume of "trade increases that a line of communica “tion should be found giving greater securi.
ty, and a more regular and easy means of "transit than is obtainable by water.'
"
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the solution of this problem, and then it "will be all the worse for Germany.'
"
For
(Daily Press, 7th January.)
Thus writes the Novy Krai, and the point In the period, now happily past, when of view seems to us interesting, as well as British politicians sed to declaim about unusual up to now in the Russian Press. It their country's 'splendid isolation," the would require a very profound study of Continental Press did not devote much Central European politics to know what attention to the question of the possibility grounds there are for the opinions advanced. of Great Britain being counted a power in It seems to us that, as far as Great Britain European political alliances. The boasted is concerned, the position is this. isolation had the effect of putting Britain many years, and for many reasons, Britain rather in the place of a common foe than in has been eager to be on the best terms with that of a potential friend, a position which Germany; indeed at one time there was no at one time during the South African War ally who would have been more popular. threatened to embarrass the British Govern- But, in spite of the friendship of individuals, me.t most seriously, and might indeed have among whom we may class the Kaiser him. led to terrible complications had the success self (in spite of all indiscretions, telegraphic of our arms been much longer delayed. or oratorical), the policy of Germany in Since then Britain's foreign policy has recent years has succceeded consistently in materially altered. Not only have we alienating the British nation and has inspired formed an alliance with Japau in the Far absolute distrust. Russia, on the other East, but in Europe closer relations with hand, never appealed to the sympathies France have been cultivated. The latter of the British nation. Refusing like fact naturally has not escaped the attention France and Gerinany to swing the censer. of Russian journalists, who prhaps more before the Juggernaut (to borrow Dr. than other Continental publicists at the DILLON's expressive phrase in the Decem- present day have taken up the consideration ber Contemporary Review), we had no of the question whether, after all, Britain is alternative but to oppose Russia with all our not one of the most important factors in power. Nevertheless with Russia, being future European combinations. Moreover, an open enemy and not an assumed if we are to believe what we read, in spite friend, reconciliation has never seemed of the bitter hostility of S. Petersburg impossible, could a ground for agreement journals generally to Great Britain and all be discovered. Lately, as the ally of France, manifestations of British policy, there is a Russia must still more claim our considera. party in Russia which hopes that Anglo- tion. But her unceasing aggression in Russia reconciliation is not out of the regions where we are vitally interested, if it question, This hope has been expressed of goes on unchecked, precludes any drawing. late in the Port Arthur newspaper Novy together. Speaking for ourselves, in spite Krai, which, as being under the control of of our constant opposition to Russia, we Admiral ALEXIEFF, would hardly perhaps should be perfectly willing to reciprocate be thought to be kindly disposed to the ally the wishes of the Novy Krai, did we see a of Japan. Nevertheless, it seems so. And a prospect of change in Russia's policy of spirit of friendliness toward Britain uaturally unscrupulous greed and of abandonment of involves a modificatio of attitude toward her generally barbarous methods. But do others—or at least one other nation. One nations reform thus, save in enormous of the most recent, articles in our Port periods of time? Did Russia begin to not Arthur contemporary went into a considera up to her professions, we might almost tion of Germany's Eastern policy, starting believe so iù her case. off with the statement that the position of splendid isolation," abandoned by Britain, has been taken by Germany, who sees now a danger in its turning into one of gloomy
(Daily Press, 6th January.) solitude. For this, says the Novy Krai,
It will be noted from REUTER's telegram Germany can ask for no sympathy, for she of the 3rd instant that the Mexican Mone- has driven away the nations disposed toward tary Commission has reported in favour of union with her. "It is nobody's secret that a gradual adoption by Mexico of a gold "she is very anxious to lead Russia into standard. This Commission is the one war in the Fur East, and that she is alarmed which, in company with a Commission from "at the possibility of a drawing together the United States, puid a visit to the princi- "between Russia and England, which she is pal capitals of Europe and discussed with trying by every means to prevent. Russia the representatives of the various countries "involved in war would leave Germany at the world's currency question. The report liberty to accomplish her desires in the to the Mexican Government, which will no "Near East, while an Anglo-Russian rap-doubt adopt its recommendations, is the “ prochement would upset her plans com- first-fruits of the joint tour, and begins what pletely. As no success seemed likely to we may hope is the last chapter but one in "attend her intrigues to bring about a war the history of the monetary standards of or to prevent the rapprochement, Germany the world. The last chapter, needless per. "tried to secure France's co-operation in the haps to say, will begin with the adoption by Bagdad Railway." It being shown that China of a gold standard and the consequent Germany absolutely refused to admit other universal recognition of the one metal. When Powers participating on equal terms in this Mexico has joined the majority, practically railway scheme, all eyes were opened and only China and Hongkong will be left out- "the whole world to-day is agreed as to the side. By the wisdom of our rulers at homeş "nature of German policy, which GIBSON this Colony is condemned to wait upon "BOWLES defined in the English Parlia- China. China's present position is as reat as 'Intrigue in politics, deceit in follows. By Article II. of the MACKAY "finance' -we do not recognise the exact treaty of 1902, it is provided that “China quotation. "The Cabinets of Paris, London, agrees to take the necessary steps to provide "and Rome also are equally opposed for an uniform national coinage which shall "to exclusive German influence on the be legal tender in payment of all duties, Bosphorus. All the Powers have before taxes, and other obligations throughout the "them to-day the problem of protecting Empire by British as well as Chinese sub- "themselves, of protecting Turkey and jects." But, in spite of this, we know of
no definite step having been taken
bring about this necessary reform. Sir BOBERT HART, Inspector-General of the Imperial
If only the British Government were as designing and far-seeing as it is credited with being in some of the rival nations of Europe, the matter would be easy. Accord ing to Russian papers, for instance, Britain is already planning to secure the sovereignty of Tibet and by building a railway through that country fo reach the head-waters of the Yangtsze. The Bourse Gazette, a pro- minent Russian journal, says that what the British mean to do is to carry out their plan
't of a railway from India to the Pacific through the richest central provinces of China, a plau laid aside for the time being in 1899, owing to the Boer War imbroglio and now to be resuscitated. This railway will kill the Russian Railway in the Northeru 'Province, and will nullify the railway con- structed by the French from Tonkin for the same purpose of tapping the vast resources of the rich valley of the Yangtsze. More- over the Bourse Gazette says that not only will the British railway kill the Manchurian line commercially, but it will nullify the strategic importance of the Russian under- aking. 'India," adds the Moscow paper, is not only the basis of British trade in Asia, it is also the centre of Great Britain's military power. At the present moment "the existing network of railways allows the British to throw in something like seventy hours au enormous army from Delhi and Lucknow into Assam. With "the completion of a line through the "Yangtsze Valley, England will be able to "throw troops to any part of China in about "another twenty-four hours." All this sounds very plansible to anyone who only sees the British Government through the glasses of the foreign newspaper writer. But, alas! in China we only know too well how mistaken it is to credit the home au- thorities with foresight in Far Eastern affairs. The best hope in the present situation is that Lord Curzon is at the head of the Indian Government, and he is a practical statesman. But the question of an Indo-Tibetan rail way to the Upper Yangtsze is one before which the boldest statesman must pause! We do not even know to what extent a line through Tibet would be practicable. If it be so, there is no doubt that it would offer! Britain a means of regaining her lost in- fluence in China. If we cannot obtain some line running into Central China, there is no hope, now that other nations have secured for themselves all the best conce-sions, pf our keeping even a fair share of the trade" of the future in this part of the world. We must tap China from the South-west. Whether this is to be done through Yunnan or through Tibet, it is essential that we penetrate into Szechuen and on
to the Yangtsze. The penalty of non-success will be ultimate commercial extinction. Every traveller who has visited Szechuen and its neighbourhood testifies to the vast opening for European trade. Other Powers are not going to wait for Britain to do the opening. It is a race, if a slow and difficult oue. Private enterprise will not undertake the task-if it is not equal to the Kowloon- Canton railway, it is not likely to tackle the Yunnan line-and unless the Government steps in, no progress is possible. The question, however, is a national one, of the highest importance, and those in authority who neglect it will be dealing an irreparable blow to their country.
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Europe against German designs. If & “Russo-Franco-English triumvirate is form- ❝ed, there is no doubt that it will set itself
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THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
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