54
THE NORTHERN CRISIS.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[January 25, 1904.
at the cost of a precipitation of the troubles | about the conditions of peace. The question of the Near East, as it is called.
46
we therefore give his statement as worthy of consideration. We must, however, confess to heing puzzled to explain how Japan's action can have failed to be revealed through Chinese reports. A thorough censorship can suppress telegrams from Japan, but not via Ching.
(Daily Press, 18th January.)
(Daily Press, 20th January.) Two more days of rumours and uncertainty In its issue of the 15th instant our have elapsed since our last issue. Some of Shanghai contemporary, the North-China the rumours were a little more definite in Daily News, says: A private note received character, but when an attempt was made on the 19th inst, from a well-informed to trace them to their source no success source in Japan says that the chartering of could be met. On Saturday morning, in "transports is going on openly. Troops will particular, it was reported widely that Japan "not be despatched to Corea until after a had actually landed an army corps, or at "naval engagement.
The Kokura and least a large body of troops, in Corea. No "Sendai Divisions will be the first to take confirmation of this came later in the day "the field. Foreign newspaper correspon. nor yesterday, nor could the origin of the
"dents are receiving orders by wire to cable story be discovered. Nevertheless, there freely irrespective of cost." It is to be being nothing improbable in the cuuiour, it presumed, however, that the correspondents was largely credited, especially after the find little to cable about, or else that the news of the Tamba Maru's speedy return censorship is very strict indeed ; for no news from Singapore became known. This news of a trustworthy nature reaches us even via we were the first to publish; it will be Europe. With regard to the despatch of seen that the Hitachi Maru and Hakata Maru troops to Corea, in spite of the authority have also been taken off the list of sailings. quoted by the Daily News, we learn from a This of course points to nothing more than traveller only just arrived in the Colony the fact that Japan is preparing to use from the Corean coast that Japan un- these vessels as army transports in case of doubtedly has been landing small bodies need, as there was no doubt previously she of men in Corea, quietly but steadily. would do if necessary. But it was only He even went so. far as
to maintain natural that the knowledge of Japan's that Japan has quite 25,000 men in action should encourage the belief that she Corea, prepared for the ontbreak of war. had already taken some definite step, even Rumours to this affect were of course pre- to the extent of landing troops in Corea. valent before, but the present story is much It was argued that the absence of authentic more circumstantial. As to the good faith telegrams from Japan was easily to be ex-of our informant we have no hesitation, and plained, a strict telegraphic censorship having been established already. This is true as re- garda Japan, but it seems to us improbable that the news of an actual landing in Corea should not have got out another way, namely, over land by way of China or across the Gulf of Pechili. No such intimation has reached us yet. With regard to news from Europe, it is notof an illuminating nature. The Suez Canal
(Daily Press, 22nd January.) towards the end of last week was almost
According to REUTER's telegram_publish- blocked with warships, British, Japanese,ed to-day, the outline of the last Japanese and more still Russian. Two more Russian Note to Russia is given by the London Volunteer Fleet vessels had passed the Times of the 19th instant. This is an- Bosphorus, going south with troops, probably nounced to be "the last Japan will address to meet the squadron at Suez. Meanwhile to Russia," and Japan is only to wait" the report of the Russian New Year's recep- reasonable time" before taking steps neces- tion at S. Petersburg represents the Tsar as
sary to safeguard her interests. If the saying that he desired and intended to do Times then is reliably informed in this all in his power to maintain peace in the Far instance, the Japanese Note, if not an East. As we have said before, we wish we ultimatum, is the nearest possible diplomatic could believe the Tsar to have the power to approach to an ultimatum and leaves no restrain his Ministers and put into effect loophole for further evasion on the part of his "passionate" longing for peace of which Russia. We were told recently that Japan Mr. BALFOUR told us the other day. Un had no intention of sending an ultimatum happily we cannot. The Tsar is evidently yet, not being completely prepared; but this used by his designing advisers as a means of Note, as outlined in the Times, contradicts reassuring and blinding Europe-or such this idea and supports the other, that Japan's part of Europe as is willing to be blind. A far preparations will cease with the safe arrival more effective guarantee of peace in the Far in the Far East of the newly purchased East would be an explosion in the Balkans. cruisers Kasuga and Nisshin, which must now There are rumours of such coming. For the be approaching Colombo, a long way ahead sake of averting a greater evil (which a Far of the Russian squadron lately in the Medi- Eastern break-up would undoubtedly be),terranean. These vessels therefore are we may be permitted to hope that this practically out of harm's way, and since a explosion will occur; it is, moreover, inevit-Japanese squadron was cruising last week able, sooner or later. Did it come now, the calamity of a terrible war' in the North, followed by most dangerous in- ternational complications, might be avoided. Of two evils, we would choose the less, had we the choice. International complications, it is true, would follow a serious outbreak in the Balkans, but not of the nature of those consequent on a Russo-Japanese war. The Powers are at least in moderate harmony over the Balkan question, and agree that the Turk must amend or go. In North China it is far otherwise. Jealousies and conflicting interests tear the various nations this way and that, making a change in the balance of power fraught with utmost danger. By all means we would like to see he peace of the Far East preserved if it be
Я
in the neighbourhood of the Saddles, as reported from Shanghai, there can be little doubt that they will soon be an integral and effective part of the Japanese Navy. The way in which their assistance has been secured will have been admirably smart work, for they were not to have been com- pleted for the Argentine Government, their original owners, until the present week. They have still to be manned for war pur- Joses, it is true, but the ultra-patriotic Japanese will surely have no difficulty in this respect. With this increment to their naval strength, no doubt Japan feels that there is no more to wait for, il a fight must come. Hence it is not surprising that Japan's diplomacy should take on a stronger tone and speak in unmistakable language
for us to consider is whether this change conduces better to peace or to war, and the answer, it must be plain, depends on the struggle for supremacy between the peace and war parties in Russia. The supporters of war can but see in Japan's Note the direct challenge for which they have been wishing and striving. Those, on the other hand, who are in agreement with the Tsar himself and who have never been in favour of the aggressive policy in China, still less of that in Corea, might be glad to give way in a matter where they know that all the justice of the case is against Russia. But the question of national honour, so-called, complicates affairs, and furnishes the war party with a specious argument regarding the disgrace of yielding to the insistence of Japan, an Asiatic Power. Much has been made in some quarters of the influence which King EDWARD is using on behalf of peace. We must confess that we fail to see how it can well be exerted. We believe that it is being used, but cannot understand what argument can be adduced to bring over those in Bussia who call for, a war. Any effective pressure must be in the form of a threat, but such diplomacy can only be between Government and Government now, not between monarch and monarch. the Tsar's love of peace it is, of course, easy to appeal, but not to Admiral ALEXIEFF'S or General KUROPATKIN'S. The Russian "forward" party requires a stronger argu- ment than one of sentiment to convert it. Kingly diplomacy will not furnish this. A readiness for every contingency, a silent but perceptible preparation to look to the full after our interests, this is the only effective argument which Great Britain could put - forward for the preservation of peasé. So far we are still in suspense as to what the British Government thinks or proposes. And Parliament is not in session, so that no question can be asked. With a strong and provident Government this is not always but a disadvantage;
We say as much of the present Government? True, there is Sir ERNEST SATOW at Peking, a sound adviser and one not likely, to err in his estimate of affairs. May he be able to make himself heard! The fate of North China, and more, is now hanging in the balance. ` ́
can
To
HONGKONG AND THE FISCAL QUESTION.
(Daily Press, 16th January.) Hongkong is being asked to record an opinion on the fiscal changes proposed by the Right Hon. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN. The China Association have already responded to their committee's appeal on this question with no uncertain voice, and we have no doubt as to the result of the plébiscite now being taken among the other British residents. The difference between the Briton at home and the Briton abroad is great. The fact that
"Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits”.' was stated by the immortal SHAKESPEARE centuries ago, and despite the advantages of improved communication, the lite still remains as true as when first written. Things that are obvious to the travelled Bri- ton are not apparent, do not appeal, to the mass of the inhabitants of the United King- dom, taken upas they are with their owu paro- chial concerns. The little Englander is in a majority in many districts where Imperial questions are neither thought of ner under- stood. But the Briton who has lived in other parts takes wider views, sees more what is best for the Empire, and is better
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.