The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1904-02-08 — Page 2

i

98

THE NORTHERN CRISIS.

(Daily Press, 30th January.)

THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND

14

|

threat

see the

This

[February 8, 1904. standing squadron was waiting for it in | is not fighting for life but for aggrandise- "the" Coreau Straits. The naval engagement, and is playing upon the Christian "ment that we are awaiting will come from feelings of the European nations for all It is now clear that the present relations

Japan's determination not to allow the they are worth. But there is no sincerity between Japan and Russia must come to an "Vladivostock squadron or the squadron in Bulgaria's attitude toward Macedonia end in a few days' time. The news is con- "that is coming from Europe to join the an the reform scheme. firmed from Japan that Russia has been

Recently her "main body of the Russian fleet at Port Minister of War declared that if the asked for an early response to the late Note" Arthur." It is still the progress of the effect of the reforms sho vs itself by addressed to her. REUTER adds to this cruisers Nisshin and Kasuga, which should the besinning of spring peace will be information the remark that it seems likely now be between Colombo aud Sing pore, preserved. This is an overt that Japan will act decisively in a few days which must determine Japan's decision as of war, for it cannot be expected at the (i.e.,from the 27th instant), and that, though to the time beyond which further waiting is desired improvement in the condition of many have hitherto objected to Japan unprofitable. This is not, of course, because Macedonia can take place by the coming taking the initiative, the majority would of any enormous value attached to the new spring. The details are still being wrestled now welcome an ultimatum or, if necessary, warships, but that when they are in touch with, and, even were they all settled, a little a declaration of war. This, we suppose, with the rest of the fleet, the Japanese Navy time would be required to put the measures refers to opinion in Japan, not in will be at its strongest possible and ready into operation. It is impossible to believe Europe; for it is very unlikely that to strike a blow in any of three directions. th it Bulgaria really wishes to opinion in Europe has changed 80

Russia's Mediterranean squadron will be s'ill sche.ne in working order. A German suddenly that now it would welcome the coming out slowly, hampered by the duty co respondent writing to us from Constanti- outbreak of war. Continental European sym- of convoying the torpedo-boats, and in the nople points out that the scheme stipulates pathy, it is true, has veered round slightly event of a declaration of war must be cut for equal rights for all nationalities in the in favour of Japan owing to the honesty of off entirely by want of coal. The Northern Turkish province, which is not at all what ber attitude compared with that of Russia. fleet will still be divided in two sections, and Bulgaria has But still none of the Powers on the Con- the control of the China Sea must be correspondent prophesies that the halcyon

been striving for. tinent desire to see war. It is unnecessary to Japan's, unless she meets with some great days of pace-it was comparative prace add that Britain does not either, but in naval disaster. Even in event of the dis- when he wrote-will lisappear with the Britain it would be equally unwelcome to ablement of any Japanese warships she has melting of the snows on the mountain see Japan diplomatically worsted.

passes The in- abundance of docks and harbours to fall of the Balkans, and he bases his pessimistic sincere attempt of that contemptible Russian back on, whereas Russia will be in a very view of the situation on Bulgaria's secret tool Prince CHING is only interesting as different case. In fact, only an absolutely attitude. He looks at first for a mere repe- showing that he is as much under the overwhelming victory_could rescue Russia tition of the Turkish attempts to quell the thumb of the Muscovite as ever.

The from impotence. We are bidden British and United States Ministers appear look at her

to rebellion, the insurgents continuing their enormous armies. These, tactics of making Bulgaria their base of to have treated him very politely, while we suppose, will pour into Corea and operations and the shelter to which they getting him to admit that the suggestion maintain themselves by means of the can retire to reinforce and re-arm them. put forward by him to invite the mediation Manchurian railway and the good will selves. The Turks are thereby far more of the Powers between Japan and Russia of China, as far as provisions are concerned. harassed than they would be in actual war emanated from the Minister of the latter But it cannot be argued that they can against Bulgaria and the Komitadjis simul country at Peking. It is a week ago now transport themselves into Japan without the taneously. But Turkey is not inclined to since we learut that Japan had informed command of the sea. We still think that brook a long continuance of the state of the London, Washington, and Berlin Govern- the best guarantee of peace is Russia's affairs which prevailed, last year. Turkish ments that mediation would not be accep- inability to go to war at the present moment. patriots are already inflamed at the imposi table to her.. This being the case, it is Therefore Japan is well advised in doing as tion of the Murstag reform scheme on their too late in the day for Prince CHING to she is stated to be doing, that is, pressing country and, if they have to witness the appear on the scene in the character of a for an immediate answer. It is not because Powers once more lending themselves to senile deus ex machina. We cannot but she lightly faces a war which she estimates Bulgaria's game as in 1903, will break hold that Japan is right in refusing at this will lost her £40,000,000—this is the figure out beyond the control of the Govern- time to listen to talk about me liation. at which her Finance Minister arrives-but meat and attack Bulgarians alike in Russia's policy having been all through one because she knows that, if war must come, Turkey and in Bulgaria. Then, says the of procrastination for the purpose of the only war out of wb ch she can hope to sam correspondent, Europe may expect a strengthening her position, could the medi- come well is a war to-day.

series of horrors in comparison with which ating Powers guarantee that she would not

the Armenian massacres of 1896 and the use the time spent in negotiations in the

outrages of 1903 were child's play. Perhaps same way, and, if the mediation were to be

then the European Powers may arrive at broken off at length through Russia's fault,

that unity of purpose which at present is to force her to accept their decision? They

believed in only by the most credulous. could not do so, and a failure of negotiations

observers of affairs in Eastern Europe. might then mean the ruin of Japan. At

The Turkish Government, however, it can the present we do not believe that this is the

easily be understood, does not want war, for necessary end of a Russo-Japanese war,

even in events of victory the loss of loudly as some critics proclaim it. Japan

Macedonia and perhaps of the remainder of is in a very favourable position just now.

Turkey in Europe is threatened. Better It is of no use to talk about Russia's millions

the reforms than a Balkan war, Turkey's of meu, as if all they have to do is to walk

statesmen must hold. The Bulgarian people into Tokyo. The decisive blows must be

and the Government of the Principality, struck on the sea. In the course of au

on the other hand, can lese little by article in the North-China Daily News early

war and might gain much, by the kind- in this week, the situation was summed up

ness of the Powers, The Government very justly.

Our contemporary sketched

therefore dues little to check public opinion the probable plan of Japan's campaign,

in Bulgaria, but rather encourages the saying:-

:-"Hostilities will be opened by a

baiting of Turkey by all means short of "naval engagement. The Russian naval

open war before the coming spring. The "force is at the present moment in three

Powe: 8, however, do not want a Balkan war, 'sections, the largest at Port Arthur, one

and it seems to us that they must ac "at Vladivostock, while the third is now its

cordingly leud an ear to Turkey's appeal way from Suez, preceded by the two new

which we mentione: above, They must Japanese cruisers from Genoa.

Japan

either administer a severe check to the "has the strategical advantage of being

troublesome Principality or they must look "in the centre between these three sec-

for an upheaval in the Balkans the end of "tions. We learnt a few days ago that

which it is impossible to foresee, though its "the Vladivostock section of the Russian

terrible nature is obvious enough. "fleet started out to join the main body "at Port Arthur, but had to return "because, owing to the ice, it could not "male more than four knots. The real reason for its return was that the Japanese

露露

THE BALKAN TROUBLES.

(Daily Press, 2nd February.) The "Near" East threatens to vie with the Far for a great share of public attention in the immediate future. A Berlin telegram of the 25th January to the Ostasiatische Lloyd announces that the Turko-Bulgarian tension is so pronounced again that Bulgaria is openly preparing for war in the coming spring, while Turkey has made an appeal to Russia and Austria-Hungary. There is no doubt that it is upon the attitude of Bulgaria that the peace of the Balkans, if it is ever possible to speak of “ peace in that turbulent region, hinges at present, Turkey is still playing the old game of promising reforms and procrastinating as long as possible to save face"-a difficult task, it must be admitted, considering the Sultan's precarious position. The Turkish Government recognises the impossibility of getting out of the promised reforms altoge- ther, but is anxious to secure modifications rendering the changes less humiliating in the eyes of the Turks. This is but natural, though the policy. may not command our sympathy Turkey is in a terrible position between her subjects and the Powers, and, however thoroughly we have to condeinn the misgovernment which Turkish rule im- plies, we must make allowances for the des- perate shifts of her statesmen. With Bul- garia the case is very different. That State

Rus ia's reply to Japan will not be transmitted It is announced in 8. Petersburg that until next week, owing to the great care that is · necessary for its completion.