April 17, 1903.)
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. and offensive combination absolutely bind. Japanese agreement. It seems to us quite ng each party to assist the other in the clear that this pacific reference was insert d, event of war. REUTER informs us, in the not because England and Japan thought war telegram published in this issue, thật Mr. would by it be avertel, but simply as CHAMBERLAIN has also expressed himself, notification that it was not intended us a and "all Liberal-Unionists," in favour of challenge to others. This war was regard such an extension. They argue that such aed even then as inevitable"; and if contract would assure the absolute safety Mr. MAISE had refreshed his memory by of China, Persia, and Afghanistan from a re-reading before making his speech, Russian ог any other danger. The he must have seen that the first three artic. foreigners in Japan, while not yet absolutely les bristle with anticipations of that which bostile, appear very lukewarm when con was to come. If such a phrase in con- fronted with these proposals. They suggest
nection with such a document be permiss objections at present, instead of raising ible, the initial article up to the word them. Old prejudices die hard, and it is "however" is tantamount to "we don't want possible that Treaty Revision feelings to fight, but by jingo, if we do." As we read revived by the shock of January, 1902, are it, the inevitable" was recognised. The lingering in some quarters. If there is any agreement uses the word " "indispensable," halfheartedness about renewing the existing
in article one; promises "strict neutrality' agreement, there appears to be a whole. in article two; and discloses its real raison bearted aversion to any contract of wider d'etre in article three, which was "a fair scope, such as the Japanese publicists are field and no favour" for the foreseen strug advocating. The entangling nature of such gle. So the agreement has not been a alliances in pointed out, for English benefit; failure in any respect; and how much of a its unnecessity, now that Russia is crushed, success that third article has been we shall is emphasised; and after all, the Japan never know. Remembering the anxiety Chronicle suggests, "if necessary the agree with which we watched the neutrality of ment can be extended or converted into a China, whom some of us, from long habit, had defensive and offensive alliance at any mo- quite failed to count as a possible "other ment that danger threatens." It appears Power," we may come at some estimate of to us that that phrase "at any moment the value of such an agreement. If Russia slightly more loose than our Japan con- be the only Power likely to threaten the temporary usually permits itself to er- integrity of China in the future, the renewal ploy. It may be supposed that these of the present agreement might suffice, from momentous contracts are not so easy to the British point of view; but it would not arrange and
settle "in a moment"; ensure a lasting peace between Russia and but more than that, may we not expect of Japan. The larger proposal advocated by such an out-an l-out engagement, which we Japanese publicists would not guarantee a are inclined to favour, that it would pre-world peace either-we fear no agreement vent any such danger threatening as the will ever do that--but it would promise danger which is to summon it into existence such an Armageddon in case of breach that "at any moment"? The Japan Chronicle we think the restless Powers would hesitate seems to think it improbable that the much longer to provoke the first rupture. Japanese Government "would be inclined Just as some dreamers have seen to the course proposed," that is, a defeusive | Anglo-American-Japanese Alliance a stop- and offensive alliance. Such an opinion all-war assurance, other dreamers might we must receive with respect, although it picture its corollary, an alliance of all the does not confirm the impression we have others against it; but no one can be said to got, and we are emboldened to doubt its dream of half the world fighting the other accuracy because the chief reason our con half. It would be a nightmare. In that temporary gives in support of it is that sense, if the next Anglo-Japanese Agree "Great Britain has more interests in China ment were to be A whole-hugger," as the and Korea than Japan can have in Persia lariffians say, it would be impressive enough or Afghanistan." This appears to us to be to preserve peace in our time; and that is insufficient, for while Great Britain has, to an object that appears to most people to be use a kitchen phrase, more irons in the orth praying for. fire" than Japan, and so may be counted more likely to call for the assistance pro- mised by the alliance, we consider, and suppose Japan would consider, that these Eastern interests of Japan are
more vital so Japan than England's are to England. On the other hand, while Baron SuYEMATSU last month announced in London that "the
in an
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
10th April.
A rumour has been revised this week that
propose to extend their Samshui-Canton line of
the American-China Development Company railway down the river to Whampoa.
"revived" because I am now told it is not a
new idea. I confess I had not heard until this week that any definite scheme of this nature
was matured, but the extension of the line down the river must have been reckoned among the possibilities by all who have pondered over the meaning of American railway enterprise in Kwangtung. A seaward terminus will be wanted for the great arterial line from Hankow to Canton when it is constructed, and it rests with the British and Chinese Corporation Limited to say whether they will provide it by construc- ting, without further delay, their proposed rail- way from Kowloon to Canton, or, by neglecting their opportunity, compel the Chinese Govern- ment to listen to the overtures of a enterprising syndicate to create somewhere else a seaport terminus which may disastrously affect the trade of this Colony. I am told that
Japanese were quite prepared on their part to continue the alliance," be apparently made no reference to the proposals for a widening of its scope; and the well-informed Chronicle may not improbably have surer grounds for its opinion than those it has made public. Baron SUYEMATSU's an- nouncement was evoked by a speech deliver- ed by Mr. L. J. MAXSE, the editor of the National Review, who voiced England's desire to continue co-operation with Japan, and made one statement which we cannot endorse. He said.
In one respect the alliance has been a failure, for among its objects was the maintenance of peace, and peace has not been maintained." Speaking
by the book," we suppose Mr. MaxSE was the Kowloon project is now being pushed along quite justified, seeing that the preamble in every way possible. It is an assurance the stated that the contracting parties were
community has had before, many a time, and "actuated by a desire to maintain
it fails to inspire a sense of satisfaction. We want to see the project pushed along by gangs general peace in the Extreme East"; but his of coolies: and until we do see it pushed in that adopted by any persons hostile to an Anglo-way our faith in an early construction of the
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remark was unfortunate because it could be
line will remain weak.
more
Ching
245
There is something attractive about the ide of Whampoa being set up to rival Hon kong as an emporium of trade. The earliest recol- lections of foreign commercial intercourse with аге a«ociated with Whampoa, ali being in old times compelled to anchor there. foreign ship engaged in the Canton tra e But there is a great difference in the size of ships then and now, and what is more, the river has been steadily silting up thereabout. On that account there are men who are not afraid that Hongkong would suffer much by the extension of the American railway to that the Chinese authorities are now having Whampoa. It must not be forgotten, however, the barriers in the river removed, and this work may improve Whampoa's chances of development considerably,
It is an easy step from railways to tramways. Nothing has lately been made public as to the new Peak Tramway Bill which was referred months ago. The Bill I am told is "hung up." to a committee of the Legislative Council some
but for a short time only. Efforts are being made. I understand, to amalgamate the rival interests. In fact I have heard that the matter has been practically s ttled. It is said that the existing line will be brought down to Queen's Road on a viaduct across the prison yard and the other military premises lower down. Another that the line should be taken across the military suggestion which I have beard discussed is
parads ground, and, by way of compensation to the military authorities, the piece of roadway now separating the barracks from the parade ground should be closed to the public and incorporated in the parade ground. The idea is that the new road for the tramline and other traffic could be made to skirt the Cathedral
boundary aud turn down to a point opposite the City Hall. That seems an excellent sugges tion, but I understand the Company to be wedded to the former proposal.
The Food Commission of 1900 recommended among other things the reduction of market rents to such a level as will provide just sufficient funds to cover interest on capital and working expenses. Markets s ould not be the source of a substantial profit. £10,00) a a source of profit." But they are in Hongkong
year does much more than cover interest on capital and working expenses. Indeed, the revenue the Government has already re- ceived from most of the markets must have more than covered the original outlay.
The comment in this column last week as to the authoritative way of spelling the name of our Colony has elicited some conflicting testimony on the subject I mentioned that I had never seen an official publication in which the name was spelt as two words. Well, I have seen many since, for all official publications sont out from Home have the name printed as Hong Kong, in strange contrast to the local ordinances in which, from 1844 to the present day, the name is given as one word. Dr. Eitel in his History of the Colony mikes this reference to the matter:-
The Charter of Hongkong and the Royal
Warrant (appointing Sir Henry l'ottinger as Governor and Commander in Chief) were read out at Government House before a large assembly of residents, and subsequently published (29 June, 1843) by proclamation in the Gazette.
The same
proclamation fixed the name of Her Majesty's new possession as "the Colony of Hongkong (not Hong Kong, as previously used.)"
This proclamation. I presume, was accepted by the local legislators as authority for writing and printing the name as one word, but all the Royal warrants issued under the signet and sign manual of the Sovereign in the present as in the last reign have the name of the Colony written as Hong Kong, and this must be accepted as higher authority thau local proclamations, and sufficient justification for its appearance in that form on Government House stationery.
When the Government advertise for tenders from contractors for building work, it is in- variably stipulated that no work will be permitted o Sundays." At the request of a reader I direct attention to the way that stipulation is ignored in the building of the
new Law Courts. But this is nothing. I have
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