298
THE GERMANS IN SHANTUNG,
(Daily Press 6th May.) What really and truly is going on in Shantung? The Times says that the Japanese are studying the German activity in Shautung with the same close attention with which they watched the Russians iu Manchuria before the war. This we know to be true. It is the Japanese way; and we have noted recently Japanese reports that the doings of Germany in the Shantung province are iunocent, or, at any rate, un- ohjectionable in Japanese eyes. Yet Dr. MORRISON travelled through Shantung not long ago, and tells quite another story. Can it be that the Englishman takes a more jaundiced view of things than the Japanese who may be said to have a greater cause of suspicion? Dr. MORRISON not only tells us that the Germans are too active, but that the English are rendering assistance to the development of German policy there; and that the Chinese officials are now anxiously watching both nations. That Dr. MORRISON's visit did not conduce to approval
of either German or English policy is evident when he says that the German policy in Shantung is a repetition of Russia's in Manchuria. His idea is that England is being as much deceived by Count VON Bulow as she once was by Count MURA- VIEFF, and be sets about undeceiving her in the columns of the Times. German pro- fessions of adherence to the policy of the open door are, he declares, insincere. Such au unselfish policy has no doubt been repented by more than oue Power before
now.
Time will show how many of them consider it more than a phrase for political
currency. It seems absurd to connect an open door with a sphere of influence; but the ways of the diplomats are past finding
out.
"The exclusive right to construct a system of railways in the province, which Germany, with the approval of England, acquired in 1898, carries with it the right to a mining monopoly
for ten miles on each side of all the railways. Deeming even this insufficient, on December 15 last, Baron Mumm von Schwarzenstein pre- sented four additional demands to the Wai- wu-pu, the third of which was that within two years of the date of the opening by Germany of any mine within this area all Chinese mines already open within a distance of file miles of
German mines should be required to suspend
operations, the effect being to increase the Ger- man monopoly from ten miles to 15 miles on each side of the railway. Article 17 of the
Shantung mining regulations, signed by Ger- many and China on March 21, 1930, which provides that within a distance of ten miles on each side of the railway only Germans and Chinese shall be permitted to open mines, stipu.
lates that in the case of mines already being worked the Chinese may be permitted to con- tinue working."
The representatives of Germany in China, are now said to be claiming that the latter part of Article 17 means that Chinese mines may continue with their old metho is only, they have no right to copy the modern min ing methods of the Germans. No doubt when Germany signed those terms five years ago, she had the idea that her con- cession to the Chinese interests already operating was an inexpensive favour to grant. The Chinese are not altogether stupid in business matters, however; and they are beginning to see that the only chance for the old Chinese mines to compete
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
activity since 1900, es ecially in 1902."
were
[May 15, 1905. An accidental province larger than England and Wales, the settlement at Cam-ranh. acquisition of which, though denied by Count meeting of one of the Concession offi. von Bülow in the Reichstag on March 3, 1902, cials by some Russian officers awoke has been the const nt aim of Germany's them to the possibilities of the place.
Orders for all sorts of provisions issued, and in a few days the Russians could take their pick from big supplies. Livestock (cattle) to the value of 25,000 francs was hurried from all sides to Camranh; but alas! the necessity for an unceremonious departure has resulted in disappointment for the caterers, who are much embarrassed by the unwieldy stocks left on their hands. The only thing the Russians did not refuse where, even, says M. MRYNARD, "dans les was coal. They had coal stacked up every-
the Russians has enriched all this region. chambres des officiers"! The passing of
are,
It is understood that last December Germany demanded a ten mile purely (erman reservation on each side of the railway length, that Chinese already mining in this strip may continue as they but must not use machinery; the con- cession of
and no more mining area; interfere ice by Chinese officials with Ger- man mines. The Chinese Foreign Office has made its customary refusal, but, says Dr. MORISON, pressure is being brought to bear upon the Wai-wu-pu to reconsider its decision. He complains that England has helped by
"aiding her to obtain from China the gua. rantee of a loan of £6,500,000 to build a rail.
way under German control from Tientsin to Kisochan, which, had the Russo-Japanese war taken a different turn, would have become a
German Port Arthur."
He complains that "our attitude is in striking contrast with that of the Japanese." So it may be; so, indeed, it is. Japanese are not prone to such alarums.
THE NAVAL WAR,
The
'Le nhaqué," presumably the natives of the district, are too busy to do anything for the colonists. They will work only for the Rus- siana. Russian money is circulating freely. The telegraphs are working over-time, which may afford further explanation of reportorial M. MEYNARD professes to have grumbles. seen in the Bay two German steamers seized by the Russians because they were convey. fussying rice to Yokohama. He says contraband ships are ordered into the Bay. He must be inistaken about the two Germans; and it is, of course, unlikely that Russia can com mandeer Cam-ranh Bay as a receiving depôt for any captures she may make. At night, atean craft fussed about the Bay, suspi- cious of all strangers; and he was surprised not to be caught. Japanese spies and submarine mines were chiefly feared by the Russians. They were constantly dragging for the latter! One Japanese ship was seen loitering in the vicinity of Binha island.
(Daily Press, 8th May.) One or two new points with regard to the situation as between Japan, French Indo- China, and
the
are
Russian Armada, suggested in a long and graphic telegram sent from Cam-ranh by M. ALF. MEYNARD, special correspondent of L'Avenir du Tonkin. M. MEYNARD arrived at Cam-ranh on April 25th, after an unpleasantly hungry journey in a junk, and an all night trip in a sampan. He found a dozen Russian coal transports at anchor, guarded by torpedo-boats of the same nationality. All appeared ready to sail at short notice. The effective squadron of ironclads and cruisers was then man- oeuvring about outside, not being allowed to spend more than twenty-four hours in neutral waters; but it was well understood that a decent interval would see them back again. [Mais elle re viendra certainement sous peu.] This appears to throw light on the conflicting reports that have been puzzling US. During the alleged illegal stay in Can ranh Bay, perfectly trustworthy wit- nesses told us that the Fleet was actually in French waters, and others no less reliable
While
was
Admiral RozHDESVENSKY actually suffering, his marines had absolute confidence in him, and no one could doubt With the heroic intentions of his officers. regard to ROZHDESTVENSKY's illness, by the way, we suppressed a former telegram, fearing that REUTER had been hoaxed again. The frequency with which the pathologist and psychologist may meet when diagnosing the particular complaint is proverbial in unrefined communities. The Russian crews are, in spite of their con- fidence, having a weary time. The constant vigils, the terrible heat, and the lack of comforts, are wearing them out. Neutral shipping wants it over and done with, but pro-Japanese hope the present waiting may
Meantine, the be prolonged. ships are becoming more foul and less demoralised. seaworthy; and the crews M, MEYNARD admits that all regard the a regrettable nuisance. He campaign as
Russian
91
of
testified that the Russians were just outside the limit. A somewhat burried search through the text books at our disposal fails to find any remedy for this evasion of international principles; and we do is impressed by the waste of coal and stores not remember any clause which opposes and human energy in this apparently aimless the return of vessels that may
have ooming and going-"il et malheureux que departed in compliance with the twenty- lo charbon, les vaisseaux et l'énergie des four hour rule. We feel almost convinced hommes soient dépensés inutilement en that the Japanese have nothing with which des va-et-vient sans but bien déterminé."
general freshnes they can justly reproach the French in this He refers to the " connection; and we are now in possession the squadron, a reference whose justice is of information which dissipates the impres- not quite clear, in view of what has gone sion that the French cousorship of telegrams before. On Thursday April 20 h an officer was pro-Russian. We learn that its purpose who died of congestion was buried ashore, was purely pro-French, to put a stop to the near the tomb of a Russian lady who has sensational and unwarranted messages that lain there ten years! The funeral seems to were being sent, implicating the "French have been Franco-Russian, very gorgeous Colonial Government in a way which they and impressive. At the last moment (on had been striving anxiously to avoid. To the 25th) the squadron was ready for M. MEYNARD says that the Descartes is at
to the narrative of L'Avenir immediate departure. Very strict orders
were issued against any strangers approa
returu
with the new German mines is to adopt Nha-ira g, being informed by Marconigraph | ching the fleet, even the contraband caterers
similar machinery and methods. China declines to read into the Article the mean- ing which Germany asserts exists and applies
"not only to the area along the railway but to five additional mining zones, covering prac tically the whole remaining mining area of a
of all the movements of the Russians. being warned that they approachel at teir risk. Numbers of vessels with Whet e squadron arrived at Cam-ranh, own
it consisted of forty-five units, the ships livestock and produce had to return to of the steaming in three by three, a very imposing Saigon without doing any business.
were not then Up north, the emergence spectacle. The Russians
flourishing' formerly well watched four Vladivostock
aware
that
there Was
B
A
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