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tally the part taken by the Cable Companies has been to thwart in every way this object. Before the federation of the Commonwealth the Eastern Extension Companies had been entering into private arrangements with some of the Australian colonies, especially New South Wales.
As pre- sented to the colonies these agreements seemed eminently satisfactory, the more
more
especially as the colonies obtained not only a reduction of the rates, which the companies acknowledged to be excessive under the circumstances, but the companies engaged to make a new chain of cables through the Indian Ocean connecting Australia with Mauritius and South Africa. The consideration required by the companies was that they should have for their cable messages the sole right of using the land lines. The colonies, probably not foreseeing its importance, omitted to have any time limit inserted in the agreement, and the
* companies taking advantage of the letter of the agreement refuse permission, except under prohibitory conditions, to the carriage of the telegrams sent by the government cable over the land lines. On the inaugura tion of the Commonwealth the Felera Government naturally desired to review these agreements, with the view of insert-
ing a time limit. According to a recognised principle in law agreements of the nature of leases, as was this, unless a time limit be specified are non-effective; and the Federal Government brought the agreements before Parliament with the object of having the necessary limit inserted, as well as taking over the several rights of the separate states. The arts of obstruction seem to have been freely used in the discussion, and Parliament refused in 1903 to ratify the proposed agree, ment pending a reference to a congress of the representatives of the various Governments
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
CHINESE AND JAPANESE
ENTENTE,
Daily Press 14th August.
It has long been foreseen that the drift of erents in the Far East indicated a rap | prechement between China and Japan for the purposes of mutual protection. The direction in which this would take practical effect has naturally be considered to be in respect to Manchuria which is the most easily assailable part of Ching by her standing oppment. Russia, and which it was undoubtedly the design of that country to seiz, had she not been prevented by the The idea, which seemed course of the war. to be dominant in the Russian mind was that, come what might from the war, there would be an opportunity of establishing herself in Manchuria in a manner in which she had not been able to do so before. If she succeeded in overthrowing the Japanese
position, the
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[August 21, 1905.
the design of Russia was to assume an attitude which might lead to hostility towards China should it suit her to push matters in that direction. It is, however, somewhat strange that it appears to have been oreilooked by Russia how serious a declared breach between her and China might be, and that if she forced that country into joining with Japan one effect would be that the Chinese navy would at once he at the disposal of the latter country, Possibly, judging from the past, Russia did not attach much importance to the Chinese
navy, but from recent events, it is clear she
might have discovered that she had made as great a mistake in this as in originally underestimating the strength of Japan. The Japanese, with the foresight which they have so markedly displayed, and seems to amount almost to which inspiration, have thoroughly seized the situation in this respect. It now appears that they have undertaken to build a num. ber of warships for China and, in fact, it is stated they intend to practically create a
new Chinese navy, What this may mean in the future is obvious. From what, we kaqw of the Chinese they are not a people likely by themselves to do great, things with a navy. All our experience of them shows that they lack the courage and esprit de corps necessary for successful naval operations; but, even in this respect. it would be a mistake to assume that this failing would be as apparent as past history would lead us to assume if the Chinese
happened to act in conjunction with the Japanese, as would be likely to be the case
way would of course he open to her to do what she like as regards China, as there was little fear of European ¦ opposition, and the Chinese themselves were tod weak to opposs her encroachments. The domination of Russia in Manchuria and possibly also in Mongolia was thus frankly admitted to be one of the stakes for which that country was willing to rush into war. This was obvious enough to most diplomatists and, indeed, did not require any great diplomatic talent to surmise. It was in view of this that the
it their navy were called into active service. United States, with great foresight con- trived on the eve of the war to conclude a What seems to be foreshadowel is an under- treaty with China declaring Mukden to be standing between Japan and China to join forces to oppose any possibility of renewed "pen to foreign trade, thus asserting in a practical manner the fact that China and Russian aggression upon either country. hot Russia was the governing Power in that! The most effective way to do this is mani- territory. As a matter of fact there can be fostly for the two countries to possess ; no question that this position is absolutely between them such naval force as is bound
Tudel, it has not been lenied by
to make it impossible to break the com- correct. Russia herself, who over and over again!munication between Japan and the Korean promised to withdraw her troops from that and Chinese ports, so that at any time country, Russia, however, with the too far, Japan may continue able to send forward sightediplomacy for which she is celebrated, sufficient forces to withstand any renewed Post-couerived the idea that she might obtain attempts at encroachment in any direction. Such will be the future bearing of the her voted advantage in Manchuria as well by defeat as by victory in the war with matter; but it is equally interesting as Japan: and let it be known that if the showing what might have taken place hal war went against her, she Russia succeeded in dragging China into chances of
concerned in the cable. There is little doubt that this conclusion was the correct one under the circumstances, but for some reason or other the meeting of the convention has been unreasonably delayed, so it is satisfactory to learn that it is already in session. The mem- hers are essentially practical, including Lord JERSEY, formerly Governor of New South Wales, Sir WILLIAM MULOCK, Master-General of Canada, and the Hou. ALFRED LYTTELTON. It is worthy of note
that we in China are indebted to the con- struction of this cable for the reduction of the very heavy rates formerly charged Still the Eastern Extension Company has very cleverly contrived to keep in its own bands the practical monopoly of the Far East. What arrangements it ade with, the American Pacific Cable Company do not appear, but it is curious to observe that, as far as China is concerned, we hear little or nothing of that company. While, there-, fore, we have little immediate interest in the success of the Pacific cable, we have a certain amount of reversionary concern, and look with interest on the result of the Conven- tion. Monopolies are not, in general, good, for the advancement of trade, and frequently overreach themselves in their anxiety to gather all the benefits in their own hands. It may not be that the time has come for throwing open to all comers the telegraph service to China, but we hope that the subject may receive sace recogi tion in the Conference, with the object of improving still further our communications generally in the Far East, which are still not altogether all that might be desired.
Messrs. Benjamin, Kelly & Potts are advised by wire that the Maatschappij tot Mijn-, Bosch- en Landbouwexploitatie in Langkat has declared third interim dividend of Tls. 2 per share payable on the 15th proxime.
to find some excuse
¦
the war.
to
Had she done so, she would at would still be able
once have given the Japanese the benefit of for keeping forces in Man churia, and thus in the end, make the war a means the Chinese navy which, in such skilled no insignificant towards attaining the object which she hands, might live been had in view.
Unfortunately for her chance factor. This certainly will be the situation of success in this direction she has given in the future, and this change will have to utterance a little too fredly to this ingenious be taken into account not only by Russia From time to time it leaked out that but by other foreign nations. It is likely, idea. such a design was c autemplated, and though inlce i almost certain, that the Chinese and it appeared to most people somewhat prob Japanese will in future join hands
matical, it call not be looked upon as prevent European encroachments; and if altogether outside the range of practical; Jajan assists China, not only (as has filfilment. Had the progress of the Japanese long been the case in various directions) in armies Teen less decisive and rapid, and, regard to military organisation, but also in had it been possible to arrange for peace respect to her navy, it will clearly become with Jap while her forces o cupied a less very hazardous for any European nation to enter up in an aggressive war with either 'adranced position, the scheme of retaining
large Lumber of troops in Manchuria might country. No doubt the effect of this must be have been carried out, and some pretext of to give large predominance to Japanese la quarrel with China found which would influence and, of course, it might be open t question whether this will be beneficial form a ground for contin.ed occupation of
s far as foreign nations are concerned.
· Manchuria. This, no doubt, accounts for the frequency with which Russia of late has tn the whole, however, as matters stand, accused the Chinese of breaches, f neutrality, such a state of affairs would seem to be the at times, indeed, in a way, which, taking the best that can be arrived at as a means of actual facts into cons deration, was little .avi-ling the infinite e
mplications which short of grotesque, The declaration made, would arise through a dismemberment of that troops would be carried through Mon-! China, and to afford a better hope for im- golia in order to meet Japanese strategic provement and progress on the part of movements was of a piece with this line of, China herself than can be looked for in any policy and there can be little doubt that other direction.
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