March 5, 1906.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. A combination of this kind is indeed the repel any disturber or invader of India." | logical outcome of the policy pursued by This may or may not be true. But the whole Russia, and more or less backed up by policy of Russia as shown by what she did some other Powers, for years past, and before the war would be to advance in both which culminated in the recent war with directions at the same time-to get up Japan. No one can doubt that the design trouble in the Far East and make use of Russia was to cripple British influence of the occasion for pushing and
in Asia generally, beginning India-aud against such a policy it is surely towards power with obtaining a strong position in the Farwise to be strengthened at all points. Fast by putting down Japanese opposition and then concentrating her energies in the says:—
In his concluding summary, the writer direction of India. Had Russia succeeded in humiliating Japan, she would have gained the first step towards this end. She would have been able to force Japan to acquiesce in her aggressive measures in the direction of China, and by this means would have inflicted a lasting blow on British influence in these parts. This would, of course, be her opportunity of interference in India. The interests of Japan and England were thus made one by the openly avowed policy of a common opponent, and that these two nations should combine to protect their interests by a treaty for mutual support
was the natural outcome of this state of
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shipping, of the status of Singapore as a seaport, of the effect of foreign competition not stopping at Singapore and scores of other problems, all difficult yet all vital to the prosperity of the Colony are obtruding themselves with greater complexity and tive Council are regarded as “quite capable urgency. While the officials on the Execu-
of dealing with all matters within the safe fence of administration," it is felt that
owing to changed and changing condi- tions, the functions of administration are relatively shrinking in importance," and that what is needed is a government tech- nically equipped and instantly alert to deal with the fiscal and commercial position of the Colony.
There are among my countrymen men of position, of world-wide experience, who view with distrust and real alarm this extended engagement entered into between England and Japan. It marks, they think, the timorous path have been more foolish than to have formed an of the decadence of the Empire. What could alliance with so remote a nation, one still further separated from us by race, traditions, customs, ably gave birth to the suggestion in Hong- Some such considerations as these prob- morals and social conditions? When glamour from the Japanese successes in the which induced the Home Government to the kong, but they were not the considerations late war fades, we may find that our position is a case for prayer rather than for hope, that all
consent to having unofficial members in the Executive Council. may go well with this our wondrous alliance.
Twelve years ago a the above writer feels most strongly with It is not very difficult to see at what point
mons, praying for an amendment of the con- petition was addressed to the House of Com- stitution of Hongkong. Briefly the petitioners
affairs. It might be said that the result of regard to the alliance. It is mainly that Japan asked for the free election of unofficial mem-
the recent war put an end to this position, and that a renewal of the Treaty was there- fore unnecessary, or that at least it was not desirable that the treaty should be extended to one for general mutual protection, and providing for the co-operation of Japan, if necessary, shou d Indin be threatened. But those acquainted with the persistency of Russiau policy could hardly take sanguine a view. Deplorable as the condi
50 tion of Russia is at the present moment, the time may not be far distant when existing difficulties will be overcome; when thereis the possibility of the old tactics being again resorted to. If the course which
an alliance with her.
Tunt she is remote is precisely the reason for is a remote country and an Asiatic nation.
Europe is caused by her being close to the Her remoteness from
very sphere of danger; and it is just because she is remote from Europe and near the be of first importance in regard to any Far scene of danger that she must always Eastern question that may arise.
As to her being separated by "race traditions, customs separated in this way than Russia is; but and morals,' sho is certainly not the real point is that she is united to us in her political interests, and will be ready to co-operate with us if the common
inore
bers of the Legislative Council, a working complete control over local expenditure; the majority of unofficial members of Council; management of local affairs; aud a con- sultative voice in questions of an Imperial the Hon. Mr. J. J. KESWICK and the Hon. character. At the request of the GOVERNOR Mr. E. R. BELILIOS gave their opinions in writing on the questions raiseds in the
petition, and these communication were for- warded to the Foreign Office. Mr. KESWICK- while considering that for all practical pur- loses the unofficial representation on the Legislative Council to be sufficient broached the suggestion of an unofficial member in
originally brought abou the treaty between ghts of the two countries be materially the Executive Council in these terms:-"I
threatened. If we were without sufficient facts to guide us, such objections as are raised might appear of some weight; but relied upon to adhere to her part of the we have ample proof that Japan can be
think that it would be of considerable
assistance to the government to have one birth in the Executive Council. Many unofficial member of Council of English
England and Japan were absolutely at an end, the agreement which has now been made might be considered as superfluous, and as one involving needless responsibility; but that time has not arrived. Certainly engagement, from the manner in which she questions continually arise in which know.
there was no sign of it when the treaty was renewed and when the internal affairs of Russia were by no means 80 critical as they have subsequently appeared. alliance for mutual protection was there. fore the only safe course to adopt; and it
An
is absurd to argue that such an agreement should be entirely one sided-that is, that England should be bound to assist. Japan
Our
should the latter be threatened, and no corresponding obligation be upon Japan to assist us, should danger appear in direction-that is, the direction of India. As to this being a sign of decadence, the same might be said with regard to any alliance or defensive treaty between any Powers whatever, with regard, for example, to the understandings between Germany or France with Russia. No one would argue that these understandings were a sign of deca- dence on the part of either of these two nations. Why, therefore, should a similar understanding between Eugland and Japan be so regarded? The writer of the article in the Contemporary gives his reasons for so doing very frankly. He says it is doubtful "whether England will profit commercially by the alliance;" and that "the trade plums will really fall to Japan and America," and he goes on to say: But we are to get our quid pro quo, for Japan is to help us to fight our battles for India. That arrangement is a pitiable object lesson for our 300 millions of Indian fellow subjects, not to speak of the rest of humanity. There are in that part of the British Empire many millions of faithful warrior races, Pathans, Sikhs and Goorkas. These, surely, if properly handled, could
64
as acted in the past; and even if we had not this assurance, there the manifest fact that Japan is almost as much concerned as ourselves in anything which might tend seriously to detract from our position in India, as this would at once materially affect our influence in the Far East and in Asia generally. The alliance is thus not a declaration on the part of Britain of a fear lest she would not be able to hold her own with respect to India without allies though even if it were it need not indicate the decadence of the Empire-bit only a the recurrence of the disturbing state of reasonable precautionary measure to avoid
affairs, which has at least for the time being been put an end to by the results of the Russo-Japanese war.
EXECUTIVE COUNCILS OF HONG. KONG AND SINGAPORE.
(Daily Press, 3rd March.) Our news columns yesterday contained a reference to an interesting plea made by the Singapore Free Press for the strengthen- ing of the Executive Council in the Straits Settlements, by the addition of unofficial members, as is the case at Hongkong. Our contemporary quoted Hongkong as a precedent in support of its plea, but with out wishing to argue against a proposal we would willingly support, we may yet point out that the reasons which in Hongkong led to the appointment of unofficial mem bers on the Executive Council are lacking at Singapore, Singapore's case for the pro- pcsed change is that problems with refer ence to questions of trade, of finance, of
ledge and experience outside the circle of government might be of considerable value and add to the Executive strength." The GOVERNOR, however, did not give his support to the idea. HIS EXCELLENCY in- formed the COLONIAL SECRETARY that prac tically unofficial assistance in the Executive Council could always be obtained if the status
|
quo were maintained, and he added that he invariably consulted the unofficial members before bringing into Council measures of The COLONIAL purely local interest. SECRETARY (LORD RIPON) thereupon con- to be much practical gain from the formal cluded that there was, therefore, not likely
appointment of an unofficial member to the Executive Council, but the Right Hon. ourable gentleman suggested that instead of
standing might be come to that in the onse making any such appointment, some under.
of discussion of specified local subjects, at any rate so long as there was no muni- cipality in existence in Hongkong, one or more unofficial members should be summoned to take part in the proceedings of the Executive Council, without giving them seats on the Council for all pur- poses. The correspondence on the subject from the Colonial Office was continued by Mr. CHAMBERLAIN, who came to the conclusion that the most practical course was to recognise that the Colonial Government of Hongkong is discharging Municipal duties and that on that may fairly be given a place on the account representatives of the citizens
Executive." He, therefore, proposed that the Executive Council should in future include two unofficial members to be--
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