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JAPANESE IN MANCHURIA.
(Daily Press, 18th July.) From time to time reports, generally 10- dignantly denied, it is true, bave come to hand regarding the action of the Japanese in Manchuria. The drift of these reports has been that while the Japanese have taken full advantage of the time allowed for evacuation to exclude all foreign trude not under the Japanese flag, as well as all foreigners, traders or otherwise, they have practically thrown the country open to their own countrymen, and not only this, but have in every way encouraged them in settling on the land, and have so mani- pulated affairs that these settlers have been able to introduce their commodities throughout the length and breadth of the land without having to pay any duty or charges whatever. Wether as a conse. quence of this proferebtial treatment, or from some other cause,n it is undoubtedly the fact that since the conclusion of the
war, and with the full knowledge, if not the actual connivance of the Japanese authorities, large tracts of fertile land in Manchuria have actually passed into full occupation of Japanese settlers whilst Newchwang and the cities about Moukden are at the moment, so far as their popula- tion is concerned, actually more Japanese than Chinese. So carefully has the veil been thrown over these proceedings. that the methods adopted have not yet been disclosed;
and almost the only evidence appears to be the actual presence of thous ands, if not tens of thousands, of Japanese squatters, whilst the cordon has been so efficiently maintained towards all others that not a single merchant of any nation, pther than Japanese, has been permitted to see for himself the actual position of affairs. It seems curious under the circumstances of the time and place that there should by any question 29 to the facts of the case; yet the fact remains that not withstanding that the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce sent up a deputation to the place to make enquiries on the spot, there still remains a good deal of uncer- tainty as to the manner in which the position has been brought about. Refer- ring to the port of Dalny, the following appears in the report. Dalny is stated to to be the port "through which Japanese, in the absence of a Chinese Customs station, are now bringing in their goods not only free of import duty, but free also of likiu charges, to any point in the interior to which transportation can be effected by rail".
That the situation is complicated is certain. The Japanese engaged to finally evacuate the province by the end of the present year, and there is no reason to doubt that they are using their best endea- vours towards that end. They are entitled to possession of Port Arthur and Daluy, and profess to be actuated with the desire to remove all possible objects which may interfere with the throwing open in the fullest manner of the port; but they plead that the necessities of the evacuation stand in the way, and allege this as the only reason why they have not as yet done so. This is understandable if it represent the true position, but there are two things that seem to show affairs in a different light. The first of these is that all this time private Japanese dealers have been per mitted to freely use the port; the second is that the Japanese Government is very badly inoculated with the ideas of the protectionists, and her new tariff ex- ceeds in its avowed protectionism even United those of Germany and the States. Of course the plausible excuse
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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the' fact that Russia has been evincing a
[Jaly 14, 1906.
| is made that the high tariff is necessary for | Such a sirumstance occurred in the City Hall purposes of revenue. On the other hand, on Saturday night. The last performance in with regard to Manchuria it is undoubtedly the Japanese "circus "finished at 11 o'clock, and as the hour was comparatively early and as no curtain was dropped or no attempt made to play the national anthem, the people present naturally thought there was something more to come. So they retained their seats, and afterwards some of the more impatient mani. fested a desire to enliven matters. Still the stage assistants proceeded calmly with their duties. By and by somebody whispered that the "show was over and a few went out, while the others sat and looked at each other and wondered at the delay. In the course of ten minutes or so it dawned on them that there was nothing more to be seen, and somewhat shamefacedly they rose and walked out: was a singular situation and was apparently due to the fact that none of the company had sufficient English, to make the necessary an nouncement. The evident willingness of the audience to sit on seems like a gennine testimonial- to the merit of the performance.
disposition to repeat her tactics of 1903 and deliberately, and in the face of her soleinn engagements, retain by muy means whatever her hold on the northern portion; of the province. Under these circumstances it is but natural that Japan on her side should seek so far as possible to secure her own position, and is above all things desirous of envering up as far as possible her doings and intentions; and above all is little disposed to throw open to all her section of the railway on which her successful resistance to Russian encroach- ments dargely depends. Had the Chinese Government shown any disposition to work with Japan towards this end there would have been the less necessity to adopt this course, but that Government with its usual crooked and short-sighted policy has ever since the conclusion of peace been practically playing into the hands of Russia, while throwing every obstacle across Japan's track; and Japan is justly nettled that having so far as practicable taken the chestnuts out of the fire in China's interest, be treated as an arch she should now couspirator.
All this undoubtedly goes far to show that President ROOSEVELT's was at least well-meant. interference premature, and that in the interests of the whole civilised world the situation is little if anything better than it was before the opening of negotiations at Portsmouth. Under the conditions it hardly seems that any good can come of seeking in any way to strengthen China's position in the matter. Even if China had the physical power and energy to step in between Russia and Japan, her shuffling conduct has reduced her moral influence to a nullity. On the other hand, it is as little advisable to place in the bands of Japan the practical control of the gateway to Manchuria for which she has certainly been intriguing. In the long run it would be doubtless advisable that Dalny should be open as a free port to all, but as long as Japan holds the railway she would still have the advantage of the possession of the Fack-door, and this with lier present aims nud policy would be dangerous for all the other Powers. Could Russia be brought to perceive the error of her ways, and see that her insatiable desire for more territory is really responsible for her fall, much good night come of it; but Russia is Russia still, and is likely to remain so to the end; and nations, like individuals, in a state of disintegration are most dangerous. Under the circumstances, and this is about the greatest difficulty of all, it is inadmissible to attempt to wuzzle either Japan or China, Yet the and of this both are fully aware. feeling that at the moment this is practically the case brings with it a feeling akin to humiliation.
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
9th July.
The news that
the open-air concerts promoted by the Volunteers are to be resumed in a fortnight will doubtless be welcomed by a considerable section of the community. These al fresco entertainments were decidedly popular last summer. and certainly no more agreeable way of spending the Saturday evening could be devised. The Commandant and officers of the Corps have lent their assistance to the under- taking, and as Mr. Geo. Grimble is arranging the first programme there can be little doubt as to its success. The first concert will be given on the 21st inst.
It is a little amusing when an audience fails to recognise that an entertainment is at an end
It
I am glad to see that some people are refusing to be bullied by either chair or ricsha_coolies into paying more than the legal fare. But the majority of Europeans are unfortunately in- different ou the subject. "Oh, yes, I know the fare is only five cents, but I gave him I dont want any bobbery over five ten cents conts." These are the remarks that ons hears whenever the subject is introduced, so that the individual who risks a scene by paying only the legal fare has not even the sympathy of those members of the community whose support he should have in fighting against the exactions levied by the colies. As we see from the various prosecutions that have taken place at the magistracy, the police are willing to assist in the matter, but, as I remarked last week, unless the public co-operate with the authorities little good will be done. The point to be remembered by those who give the subject small consideration is that those who are able to pay more than the legal fare have no right to do so when such action creates a precedent and establishes a custom which operates harshly on their less wealthy neighbours.
A friend of mine has recently been dilating on the evils of dice-throwing as it obtains in the Colony. He refers, of course, to the practice which prevails in so many places for deciding who should pay for the refresh. ments to be consumed. He points out that the griffin suffers most from this custom, as it may freqently happen that having entered the club with a companion and begun an innocent toss to decide who should pay for two drinks, others may join in the throwing with the result that the "young 'an" finds himself ten victimised to the extent of eight or drinks. It would certainly be better in the interests of those who do not wish to and are not courageous enough gamble to say "no" lest they appear moan in the eyes of others, if this form of gambling could be eliminated from our recreation clubs, but yet, knowing what human nature is, it is too much to hope that gambling, even in this comparativ-ly mild manner, will be stopped. I merely mention these complaints in the hope that those who have decided opinions either way may have an opportunity of express- - ing them.
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The agitation raised by those in the government employ who suffer by the high dollar gained an accession of strength from an unexpected source during last week. The Indian police, dissatisfied with their decreasing scale of remuneration, inclined to express their feelings by refus ing to go on duty. This, of course, was very foolish, and they had to be taught a lesson by one man being sent to gaol. While there can be little sympathy with those who asked to be paid on the sterling basis when the dollar was low, yet it is very hard that the great body of those in the civil service should be bound by the action of their predecessors. When a hardship exists, it oug" to be inquired into
In the business and if possible removed. houses it is different. If a man stipulated before he came out here that he should be paid according to the home currency, then if he suffers thereby he bas only himself to blame,
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