September 17, 1906.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
"At the outset there were no conclusive indications that anti-foreign feeling inspired these emeutes; plunder seemed to be their main found at many places in Korea, carrying on objective. Japanese settlers, who ars to be
specially at the hands of the insurgents nor small but prosperous enterprises, did not suffer could any concerted sentiment of nationalism be inferred from the latter's acts and words. At first, therefore, the Residendy-General in Seoal conceived that the duty of suppression might be left to the Korsan troops aided by Japanese police. Of the latter there are 950 in Kores, but as 250 are attached to the Residency. General in Seoul and have also to guard the settlement, it follows that those stationed in the provincial districts number only 100. Their numerical insignificance is compensated, how. ever, by extensive faith in their own capabilities, half-a-dozen of them being always ready to
have to be done towards establishing an idealists — —some critics have described them effective protectorate. Mr. DICEY, however, as mercenaries— have been doing their best holds that it would be the first duty of to make her discontented with the reform Great Britain if ever she assumes aatory. Disturbances occurred in various Protectorate over Egypt to obtain the parts of the country immediately after the cancellation of the "capitulations"-that backs of Marquis Iro and General HASE is the exterritorial system; but he considers GAWA were turned. this cannot be done till England
"takes over the public debt of Egypt and makes it known to the world that she regards Egypt as being under the protection of Great Britain, to be defended” against internal or external attack by the whole fores of the British Empire." He points out that under these circumstances the "prosecution of reforms" in Egypt can only be carried into practice with the assent of the foreign Powers of Europe.
The seriousness of the task as thus explained cannot be blinked; and few will be disposed to differ with the view that "the present moment is singularly infelicitous for proposing a formal recogni- tion of a British Protectorate over Egypt, or of suggesting the expediency of cancelling the capitulations." Such & Protectorate would amount to little less than actually taking over the country-a course which will, there can be little question, become necessary in time. When that time arrives the writer of the paper is of opinion that British supremacy in Egypt will be best secured and maintained by adopting the course pursued in many of the native states of India, namely governing Egypt under a British Resident, and leaving the internal administration in native hands. It is probably in this direction that British policy will be shaped; but it is clear that there are many difficulties in the way. These, however, are of a nature that they are likely rather to be increased than lessened by time; and, though the present moment may be inopportune, it is clear that the matter is one in which effective action cannot be indefinitely postponed.
JAPAN IN KOREA.
1
deal with a hundred Koreans. Thus it seemed get out to reconnoitre the position of the Hong- a normal procedure that a band of four should ju insurgents."
163
Britain in a position to obtain much better term3 than this Peking Convention of last April shows. It bettered her political position, and promised well for Indian trade. British subjects were allowed access to certain markets, with the understanding that more marts would be opened if needed. The Tibetans, instead of destroying, were to repair and maintain roads; and a tariff of trade duties mutually agreed upon was to be adhered to. The
to which expense the Indian Government had been put was. to be partly recouped, according to the means of the country, and the British troops were to hold the Chumbi district as security for an honest attempt to fulfil the agreement. Politically, all it asked was. that the Tibetans were not to countenance the interference of any foreign Power-an important point. The alleged "act of grace" of Lord AMPTHILL 38 Indian Viceroy considerably weakened the British position in Chinese and Tibetan eyes. Such things are not rightly appreciated by
Asiatics. Now we have a further " act of grace in Article II, in which the Government of Great Britain engages not to annex Tibetan territory or to interfere in the administration of Tibet. In the same Article, China under- takes not to permit" any other foreign state to interfere with the territory or internal administration of Tibet. It will be seen that this simply restores the un- satisfactory conditions prevailing prior to the achievement of YOUNGHUSBAND's men. The Government of China had to admit its powerlessness to enforce control as suzerain, and though it did not like to see the British taking the law into their own hands, it acquiesced in the necessity of the proceeding. The British have rehabilitated China's
Four wasn't quite enough. A great army of Korean rebels-or patriots-man. aged to kill half of them. The other two escaped, and brought back two companies. These took the city, killed sixty-nine in the taking of it, and took 145 prisoners beside. How fit the Koreans are to be independent may be gathered from such instances. It was soon discovered, thanks to the existence of a Korean reform party, that these attacks were anti-Japanese, and semi-officially in- spired. They were suppressed with humi- listing ease and would not have been so numerous if facilities had existed for spreading news from place to place. Japan lapsed suzerainty, and got practically has a fixed policy, at which Marquis Ironothing for it-30, at least, we imagine darkly hinted when returning to Seoul; events will prove. The Ambans will re- and its present attitude in the face of such commence squeezing the Tibetans, and the a good excuse to strengthen its position British have no resident officer to keep must commend itself to those who do not an eye on their doings, or to hear com. like the look of too basty conquest.plaints. The Tibetans, after an interval of Annexation will come, however; it is expedient, not only for Japan, but in the interests of the world's peace that this mismanaged country, which has always been subservient to some one of its neighbours, should be taken in hand; and that an end should be put to the sort of intrigue reveal- ed by the recent enquiry.
家居
CHINA AND TIBET.
(Daily Press, 12th September.)
forgetfulness of the recent lesson, will again become restive. Their administration, with which the British have covenanted not to meddle, will take its former form of dis- couraging alien enterprise; and they are sure to coquet with "King Stork ". Russia-in a foolish attempt to depose
"
King Log". Then as before China will be helpless, and another YouNGHUSBAND will have to endure hardships in the service. of a Government which often fails now to realise the value of its servants' work.
(Daily Press, 11th September.) "When a country has signed an engage ment surrendering the control of its foreign affairs to a neighbouring Power, to speak of the independence of the former as a practically existing fact would be somewhat farcical ". So says Captain BRINKLEY of Tokyo, writing on the situation in Korea. We made a similar remark at the time of the inauguration of Japan's protectorate, and also pointed out that it was a protectorate that virtually (and quite properly) harbingered annexation. Recent
'Diplomatic decency" is the rather happy history in Korea has not modified but phrase with which a London contemporary IS HONGKONG HEALTHY? strengthened that opinion. The possibly explains the rather disappointing features sincere American meddlers at Seoul who of the Convention between Great Britain
(Daily Press, 13th September.) seem to yearn for a Korean Declaration of and China relating to Tibet. These The old question as to whether Hongkong Independence are in theory quite correct concessions to form have to be made, is healthy or unhealthy has been revived. in their views as to the inalienable rights apparently; Conventions must be con- by a recent publication, "The Historical of man; but if man be a Koreau, and as ventional; but after taking a year Geography of the British Colonies which degenerate, his inalienable rights cannot be and a half to get from China what Sir our reviewer treats in this issue. The permitted to impinge upon the equally FRANCIS YOUNGHUSBAND had obtained author has apparently two opinions on the important right of bis neighbour to exist. from the Tibetans in less than a month, we subject. One is that the climate of Hong- Korea is at prese!! t po worse off, and cannot profess to regard the result with kong during part of the year tells on certainly no less kindly treated, than a any particular satisfaction. We left no European constitutions, and the other is patient suffering some contagious disease room for doubt two years ago as to our that though in its early years the Colony If Korea convalesces, and this largely opinion of the part China was playing acquired the reputation of being a very depends upon herself, there will be time to and likely to play in that part of unhealthy place of residence for Europesas talk of independence. Korea, in a moment the world. The correspondence published it is not now unhealthy. To a certain possibly of self-revelation, a realizing of her by Parliament, written by competent extent desperate state, placed herself in her present British representatives on the spot, anatorium of subordination; whence she was sufficient to convince most people that can emerge only by the help of Dr. the Chinese representatives were not acting NIPPON. That Japan's good health some- more ingenuously than their customs and what depends upon the permanent recovery manners dictate. Two years ago this of Korea is a fact that does not vitiate the month. Sir FRANCIS YOUNGHUSBAND simile. Now it seems that Korea is a secured, after much arduous work, a rather refractory patient. Those American convention with Tibet which placed Great
!
"
we must sympathise with the author's hesitation in coming to a definite conclusion on this point, knowing the diversity of opinion that prevails among those who have lived and do live here and having regard to the terrible aspects borne by the reports of plague and fever ment home. When we are asked to consider, the question for ourselves, we are also told to
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.