356
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE CHINESE IMPERIAL POST.danger to purely British interests,
(Daily Press, 22nd November.) The detachment of the Imperial Chinese Postal service from the control of the Customs, which we recently surmised would wound Sir ROBERT HART far more than the appointment of the new Commis. sioners to relieve the Wai-wu-pu of its supervisory duties, appears to have become a real political issue. Prince CHING is credited or blamed as the originator of the scheme, which is obviously partly animated by the modern spirit desircus of eliminating foreign direction from all Chinese public undertakings. The Peking and Tientsin
Times considers that Tong SHAO-YI is the real author of the proposal, the latter being reported to have said that the organization is now so far advanced ag to render further foreign supervision needless. Whoever be responsible for it, such R change cannot be contemplated without great uneasiness, and we say this without regarding for a moment its anti-foreign tendency. The Chinese ambitions to manage their own affairs are sufficiently natural, and their repugnance to foreign assistance of so long standing, that it is not worth while wasting time discussing them. What will be will he; but what should not be, in the light of foreign treaties and Chinese promises, will certainly not be. We still have sufficient confidence in those representing foreign interests, to trust that nothing outrageous will be permitted in our time. The objections to the proposed transfer of the Chinese Postal Service rest ou more immediately practical grounds. It is quite true, ax TONG SHAO-YI seems to have discovered, that the Chinese Imperial Post has now reached a high state' of efficiency. It handles an enormous mas of mail watter for all nations, as well as domestic letters, and the Customs people have themselves with pardonable pride called attention to the satisfaction with which the public has appreciated its work. Nearly three years ago we noted the wonderful development of the service, and have continued year by year to mark it. It has not yet reached such a pitch as to warrant the abolition of the foreigu post offices in the Treaty Ports, but at many places, where it has entered into some sort. of competition with these, w have noticed that even foreigners have given it the pre- ference under certain conditious. In passing 15 may be pointed out that the reported remark of TONG SRAO-YI is in itself a fie compliment to the ability of the INSPECTOR GENERAL and the staff of whom the Chinese are supposed to be anxious to rid themselves. The Chinese Imperial confidence in the foreigners which led to the handing over to the Customs of the entire official and private mails, for nearly two thousand years entrusted to the Courier Post, WAS admittedly justified. In March 1904 we remarked that if once the European withdrawn from the supervision were Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service, there can be no doubt in the minds of those cognisant of Chinese ways and idiosyncra- sies, that "there would follow a rapid reversion to the old system of corruption, sloth, and procrastination. Trade would soon suffer, the revenue fall off, and smuggling become rife. The same with the Postal Administration". This, in spite of all the claptrap. about China's awakening, and her alleged reforms, is as true to-day as it was then. It is because we are so convinced of that that we do not share the fears of those who believe the Customs in
imilar danger now. There is
come.
November 26, 1906.
was
to perceive in what direction her true
It policy in the Far East lay. long ago predicted by some far seeing that writers one of the results of the Rusw)- Japiness war would probably be a better understanding between the two countries than had existed before. This iden was based upon
experienc. which both lead to the conclusion
general considerations an
that where two nations have been long at rivalry, it is often better for them to try each other's strength, by which it is dis- covered that each is entitled to the respect of the other. After such a trial of strength things become possible which could not be done before, simply because each party is disposed to approach them in reasonable spirit. Very maoy were sceptical
As
B more
to the possibility of anything like really friendly relations being established between nations who had so long been at rivalry; and the Chinese naturally ranged themselves with those who took this view. China never had any real friendship either for Russia or Japan, but she considered it desirable to keep upon good terms with them both, as either might threaten her integrity at a given moment.
Her ide, as
but the disappearance of foreign control, at the present time, is unthinkable. It seems to us that, with Chinese politics in their present chaotic condition, it must be as unthinkable at Peking as it is in the Treaty Ports or in London, save perhaps in the minds of a few impotent members of the Young China party. The Treaty Powers have left it to Great Britain as the predominant partuer, and not even a Radical Government dare neglect its duty, once the Young China party proves that its influence is more than it admittedly is at present. It is unlikely." we remarked years ago," that China will pass out of tutelage for many a long year to Even the stimulus of Japanese example less striking then than it has since become] is unlikely to have any appreciable effect on the apathy and corruption which hold the Chinese Govern ment in bondage." In these later days, we see little reason to modify those opinions. We will grant the disappearance of much of the apathy referred to, but the proportion of really dependable officials has not grown any greater. The new system has not yel had time to produce them, and so far its attempts to do so have been half-
set forth in LI HUNG-CHANG's celebratel Learted and misdirected. It syms reason- able enough to us to relieve the Customs of to keep up an appearance of friendship declaration of policy, was that it was well further responsibility for such a large with Russia; as, if she succeeded, sl› might undertaking as the C. I. P. has now grown;
the belter come to terms with China in but if it has to have the special department it matters directly affecting the latter, who now seems to require, the Chinese will be would have the satisfaction of seeing her well-advised to retain a foreign head
old rival Japan humiliate. If, on the Doubtless the foreign representatives, in the other hand Jipin were succssful, Chin interests of maintaine i efficiency, as im would rely upon being able to secure the portant to China as to them, will prevailupport of that country and of Europe in upon Peking, if they change at all, to pro- | natious
to prevent Russia pushing her coed on these liues.
the Chinese successes so far as to become a menace to authorities appaint native Postal Commis-her-lf. The actio of China since the sioners if they like (as there are still conclusion of the war in dientes clearly that "expectaut" favourites who have to be she is still acting upon the lines of the rewarded) but let there be a foreign Post. policy declaret hy LI HONG-CHANG, Master-General, just as there still and overtures to Japan have of late been must be a foreign Inspector-General of sufficiently marked. Sie has sent students Customs, with equal responsibility. Then we shall not see a promising enterpris: Japanes instructors for her troops. She to Tokyo. She has callel in the aid of losing the ground it has notably gained in has promised to adopt a constitution on the the last two or three years.
Japanese Model; and she has generally assumed an attitud- indicative of her desire to accept Japanese aid and to fall in with Japanese views. But there is only to good reason to believe that under this appearance of progres-iveness lies a hope that she will somehow manige changes which she professes to be willing to evade making the
to adopt; and will find the means of keeping - outward form to please foreign nations. up her old system while changing its This has bon her mode of action so often before that it is hard to feel confidence that she will not attempt it once more. her idea may only be to make a change for a time, and revert at the first god opportunity to her antiquated and exclusive
Let
RUSSO-JAPANESE RELATIONS,
(Daily Press, 23rd November.) Comparatively small things often show the way political as well as other winds are blowing; and we have an illustration of this which is worthy of notice in the fact of Japan bing willing so soon after the conclusion of the recent war, to u-gotiate with Russia with reference to the establish- ment of an overlaud mail service. This of course means that Japan is no disposed to oppose the legitimate development of Russia in Manchuria; and is a very simple and practical way of expressing her views upou this point, of which it may be wel for the reactionary party in Chi a to take note. It is a quiet reminder to Russia that she did her best to Ise a good friend in the Far East, but that, not withstanding all that has happened, Japaa is willing to co-operate with her, as long as her designs do not threaten Japanese interests or independ
et ce.
Her
At best
system. It remaios, however, to be seen whether this mode of action, which has been only ton successful with European del also with the Japanese, who are so well inations, will be effective when she has to acquaintel with her ways and traditions that it may require more than Chinese tiness to deceive them. Inded from the
utterances that hava ben' male in more
than one quarter, there are indications that This friend y attitude is not likely the Japanese havs already begun t› ace to be lost sight of by Russia (especially in her throug the insincerity of Chinese present stat) and may be tiken as a portend assuracces; and if they find they are of satisfactory relations being re-established bring played with, they will not hesitate between the two countries, and of their to take action accordingly-and are more being will: to work together for their like to shape their polev in the direction comm a iste rests in the Far East that they will begin to do now what they than of too intimate relations with a short of a friendly understanding with Russia ought to have done from the first, had country upon whom they find they cannot Russia been sufficiently .A
well advised in any way rely.
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