January 7, 1907.]
indulgently spoken of on account of the absence of belligerency, is after all entitled only to a qualified approval. The Chinese pirates of the West River, and desperadoes at various places in South China have startled us with their daring crimes, incidents hav. ing to be recorded even in the harbour and in the city itself. Some sensational commit- ments for alleged perjury, and the labours of а commission investigating official honesty, also help to warn us against any too Pharisaic self-gratulation; although in the movement for the abolition of judicial torture in the neighbouring empire, and the achievement of the Anti-footbinding Societs. we have seen distinctly humane promises. That some strife is to be expected in com- mercial circles has been exemplified in the litigation over the Peak tram business, but against that we may set the unveiling of the ideal of business probity in the new statue of Sir THOMAR JACKSON. Economically the yeur has witnessed a promising development of railway enterprise, of industries locally and in the New Territory; but unfortunately it has been one of continued depression for traders. Not all the faith of Christian Science, socially prominent during the year, hus-served to enre the ills of reduce earnings and diminished turn-over, The holling of the first Flower Show, of the first Arts and Crafts' Exhibition, the opening | of the new Harbour Office and of a new rifle range at the Peak may be taken as indicating the unquenchable spirit that animates the Colony even in adversity. Royalty came and went in the person of Prince Arthur of Connaught; in the new year it comes and goes again in the person of his father the Duke. The analogy is unflattering but if we consider that troubles will surely arrive and depart in like manner, we will be the batter able to bid a resigned adieu to 1906, and a cheerful welcome to 1907. On the whole, though, we may hope that the coming twelvemouths will be less sensati nal than the just past dozen have been.
PROBABLE BEGINNINGS OF CHINESE CONSTITUTION.
(Daily Press, 1st January.) According to the information which they have thought fit to issue to the outer world by proclamation and otherwise, it would
seem that the Chinese authorities are at last in earnest as to the question of granting some form of representative government. It is, however, quite evident that they intend to proceed in this matter with very great caution, and are fully alive to difficulties which they have to fe in any attempt to introduce a radical change into the time- honoured paternal system of China. There have been so many instances where they have given assurances of reformation, which, before long, have proved only to be temporising measures designed to silence inconvenient demands, that some doubt may be felt as to whether they are sincere in the promises which they are now holding out. On the whole, however, there is reason to conclude that the steps which are now being taken will lead to some kind of reform in the internal administration of the country, even though they may not result ia a complete representative system at the outset. Whether the Chinese officials recognise the fact or not, there can be no question that merely mooting the subject of popular representation, at headquarters, must give a great impetus to such a move ment. It may be fairly concluded that this has not escaped the attention of the Chinese who are shrewd enough in foreseeing the bearing of any given political steps; and it
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
would
on this account seem unlikely that they would have publicly shown willingness to entertain the question in any way, unless they intended to do some thing in the direction indicated. What particular motives have induced them to adopt the steps they have taken, it is of course itapossible for outsiders to divine. The consolidation of power which has resulted from the introduction of popular government in Japan has probably been a chief element in the matter-and it is also possible that the Chinese officials may have drawn some useful inferences from the disastrous state of affairs which has been brought about in Russia from steadily ignoring claims to reasonable representation of the people at large in the goverument of the Empire. So far as can be gathered from the scanty information which has from time to time come forward, it would appear that the Chinese are disposed to take the Japanese constitution as their model. At the same time it is manifest that they are not prepared to do so without first carefully ascertaining that it is suited to the con. ditions of their country. In many respects essential modifications will have to be made to meet the special conditions existing in China, and these can only be ascertained by a full consideration of the circumstances which have to be met. The first thing that } would occur to the Chinese officials at Peking is that nothing effective could be accomplished without the co-operation and concurrence of the High Provincial Author- ities, in whose hands so much of the administration of the country is centred. Their having, therefore, consulted with thein, and asked their co-operation A8 a preliminary step, is what might naturally be looked for. At the same time the danger which has to be faced in this necessary step, is not to be ignored. The views of the provincial authorities must of necessity be respected; and there may be bona fide opposition on their part to a change which they will naturally feel may deprive them of much of their power. It is likely that the reports from at least some of them will be adverse to the suggested change-and there is further a possibility that they may be encouraged to send in such reports, which will afford the Peking authorities a good excuse for delaying any change, should they deem it desirable to do
BO.
The
the changes which will have to be intro- duced will require very careful consideration and skillful handling-but they are not beyond the power of attainment. Chinese people as a whole will not be inclin- ed to press for extreme measures of reform, if they see a bona fide effort being made to give them some kind of voice in the admi- nistration of the country. Wild demands, such as were made by the Russian Dums, are not likely to be put forward by the Chinese, who have always shown themselves possessed of inoderation and common sense, when they are fairly heard and reasonably treated. The principle of representation being once recognised, it will impossible even for the most reactionary officials to withstand it. On the other hand, there is no langer that the Chinese people, as a whole, will wish to push matters to extremes, or to do anything which would endanger the authority of the Central Government, of the necessity for which they are fully aware.
C
REBELLION.
(Daily Press, 3rd January.)
become
There are two cenditions in one of which a people usually has to be before it makes- trouble for those set in authority over it. It may wax fat and kick", na history tells us, under similar conditions to those mentioned in the article specially written for to-day's Daily Press; or it may be reduced to such a state of desperate resent- ment that rebellion appears to be its only chance of remedy. Jest where the lines are to be drawn is not at once apparent, even if many historic examples be reviewed. If the subject be surveyed with an eye machiavellian, the conclusion suggests itself that a people may be treated well and yet easily be treated too well; that it may be illtreated to a certain extent with impunity, if not with advantage, and yet that it is difficult to define when or where the strain will find its point of breakage.
A too prosperous people will vigorously resent a small matter, an almost imaginary oppres- siou; a people downtrodden or otherwise afflicted will exhibit remarkable patience and endurance far beyond what should humanly be expected. WAT TYLEE and his rebellion was probably an instance of long-suffering giving way under a crowning insult; the poll tax itself was a mild detail among the many insolences of an era of impudent overlordship. The Rebellion "
"Great
of the seventeenth century, excusable though it was, may be cited as an instance of the sort that happen, to put it colloquially, on a full stomach. In China the precedents do not so readily afford data for analysis, and it is precisely in China where such analysis has lately been offering most fascination for the student. The recently suppressed insurrection in the Yangte valley was locally spoken of as a rebellion, and the statements as to the number of the
4.
In the long run there can be little doubt that the central Government will be forced to do something in the direction of reform; but before they can move effectively in the matter, they must have the concurrence and co-operation of the Provin- cial magnates. Some of them may be wise enough to perceive that something in the shape of representative institutions would consolidate their power within their own spheres; and may be able to take measures by consulting with the leading men in their provinces, to lay before the Central Author: ities some scheine for elective provincial assemblies. Action in this direction is
rebels", if anywise near manifestly that which will have to be first the true figures, could be said to warrant adopted. Any reform in China in the direc tion of popular government must first take have not been provided with any authorita- the description. At present, however, we the shape of the establishment of some form tive explanation of its antecedent causes of provincial Councils or Assemblies, each and until trustworthy information on this of which will bave voice in the matters point be forthcoming, we feel sby of immediately affecting the individual Prov labelling the incident in any way. Weak inoes. Probably this will be the first step as we have been regarding the central which will be adopted, the direction of government at Peking, weak as it undoubt- imperial matters being retained by the edly is, it evidently still possesses some Central Government, until it has been potency; and the rebellion, or revolution, or ascertwined how far representative instituwi lespread insurrection, is for the moment tious work locally; when a like system may of no more importance. There has been by degrees be applied at the capital to a talk of an anti-dynastic party, but barring with the larger matters in which the whole country is concerned. It is manifest that
barely possible connection with the carusi bomb, and some newspapers characterized
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