January 21, 1907.)
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
such undoubted facts, to rub our hands and warm ourselves in self-consoling con- gratulations, because there is a comfortable British Hotel in Tientsin and a typical Race Course near the Chinese Capital.
FEDERATIONS AND STATES.
31
even in countries which are not subject to
that the Imperial Government has the her rule" and he proceeds to illustrate
right to decide upon all questions of this comforting, if somewhat magniloquent,
international relations. These two prin- proposition by noting that the British is the
ciples may conflict at any given time, and, most imposing Legation in Peking: that in
as a matter of fact, have done so in a Tientsin the leading shops, hotels and only
conspicuous manner in more directions Theatre are British; that the Bund where
than one. the steamers moor is British; that there is a
The Newfoundland Fisheries British Race Course eight miles from
question, the disputex as to Chinese labour (Daily Press, 15th January.)
in the Transvaal, the difficulties with regard Peking, where a meeting is held twice a The trouble which recently arose with to Chinese immigrants in Australia form year. This last seems particularly to arrest reference to the segregation of Japanese noticeable instances; and it will be strange Mr. BEATON's attention as an illustration of school children in San Francisco, is typic dif, with these warnings before then, the the "inoral ascendency which Great Britain of a difficulty which is being felt in mang Home Government should neglect to take acquires even in countries which are not different directions at the present time the subject into serious consideration, and to subject to her rule"-and he waxes really The United States Government is willing to ¦ endeavour to devise some scheme by which enthusiastic at this point and declares "one treat Japanese as in every way upon a foot- a conflict of this kind may be avoided in cancot imagine the programme being ing with persons of European nationality-future. printed in any language but English"- and if the matter rested entirely with the Lookelat brally, the British Empire as and there too," the artificial "sk¬ting central Government, no question whatever a whole stands very much in the same rink-though the best performers come from would have arisen. Unfortunately, however, position as the United States finds itself to countries where winter is more severe than the State of California, which is that i stand in with regard to the recent Japanese ours-bas been made what it is under the immediately concerned, takes a different skilful supervision of our officers of the view of the subject—and thus a delicate regulate all matters which are internal or question. The Colonies have the right to Royal Engineers" This is indeed gratify-aul complicated state of affairs has arisen. lecal; but the difficulty is to define what ing. At this point of his enthusiasm Mr. The Spectator in noticing the subject, things coms fairly under this denomination. BEATON seeing to have had some slight observes that "the whole incident is a From the Colonial point of view, it is an misgivings, and observes "these are small significant lesson of the faults of the internal question whether Australia will matters perhaps, but they are not without American Constitution. When states can admit or exclude persons of Asiatic national- significance". They are certainly small assert themselves against the nation in ait. But the question may also involve matters and as certainly they have some
matter in which the gravest issues of foreign important imperial considerations and the significance—but that significance is not
aetion of the Colony may go counter to precisely the "moral ascendency which
actual treaty relations. In such a case, it Great Britain acquires even in countries
may be no easy matter it decide what which are not under her rule", but the
cause should be adopte 1. It is manifestly somewhat prosaic fact that the British
dangerous to leave all such questions to be merchants in the North of China as in
settled merely as they happen to arise and without any guiding principle for their solution. The time therefore has clearly come when some understanding should be arrived at with the Colonies upon this important subject. The problem is certainly not an easy one to solve but, for this very reason, it would be unwise to blink the necessity of dealing with it. The matter would form a suitable subject for discussion at ጸ Colonial Conference, where some general
other parts of the Empire are the richest and the most numerous, and that con- sequently public works, buildings and accial institutions, naturally have a British complexion.
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licy are involved, some reform in the direction of strengthening the National Government seems to be urgently needed ". This sentence describes with accuracy a precisely similar difficulty which in one way or another has to be provided against by the British nation substitute the word
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Colonies" for "States "and the comments apply with as much, if not greater, force to the British Empire, as to the United States. Indred, in a minor form, this We are afraid that few people in this colony very difficulty his more than on aris will follow Mr. BEATON in his happy belief with respect in Australia where, but for the founded upon data of the above description influence of the Home Government, laws that "our countrymen stand out among the would have been passe! entirely excluding men of other countries for all those qualities Chinese from the country and such laws that make a nation great"—and that the would, if the will of the people on the spot position of Great Britain is one of striking alone governed the issue, undoubtedly be ascendency". One may admire his patrio-extended to all Asiatics. As it is, Australia tism, but there is a patriotism that is, after has placed great restrictions upon the all, only a kind of glorified parochialismen rance of Chiuese into the country; and, and when it takes the form of a delight in a there is too much reason to fear that as few buildings and a race card in the time goes on, the tendency will be to in- English language, it does not appear as a
crease them still further.
In the Cap* very great or noble feeling; and it is apt Colony the same question has arisen, though to blind those who are influenced by it to it has attracted little attention. There the, facts of very much more significance. Chinese are not absolutely excluded, but Those who have had occasion to watch the laws of an extremely restrictive character course of political events in China and to have been imposel, chiefly with a view to judge of the position held by Great Britain preventing any influx of Chinese from the in the country will scarcely adopt Mr. Transvaal. The same question is certain to BEATON'S rose coloured views. as to our arise in other directions, and may at any great ascendency in China. Time was time be the cause of very knotty points undoubtedly when Great Britain did hold arising between the Homs Gvernment and such a position-and when Tui-Yong-Kuo | any given Colony on the subject. Britain's was considered as the greatest nation with Colonial Empire has grown up in 8་ ་ whom China had to deal, aud the one upon haphazard a way, that it is perhaps not which she could best rely, but there are very surprising that the particular con- few who are acquainted with what has tingency has been overlooked. been going on diplomatically at Peking of Colony can make a treaty with a foreign late years, who would maintain that British nation is an accepte i principle This rests influence has not been largely on the wane.. entirely with the Imperial Government, and Russia and Japan for many years past have hitherto the Colonies have been willing been looked upon by the Chinese officials as to loyally accept the international the two Powers who had most to be cou.
relations established by the Imperial sidered in any question that might arise; Government, chiefly, however, beruse they while American influence at the capital has did not in any serious way conflict with been known to have been all potent upon their own interests. As, however, the many occasions when British views alone | Colonies have grown in importance, the would in former days have been considered, likelihood of such conflict is also increased; If we judge of the mater from actual in- and we now find the question turning up in cidents it is in disputable that our influence so many directions that it is impossible to with the Chinese is far less than it was iguore the necessity of some slept being formerly, and that the BRITISH MINISTER taken to a ljust the matter if possible. has not by any means the power he had in The principle that a l' governing Col my the settlement of any international question; ¦ has a full right toʻmanage its own affairs is that may arise. It is idle, in the face of as thoroughly established as the principle
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That no
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such as would form a basis upon which principles might be accepted
a definite understanding might be arrived at between the Home Government and the Colonies. The latter have always shown themselves ready to act reasonably iu all such matters, and willing to settle them in
way that future emflict may be avoided. But this willingness will be strained unduly, if, after the warnings which have of late sprung up, some attempt be not made (possibly in the direction of repre- sentation of the Colones in the Imperial Parliament or some similar measure) to meet a difficulty, which except some action
taken, may at any time assume dangerous and acute phase.
RUSSO-JAPANESE NEGOTIATIONS.
8
(Daily Press, With January,) The latest mail paper◄ from Lon lon appear to have been concerned about the “tense
零售
relations of Russia and Japan. This, considering that others have been declaring war between Japan and America, would be alarming-especially in Japan -were it not evident that imagination is still a force in this class of literature. The Japanese Minister t› Russia has declarel, simulta neously, that relations between Russia and Japan are the best possible, and he is just as likely to know the truth, and more likely, perhaps, to tell it. The crisis between America and Japan has had to be fed with the wil lest and most transparent inventions; and on the whole we may rest assured that in neither case is there likely to be any development disturbing to the world'
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