October 12, 1908.]
take it, does not necessarily imply that there has in the past been any want of accord, with the other Powers, but is intended simply to avoid the suspicion that the change of policy involves any separation from the Powers. Jap.n cannot, of course, expect any sulden removal of the existing prejudice against her in China, but she can confidently count, we think on regaining in time much of the the influence she has lost.
THE AMERICAN PACIFIC TRADE.
hat
(Daily Press, 6th October.) It is not straining language to say that the shipping world, especially on both sides of the Pacific, is anticipating the beginning of November with very keen interest. is the date from which the Americau trans- continental railroad lines, if present inten- tions are fulfilled on the part of the American shipping companies, will cease to secure import or export business by way of the Pacific. As the eventful day draws nearer, with no fresh developments reported in the extraordinary situation which has arisen, speculation as to the ultimate settlement has become greater. When the Interstate Commerce Commission came to the conclusion that rates between interior points in the country and non-contiguous foreign countries must be published, like domestic rates, the ship- ping companies recognised that the decision compelled them to abandon the ocean trade. The new rates from Chicago to San Francisco are stated to be higher than the rates from Chicago to the Orient via Suez while on inward freight from the Orient the railroads will charge more than the whole present through rate from the Orient to Chicago and the East. There is practically no local business between San Francisco and the Orient, and the passenger business, accord- ing to the General Manager of the Pacific Mail steamship companies, does not pay the coal bills. The effect therefore is disastrous to the shipping business. Apparently no great blame is levelled at the Commission which is believed to have interpreted the law correctly. The fault is charged to hasty legislation. And now we read that in consequence of this ruling America will no longer participate in the carrying trade of the Pacific. In other words the American shipping companies threaten to withdraw their ships and the Stars and Stripes will disappear from the Pacific Ocean. It hardly seems thinkable that this will really happen. When the United States is sending her battleship squadron on the longest cruise ever under taken by such large vessels, and is demon. strating her power in the Orient, it does not seem likely that the excellent impression created will be thus rendered nugatory. The development of the American mercantile fleet has been watched with interest by a patriotic people, who are hardly likely to view with unconcern the disappearence of this Fleet from the Pacific on account of the unnecessary restrictions and burdens about to be imposed. Yet those interested declare that the new ruling will drive American steamers off the Pacific, and if nothing is done to alter the situation such a course is not improbable. So long as American law requires the officers and the major part of the crews of ships ti be American citizens, deep sea commerce in American bottoms cannot make headway against the more cheaply con- structed and more cheaply anned Japanese vessels. Two alternatives are suggested. Either American ships should be sailed with Asiatic crews, or-and
greit
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REFORT.
way.
claims of the Bulgarians may be quite legitimate. They may represent a laudable sentiment of patriotism. But the question for the Fowers is not whether Bulgarian national aspirations should be granted or should not, but whe ther the integrity of the Ottoman Empire is to be preserved,
Formerly little sympathy would have been expressed in Europe for Turkey, but opin ion regarding that country has undergone a change since the peaceful revolution of two months ago. Since then hopes have been expressed that the prospect of a settle- ment of the Macedonian question was less remote than before, and it was also expected that the warring elements in various parts of the Empire would cease their strife. Bulgaria's present action is not calculatell to aid that peaceful solution. Her attitude is certainly belligerent. She seems deter- mined to assert her independence and as be army is well trained, and her defences ard in good order, it is not unfair to conclude that this step has been contemplated for some time. On the other hand Turkey is not apparently ready for war. Our telegram states that she will merely protest, while Reuter adds that Germany has advised her not to resort to force. At any rate war between the two States does not seem imminent.
this appeara to be the crux of the whole matter-subsidies should be granted to enable them to compete with foreign vessels. Most of the American ship; on the Pacific have been controlled or operated by railway companies, and the loss on the ships has been made up by the profit on the rail- Now the railway companies see them- selves fettered by having to publish their | rates. They cannot lower the rates ou domestic merchandise, and if they treated through goods to or from the Orient on the same lines the latter would be diverted to the Suez route. Hence their declaration to dispose of their ships. Should the Stars and Stripes disappear from the Pacific America's loss will be Japan's gain. Other foreign mercantile marines will also benefit, but Japan will doubtless reap the richest harvest. Of course the foreign vessels will have to suffer greatly in respect to the rail- way transport in America, so the issue is not quite so clear as it appears at first sight. The view has been suggested that the whole matter, as regards the continuance of the Pacific steamship services and the raising of freight rates affecting the Atlantic trade (which was reportel about the same time), is a purely domestic question in which the issues raised are solely between the com. panies concerned and the Government and which is not in the least likely to affect In the interests of Europe, in the interests America's trade with the Orient. That seems of peace, is it politic to allow the advent of a sensible view of the situation, and sharing another small nation? Turkish suzerainty that opinion we express the belief that some
may be irksome. So might be that of means will be found to avert the cessation Russia or Austria. Poland, a much larger of the American Pacific merchant service. country, could not stand alone. Neither The order of the Commission may be with could the other small countries of Roumanis, drawn or modified. Subsidies may
be Servia, and Montenegro were their inde- grauted. In any event we do not think pendence not assured by the Powers of Americans are likely to stand idly by and seo Europe. Norway, which recently entered their commerce carried on foreign ships. on a separate existence, has her integrity guaranteed by other nations. Even such log established kingdoms as Holland and Denmark need a similar protection. Belgium and Switzerland also owe their independence to the goodwill of the other Powers. Bearing these facts in mind, what conclusion is to be drawn? Surely none other than that political exigencies alone are responsible for the separate existence of these peoples. The tendency of the age is towards amalgamation or federation. The history of the leading nations of the world is a tale of gradual absorption, We know our rough island story." We know how different nationalities have been.
THE BALKAN CRISIS.
(Daily Press, October 8th.) Events in Eastern Europe have moved with startling rapidity during the past few months. While the rest of Europe has been at peace that little corner of the Continent has been reeking with blood. Tribal wars, racial con- flicts, and religious strife seemed to absorb the energies of the various ethnological elements to be found there, and a chronic state of unrest prevailed, for which it was thought that the “unspeakable Turk" was somehow to blame. Turkey having entered on a régime of reform, the European povers were willing that nothing should be allowed to interfere with her working out her own salvation, Within the past few days a new situation has arisen which demands their action. Had it occurred a few years earlier, it might have brought about a European war, but, though such a dire contingency is not at all likely, the existing state of affairs cannot be viewed with unconcern.
Bulgaria is the scene of the present trouble. This principality, created by the Berlin Treaty of 1878, was constituted an autonomous and tributary State under the suzeraiuty of the Sultan of Turkey. Now it has seized the occasion of a quarrel with Turkey over the control of the Oriental Railway as a fitting opportunity to declare its independence, following this up by pro claiming Prince FERDINAND Tsar of Bul- garia. Unfortunately this piece of national heroics is not a matter which merely con- ceras the suzerain and the subject States. The Powers who were signator.es to the Berlin Treaty were auxious to bring peace to the troubled land over which the Turk beld sway, and having made what seemed an excellent arrangement to secure the end in view, they must also act in the interests of Turkey when the occasion demands. The
по
4
many welded together to build up the British Empire. France represanta a union of former kingdoms and duchies. Still more Bo do Austro-Hungary and Germany, two
illustrations of a survival of the feudal sys- tem. Russia has grown by a similar process of amalgamation. Italy only stepped into the frout rauk of European powers when the various kingdoms and principalities in the peninsula were merged. Neither did Spain becime
a power until several kiugdoms were united under the sway of her sovereign. It has been declared that the day of small nations is passed. If evolation tells us anything, it is that progress and develop- ment have only beau possible by co-operation, the union of men, and the inference is plain enough that the future lies with the greater amalgamations. The smaller nations will disappear. The larger nations will become larger. Therefore, it seems unfortunate that another small nation should appear to add to the embroglio already existing in the Near East. It only postpones the final settlement of the issue when these petty kingdoms and priucipalities will be absorbed by one or other of the Powers which surround them. Apatria seeking to annex Bosnia points the way others will follow. The only question is a to time.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.