a
400
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
is
46
[November 8, 1909.
1
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But
one curious point about which was that to meet the needs of the country. Their a little disposed to say, Well, these are the Italy while in Germany expressing her entire | number too insignificant. But the sizes that we make, and these are the concurrence, was in Italy openly giving co-ordination now obtained between volun-patterns that our looms turn out, and now if utterance to her fears as to the bearing on tary forces and the regular army provides these foreigners have not sense enough to herself of Austria's revived policy of the machinery for a system of compulsory take them as we make them, why they can encroaching on her neighbours. The last military service which further enlighten- leave them. That is all right, gentlemen, result of all this is that Russia and Italy ment may show the people at Home to be when the foreigners cannot get any other now find themselves compelled to join hands absolutely inperative. While the need for than those looms, and that kind of goods, with the other dissenting Powers, so that universal military service is real, although but if they can and do find other countries the political centre of gravity of Europe not yet fully recognised in Britain, it is that are willing to manufacture to suit their has undergone a complete shift of position. instructive to note what is being done in tastes, why the Americans are going to be
The Commonwealth is now
second or third or fourth in the race. Germany and Austria, after an estrangement | Australia. of nearly fifty years, brought about by the committed to a scheme for compulsory annexation by the former of Schleswig- military and naval training. The existing Holstein, now find themselves thrown into voluntary forces are being utilised-dev- each other's arms; while as a counter-eloped in fact, and the amplification of the will balance all round are Russia, Italy, cadet system peculiar to Australia France, and England. Mechanically such produce a striking force of 260,000 trained system would be stable; but where men, with a second line of 15,000 ready human aspirations prevail the mechanical for mobilisation. There will be enrolled balance is apt to be overturned. One thing under the new system 40,000 junior cadets alone is certain the four Powers, Russia, between the ages of twelve and fourteen; Italy, France, and England, will never com- 75,000 senior cadets between fourteen and bine to attack the others. Such an attack eighteen; 37,000 cadets between eighteen and from a strategical point of view would be twenty; and a voluntary militia of some sheer folly, and certain to result in disaster; | 29,000 over that age. After their training it might, however, happen that the other two, there will be a compulsory reserve of 30,000 feeling themselves shut in, might conceive it between the ages of twenty and twenty-six, politic to break the cordon, by making a together with a voluntary reserve of 60,000 sortie in force. At all events, both sides above twenty-six years recruited from the in preparation for possible events have been rifle clubs. This will give a strong land force, seriously drawing upon their financial re- and the Navy which is being created will sources; and such proceedings generally end have a personnel of 2,300 officers and men. by the most exhausted seeking by a desperate Australia should then possess a navy fit effort to get free. This not inaptly repre- to fight at sea and an army fit to fight on sents the attitude of Europe at the moment: land." Which is of course a worthy con- Europe, in point of fact, is sitting over a tribution to Imperial Defence. But its chief magazine full of dynamite, which the chance value to us is that it shows how voluntary fall of a pebble might at any moment cause systems can be made the bases for effective to explode. This she knows and feels; yet forms of compulsory military training. s deterred by a false yet comprehensible shame from acknowledging even to her own consciousness. Of the end it would be presumptious to attempt a prophecy.
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.
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AMERICAN TRADE WITH THE
EAST.
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the President found consolation in the knowledge that American manufacturers were acquiring sense " in their business interests, and will be " stripping themselves in a while." In another speech the Presi- dent expressed the hope that Japan would, if possible, become more prosperous and more energetic, and widen her commercial and The old Colonial manufacturing interests. idea that it was necessary to keep depend- encies in a state of tutelage so that their people did not know the prices at which they ought to sell goods that the home government might get them cheap and sell them at a high price, is a game," he said, that works a little while, but in the end it And so it is does no good to either party. as between nations. The development of each is for the benefit of the other, if friendly relations continue and those com- mercial conventions exist between them that ought to exist between friendly nations." The unctious morality of the reference to the
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"old Colonial idea" is in the Presi dent's best shop-keeping manner, but the best illustration of the old colonial idea is, we think, to be found in the Philippines. Mr. TAFT had to make a speech on the occasion, and he filled it with what in the expressive colloquialism of America is termed "hot air."
CHINESE PORK.
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(Daily Press, November 4th.) PRESIDENT TAFT never loses a chance of directing the attention of American manu-
(Daily Press, November 5th.) facturers to the possibilities of over-sea The import of pork into England from (Daily Press, November 4th.) The self-governing Colonies with theircom- trade, and in a speech which he addressed to China still seems to be a much-discussed parative freedom from tradition have never the Japanese delegation of business men who topic in Great Britain, and the President of been slow to point the way in political experi- recently made a tour of the industrial the Local Government Board is constantly ment or to introduce reforms while the centres of the United States, the President, badgered with questions on the subject. Mr. Mother Country was still engaged in consid- ! while expressing the hope that Japan may BURNS informed the House of Commons ering them. Of course it has to be admitted 'be as successful in gaining the victories of recently that 1,182 carcases out of the that issues are much clearer in the Colonies, peace as she had been in winning victories whole consignment had, up to that time, than they can possibly be in Britain, and with on the field of battle, intimated that the been thawed out and examined; 107 carcases that explanation before our minds we can. United States was not going to yield in that had been condemned and the remaining "We are 1,075 had been passed as fit for consumption. perhaps better appreciate the Colonial controversy if they could help it.
and I He declined to give any undertaking attitude on most questions raised. While entering the contest," he added,
to consider the desirability of absolutely military enthusiasts have constituted them- hope we will strip ourselves of some non- selves apostles of compulsory service and sensical ideas that we have had heretofore prohibiting the importation into Great politicians have darkly hinted at the in order that we may make greater strides in Britain of Chinese pork for general human possibility of conscription, people at Home the Orient and in other far distant countries." consumption. Mr. DILLON said this refusal scandalous." Seeing that the pork have refused to be moved from their old So far as America's trade with the Far East was beliefs in the efficiency of our voluntary is concerned, the progress made in the last has passed a double inspection on the part service, and that, too, despite the demonstra- ten years affords little room for complaint. of the Port Sanitary. Authority as well as tions which have been made by other coun- Her trade with Japan is now treble in value the eagle eye of a practical meat inspector tries. The voluntary system has not exactly what it was ten years ago, and her trade of the Local Government Board, there would been found wanting for the simple reason with China has doubled. But PRESIDENT seem to be no sufficient justification for that it has not yet been put to the TAFT warned his Japanese friends that while taking the drastic measure suggested. It crucial test--but there can be little doubt Americans may be a little slow in getting to would be interesting to have the statistics that were Britain to be attacked by some of work and in understanding what they had showing what percentage of the carcases the Continental forces she would find a to do, they would be stripping themselves imported into London from other foreign look countries, and even from Ireland, Scotland difficulty in withstanding them: In other in a while, and then competitors must " words, the voluntary system would prove out." To the American manufacturers the and other parts of England, the public British Consuls health authorities annually consign to inadequate against the greater forces which President preached as
We know the conscription can put in the field. That are continually preaching, and English the dust destructor. being so, it must be apparent to all patriots merchants will recognise a familar ring total number is large, and we imagine that something must be done to prepare for about the following observations:-"The that if eleven per cent. is accepted as say so, being an warranting the prohibition of the total possible contingencies, because we shall truth is, if I may never be allowed to forget that readiness for American, our business men are a little bit consignment from any exporting centre, war is the best preventive. Voluntary concerned over their tremendous success China would not be the only country rule. The pre- service will never give the number of trained with the trade they have at home, and affected by such a
raised against Chinese pork. necessary to provide a strong therefore they have not given as much judice
as they might, and as other at first is evidently breaking down, for it is defensive army. Not even the Territorials, attention with their new-born enthusiasm, and countries give, to the wishes and the tastes realising improving prices, which, as a trade probably greater efficiency, will be able of customers in far distant lands. They are journal remarks, is good proof that the pork
men
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