The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-07-11
THE BREAKUP OF CHINA.

tltieu - lie bTtdk-tp vi SulHd, Ny
Lord Charles Beresford published by
Harper 4 Brothers). Regarding the
living questions now concerning China
the book is one Of the most important
that has ever beef written on the sub
tect, because II Is the work Of man
who understands the situation, and
used no diplomacy in his interviews
with the Chinese.
He informed the Chinese authorities
In Picking that the provincial armies
ought to be consolidated into nation
al army, in order to protect trade. He
told them that II. during the Japan
Chinese war the two fleets, the Peyang
and the Nanyang, had been CONSOLE
dated, the japanese could not have OBJ
tanned the victories at sea which had
humbled China.
One cannot help wondering at the
frankness OF q prominent Briton who
advises the Chinese to take a course,
which, II followed, would make China
a great military and naval power, and
perhaps a menace to Great Britain.
Probably he preferred to take the less
er Of two evils. without such arma-
ments China viii fall into the hands
OF the Russians. With such arma-
ments, Russia would stand OFF, and
Great Britain would take her chances
in obtaining the Chinese trade.
Lord Beresford warmly insisted that
Great Britain did not desire to take
any Chinese territory, but asked for
the Open Door for all nations.
The replies of the Chinese authori-
ties show that they are utterly unable
to grasp the situation, although anx-
ious to meet the views OF the British.
Thorough work means the placing OF
the military and naval resources OF
China In the hands OF competent Brit
Ons, Germans and Americans. The
Chinese people will stupidity resist any
such measures. II 1t should be done,
as the only method Of arresting the
Russian march On the Chinese, 1t
would mean grand protectorate over
China, by Great Britain, Germany, and
finally, the United States.
Lord Beresford emphasizes the need
of a strong central government in Pc
king, which. will control the provinces
and compel obedience to the national
| DEGREES. While the British merchants
have been willing to greatly increase
their trade with the interior OF China
they, as well as the German mer-
chants, find insufficient security for
trade, owing to Chinese dishonesty In
the collection OF duties.
The British Government is willing
TO aid its merchants, but 1t Is appar'
ent that the central authority in China
Is too weak 20 enforce laws. The only
alternative left TO Great Britain Is &c
seize the country and enforce the laws
and treaties. This she does not care
TO do, for many reasons. Her policy
Is that Of the Open Door, and the 9th
er trading nations are rather willing
that she should carry the burden OF
opening the door, and keeping 1t open
while their own merchants share the
advantage of II without sharing the
cost. She hesitatcs to take II.
The Chinese merchants. Of Hong
kong made a remarkable represents
ton to Lord Beresford. They stated
that those of their number who Were
British subjects did not dare to exhibit
any interest In public matters because
they were liable, II they did so, To I'M
Just treatment, II they visited Chinese
soil, and We're not protected by the
British Government, They stated thai
the Chinese subjects OF other powers
were as rule, well protected
but British Chinese subjects wer
not, The British officials In Hong
! kong insist that Chlnaman VIII,
becomes a British subject mus
cut of his queue, The reason 10
II Is that II prevents complications
In the opinion Of the British officials
The sacrifice of the queue In order I,
become British subject is a heavy
one, but Groat Britain demands sons
compensation Tor the glft of citizen
ship,
The many and rich Chinese mer
chania of iiongkong also declare tina
the regeneration 81 their native Lane
Is now Impossible without the inter
yentlon ~ Great Britain not for IN
purpose al dividing up the ARIA o
China among diiIerenl nations bar II
order IA saiher pp and place u In lhl
hands ~ the eenlral government