The times., 1899-05-28
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The Eastern Question.

The Eastern Question.
.aThe Breakup of China" is a bulky book
Sy Lord Charles Beresford, lately the guest
Of this Government 1t is Lord Beresford's
object to present facts useful TO those
who are directly or indirectly interested in
the China trade He believes thoroughly
in the open door and not at all in the
so-ealled spheres of influence" He thinks
that TO prevent international complications
and advance the true interests of China
there must be an agreement OF the powers
guaranteeing the integrity of the Chinese
Empire and insisting on the open door
policy One of the important reforms for
which he argues is the reorganization OF
the Chinese army and police force by Eng
lish, German, or Russian officers, in order
to afford protection TO foreign trade Like
other travellers who have discussed Chinese
affairs, he points out the corruption of the
official system of CHINA state of affairs
depiored by the intelligent Chinese as much
as by foreigners.
Lord Beresford visited all the principal
cities of China, and talked with many
prominent Chinese as well as with foreign
officials The book is a clear, practical,
commons sense statement of facts, such as
might be expected from the fighting Ad-
miraI'' commissioned by the British gov
ernment TO investigate the Chinese ques-
ton Anyone who wants TO know all about
the business and official life Of China will
do well to read this book carefully. Al
though intended primarily for British
public il will be seen from the following
headlines that American readers should
aoquaint themselves with its arguments:
Cotton trade Of Shanghai; chiefly American in
origin, but Bri;ish-owned America increasing her
interest and competing seriously with Ian
sashirr. British trade not injured 20 much as the
British manufacturer. Few American firms, and
90 per cent Of American trade Britisii-owned and
under cur flag.
According 10 Lord Beresford, there is
great discomfort and uneasiness among the
English residents of China, owing TO the
insecurity of property under Chinese rule,
which prevents the extension of trade In
every city which he visited he found this
condition of affairs. A great part of the
book is devoted to describing particular
abuses which exist in the country. Follow
ing the descriptions of the various districts
visited comes general report OF the con-
dition Of the Chinese army and navy. Then
follows the discussion of possible plans for
the Improvement of railroads and water
ways of the consular system, OF the finan-
cial system. and of the treaties affecting
British trade. The book concludes with an
account of Lord Beresfords visits 10 Japan
and to the United States, and a summing
up of his entire argument.
The book has a solid English conviction
about it which is impressive. Every ar
gument is scientifically re-enforced with
piles of official correspondence and col
umns OF statistics Saadwiched between
these convincing documentary pages are
statements suecinet and startling, such az
this:
Undcr tie existing Chinese regulations there is
no; > single foreign store or shop allowed IN the
city Of Canton.
Then follows some correspondence be-
tween the British Consul and the Viceroy,
in regard 10 a test case The effect OF II
is this: The consul explains that one Of
his countrymen has opened shop in a
place where he thinks it has right to be.
The Chinese official replies that, in the
words of the old Creole in Cables story,
"shop can't go dare" The consul explains
that he has instructed his countryman
10 open the shop and does not wish him
interfered with The Chinese official re-
peats that the shop cannot exist there And
that is the sum and substance of the whole
matter The Oriental cannot be argued
into any action which he does not mean
10 take.
Another matter of concern TO foreign
merchants in Canton is the frequency with
operations of pirates This causes much
delay in the delivery OF goods, says Lord
Beresford as Chinese In charge OF cargo
boats will not travel at night. The nuis-
ance according TO the merchants of Can
ton. is on the increase, forty instances
having been reported last year, besides
many more which are not known owing to
the terror which the boatmen have of the
pirates revenge. An account of one OF
these incidents. given in letter from
Consul r. ". Mansfield, is as follows:
On the slst OF October at about 7:lO p m.
the steam launch Tung Kong flying the BritiEl
flag. and the property Of the Kwong-wan Steam
boat Company. limited, vas at Kong Aun, IN th'
San III district, on the point OF returning u
Hongkong. As the anchor was being weighed
number Of Chinese, who had boarded the launei
Al Kong Nun, osteT,sibly as passengers. territe'
the master and crew by pointing firearms at them
and compelled them 10 take the launch 10 plsc
near the Ma On Shan which is situated near
stream called Ma Kan. which is the boundary di
vidng Kso Tsun and Hal Chou. and also the dis
trict OF Hsin Hui from the district Of shun Te.
When the Tung Kong lad arrived inside III
Ma kau three snakebozis came alongside an
from taese about dfteen more pirates boarded III
launch making in all about thirty pirates o.
board at that time. The pirates then robbed tn
passengeTs Of baggage. goods. and Effects TO III
value Of about 3 QJ9 and these things they trans
fefred TO a large cargoboat Of Kind similar &
those seen 81 Kong and which was esu
mated to be between two aud three hundre
piculs Ia carving capacity. On board this cargo
boat there appeared some fifteen more pirates
who assisted those on board the launch in trans
fefTiug their booty, and. after the stolen good
had been put board. the pirates compelle
those in charge OF the lzunch to tow the cargo
boat till absut II ?. n, At which time the launc
allowed 10 return. In addition to s;ealif.
the articles above mentioned, the pirates als
took two reyovers, four rifles, and about a.
cartridges. the property OF the Kwong-w Stesn
boat Company, and about 500 from the con
prsdore's Tire company also fears thi
the pirates intend 10 attempt to eXtort none
from the owneIs Of the launch, for al the tin
Of the piracy Of them said: Eve know tn;
the owners Of this launch making money az
when We send them letter they had better obs
81"
II Is believed that 10 Chun and Hal Chou al
the resorts Of a large and desperate band Of ro
bcrs. and ! have TO request that your Excellen,
will take vigorous steps to root them cut. ha'
the honor to observe that during the past fe
years piracy and robbery by violence have Il
creased 90 very great extent in the Kwan
tung waterways Scarcely day passes but son
fagTant case OF the kind occurs, and trade
thereby most seriously Affected IL Is difici
10 avoid the conclusion that the local authoriti
negligent OF their duties. In the present i
stance a vessel bearing the British flag has be,
taken possession Of, its captain and threa
ened with firearms, and some thousands of dc
lsrs worth Of property robbed. Cases Of III
kind in the territory Of friendly power cam
but be detrimental 10 cordial relation, and
feel II my duty TO report the present state
things 70 my Minister
II the magistrates OF districts allow robbers
collect in hands Of many tens, and commit depr
datians with impunity. they are unfit for the
position, and should be removed
] feel sure that your Exceilency. who cam
be ignorant Of what is going on, viii agree wi
Fitaf vii lpgn no time