Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16
MANCHUR|A SHUT
TO FOREIGN TRADE

Special Cablegram to The Star
TOXIC Sertcmber 15.-Though Japan de-
clsred the port of Dalny open to foreign
nations on the first of September this step
does not go far toward solution of the
vexed problem of the opening OF Mancnu-
ria The situation affords fine Held TOT
the peculiar gifts of Chinese diplomacy
Skill and patience will be required to I'M
ravel 1t. Mr.. Hayashi. the japanese MIN
lister in Picking, is in charge of the nesotia-
lions for Japan. but Ii Will probably be
considerable time yet before all nations en-
joy equality of opportunity throughout
these Chinese provinces. China takes up
her customary attitude. The establishment
of customs stations at Dalny and An-tung
and at the points in north Manchur1a where
the Russian railway crosses the frontier Is,
she maintains, her business alone; she cah-
not be expected, she argues. to set them
up upon terms unfavorable to herseif, ana
after ALL there Is no hurry. Accordingly,
she has not made any serious attempt
even to begin the discussion OF the SUD
tect with Russia. She wants first TO come
to an agreement with Japan. while Japan
very naturally contends that whatever ar
engagements are to be come to on this matter
with Russia and with herself ought to be
simultaneous. The opening of Dalny may
perhaps assist her in coming to conclusion
There does not seem to be much doubt that
a
has come into the leased territory through
Dalny has found it's way across the bor-
der into Manchuria. If foreign goods are
landed in any considerable quantities, II
would not be surprising should some OF
them. which have been consigned to the
leased territory. and have thus enjoyed the
privileges of the new free port, afterwaro
leak over into the Chinese possessions.
China can prevent the danger of such leak
age by giving Japan at Dalny the position
in this respect which, to her own great
advantage she has given Germany at kiao-
chau. Japan would then collect the Gus
toms for her and pay the balance over to
her. after deductng 20 per cent Tor the
cost of collection. But China objects that
under such arrangement the customs
staff would be Japanese. and she wants
them to be Chinese scheme which all the
powers would dlSapprove.
The situation in North Manchuria is sub
stantially the same as in the Liautung
peninsula. The Russians are in military &C.
cupation there and Russian goods are able
TO come in by the railway duty free. The
loss of revenue which this state of things
Involves does not seem to trouble the equa-
nimity of the Chinese. though that Is a
point on which the mandarnate is usually
sensitive But the Japanese conceive that
they have an interest in seeing this mat
ter settled. and Mr. Hayashi, when he an
nounced to the Wai-wu-pu that his gov
eminent were ready to arrange for the
establishment of customs at Dalny, told
them, at the same time, that they must
observe the clause IN lneir agreement VI
September e. 1916, with Russia which binds
them to set up the customs stations on
the railway. Japan cannot afford to have
Chinese customs paid on the goods pass
ing through her territory into Manchuria,
while Russia remains at liberty TO supply
the same markets duty free. China seems
also to be holding back about the estab-
lishment of a customs station at the port
of An-tung which is now nominally open
under the treaty of October S. 1903, be-
tween her and the United States. Japan
Is still in military possession of An-tung.
and the large use which the Japanese mill
tary authorities have made of their pow
ers, by the compulsory acquisition of the
river frontages and other desirable sites.
They are, however. ready provide a
suitable place for n customs station, but
the Chinese seem to imagine that. by de-
lays. which daily costing them revenue.
they can induce Japan to surrender a good
deal of the land which she has taken over.
The entire problem of trade with Manchuria
over the Korean frontier is at present COM
plicated. as many of these Manchurian
questions are. by the past dealings of Rus
STA with Chira-
One thing is certain IL Dalny remains
a free port il will greatly damage New
chwang which has hitherto been the base
for all British and American trade in Man
churia.
Reports from Picking indicate that the
dowager empress intends to summon
conference of high officials, including sew
eral vlceroys. to discuss the adoption or
N constitution. ne COTnltllsSiOHciS WIZ
Gently returned from their tour abroad rec
ommend a gradual change TO constitutional
government. taking ten or fifteen years
to educate the people to adapt themselves
10 the new regime.
\ passion for climbing Full Yama, ia
pans highest mountain. of 13.oO feet,
seems TO have seized all kinds of japanese
people. In addition to the nine-year-old
girl who is about to try to make the ascent
alone II man who lost his right leg in the
war. and now has an artificial one, pre-
scented by the emperor, intends ascending
the mountain on horseback which is said
To be impossible. He has already been up
on his present assortment of legs.