Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-12
The Antunu-M ukden Railroad.


Il followed the announcement by Japan
of her intention to reconstruct the
railroad from Antung to Mukden has
called public attention to a matter that
has been heretofore but little dis
cussed or understood outside of the
Orient. Soon after the close of the
war between Japan and Russia the
Japanese government entered into a
treaty with China for the reconstruc-
ton of this road. At the present time
| it is a narrow gauge, and ex-
tends from Antung, place situated
upon the Yalu river-the boundary
| line between Corea and Manchuria -
to Mukden the capital of Manchuria.
and its principal city. OF course the
entire length of this line will be on
| recognized by the terms of the treaty
which provided that, after a term OF
wears. this road should become the
property of the Chinese government
| which, however, would be held to pay
the cost of construction. 1t was fur
Their provided that the concession
should only extend to January LIST,
1909. 1t was, however, some time later
than this before Japan took any action
in the matter. Under the circum-
stances China might, with all pro-
priety, have held that the concession
had been forfeited Instead of doing
this, however, she waived the right
and undertook to enter into negotia-
lions touching the character of the
road. She desired first of all that the
narrow guage should be maintained,
and was also unwilling to concede to
Japan the right of policing the new
road, fearing, no doubt, that this de-
mand merely masked future designs OF
the Japanese government upon her
points of difference was abruptly brok-
en- off by the announcement of Japan
that she purposed to begin the recon-
struction of the road without further
delay. This means, of course, that the
new road will be of standard guage,
and that it will be policed by the
japanese forces. The general senti-
ment of the civilized world appears to
uphold Japan in demanding the
standard guage. In no other way would
the road be of practical value for con-
nection with the railways of Corea or
connecting the Orient with Europe
China's contention was that the stan
dard guage would be too expensive,
and that inasmuch as she was to be
held, ultimately, to pay for the work
she should have voice in determining
it's initial cost. There is cause to be-
lieve, however, that this was not
Chinas real reason for opposing the
standard guage; that behind this pre-
tence was reluctance to put the great
stretch of Chinese territory to be
opened up by the Antung- Mukden
with Corea and Europe. 1t was the
old spirit of Chinese exclusiveness
seeking to maintain itself on very
fimsy grounds. While Japan dis
claims any purpose of securing a hold
upon Chinese territory in the recon-
struction of this road it is very evil
dent that the statesmen of the flowery
kingdom are disposed to accept the
assertion with some reservations, and
that they cannot rid themselves of the
suspicion that back of the whole enter
prise lie plans and purposes that bode
try AS China was not in position to
fight nothing has been left to her but
to acquiesce in the Japanese program.
Undoubtedly she was urged to this
course by the very evident purpose OF
Great Britain to back Japan in her
demands
But one course is open to China m
case she should desire to retaliate for
the affront that has been placed upon
her, and that would be to establish a
boycott upon Japanese products That
would hurt; but if it We're attempted
there is reason to believe that japan
would take prompt and possibly dras-
TIC measures to put an end to it.
At the present time about the only
practical course for China to pursue is
to maintain peaceful relations with
her smaller but more aggressive
nelghbor. and hope for the best.