THE POSITION IN CHINA

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4258, 18 January 1901, Page 4

THE POSITION IN CHINA

Interest in tie Chinese problem,/ which had for a time flagged, may be expected to exhibit some slight: revival now that the first step to a settlement has been taken in the signing' by In Hung Chang of an acceptance of the Joint .Note recently, presented by the Powers. The veteran Chinese statesman acted, it is said, on behalf of, and, it may be assumed, with the approval of the Einperor; but it would be interesting to learn how far such delegated action has been countenanced! ; by the all-powerful Dowager Empress. Whilst ready and anxious to applaud any event#, which may prove the starting point from which a satisfactory agreement between China and the European Powers may be arrived at, it would be unwise for us to draw any optimistic inferences from ui Hung Chang’s action. At present we are in ignorance of the details of the Joint Note referred to. The- terms to which China l is alleged to liave. agreed can hardly be Those proposed by Great Britain and Germany a few weeks ago., for it will be remembered that objection was taken to the AnglcrGerman ultimatum, not only by Russia,, but also by Franco and America. It is more probable that in the Joint Note of which we now hear, the drastic demands of the British and Germans have been modified; but in any . case the, difficulties standing in the way of’ a complete and permanent settlement remain both numerous and serious. In this connection some opinions recently expressed to a correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Heraldj” by Dr 'George Morrison, the Pekin representative of the London “Times,’’ are of special interest. Dr Morrison’s idea is that the indemnity demanded by the Powers will amount to a stupendous sum—from £-50,000,000 to £100,000,000, and the only way in which a crushing debt can be met would be by a foreign loan to be guaranteed by all the Powers, and certain* revenues, or all possible revenues, being placed under a board of instrumental control, as in Egypt. We need hardly point out that a system which has been found to work with ease in Egypt might he completely unworkable in so vast an, Empire as China, where- impatience, and, indeed, hatred of foreign control, is inseparably connected with the national character.

Leaving aside, however,- the vexed question of the indemnity and the difficulties which surround the task of securing its payment, it is interesting to note that Dr Morrison !oonsiders that the Court, now at Sian-fu, is not likely to return to Pekin for many months. Personally, he holds the view that the Powers ought not to allow the EmpreissDowager to return to power. The Emperor he describes - as “a poor, weak, powerless boy, ■undersized and completely under the domination of the EmpressDowager.” Prince Ching, who, by the

way, bay been credited with issuing orders which countermanded those of the bloodthirsty Prince Tuan, and thereby contributed largely to tho failure of the Boxer attacks upon the Legations, would make an excellent Regent; but uniortuuatelv his acceptance of the post is impossible unions with the per; mss am oi the. Ccurt. by whom, according to the doctor, his sou is at present held as a hostage for his father's loyalty. \V menever way way' the situation is regarded, actual paramount control, and toe ability to sign an agreemtnl winch would satisfy the Powers, lie in the hands of tho Empress-Dowager, and perhaps tno most hopeful feature in L: Hung Chang's recent action is that the as! utc old statesman is popularly credited with on;upyiug a high position in that mysterious lady's confidence. Dr Morrison, by the nay, does not share the general opinion that Li Hung Chang is in the pay or Russia. He regards him us ‘‘the grea> esl man in China, and one of the greatest statesmen in tho world.'’ ‘-Regarded■ h-om the Chinese standpoint,” says the doctor, “bo is a man you cannot help admiring. Every responsible work the Chinese Government shifts upon his shoulders.” As to tho Goman Comman-er-iu-Chief, Count Waldersco, and the German military occupation, Dr Morrison evidently holds them in unfeigned contempt. He considers that Germany is the Power which aims at the dismemberment of China, but that Russia is the one Power which alone can effect a partition.

What Dr Morrison is most insistent'« upon in' the duty of the British Gov-j’ crnnient to safeguard the commercial j' possibilities of China. Ho holds than, the trade 'uitli -Australia is capable of, infinite development, especially in ail, ccnnectcd with. the supply of foodstuffs. There is, ho says, an ever increasing l importation 1 of flour into China from! America, and he does not see why the' Australasian colonies could not find a good market in the Far East for their, surplus products. Upon the import-j ant question of missionary work, ->r! Morrison declares that the moral iu-J flucnce of Christianity upon the Cliin-j eso is absolutely apparent, and lh#.b : “it will he a blot upon our civilisation, if wo do not compel the Chinese to make such reparation as will prevent, .any recurrence of the recent outrages and murders, in the northern, pro-) vinces.” Reading through the lines of this interview, one grasps more fully the. many difficulties that have to oe overcome before a. permanent Administration can he. established at Pekin, an Administration able and Milling to giro pledges for the future good conduct of the Empire’s -affairs, and security for their fulfilment. Meanwhile, wo- oau only trust that in the agreement signed by lii Hting Cliang, thero may be the germ of a complete , submission, winch' will lead to-the initiation of a better and happier state of affairs both for China and the Western, Powers.