HOME NEWS SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5294, 4 June 1904, Page 9

HOME NEWS SUMMARY.

(From tho "Sxioctator.’T RUSSIA'S PLAN OK CAMPAIGN. LONDON April 10. f-'mno interesting particulars of the fiu-Mim plan of campaign arc Elion in (lie ‘•Krho do Paris'* ol Tuesday, and summarised by Hie Pans correspondent :if (no "Times” in Wednesday’s issue. Tno information, iHiicli is alleged to einunalo from a. member of tho General Staff in -;t. Po l ershurg, indicates that General knropatkin, in accordance with the determination of tho Czar, will, act on the defensive until the arrival of tho Baltic smiadron in September, which will he a month of ’‘great battles and knock-down blows by laud and sea.” Before that, however, tlio Cmninamlcr-in-Cliicf intends to utilise tin? Caucasian Mounted Brimmo lo eject the Japanese from AViju "Ping-yang and Seoul. Meantime i •our army corns have taken up positions 1 in Manchuria; tho fifth is on the march from Western Siboiia; and two mere, from Moscow and Kursk, will bo despatched tins week. Unis bring)ng up tho total number oi troops at the seat of war to tho impo.-ing aggregate of lour hundred and sixty thousand men by tho »n<| ol May. Tlio correspondent of the | ‘•Kcho do Paris” lias ascertained from another source that there are now fifteen batteries of oighu guns between Liaovang ami Kliaru.n, that a second line is being laid between Knltnk and Douho, while a provisional lino and a road are boing constructed for Hie transport of imrunnition and cannon respectively. It is" .believed, ho adds, that tlio war will ho over towards the end of September; but if not, the advent of the October snows will postpone ali military operations till tlio following .ipril. 'We quote these plans as a political curiosity, not because wo. think them likely to ho put in operation, in war ovon more than in peace, chickens must not bo counted fore they are hatched. ANGLO-FRENCH AGREEMENTS. Tlio three agreements between Groat.Britain and France', about which so much ; has boon reported, were signed in London on April Bth. and prove to bo documents of the'highest importance. They wore at, once submitted to Parliament, together with a despatch addressed by Lord Lansdowne to Sir E. Monsou, which wo recommend to onr readers, as containing at once the best account of the terms accepted, and the most complete statement of their general object. The most important of the terms agreed on regard Egypt and Morocco. In Egypt tho French Government recognises the predominant position of Great Britain, promises not to impede her work by any suggestion that the occupation is tom- j portiry. and agrees to a great modifica- i Hon in tlio functions of tlio Caisse do la ; Dotto. Tinder tlio new arrangement tho Debt ia made a first charge on the land revenue instead of the Customs and railways; but the surplus is no longer to bo hoarded by the Caisso against contingencies, but is to bo expended for the benefit of the country. The Egyptian Treasury, becomes, in fact, so long as the interest duo to the foreign creditor is paid, as free as that of any other conn, try, and can even raise loans without foreign assent. Tho result will be a great improvement in tho finances of Egypt, the surplus going to remunerative public works, and a consequent solidification of the British position in the country. The assent ,of other Powers to the .change is. of course, necessary; but their concern in the revenues of Egypt is so small as compared with that of two contracting Powers that no opposition ia expected from their side. COMPENSATION AND CONCESSION. In compensation for those concessions on the part of France, the British Government acknowledges her predominant position in Morocco, and agree that, if s that anarchic country is to be “regonerqljjad” by European influence, tlio agency must be that of Franco. On tho other hand, Franca is not to annex, or to fortify the coast opposite Europe, while she is to make arrangements with Spain, as being exceptionally interested in tho fate of Morocco, which shall be agreeable to that Power in form as well as substance. Moreover, British commerce is to retain all the immunities it now enjoys by treaty, and is always to bo considered as entitled to equality with that of Franco, even as regards the passage of British goods through French territory. THE NEWFOUNDLAND SHORE. As regards Newfoundland, France agrees, in consideration of free access to the navigable portion of the Gambia, tho surrender of three small islets opposite (Conakry, in French Guinea, and the cession of eight thousand Square miles of land in Nigeria necessary to give the . French colonies in West Africa free access to Lake Chad, to abandon her claim lo tho treaty shore, which thus reverts in full sovereignty to Newfoundland. This agreement removes a cause of dispute which was most dangerous, because both countries protected their rights, or assumed rights, by the use of armed vessels, which might at any time have come into collision. Again, as regards Siam, fcoth parties disclaim the idea of annexing that kingdom or any part of it, but divide it into two “spheres of influence,” Franco being predominant to tho east of the Monam, and Groat Britain to tho west of that river. Finally, Great Britain agrees not to press certain claims with regard to the Custom-duties levied in Madagascar; and France agrees to the appointment of a Joint Commission to settle the rights of nationals in the New Hebrides. The Siamese agreement will not bo relished in India, and there will be discontent in Australia as to the clause about the Now Hebrides; but taking the agreements as a whole, they afford a fair basis for a long peace between Groat Britain and Franco, and a cordiality between their Foreign Ministers to which they have long been strangers. The journals, both at Home and abroad, attribute much of the success if tho negotiations to the King, possibly with justice; but we think it would bo wiser to adhere to tho old rule that as the King is not to be blamed for political mistakes, so he should not be praised for political successes. His Majesty is protected as well as concealed by the screen »f the Constitution. THE SPANISH DIFFICULTY. In regard to tho Spanish side of the igreeraent, which no doubt means that France is to agree will Spain that the Moroccan coast between Mellila and the river Sobu is to be within tho Spanish “sphere of influence,” wa note that the solution of the conflicting interests of Franco, Spain and Britain thus arrived at i.s almost exactly that which we specifically advocated in the year 1900 as the best solution ol tho Moroccan question. It may interest our readers to quote our actual words. Writing on May 2Gth, 1900. wo said“lf in tho ultimate settlement England is to take nothing, Spain something, and Franco the rest, what will bo the best division ? Our sng-

gesHon is—and in cares of tills kind one cannot bo intelligible without being

specific—that France, Spam and Great ; Britain should miter inloa treaty setting forth that if tho Moorish Empire should break up the contracting Powers would consider that Hie territory enclosed by a line drawn trorn, say, .sobu on tho Atlantic coast to Mellila on tho Modilor. ram-au, was within tho Spanish ‘sphere of influence.’ and the rest of tho territories of tlio Sultan of Morocco within the sphere r>[ Franco, provided always that Spain bound herself not to build any fortifications between Ceuta and Capo Spartol. . . Both Spain and France should at the same time agree that they would for tho next twenty years impose no higher duties than those now imposed in tne ports of -Morocco.” GENERAL aRPROALAL. Tho agreements have boon received with a sign of relief by the French people. and with decided approval, aad._ indeed. some admiration, by onr own. They aro welcomed without reserve in Russia, .apparently under Hie impression that they will diminish tho chance of British opposition to the treaties which at tho conclusion of the war will, as Russians boliovo. seat them on the Pacific. There is no annoyance ielt in Austria or Italy, ami it is net certain that there is any in Germany, though one or two journals i complain that Germany is not considered I in tho arrangements. Where, asks ono paper indignantly, is her “place sun”? The idea sooms to bo. botil in Germany and Austria, that in sweeping away grounds.of discord between Great Britain and France. Lord Lansdownodias increased, however slightly, the weight oi the Dual Alliance as against that of tho “Triplieo.” Probably that is true; but it is not so important as it might have been if the Russo-Japanese Mar bad not. to to speak, thrown all alliances into the melting-pot. GERMANY’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Count von Bulow made an important speech on foreign affairs in tho Roichstag on Tuesday. Ho stated that he had no 1 Reason to assume that tho Anglo-French | agreement was in any way directed f against any other Power. Against tho ’ attempt to improve the relations between England and Fiance, Germany bad no j objections to advance.' As regards Mo- | rocco, whoro German interests wore 1 above all commercial. Germany 'was ma- | terially concerned in the prevalence of : tranquility and order, and tho Govern-.| ment had no ground to apprehend that i their interests might bo disregarded or I ‘ injured by any Power. Tuning to the '■ Far East, the Chancellor si-ued that they i wero doing what they could to prevent the duol developing into a “Weltkreig.” ; Against tho charge that tho German Government had lulled others into unwarranted security by its excessive j optimismy tho Chancellor. defended I himself by alleging that other 1 Governments had been equally surpris- | od. and that even the pessimists did not foresee the exact moment of the exploI sion. Besides, to have adopted a possi. , j mistic attitude would have exposed them j | to the charge of instigating the war and | i excited Russian mistrust. On Thurs- I day the Chancellor ranged over nearly | tho whole field of home and foreign poll- j tics. Replying to Count Reventlow’s I implied suggestion that Germany ought j to ask for a jnece of Morocco, Count von Bulow declared that such a demand was futile unless they were prepared to carry it through at all hazards. In view of I the incalculable consequences of the war j in the Far East, a policy of sobriety, . calmness and reserve would best pro- i mote the interests of the Empire. I ISABELLA OF BOURBON. Tho death of Isabella of Bourbon, exQnoen of Spain, which occurred on Saturday last, is of absolutely no political importance, hut it removes a figure of some interest from the European scene. She was for many years of her life the pivot of a thousand intrigues, and a cause of quarrel among many Powers, and up to the time of her expulsion from Spain iuISGB she wa? distinctly popular among the masses of her own people, who pardoned tho irregularities of her life from a feeling that, after all, sho was “very Spanish.” Tho judgment of I history upon her, however, will, wo imagine, be that she was an inferior person, a Catherine 11., without her politi. cal ability or her skill in choosing agents. THE THIBETAN MISSION. The mission to Thibet arrived at Gyangtse on the 11th inst. It had to clear its’way, the Lamas, aoording to the correspondent of tho “Times,” holding a strong position at Red Idol Gorge, “where high and precipitous mountains hem in a winding river.” The Thibetan j artillery wore shelled out of their posi- ; tions with a loss of two hundred men, . and the Tibetans fled from tho fortress of Gyangtse. Here the Chinese Resident. or Amban, and delegates from Lhassa will meet Colonel Younghusband, and it is possible that a new Treaty will bo signed. The Chinese Government is distinctly of opinion that the Lamas should yield, and neither the Indian Government nor our own wishes to bo forced to march upon the capital. The theocracy is now tho only obstacle to peace. This is evident from tho language used in the debate of Wednesday in tho Commons, when Mr Brodrick moved a resolution authorising the payment from Indian revenues of any expenses incurred in protecting the political mis. sion to Thibet. Tins was carried by a majority of 370 votes to Gl—chiefly Nationalists—but tho Secretary for India and the Premier both denied strongly that tho Government sought any territory in Thibet. They would regard tho annexation of that country, said Mr Daifour, as a “great misfortune,” the Indian Government being already overburdened with frontier responsibilities. Tho British Government wishes only the independence of Thibet; but then it must bo independent of all European Powers alike. Tho Government, of Russia bad declared Thibet to be ontsido its “sphere of influence,” and the British Government, accepting that assurance absolutely, desired, if Thibet would behave but civilly, to leave her entirely alone. These assurances wore acceptable to the House. The debate was remarkable for a certain friendliness of tone towards Russia unusual in English debates. NAVY AND ARMY. The House of Commons reassembled on Tuesday, after the Easter recess. The Prime Minister announced that tho Budget wa? fixed for the following Tuesday, and that, the introduction of the licensing Bill would be de f erred in order that the House might sanction the omnloyment of Indian troons in Thibet. Tbo rest of the day was devoted to tho further discussion of. tho Navy Estimates in Committee. Votes of £3,646.099 for armaments. £3,044 290 for personnel in shipbuilding yards. jBo.OG"'’.800 for shipbuilding' material and "T 423,000 for clothing and victualling were passed with little discussion. Even Mr E. Robertson. who drew attention to the growth of the navy votes, did not seriously impugn any of the items. Tho House of Commons is always at its best on a naval question, most .Members admitting tho need, and differing only on the methods.

of securing efficiency. In Committee on riie Army Estimates in the House oi Commons on Thursday Mr ArnqldForster made several statements oi importance. Tho question r.i the use of tho lance lias boon referred to tlio Army Council. Ho believed himself that the balance of opinion was against its remtroductiou. Tin? now army rifle was Ho 1 bo manufactured both in Government factories and by private firms. In tho case of the Government factories tho price would bo £3 10s per rifle ; tho price paid to tbo trado would bo £-1 IDs. In „pito of this diflorcneo. wo agree that it is most important to encourage private firms to manufacture. At tho end of tho evening Mr rnoM-Forsior slated tnat it was not proposed to continue the army corps system, and that there would bo .substituted for it another form of organisation. Ho had stopped tlio construction of the infantry barracks upon Salisbury Plain and at Stobs. There wouM lie no bad debts made owing to tho abandonment of -Mr Brodr;ck s army corps scheme. AVo arc delighted to hoar that tho vast expenditure on barracks is lo bo stopped, and wo trust it means that tho liuvonuiionl, wnetover possjoio, will allow tho solder to live out of barracks, making ins oun nemo as does the policeman. That is cheaper ior the Government, and lar mote attractive to tho soldier. CAPE POLITICS. Tlio “Pall Mall Gazette” of Wednesday publishes a very important letter irom its Capetown correspondent. The correspondent, who went from the Capo to Johannesburg in order to find out. the real feeding there in regard to Chinese labour, declares that now that. the actual appearance of tho ycllmy man is drawing near, public opinion J? being greatly moved, and points out what was before a’ "more or less harmless growl lias nponed into distinctly treasonable utterances.” The general public sentiment must, ho insists, ho faced squarely. "It i,s tills. Tho promises made to the. white men before t)ic war have not been carried out.' As a matter of fact many i of tlio Rand men who took part in the I campaign have been refused a return of I their positions they threw up to bear ! arms.” Tho correspondent goes on to say that many white workers beliovoShat the : capitalists have deliberately done all in | their power to discourage tho Kaffir, and I having done so have represented that i the mines cannot be worked without the : aid ot tho Chinese. They further forej cast that before the yellow men afo six j months on the Rand the small number ! of skilled workers will be paid off, since : it is possible to make tho imitative and intelligent Chinoo what tho black man can never become—a skilled worker. • They argue that in addition to saving about 5U per cent, of the mine labourers’ wages, the owners intend to got rid of the white worker root and branch. They further contend that the vast majority of the white men arc solidly against the importation of tho Chinese, and accuse the capitalists of having gained apparent Support by bribery and . corruption/’ | CHINESE LABOUR IN THE RAND. 1 The “Pall Mall” correspondent in ad- | dition declares, in regard to the public ; mooting called to condemn tho importai tion of Chinamen, that “it has never ; boon denied that those who formed the opposition to the original idea wore openly paid 15s apiece for their services.” I The “Pall Mall” correspondent ends up i his very gloomy letter by a hint that tho | Kaffirs are also greatly perturbed by the near advent of Chinese labour. If this 1 letter had appeared m the “Daily Nows” f or the‘“Scar,” it would naturally have been discounted as “prejudiced.” Its appearance in the “Pall Mall Gazette,” a paper strongly opposed to tho agitation against Chinese labour, cannot hut ho regarded as significant. AVo. cannot, of course, take any responsibility for its allegations, but we feel sure that the “Pall Mall” would not have published the letter unless it was fully convinced of tlio trustworthiness and sincerity of its correspondent. The more tho whole subject is discussed tho more convinced do we becomo that a terrible blunder has been committed by Lord Milner and tho Home Government in allowing the use 1 of indentured Chinese labour in opposition to the public opinion of the whole Empire. , Nothing but harm to tho Empire and to South Africa can come of it. At the same time, it becomes daily clearer that the alternative, tho greatly extended use. of white labour in tho mines urged by Mr Creswell among the best of tlio experts on tho spot, is a perfectly practical policy.