The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1895.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10329, 10 June 1895, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1895.

*3jHb, Japin§Bß bava not;, only benefited iJkeraselves by their conquest of China, '■feat the European trader^ are likewise atao to reap many advantages, both from the victors and vanquished, The conditions of peace ard baing discussed by the Press in all parts of Europe, and Germany, it is said, attaches great importance to the opening cpof the Canton River as far as Onohbo-foo, The cession of Formosa to u T apan by the Chinese seems to have at first caused some misgitings to the British Government, but as the inhabitants of that island are very wstloss, and will give Japan some trouble beforo they are brought to a state of submission, the possession of tbj# {Blind ty tbb new

Power is now beginning to be looked on in a favourable light. It will be remembered that when the French bombarded Foochow some years ago they were repulsed in their attempt to take those islands. The Japanese, too, have not found it such an easy task taking the islands. However, they are invaluable to Japan, for they not only possess good ports for trading purposes, but hold a commanding position' aa v a naval station. In referring to the torms of peace, one of the London papers remarks that Japan could not demand any commercial advantage for herself, because according to the " most favoured nation" clause which is contained in all the treaties between China and foreign countries, when any country obtains an advantage or concession all the other countries share it in a like manner. The paper goes on to say '' thu3 ii concession that Japanese steamers should bo allowed to navigate the Ting-tung lake from May 1 nould mean that the steauitrs of all nationalities had the right to navigate that sheet of water from the date meationed, and nothing the Japanese could do or leave undone, would affect that rijjht, which would be one aecured to every nation by its own treaties with China. English papers, therefore, have gone into hysterics over nothing , there is no magnanimity, no liberality ; no thanks are due from any other country to Japan on that ground. The real danger lies in the commencement of the dismemberment of the vatjt empire of China. If Japan is allowed to begin, where is the process to end ? Russia will want her compensations ; France has her interests to guard and protect ; Germany has Colonial anil>itions, and we should^ probably fitii! at least a naval station to the north of H'-ng Kong a necessity. Japan may make what terms she pleases ; China may he forced by her prostrate condition t'. grant what is asked. But when victors and vanquished have concluded their 'negotiations, the other Powers, and chiefly Great Britain and Itussra, willhavea word to say as to the result." The diplomatic representatives of more than one European Power have for years tried to impress on tbe Chinese Government the necessity for throwing open the Canton River to international traffic, but even' the proposal to permit Chinese steamers to ply on the river met with the antagonism of the junk' owners. The signification of such &' concession aa the opening of the Canton River lies in the possibility that it would give the Powers also the trading with the Province of Kwang sit, and thus enable the commerce of other countries, including Great Britain, to compete favorably with that of France, which is making a move in the same direction from Tonquin by railway to Sangson. The Berlin correspondent telegraphs under date of April 12th to The Times :— " I ara given to understand that Pekin is among the cities which, in accordance with the terms proposed by the Japanese, are to be opened to foreign commerce. This meets with but little approval here among those who have a right to speak with' authority on the subject of China. . .._. However sincerely Germany may desire peace in the interests of trade,- no v certatnty- prevails here' that the negotiations which are now being carried on will have, ~a; satisfactory result. If China can succeed in" gaining time there is no knowing bow the struggle may end. The Japanese resources are'in inverse proportiou 1o their enthusiasm." jvhilat those of China are practically uultmited, 11 Her you Brandt, in his lateat publication on tho war iv the (-"ast, entitled "The Future ol Eastern Asia," sajs : — "The Japanese successes, even if not overrated, will necessitate a very considerable increase fit the British forces in 'East Asiatic waters, and perhaps also in Hong Kong and Singapore. This will be especially the case if For- I mosa is ceded to Japan. England's j position as the dominant " Power in Eastern Asia would thereby receive a blow, which makes it appear question, able whether British trade interests wonld not also- be .considerably: prejudiced, England will therefore have to take • carer 'that' the situation in fcquth China is no£ altered." But -the British authorities* 'are not 1 asfeep',' it may bo assured, and therefore it would be very foolish to come to the conclusion that -because China has been conquered by Japan i tne ' European Powers will be shut out from any advantage gained by the victory. As tbe Westminster Gazette says : — •'« As for China, EngJa'nd will" obviously get her share — and that is generally the lion's share— -of whatever impulse is 'given to foreign trade. Whether China will permanently wake up is another question. But, at any rate, sho will noc go to sleep again immediately, and it will be their ovrn fault if our manufacturers and traders fail to get full advantage out of their existing lead in the China trade. If these are likely to be the immediate consequences of the present struggle, the remoter future is much more obscure. The essential problem of China, indeed, remains the same a3 before, and the sudden stoppage of the present war is a confession of failure to deal with it by military methods. On the whole, the most probable forecast is that the present war will prove a blessing in disguise to China."

The Works Committeojjof the Harbor Board met to-day.

A Press Association telegram states that the New Zealand and River Plato Land Company has declared a dividend of 5 per cent.

About 200 Waikato Maoris are expected to arrive by tho Takapuna tonight, it being their intention to be present at the native meeting at Parihaka this month. Tho Post Office authorities have adopted the suggestion made in thuae columns by placing a receiving ha**, in front of tho counter in the new offices. A new not of scales has also been provided for the new office. The monthly mooting of the Borough Council will be held to-night, when the quostion of the recommendation of W. Mclndoo to the Royal Humane Society of Australasia will bo discussed.

A shock (says the Hokitika correspondent of tho Lyttelton Times) was experienced in town last week whenitb:came known that Sir J. F, Harper, the manager of tho Bank of New Zealand (formerly manager of the Invercargill branch) had been retrenched ou twelve months pay. Tho manner of doin? it' aroused a strong feeling of indignation. Mr Harper had no intimation whatever of the intention of the Bank, and bis consternation may well be imagined when his successor walked in and handed his letter. This was courteously worded, and recognised Mr Harper's services on behalf of tho Bank, and also mentioned that other of tho higher officials had been and were being retired, in order to ensure greater economy. If an earlier intimation had been sent, oxoeption could not, perhaps, have been taken, although it was hard on a man to retire him after eighteen years' service, and when within eight years of his pension. It is intended to make Mr Harper a public presentation before bo leaves Hokitika,