We have drawn attention more than once to the value that the Russians attach to: Manchuria, which is to make up to them some of the millions they have lost in Siberia, The value is being gradually appreciated in England, and the following appears among the front-page notes in the Globe of the 19th ultimo It is a favourite remark on the part of the apologists for the Government in its Far Eastern policy that Manchuria is Russia's by right, and that British trade with that country is not worth troubling about. We strongly advise all those who make such a statement to read the interesting letter from Captain Younghusband which appears in to-day's Times. "Init the explorer examines the wonderful advance of civilisation which has taken place in Manchuria during the past ten years, and the enormous social, agricultural, and mineral wealth of the country. He clourly shows the steady and far-seeing policy of Russia regarding the gradual acquisition of this splendid territory, but reminds us of the fact that though Russis has done so 138 much of recent years, she was not the first open trade with Manchuria, "At the time of my visit in 1886," he says, there was not a single Russian business house in Manchuria, though there were several English firms established there. The first me of railway actually laid has, too, been constructed by*English engineers." Captain Younghusband innocently asks—his letter was written three weeks ago—whether we, as well as the Russians, are to be allowed in future to'construct railways, and whether we are going to partake in the trade which we initiated. He will have had his answer by now. He will have learned, to his own as well as to every Enghshman's disgust, that this splendid territory has been meekly permitted to pass wholly under Russian control, that only Russians are to be permitted to construct railways there, and that to all practical purposes it is to pass into the possession of the Czar as completely as if it was Russian territory proper. Not only that, but the two best harbours in that part of the world are to be Russian also. Captain Younghusband concludes his letter by remarking that if we allow ourselves to be shut out from the.ndvantages of trade in Manchuria, we shall have lost a trade with the most promising country in Asia." And we have lost it.
Capt. Younghusband draws particular attention to the progress that has been made in Manchuria in the twelve years population of Petuua has grown from 30,000 to 60,000, and is still increasing with enormous rapidity. "Still more remarkable are the signs of Russian progress. A dozen years ago the country was scarcely known to the Russians, certainly they were far less well acquainted with it than we were at the close of our journey of nearly three thousand miles in the interior, and I do not think I_am exaggerating in saying that the Russiuns at that time and in that quarter were afraid of the Chinese. 'I'heir only line of communication along the Amur and up the Ussuri river was the actual frontier line, and exposed to Chinese attack for hundreds of miles, while the railway was then thousands of miles distant, A worse strategical position could not be imagined."
Now the Russians are all over Manchuria, " parading, through the country as if it were their own. That energetic explorer Colonel Grombtchevsky, whom T last met on the Indian frontier trying to push his way into Chitral and Kashmir, is now heard of as ' commis-saite-de: frontidre, exploring the luluud waters of Manchuria, steaming: up to Kirin, and blowing his steam whistle to make the Chinese come out and meet him! Kirin, which a dozen years ago was less known than Timbactoo!.. The immense value of this fresh advance of civilisation the dullest can appreciate... Once the Chinese have broken through their innate antipathy to the sight of foreign vessels on their inland waters and of foreign traders and travellers in their towns and villages, they flock in to do all-the business they can with the strangers. With the introduction of railways trade with this wonderfully fertile country, favoured not only with inland water communication, but with good harbours always open, and, above all, with an intelligent and business-like population, must increase with something approaching compound accumulation, The growth will, be by ever larger and larger amounts."
All the advantages which Russia has acquired in Manchuria, and which are completed by the lease of Port Arthur and Tralienwan, are by treaty to be shared by us. "Are we," asks Captain since be traversed the country with Younghusband, "as well as the Rus-.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.