[5]. “If war is made to enforce a commercial treaty, we run the risk of engaging in protracted hostilities, and of earning a reputation for quarrelling with every nation in the East.... The Japanese may well be jealous of Europeans, who insult their usages and carry away their gold” (Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock, Feb. 28, 1860).
[6]. “The Present Condition of European Politics,” p. 175.
[7]. Earl Russell, Nov. 22, 1861, echoed these conditions (four conditions) and equivalent, and added a somewhat cunning addition: “The opening of the ports of Tsushima (in place of Osaka, the centre and trading city of the Empire) and the neighbouring coast of Corea as far as Japanese authority extends, to the trade of the treaty powers.” It could only be the expectation of some secret advantages that do not at first sight meet the eye that could have induced any one to propose the port of Tsushima for that of Osaka (“Diplomacy in Japan,” p. 61). The Japanese wisely declined the British offer.
[8].
| In 1887. | Imports in value from | Exports in value to |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 25,666,477 tael | 16,482,809 tael. |
| Hong Kong | 57,761,039 tael | 31,393,189 tael. |
| India | 5,537,375 tael | 797,579 tael. |
| Continent of Europe (without Russia) | 2,587,548 tael | 11,545,406 tael. |
The average value of the Haikwan tael during 1887 was 4s. 10¼d. (“The Statesman’s Year-book,” 1889.)
[9]. The Czar approved of the plan for completing the Siberian Railway, and for its connection with the Trans-Caucasian line, Jan., 1890; the works are to be commenced by the 1st of May at the latest.
[10]. The Chinese Government gave its assent to the construction of a railway from Pekin to Kirin viâ Moukden Jan., 1890.
[11]. There are now more than sixteen million miles of wire, and in 1887 the number of telegrams carried were about five millions (“The Statesman’s Year-book,” 1889).
[12]. The post office carried, in 1887, 54,313,385 letters, 55,332,873 post cards, 20,713,422 newspapers and books, 163,630 packets, 7,014,859 letters and newspapers free of postage (“The Statesman’s Year-book,” 1889).