advantages has
China reaped from those high-flown promises? Whereas, the patriotic
Chinaman has but to look to the Amoor, and to the attenuated province of
Manchuria, to see what Russian friendship means. He can go farther
still. He has only to enquire into the relations Russia has managed to
conclude with the Taranath Lama; he has only to hear what the people of
Ourga think of Russia's position in the vicinity of that important city;
and he cannot fail to form a very clear and decided opinion as to what
Russia's friendship signifies. The Chinese have, in the full extent of
their northern frontier, a great question in discussion with Russia. So
long as China was weak, and consequently unable to resent the patronage
of her friend, so long was Russia able to play "my lady bountiful" with
a good grace and perfect success. But the moment China became strong,
and in a position to resent the condescension of her whilome ally, the
Chinese took a different tone, and already we hear of the Chinese
assuming a semi-hostile attitude in the Amoor region. But whereas
China's apprehension--for it is apprehension that is at the root of her
hostility to Russia, at Russia's designs in Manchuria and among the
Khalkas is vague at present--her indignation is clear and easily defined
at Russia retaining possession of Kuldja after she has demanded its
restoration. In short, all her apprehension along the northern frontier,
which has slumbered, but never died out, since the Russians seized the
Amoor posts during the Crimean War, is reduced to a focus in Central
Asia, where Russia appears inclined to throw herself in the path of, or
at least to retard, their victorious career. It is not so much the
Kuldja question, which is of local importance, that is of pressing
moment, as the rupture between Russia and China, that a crisis in the
Issik Kul region will make complete. That rupture has already taken
place, and no concession on the part of Russia will restore her good
name with the Chinese. She may hand Kuldja over now, or she may keep it
by the strong arm if she can; but she has forfeited all claim to
consideration by the Chinese, through delaying to accede to that which
those people consider in every sense their right and due. Had Russia at
once said to China, "We will abandon Kuldja, and only require you to
guarantee the safety of the population," there would have been not only
the preservation of the good understanding between the countries,