The British interests on Far East at the end of XIX century: economical aspect

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The British interests on Far East at the end of XIX century: economical aspect

Bogdanova T. G. candidate of historical sciences,

Abstract

The Victorian era which comprised the second half of the 19th century, called after Queen Victoria, was a period in which Britain became the strongest world power: besides being the greatest financial and commercial power, the greatest sea power and the greatest colonial power. In was the era of the greatest colonial expansion. propaganda economic rapprochement china

At the end of the XIX century Great Britain, relying on the financial and naval power, by the using of different diplomatic shifts tried to create the coalition of leading powers of the world. The Far East became one of such regions where interests of applicants for leadership were crossed.

A lot of native and foreign scientists dedicated their researches to this problem. This literature includes chapters of different books, articles in magazines, monographs etc. Among them we can distinguish famous foreign authors, such as Allen H., Friedman I., Lamb A., McCordock R., Neale R. G. etc. [1].

Within this scientifically field we can find a lot of information about Britisheconomic and political interests on Far East. And it is clear, because since 1840 Great Britain had played the leading part in the economic exploitation of China. At the end of XIX century Britain trade with China amounted to 65 per cent of China's total foreign trade, 85 per cent of which was carried in British vessels.To protect her lucrative Chinese markets from the closing pincers of France in the south and Russia in the north (allies since 1894), England took a new interest in the territorial integrity of China [2, p. 39-40].

The alternatives that presented themselves were an alliance or, in keeping with balance of power tactics, an international stalemate that would have the same result. The problem, which preoccupied the British cabinet during the winter and spring of 1898, was solved at last by cautious moves toward each of the suggested objectives. While the cabinet secretly discussed taking part in the dismemberment of China, its members publicly frowned on that policy and proclaimed their faith in the open door, their determination to defend British interests in China, and, on January 17, extended the first feeler for an alliance-with Russia. When this failed to produce results, they turned to the United States [2, p. 42].

However, Salisbury wanted an open door for trade with all China but he also wished to have a sphere of special privilege. Now, England desired American support to prevent the closing of the door to British trade in those parts of China which had fallen to the other Powers. The motive, however, was not exclusively economic; Russia was the nation from which England had most to fear, not only in China but also all across Asia and Eastern Europe [3, p. 287].

So, in Chinese affairs England was looking for American “friend”. In 1898 it seemed, as it had seemed so many times since then, that the turning point had come, that some form of close association with one or more transatlantic powers for a common political purpose was inevitable. Beresford was not alone in his light-hearted enthusiasm. The British government, notwithstanding the rebuff in 1898, still clung to the idea that the logic of events in China would force the United States into more intimate relations with England [3, p. 288].

Lord Charles Beresford was a British Admiral, a member of Parliament, with a breezy manner and gift for talk, who in the year of 1898, had gone out to China unofficially as a representative of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain [4, p. 185]. Also he was regarded by most Americans as the leading foreign authority on the Chinese question. He had substantial influence upon General Secretary of USA John Hay and probably upon American president McKinley and Rockhill as well [5, p. 138].

In available scientific literature Beresford's mission is represented in the form of the trip having propaganda character. However the analysis of sources allows claiming that actually the singular tasks of political and military and prospecting character were set for mission.

Having arrived at the beginning of October to China, lord Beresford at first didn't meet neither the Chinese authorities, nor officials of foreign powers in China. So to it certain time was possible to keep impression that its mission has strictly private character and pursues only commercial tasks [6, p. 52-53].

Gradually it started meeting the Chinese dignitaries, mainly governors of provinces, consuls, merchants, businessmen. After a meeting with the Chinese official Li Hong-Zhang, to Beresford was necessary to open true intentions of the visit. Chamberlain's messenger demanded that the Chinese government developed measures for improvement of the financial position, having asked English bankers for the help.Besides, Beresford indicated the need of improvement of the Chinese military system, by submission to her English instructors. At last, he paid attention Li Hong-Zhang to falling of the Chinese funds at the European exchange as reactions to unstable situation in China. In a word, Beresford imposed to China the actual protectorate and sought to force China to join in the course of the policy directed against Russia.However Li Hong-Zhang, despite importance of arguments, didn't show enthusiasm concerning these requirements [7, p. 114].

Traveling within three and a half months across China, Beresford called representatives of English and the American trading companies for a unification of British-American interests, agitated for the doctrine of “open doors”. Promotion of this slogan which has found a wide support in the United States, Beresford began the path to the Anglo-American agreement. Already in debuts in San Francisco he agitated for the union between England, the USA, Germany and Japan, establishment of protectorate of these powers over China and the organization them the Chinese army in number of 250 thousand people for fight against Russia [6, p. 53].

Lord Beresford, after a more or less spectacular trip across the continent, arrived in Washington, February 21. In his honor that day Hay gave a luncheon for fourteen to which he invited many Senators, some army and navy officers, and, with that tact which never deserted him on such occasions. He hurried back to England and rushed through the press “The Break-up of China”. But on top of his plan floated the continuing spheres of influence and interest of Russia, Germany, France and Great Britain. The publication of the book served to keep alive, even to increase, the discussion of the expected partition of the Empire [8, p. 288].

Moreover, Beresfordreached an American reading audience through his North American Review article, “China and the Powers”, too. But Beresford's impact upon the American public (and especially upon the business community) took on an added dimension with his trip through the United States in early 1899, following on the heels of his semi-official survey in China itself. His cross-country trek was a triumphant tour da force: a warm visit with his old friend Hay; private talks with the President which left McKinley clearly impressed; conference with Rockhill and key congressional leaders; private chats with leading American businessmen; and widely heralded speeches on the banquet circuit. Similarly, his speech to the American Asiatic Association (and guests) in New York excited warm response from his elite audience, prompting ironmaster Abram S Hewett, the program cospeaker, to assure Beresford that “it is our desire to give the fullest possible expression...supporting the policy of Open Door” and the “preservation of the integrity of the Chinese Empire” [5, p. 138-139].

Despite of so bright prospects, the American ruling classes at once began to cool down as soon as became to guessed that offered benefits in China will demand from the USA of big expenses for implementation of plans of Great Britain [6, p. 54].

And though Beresford's mission didn't solve the initial tasks set for it, promotional campaign in favor of policy didn't take place “open doors” completely in the United States of America. Soon the head of the state parliament John Hey declared himself the supporter of this policy.

Having returned to England, lord Beresford published the report on the trip in the form of the book under the name “Disintegration of China, with the Review of Its Real Trade, Finance, Waterways, Military Forces, the Railroads, Policy and Expectations”, in which he also espoused the “open door” policy, warned against the Russian threat to American trade, and urged that “a decision must be arrived at the action of some sort taken very soon” [5, p. 138].

References

1. Allen H. C. Great Britain and the United States. A History of Anglo-American Relations (1783-1952). - L., 1954. - 1024 p.; Friedman I. British Relations with China 1931-1939. - N.Y., 1940. - 143 p.; Lamb, Alistair. Britain and Chinese Central Asia: The Road to Lhasa, 1767-1905. - London, 1960. - 154 p.; McCordock Ph. D. British Far Eastern Policy, 1894-1900. - N.Y., 1931. - 376 p.; Neale R. G. Great Britain and United States Expansion: 1898-1900. - Michi- gan,1966. - 229 p.

2. Griswold A. W. The Far Eastern Policy of the United States. - New Haven, London, 1962. - 530 p.

3. Dulles F. R. Prelude to world power. American Diplomatic History, 1860-1900. - N.Y., 1965. - 238 p.

4. Dennis A. L. P. Adventures in American Diplomacy, 18961906. - N.Y.,1969. - 537 p.

5. McCormick. China Market.America's Quest for Informal Empire, 1893-1901. - Chicago, 1967. - 241 p.

6. Erusalimskiy A. IzistoriiimperialisticheskoypolitikiAnglii- naDalnemVostoke v konce XIX veka (missialordaBeresforda) // VI. - 1951.- № 5. - P. 43-54 [From the History of imperial British politics on Far East at the end of XIX century (mission of lord Beresford) // Questions of History. - 1951. - № 5. - P. 43-54] (rus).

7. Fursenko A. A. Borba za razdel Kitaya I americanskaya dok- trina otkrytych dverey, 1895-1900. - M. - L. : Izdatelstvo AHSSSR, 1956. - 237 p. [Thefight for Chinese division and American doctrine of Open Door, 1895-1900. - Moscow - Leningrad. : published by ASUSSR, 1956. - 237 p.].

8. Dennett T. John Hay. From Poetry to politics. - N.Y.,1963. - 476 p.

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