The Chusan Archipelago.

Manawatu Herald, 31 March 1898, Page 2

The Chusan Archipelago.

The London Standard's Berlin correspondent states that it is expected England will occupy Chusan until a defiuite understanding has been arrived at with China. How much this means can b 3 gathered from a map. Chusan, the principal of the Chusan Archipelago lies about a mile off the east coast of China, opposite Ningpo. It ha 9 an area of over 230 square miles and a papula* tion of 200,000 to 250,000, aud although mountainous in the centre, Tt is generally fertile. Ting-hai, the capital, has a land-locked harbour. It was held by the British in 1840---41 and again in 1860. The eastern coast has a break at this point resembling a V, the wide part «f

which \3 occupied by th-3 islands of the archipelago. On the north end of the V lies the most important sraportfor central China— Shanghai. This town has an enormous trade in tea and silks, and in cottons, wollens, opium and metal?. On the southern poinl of ihe bay lie 3 another treatyport, Niug-po which also does a very large trade. The position as a base for offensive operations by a naval force appears to. be most excellent, as a fleet would, when in harbour be in an impregnable position and could by easy steaming reach the Corea Straits and most easily blockade the Russian fleet within the waters of the Yellow Sea. By occupying this position at Chusan the British fleet would keep the Corea Straits open for the Japanese fle2t> and as seizing Chinese territory appears the fashion it is evident the British Government have choaen though but a small yet a very valuable piece. It is well to remember that China owns coalfield? of enormous extent, calculated to be more than twenty ,times the extent of those of Great Britain, and probably down the Water-way serving Shanghai would come the coal for the fleet, at Chu?au. The probability of this move having been made is vfiry strong, and Russia, France, or Geinviny can hardly olvjwt. When taking what " his'n hi.-'m " it is just aa Wfll to take iho best, nnd fly knnw'cdgi 1 of England appears (o have been belter than that of other Powers.