€52 KEPOET— 1889. 



covered in all the seventeen provinces of the Chinese Empire, but the passive 

 resistance offered by her rulers and her peoples to all attempts by foreign nations 

 to obtain a footing in the interior has prevented any development of her resoui'ces. 

 The day, however, cannot be far distant vs^hen railways, some of which are already 

 projected, will open up the interior of China and make her better known ; but we 

 should be unworthy children of our forefathei's if we permit the trade of this rich 

 and widely-peopled country to pass from our hands, either from a want of energy, 

 or from a departure from those principles of trade and commerce whose founda- 

 tions are built upon the rocks of integrity and honest deaUng. Nothing marks the 

 individuality of the Chinese more than that, wherever you meet him, whatever his 

 surroundings may be, he is John Chinaman stiU ; he never adopts the dress, 

 manners, or customs of other nations, but he remains constant to the pigtail, the 

 quaint dress, and the umbrella ; and if established in communities, you will find 

 him with his joss-house, food, theatre, and his refreshment-places just as if he 

 were in China. 



Our knowledge of the latest acquisition in the East, Biu-mah, has been largely 

 increased during the past eighteen months. Important surveys in North 

 Eastern Burmah by Colonel Woodthorpe, R.E., and Mr. Ogle have opened up an 

 area of about 1,500 square miles ; and the fact of practicable routes between Assam 

 and Burmah via tlie Palka Pass is now established. Burmah, with its large and 

 intelligent population (numbering about 4,000,000), with its valuable minerals and 

 precious stones, with its tropical products, is well wortliy of the attention of the 

 merchant adventurer ; and as our knowledge of the physiography of the country is 

 rapidly increasing, a study of its applied geography is strongly recommended to 

 the student. 



In our own territory of British India large and important surveys have been 

 carried on under the able direction of Colonel Thuillier. These surveys are con- 

 ducted in what is called the protected region ; but very interesting additions, 

 especially to the merchant, are made in the outlying territories bordering upon our 

 Indian Empire, where no white man could go, by the employment of intelUgent 

 natives especially trained for the purpose. The information obtained by these men 

 may be very profitably studied. 



These Central Asian problems are full of deep significance to those desirous of 

 developing and retaining the supremacy of the trade of this P]mpire in those regions ; 

 and I am happy to state that papers full of interest on these subjects will be ■ore- 

 sented to you during this meeting. 



Turning to the northern parts of Asia, I feel some diffidence in speaking before 

 a Newcastle audience on the subject of Siberia, for through your own townsmen, 

 and Captain Wiggins, you are well acquainted with these regions. The exertions 

 made by Captain Wiggins and those connected with him in this enterprise should 

 receive the highest commendation ; and that they have been so far successful is a 

 matter for rejoiciug. At the same time, I cannot but think that Hussia, continuing 

 the policy she has so steadily pursued for some years past, against the commercial 

 development of Great Britain, would not object to the employment of British 

 capital in opening up trade in her outlying dominions ; for that trade, once fairly 

 established on good business lines, would be absorbed on behalf of her own manu- 

 facturers. I do not attach any blame to Eussia in this matter, but I am of opinion 

 that more profits are to be gained when trade follows the flag, for then British 

 -enterprise and money reap more certain reward. If the energy, talent, and per- 

 severance which have been exhibited by Captain Wiggins and his partners had 

 been utilised in the development of some of our own territories rather than in the 

 territory of another nation, I feel sure they would command that success to 

 ■which they are so justly entitled. 



From the consideration of Siberia and the Northern Seas it is not a far step to 

 Greenland, whose icy regions and eternal snows have been crossed for the first time 

 in our history. The hero of this exploit, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, is a native of 

 Norway, and the exploration which he has so recently conducted to a successful 

 issue was rightly alluded to by the President of the Royal Geographical Society, 

 in his annual address, as the most conspicuous achievement of the year. 



