Washington sentinel., 1898-02-05
SkaHdard-London, Jan. rs.

Sir Micnael Hicks Beach defined the
policy OF this country with regard to
China in terms which must arrest atten
ton both at home and abroad. 1t is
hardly probable that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach would have dee med it opportune
to set forth the views of the Cabinet so
clearly, # there was not a certain amount
of friction to be overcome; and so far
the utterance may be construed as one
OF very high diplomatic importance,
Courage and prudence"-qualties
which he DlaytulIy commended to those
who thought Of investing in Chinese
bOnds-will possibly be needed by our
Foreign Office before the situation
ceases to offer material for solicitude
II had lately occupied, Sir Michael con-
fessed, much OF the attention Of the
Government. He was, however, abun
dainty justified IN his belief that. in
asserting the principle OF freedom OF
trade, in opposition to any proceedings
which threi tened to impair It, Lcrd
Salisbury and his colleagues can count
on the sympathy and support of the best
public opinion in the civilized world
No one will complain that the
Foreign Office is missing a chance when
il declines absolutely 10 have hand or
part in any scheme tending to the terri
toral disintegration of the realm which
knowledges the authority Of the
MaIchu throne. But It would be quite
as difficult to discover any Englishman
so indifferent TO matters affecting the
commercial greatness and prosperity of
our people, as to finch from accepting
the Chancellor Of the Exchequer's doc.
trine that, even at the cost of war, the
principle Of equal freedom OF trade must
be upheld in connection with the Chin.
ese Empire. All that can be said with
any confidence about the loan negotia-
tiODs is that conferences are proceeding
at Pekin, and that, il the Imperial Cab
met felt themselves Tree to consult their
own inclinations only, they would be
disposed to accept the offer OF the Brit.
ish Ambassador. In closing with it at
once they would have nothing but ap.
proval to expect from Toxic and Wash.
Ington,
Daily Tsegyaph-London, July IS.
or course, it is the duty Of ministers
to make such terms as will safeguard
the taxpayer against any risks. Although
the purchase OF the Suez Canal shares
by Lord Beacons6eld turned out to be
Il r A.
British public-in spite OF the lact that
it was denounced as an insane financial
transaction by Mr. Gladstone-it would
have been justified on political grounds
alone il the Imperial Exchequer had
never derived a penny profit from the
purchase. Indeed, the idea Of mixing
up a promising financial deal with an
arrangement dictated by high political
considerations would be repugnant to
the best traditions of British foreign
policy, and may safely be said not to
have entered into the calculations OF
Lord Salisbury Unexceptiora able secu.
rity Tor money advanced and satisfactory
guarantees for It's repayment will amply
fulfil our requireme ITS on the f financial
side. In the present state OF affairs, it
is not in the interest Of China-or.
indeed, OF Japan-that the indebtedness
Of the former to the latter should con-
tiuue longer than is necessary There
is about twelve million pounds due by
China on the war Indemnity, and as
Japan cannot Afford to iorego the debt.
aud on the other hand would suffer
| severely from the insolvency Of her
neighbour and late enemy, the extrica.
ton by Great Britain of the Chinese
from their embarrassments would be in
the nature of very friendly act o Japan
as we'll as to China.
M0rAigg-London, Jan. I8.
Let the scramble for pieces OF China
60 on. We are not taking any hand in
the game. Bnt we see a market, which
promises to give rich returns Tor careful
cultivation. China may own what lord
il will. May make its laws as 1t pleases.
All we want is liberty to sell our goods