The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-06
ENGLAND HAS ALL IT WANTS.
Statement Before House of Commons by
MIR. Balfour.

London, April 5.-The House of Com.
mons was crowded today with people
anxious to hear the statement of Mr.. Bal
four, acting secretary of state for foreign
affairs on the situation in the far East.
The galleries were filled, and in the dis
tinguished strangers gallery were many
diplomats, including United States Am
hassados Hay. MIR. Balfour, who was
loudly cAeered ON rising, enumerated the
concessions obtained by Great Britain,
namely that the region of the Yang Use
kiang sltpu1d not be alienated by. any
foreign pVwer, that the successor OF Sir
Robert Hart as director OF the Chinese
Imperial maritime customs, is to be an
Englishmsn, and that access to the in
land waters is to be had by ships. Of all
nations fourth concession, Mr.. Bal
four continued, only occurred day or
two ago, naWely, the opening of three
new treaty sDrts, Funing, Yochau and
Chin Wang This, according to Mr.. Bal
four, was considerable harvest for two
months negotiations.
Relative to the German acquisitions of
railroads, Mr. Balfour said that wherever
they were constructed they must be
benefit to British commerce. He preferred
railroads aid differential duties to 10
railroads and no duties. Later. Mr.. Bal
four said he believed neither Germany
nor Russia mas any intention OF depriving
9reat Britain of Any of her treaty rights
III china.
Mr.. Balfour said that Russia, having
secured Port Arthur, on the maritime APP
proach to Pekin, Great Britain had
secured Wei-Hai-Wei to balance matters.
Said he:
1--WE offered if they would abstain from
taking Port Arthur to ourselves give
corresponding pledge to take no port on
the Gulf of Pc Chilli"
But our offer was not accepted, SO, on
March 80, we informed RUSSIA that we
should hold ourselves free to take the
necessary steps to, safeguard our interests,
and Great Britain has since obtained q
lease of Wei-Hai-Wei on the same terms
as those by which Russia secured Port
Arthur. Wei-Ha1-Wei is the otaly port on
the Gulf of Pc Chill which might balance
tie possession of Port Arthur.
The negotiations have already borne
rich fruit in the interest OF our commerce
and the maintenance of our prestige at
Pekin.
Relative to the security Of the future.
Mr.. Balfour said it GOULD NOS be denied
that the indications were that China
fragments might be snapped up by
various powers. But it would be 3 mis-
take to allow Great Britain's policy to be
governed by remote contingencies, add
ing: "We desire to maintain the integrity
of China so far as possible, but it must
be recoileoted that the future will
probably have strange surprises in store.
I believe the time may come when the
great powers will join in an
alliance to prevent China falling a prey
to any exclusive influence, and am con.
WINGED that Great Britain by continuing
her present unselflsh policy of opening 70
all what she secures for herself will build
up in Europe and not the least in
Americs body of public internationsl
opinion which will be more powerfql
than any hasty action Great Britais
might take at the present moment"
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the
Liberal leader IN the House, replied to
Mr.. Balfour. He spoke satirinally Of the
policy of 1.-THE open door," and asked the
reason for the change of policy. He said
the treaty of Tisn Using gave the British
ships the right to use any port in China,
and he expressed the dasire to know
specifically whether that right was to be
infringed.
The Liberal leader concluded with call
ing for information regarding the inten-
tions of Russia. Germany and France.
ard as to She relations between Great
Britain and Japan in view Of the
formers lease of Wei-Hal-Wei.