The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-06

MIR. BalfOur, Speaking for the Eng
lfsh Government, Explains the
Eastern Situation In the House of
OmmOns-EngIand Has Wei
Haf-Wef on the Same Terms
Granted to' Russia at Port Arthur,
YOKAHAMA, April 5.-Great Brit
aims act in regard to Wei Hal Wei has
caused sensation here, and large
section of the press and public urge
the government to adopt an active
policy.
PEKIN, April st is understood
that China has conceded the demands
Of France. They differ, it is added.
somewhat from the first demands.
LONDON, April 5.-The house Of
commons was crowded today with peo-
pie anxious to hear the statement of
Mr.. Balfour, acting secretary Of state
for foreign affairs, on the subject of the
situation in the far East
MIR. Balfour enumerated the conces-
sions obtained by Great Britain; name
ly, that the region of the Yang Use
Kiang should not be alienated by any
foreign power; that the successor of
Sir Robert Hart as director of the
Chinese imperial maritime customs is
to be an Englishman and that access
to the inland waters is to be had by
ships Of all nations.
A fourth concession Mr.. Balfour con-
tinued, occurred only a day or two ago;
namely, the opening of three new treaty
ports, Funing, Yochau and Chin Wang.
This, according to Mr.. Balfour, was a
considerable harvest for two months
negotiations.
He believed neither Germany nor
Russia had any intention of depriving
Great Britain of any of her treaty
rights In China. Germany had given
assurances that the country acquired
by her will be open to the commerce
of the whole world. The interests of
were identical and he believed the two
countries would be able to work hand
in hand.
Russia also had given assurances, but
he was bound to admit that the form
of those assurances had changed.
Touching upon Wei Hal Wei Mr.. Bal
four said that, Russia having secured
Port Arthur, on the maritime approach
to Pekin, Great Britain had secured
Wei Hal Wei to balance matters.
Russia Rapacious.
The speaker explained that had Rus
STA confined herself to obtaining an ice
free commercial port as a terminus for
her railroad no complaint would have
been made. But, unfortunately, Russia
determined to obtain control of Port
Arthur which was not and could not
be made commercial port. AS soon
as Great Britain heard Of the negotia-
lions she laid her views clearly before
Russia and expressed her sense of the
evil they were bringing upon China.
Continuing Mr. RalfOnr said.
We offered if they would abstain from
taking Port Arthur, to ourselves give a
corresponding pledge to take no port on
not accepted and so, en- March 90, we in
formed Russia that we should hold ourselves
free to take the necessary steps to safe
guard our interests, and Great Britain has
since obtained lease of Wei Hal Wei on
the same terms those by which Russia
secured Port Arthur.
Wei Hal Wei is the only port on the
Gulf of Pc Chi Ii which might balance the
possession of Port Arthur. While Port
Arthur is stronger, the accommodation at
Wei Hal Wei is inestimably greater and by
taking Wei Hal Wei under our protection
prevent the Gulf Of Pc Chi Lii from
falling under the maritime control of one
power and thus defend our interests.
China Doomed.
Relative to the future Mr.. Balfour
said it could not be denied that the
indications were that China might col
lapse and with further decay, frag~
ments might be snapped up by various
powers. But it would be a mistake to
allow Great Britain's policy to be gov
erned by remote contingencies, saying
We desire to maintain the integrity Of
China so far possible but it must be recol-
lected that the future will probably have
strange surprises in store.
In conclusion he said:
The balance Of power In the far East
may be very different when the disintegra-
ticn OF China has occurred. The time may
come when the great powers will say that
China shall not fall into the hands of any
one power, and to embark upon difficult
and costly enterprise in order to ward off
remote and doubtful danger would be
political folly: Her maiesty's government
asks the country to indorse this policy with
more confidence because we know that
Great Britain has the sympathy of the
great commercial community throughout
the world. (Cheers)
l believe that time may come when the
great commercial powers will join in an al
lance to prevent China falling a prey to
any exclusive influence, and l am convinced
that Great Britain by continuing her pres
ent unse.fish policy Of opening to all what
she secures for herself will build I'D in
Europe, not less than in America a body of
public international opinion which will be
more powerful than