The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-06
DURING ORIENTAL SUNSHINE
Great Britain Managed to Harvest a
Very Tolerable Crop Of Chinese
Commercial Hay
Associated Press Special Wire

ODtalneu ny IrcuI bIltulns uaAhcAJ, eAA-.
the region of the Yang-tse-Kiang should
not be alienated by any foreign power; that
the successor of Sir Robert Hart, as d.
rector Of the Chinese imperial mariime
customs, Is to be an Englishman, and that
access to the inland water is to be had by
ships of all nations.
A fourth concession, Mr.. Balfour con-
tinued, occurred only day or two ago,
namely, the opening Of three new treaty
ports-Funing. Yochau and Chin Wang.
This, according to Mr.. Balfour, was a con-
siderable harvest for two months negtia-
tons.
Relative to the German acquisition OF rail-
roads, Mr.. Balfour said that wherever they
were constructed they must be benefit to
British commerce.
He believed neither Germany nor Russia
had any intention of depriving Great Brit
ain of any of her treaty rights In China.
Germany had given assurances that the
country occupied by her would be open to
the commerce Of the whole world. The in
terests of Germany and Great Britain in
China were identical, and he believed the
two countries would be able to work hand
In hand.
Russia had also given assurances, but he
was bound to submit that the form OF
these assurances had changed.
Touching upon Wei Hal Wei, Mr.. Balfour
said that Russia having secured Port Ar
thur on the maritime approach to Picking
Great Britain had occupied Wei Hal Wei
to balance matters.
The speaker added that, had Russia con-
fined herself to obtaining an ice-free COM
mercial port as terminus for her railroad,
no complaint would have been made. But,
unfortunately, Russia determined to OBJ
tain control Of Port Arthur, which was
not and could not be made a commercial
port. AS soon as Great Britain heard OF
the negotiations, she laid her views closely
before Russia and expressed her sense of
the evil they were bringing upon China.
Continuing, Mr.. Balfour said I'VE Of
fered, II they would abstain from taking
Port Arthur, to ourselves give a corre-
spending pledge to take. no port on the Gulf
of Pc Chi Ii. But our offer was not &C.
cepted, and so, on March 23d, we informed
Russia that we should hold ourselves free
to take the necessary steps to safeguard
our interests. and Great Britain has since
obtained a lease on Wei Hal Wei ON the
same terms as those by which Russia Sc
cured Port Arthur. Wei Hat 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 &C.
commodation at Wei Hal Wei is inestima-
bly, greater, and by taking Wei Hal Wei
under our protection we prevent the Gulf
of Pc Chi Ii from falling under the mari
time control of one power, and thus defend
our interests
Relative to the security of the future,
Mr.. Balfour said 1t could not be denied
that the indications were that China might
collapse, and, with further decay, frag-
ments might be snapped up by various pow
ers. But it would be a mistake to allow
Great Britain's policy to be governed by
remote contingencies, adding: 1--WE desire
to maintain the integrity of China so far as
possible, but it must be recollected that
the future will probably have strange sur
prises in store''
Mr.. Balfour also said that the govern
ment thought Russia had pursued an I'M
fortunate course in taking Port Arthur,
which, as Russia herself said in 1895, when
Japan proposed to occupy it, would, in the
hands Of any foreign power, constitute a
menace to the capital of China. In con-
clusion, he said:
1.-THE balance Of power in the far east
may be far different when the disintegra-
ton 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 now upon diff
cult and costly enterprise, in order to ward
off a remote and doubtful danger, would
be political folly. Her majesty's govern
ment asks the country to indorse this policy
with more confidence than before we knew
that Great Britain had the sympathy of
the great commercial community through
out. (Cheers.) l believe the time may
come when the great commercial powers
will join in an alliance to prevent China s
falling a prey to any exclusive influence,
and l am convinced that Great Britain, by
continuing her present unselfish policy of
opening to all what she secures for herself
will build up in Europe, no less than in
America, body of public international
opinion which will be more powerful than
any hasty action Great Britain might take
at the present moment"
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the Lib
eral leader In the house, replied to Mr.. Bal
four.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt smoke
satirically of the policy. He said the treaty
Of Tien Tsin gave British ships the right
to use any port in China, and he expressed
the desire to know specifically whether
that right was to be infringed. Continuing.
the Liberal leader asked for an explana-
ton Of the remarkable change of policy
upon the part Of the government" in taking
lease of Wei Hal Wei and setting up a
rival port with rival interests. He added
that military occupation Of part Of China
might be necessary, but it could not be ex-
pedicnt, and that 1t was impossible to be-
lieve that the occupation would be con-
fined to the present limits. The Liberal
leader concluded with calling for informa-
tion regarding the intentions Of Russia
Germany and France. and as to the rela-
lions between Great Britain and Japan, In
Wow of the formers lease of Wei Hal Wei.
JAPAN WON'T OBJECT
LONDON. April 6.-According to the
statements made yesterday by the duke OF
Devonshtre, lord president of the council,
In the house of lords, and Mr. George Cur
zon, under-secretary of state for foreign
nnairs, In the house Of commons. no opposi-
tor Is expected from Japan to Great Brit
aims action at Wei Hal Wei.
JAPAN DOES OBJECT
YOKOHAMA, April 5.-Great Britain's
action In regard to Wei Hal Wei has caused
q sensation here, and large section of the
press and public urges the government to
adopt an active policy.
At an important meeting OF members Of