Washington sentinel., 1898-02-05

---@N N@A@ LAAASA NlAak " AllAa 10 EOLAlG DG-
tween us and our customer must look
out for squalls. We are nation OF shop
keepers, perhaps, but we are fighting
shopkeepers, even as the prentice bows
OF Old London were. II was about time
to let Europe have a hint that English
trade will be fought for by English arms,
and Sir Michael Hicks Beach has oppor-
tunely given it.
BeyLNey NeHeSks NacArIckiea.
The center of interest in the Eastern
Asiatic affairs at present IS the question
how the Chinese loanis to be concluded.
The report that the British Government,
in conjunction with that OF Germany,
was endeavoring by every means to fur
ther the conclusion of the loan passed
from an English paper into the German
press. The assumption it suggested
that the two Governments might effect
the loan themselves, was promptly con.
tradicted semi officially in Germany, as
utterly without foundation. On the
other hand, it may be regarded as an
established fact that German and Eng.
lish banking houses are negotiating on
the subject What stage these negotia.
tions have reached is still unknown, and
it seems the more necessary on that
account to point out with emphasis that
this money question involves an import
ant politicalacuon. British papers have
very justly maintained Of late that the
measure OF influence which European
Powers will in future be able to exercise
in China will depend, above all, on the
financial support whlck the creditors
have behind them in asserting claims to
economic concessions. This conviction
has sunk so deep into the minds OF our
ADPlo- Saxon cousins, who have large
aims in view, that their. intended loan
transaction is, OF course, regarded by
them as, at the same time, paving the
way tor British policy and trade. These
two are so inseparable that it may truly
be maint5 ined that British policy serves
British trade alone. But in France also
the inevitable opening up of China is
judged from the financial standpoint, as
is clear from the Report of the French
Commission sent out to improve trade
relations with China two years ago.
DHoyHiHP AdVeytiyey-London, Ian. IS,
There can be no question of the great
importance of the news which has been
made public that definite proposals have
| been made by the British Government
with regard to a loan to China, 1t would,
| OF course, be unwIse to conclude that
the terms offered to China have been
correctly summarized as regards details,
! and in any case they seem to represent
the general basis Of negotiations rather
/ than a final settlement. There has OF
late been a growing idea that British
Governments have not been sufficiently
alive to the tremendous importance OF
the stake played for in the commerce oi
the Far East. The interests OF England
IN this direction are so great that it is
not remarkable that some uneasiness
SD Juld have prevailed. 1t was accentu-
ated when II was first rumored how,
! since the war between China and Japan,
Russia had grasped at Manchuria. The
| recent events at Port Arthur and the
| German occupation Of Klao Chou natu
rally increased the apprehension. But
whatever may previously have been the
case, it is evident from Sir Michal Hicks
| Beach's important and emphatic declar.
alton that Lord Salisbury has not failed
10 realize the call for action under the
present circumstances, Moreover, the
policy followed, while rightly designed
to preserve British interests, IS in no
sease inimIcal to the legitimate COM
mercial aspirations oi any other Power.
| DEATH OF THR FATHER OF THE HOUSE
| OF COMMoNs-MR. CHARLES VILLIERs.
| Mr.. c. P. Vlliers, who was one OF the
leaders OF the agitation against the Corn
Laws which resulted in their abolition
in 1916. and who has Tor SO years been
one OF the representatives Of Wolver.
hampton in the House OF Commons,
died on Sunday at London. Mr. Villliers
entered on his 9th year a fortnight
ago,