The times., 1898-04-06

London. April 5.-The Right Hon. Ar
thur J. BaIfour. acting secretary of state
for foreign affairs. announced IN the
House OF Commons today the complete
abandonment Of the British policy for the
preservation Of the integrity Of the CHI
nese empire and the substitution of
policy Of grab all You can OF what is left
OF China The declaration was by no
means received with unmixed satisfac-
Jion by the governments supporters. and
their disappointment even found some
public expression.
MIR Balfour's speech, so far as news is
concerned. comprised merely a contrma-
lion of the recent kilograms from the
Pelin correspondent of the London
Times.
AR Balfour prefaced his statement
with a rebueke for the lack of confidence
shown by the governments supporters.
in the course Of his remarks he said:
The public has not shown the conf
dence in the government which the gov
ernmenl indeed had no right to ask from
the opposition but had some right to
anticipate from those who supported
Ihem in the House and the country.
Regarding the situation in the East Mr..
BalfouI said Great Britain had obtained
from China an understanding that the
Aang-Ts -Kiang Valley would not be
leased or otherwise parted with TO any
power and that the successor Of Sir Rob
ert Hart. the director of the Chinese
maritime customs. should be an English
man. while English trade should be as
cendant in China. England. he said, had
secured access TO all inland waters for
The ships Of the world and the opening
of three new treaty ports in the prov
iDce Of Human
Continuing his statement Balrour said
that the Russian and German govern
meuts had given assurances that they
would keep their respective spheres in
China open 10 trade. He also announced
that Great Britain had secured a lease
OF Wei-Hai-Wei
Sir William Harcourt criticised the
governments policy and asked how II
would affect relations with Russia and
France and especially Japan. 1t was. he
said. the policy OF a rival combination.
Sir Charles Dixie said that Wei-Hai-
Wei must he made stronger than Port
Arthur ii the government meant 10 hold
a balance as regards the Yang-Tse-
kianG. He aid not see how the balance
could be maintainable without fighting
The Standard Conservative Is not en-.
thusiastic over Mr. Balfour's statement
but says it thinks that as a means Of re
storing the imperial prestige Of Grear
Britain at Pekin the securing of tn,
lease Of Wei-Hal-Wei viii be effectual
This. With British control of the Gus
toms. forms a substantial guarantee tha
Great Britain Will not lose her hold ol
China
The Morning Post Conservative i
dissatisfied. and complains that the Gov
erument has not acquired guarantees 70
future trade. while ii has acquiesced i
the acquisition by old powers Of area
which may in the future be closed
The Graphic Conservative is quit
happy and thinks the country viii %
thankful FOR the patriotism and vigilanc
which have amply safeguarded Britis
interests. Great Britain. ii says, has oD
1ained advantages far exceeding those @
her rivals.
The Daily Mail independently says tina
the government has acted with firmnes:
foresight and moderation
The Daily News GiberaB SAYS that n
reasonable man viii believe for mo
ment that Great Britain has lost a
prestige in the East and imperiled he
commercial position. IT regrets the Gov
ernments inability to reach an agree
ment with Russia, but, it SAYS. failin
tilaA II cannot De DlaIned IOT taking ma
terial guarantees 10 protect its right ar
interests
The Chronicle IfberaD says the coun
Try j. convinced that its prestige has sur
fered a severe blow. and adds:
We profoundly regret that We are un
able 10 see any reason to abandon ou
grave anxiety"
The Times admits that the statement
Ia Parliament viii partly remove the aux
iety with which the country has wit
messed recent events in China, but the!
show that q state OF things was allowei
t0 come 10 pass that was not aItogethe
without the fault Of the ministers, thougl
the success of the British principles was
perhaps, impracticable, except by actiol
which might not be justified by the in
ierests Immediately At stake.