The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-06
bALFOUR EXPLAINS /
EngIand'S Part in the Dismem-
berment of China.
MOTIVESOF PHILAN THROPY
Alleged as Entering Into the
Anti-Russian Grab.

London, April 5.-The house of commons
was crowded today with people anxious to
hear the statement of Mr.. Balfour, act
ing secretary of state for foreign affairs,
on the subject of the situation in the far
east
Mr. Balfour enumerated the conces-
sions obtained by Great Britain, namely
that the regions 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 English
man. and that access to the inland waters
is TO be had by ships Of all nations
A fourth concession, Mr.. Balfour con-
tinuec. occurred only a day or two ago,
namely the opening of the new treat y
ports, Funing Yochau and Chin Wang.
This. according to Mr.. Balfour. was a
considerable harvest for two months ne
gotaons.
Relative to the German acquisition of
railroads, Mr.. Balfour said that wherever
they were constructed they must be a
benefit to British commerce.
He believed neither Germany nor Rus
STA 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 would
be open 20 the commerce of the whole
world. The interests of Germany and
Great Britain in China were Identical and
he believed the two countries would be
eble to work hand-in-hand
NOT so SURE OF RUSSIA.
Russia had also 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 re-secured
Wei Hal Wei to balance matters.
The speaker explained that had Russia
confined herself to obtaining an ice-free
commercial port as terminus for her
railroad, no complaint would have been
made. But. unfortunately. Russia deter
mined to obtain control of Port Arthur,
which was not and could not be made a
commercial port. AS soon as Great Brit
ain heard ofthe negotiations she laid her
her sense of the evil they were bringing
upon China.
TO OFFSET PORT ARTHUR.
Continuing Mr.. Balfour said:
eve offered. II they would abstain from
taking Port Arthur, to ourselves give a
corresponding pledge to take no port on
the Gulf Of Pc Chi Ii. But our offer was
not accepted and so, on March 29, we in
formed Russia that we should hold our
selves free to take the necessary steps to
safeguard our interests. and Great Brit
ain has since obtained a lease Of Wei
Hal Wei on the same terms as those by
which Russia secured Port Arthur. While
Port Arthur is stronger, the accommoda-
ton at Wei Hal Wei is inestimably great
er, and by taking Wei Hal Wei under our
protection we prevent the Gulf of Pc Chi
Ii from falling under the maritime con-
troll OF one power. and thus defend our
interests"
THE COLLAPSE OF CHINA.
Relative 20 the security of the future.
Mr. Balfour said it could not be denied
that the indications were that China
might collapse and, with further decay,
fragments might be snapped up by var
ious powers. But it would be a mistake
10 allow Great Britain's policy to be gov
erned 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 surprises in store"