The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-31
ENGLAND Is SLOW.
All Foreign Matters Must Be Cabled
to Salisbury.

~~~--@-~~
New York, Aug. 31.-A dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
Nothing is known here of the note of
the United States to the powers; but
this is not surprising as the foreign Office
at present is a mere forwarding agency
to transmit documents to Lord Salisbury
at his place of retirement on the Franco
German frontier. If a formal communi-
cation of the purport suggested by the
Washington dispatches was received in
Downing street yesterday, no action of
any kind could be taken on 1T till the
text had been dispatched to the prime
minister and considered by him.
Mr.. BroderickS references to the Chi
neSe question in his speech of WedneS-
day have made some impression, chiefly
because the under-secretary of foreign
affairs is one of the very few ministers
who is not now on a holiday and also be-
cause he is believed to share Lord
Salisbury's confidence. Mr.. Broderick's
words however, were extremely vague
and only repeated that Great Britain is
not inclined to be forced into accepting
large responsibilities in China while at
the same time her majesty's government
is determined to defend British interests.
Not much can be made out of this,
though no doubt it accurately reflects
the non-committal attitude of the Brit
iSh cabinet. 1t must be remembered
that Mr.. Broderick's speech was primar-
lily intended for electioneering purposes
He stated almost in SO many words that
SOnable opportunity, dissolve parliament
and appeal to the constituencies in the
course of the autumn. With that pros
pect before them and with the whole of
their South African war policy to de-
fend, the ministers are not anxious for
the electors to imagine that there may
be a long, difficult and costly task before
the country in Eastern Asia as well as in
South Africa.
For this reason English diplomacy,
even II busy just now, tends to be unus-
ually unObStruSive and all appearance of
undue activity and aggressiveness will
be avoided if possible for fear of fright
ening the electors, who have had quite
as much in the way of imperialism and
a spirited foreign policy for the last few
months as they care for. At the same
time the grave character of the Chinese
outlook is not at all minimized by well
informed persons here, official and unof-
hclal, and it is recognized that Great
Brlraln may have to arrive at a most
important decision at an early date
believe the war office has already
made preparations for keeping the two
Indian divisions and nearly a. brigade of
English troops in the far east all winter
and that If the South African war comes
to a close this autumn a number of reg
1ments which were intended to come
home will be shipped off to the far east
1t does not follow that the British gov
eminent contemplates further military
operations in China but it feels that it
must be prepared for eventualities.
one OF the most disquieting circum-
stances for British statesmen is the
manner in which the naval strength Of
some of the continental powers in Chi
nese waters is being increased. The Ger
man battleship squadron arrived at
Hong Kong on Tuesday and leaves there
for the north this week. Thus both Ger
many and Russia will have more than
England, at any rate, so far as battle
ships are concerned, off the north China
coast.
The Tioting at Canton was not in it.
self very serious and <rzz easily sup
pressed by the governors soldiers but it
is symptomatic Of the unrest which is
beginning to spread over southern China.
Canton is headquarters for the REFORM
ing and anti-Tartar movement and the
FEELING against the dynasty, not only be-
cause its members are Manchus but be-
cause they are northerners, seems to be
growing in intensity.