Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
BRITISH DIPLOM ACY
WORLDWIDE INTERESTS KEEP
NATION WITH PROBLEMS.

LONDON. May 19-Great Britain's world
wide interests prevent the possibility of
the diplomats ever being without problem
to sclve. Turkey, undismayed by her fail
ure to secure slice of Egypt, has raised
another question in which not only Great
Britain buE all the powers trading with
Turkey are interested. The sultan without
reference to the embassies issued during
the week an trade dealing with foreign
joint stock and insurance companies doing
business in Constantinople, and the en-
basses were empowered to issue a joint
note to the Turkish government 1t is
expected that the sultan as usual will
submit.
A more delicate question and one which
affects Great Britain more directly is the
change In the Chinese customs adminis-
tration, with reference to which China has
been asked for an explanation which has
not yet been given satisfactorily. The for
eign office does not fear that the change
will have bad effect during the life of
Sir Robert Hart, director or the Chinese
customs, but il is claimed that If allowed
to pass without Chinas assurance it
shall not impair the customs revenue or
interfere with the foreign management of
the service, which Is the only security
the foreign bondholders have 1t would
leave China an opening to make the GUS
toms administration purely Chinese upon
the retirement of Sir Robert.
China Asked for Explanation.
According to the last official dispatches
received by the foreign office, Great Britain
In asking China for an explanation was
supported by all the powers with the ex-
ception Of Germany. press dispatch
however. intimates that the German charge
d affaires attended today's meeting at Picking
and supported Great Britain and the other
he
Germany did not support Great Britain it
is incorrect to say that she supported China
Her representative simply stood aside, TAX
ing no part in the discussion. Even with
out the support of Germany the foreign
office hopes for a successful outcome, as
China cannot afford to antagonize the bond
holders, as she is likely to need money to
carry out the reforms contemplated In her
army. navy and other departments of the
government.
nese affairs, the frequently repeated as
sertion that Great Britain is about to
evacuate Wei-Hai-Wei. province of Shan
Tung, has again cropped out However
possible this was before the Russo-Japa-
nese war, it is impossible Japan having
expressed a desire that Great Britain hold
that port in the interest of her ally
Therefore, 1t was asserted at the foreign
Office any idea that Great Britain may
have had of returning Wef-Hai-Wei to
China has been dissipated.
Agreement With Russia.
Starting at Berlin, report has finally
reached the London papers that an agree
ment has practically been arrived at be-
tween Great Britain and Russia in dis
posing of the questions affecting Persia,
Thibet and Afghanistan, which had long
caused friction of the two powers.
1t is true that the desirabiiity of such an
agreement is becoming popular at the
chancellories and that the efforts to bring
it about have not been relaxed, but it is
premature to say that it has not really
been consummated. The foreign Office
says negotiations have not yet been formal
ly opened and that they stand exactly as
they did about a month ago. The posi-
bility of the British channel fleet visiting
Cronstadt, which is being discussed, will,
1t is hoped. form a link In the chain OF
circumstances which Is drawing Great
Britain and Russia closer together.