Tientsin between Captain Foarnier and d H.E. Li Hung-chang marks one of the most important epochs in recent history, if we regard history from the point of view of the progress of peoples and not merely as 'a record of dynastic or ne-. tional scene.shifting. 'The transfer lof two' French provinces to Gormany''w of less intrinsic igiport subjection of twelve: millions'.of. dustrious - but hitherto: down-trodden people to the civilizing: discipline of French administration, The Alsatiatis will weave and spi, no matter' King's health they drink; but the transfer of Avnam and 'Tonquin from' auatchy and rapine to a regime of pénoo and order means a distinct addition to." the wealth of the human race, as by the' ramifications of ommorcial: industry the whole commercial' world' will'in'a certain degree partic sperity of the new-born nation, Thus France is,-in sober reality, fulfilling the rhetorical flourish of Canning, and as* rogatds her own territory at all'evonts, "creating a new, world to redress the balance of the old."
'Now that the goal: has"been reached; and' we'are in a position to stady' rior clearly the differout'stages in' the: pro-which to tion' and fixity of iburpose with which the Republican' Government ' pursued their enterprise when once they found themselves committed to it by the death of Onptain Rivigro; the care, caution and: economy, of their military operation' in' displayed i in the diplomatic uegotiati 8," Had we to award the' palm in such a petition we should be inclined' sgjndae it to those who have condué fal nation, with poe iniontid' of infoinie tion, to" pursue consistent policy {though we must humbly own to the molavoboly failures in thie respect which some powerful nations' exhibit), fi either is there anything wonderful in a highly organized, European force crushing brave, but untrained rab. ble; but to carry through success. fully, without any visible display of force, any kind of reasonable negotine tion with the ignorant obstraotives who rule Chinn,—moré especially to induce' the Son of Héaveti to forego in, sab." Stange if not in form his alleged suzer rights over a territory which he was ready to make any snorifice to pre. serve, and to accomplish all this'iti the course of a single week, is a success which we were hardly prepared for.
doubt when the history of the affair comes to be. written, those by. whos akill thie diplomatic fent lind been accomplished will receive. their duo meed of praise; nor will the Chinese negotiator's share in the result be overlooked, for it was one of' those' critical moments when a strong man is needed, and the strong man was there, Considering how completely China was at her mercy it must be admitted that France seems to have taken, an extremely broad and liberal viewiof her own position in waiving altogether the pecuuidry indemnity whic "bad been'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.