A suorr time ago we pointed out that it was the interest of China and Japan to form a close alliance with Evgland, The inter of the three Kingdoms They are all desirous of ceive that pence oan by @ cordial under betmeon them, The chief interest of England i her Indian Empire, although herstakein the prosperity of China is very large and increasing. With Japan her commercial tions are not so great, but on political matters there is loppily the best understanding. Added to thie, Engl men regard the Japanese with a feeling of hearty admiration, a part at least of which is, they hope, reciprocated. With China, English relations have not ran so smoothly as they hare on the whole with Japan, There were old and strong prejudices on the part of Chinese to be overcome, and a better and more liberal feeling among them, and especially among the ruling classes, to be intro-38 duced and made general. Theawakening of China was a slow process compared with which Japanchanged which had lasted for two centuries, for a brisk activity as one of the Powers in the East, As might have been expected, this awakening of Japan was followed by e acts which roused the susceptibilities and jealousy of China, There have been times when it seemed improbable that the differences between the two countries could be amicably settled, There has often been a feeling of suspicion of Japan noticeable in the policy of the Cabinet of Peking. - Japan strengthened herself by using the ships the policy of her statesmen has met the approval of cautious men of business. That stage of improvement and on-lightenment as to the necessities which her position imposed upon her, which Japan sought to reach by leaps and bounds, China bue in late years on deavoured to attain by more ea tious progress, Both countries no doubt followed their national ben Bat what has happened daring the the Inst two years has undoubtedly quickened the perception of the rulers of u counts When the trouble with France is over, there are other dangers perceived in the near fature with sufficient dist feeling of unensin ye in Poking. Some, at least, of the Chinese statesmen seo that besides using foreign moaria and modes of warfare, they must adopt some of the politics of the west, must step forth from' ler isolation, throw off the contemptuous indifference to the rest of the world which has hitherto characterized her, and instead of claiming slam tribute and suzerain. ties, must make friends with those Powers which she formerly contemned. Among those with whom it is needful that she should be on good terms is her near neighbour Japan, Only wilful misunderstanding of the interests of the tivo countries, or petulant pride and prejudice, would seek to maintain any other feeling than friendship between the two nations. Both are deeply iuterested in the maintenance of the dominions of the other, and of their joint influence as Eastera Powers. We say joint inflaence, although there has been nothing of that in the past. But we hope that a new political condition is about to take the place of the jealous attitude towards each other which haa been the characteristic of former relations of the two countries. The designs of Russia make the statesmen of both China and Japan uneasy. Wo shall not, at present, go particularly into the causes of this disquietude, farther than to claim attention to the position of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.