Taw apparent reluctance of the Chinese Government to sanction the intcodaction of railways into the Empire is not duo to the fact that they are ignorant of the benefits that would be derived from the innovation, These have been clearly and fully set before them in the remarkable state-papers presented to the Throne some time ago by General fi Lin Ming-chuan and the than Viceroy of Chibli, bat, we need scarcely add, not published in the Gazette. The Memorial of Gonoral Lin was intended, apparently, to provide the Viceroy with an opportunity of expressing his views upon the subject, as the Latter was, in the nataral course of ovants, called upon by the Throne to report upon the proposition. The failure of the achome, as our readers are of course aware, was duo primarily to the defect tion of Lin Kun-yi, than Viceroy of the Liang Kinug; but he has since fallen into disfavour, and it is possible that the efforts of the colleagues be betrayed may yoh bring forth fruit. The General's placet atande first. From a foreigner's point of view, itis a carious document. 'The writer begins by avowing that his abilities are as worthless as a common weed, He informs the Emperor that, overcome by a sense of the favours showered upon him by His Majesty, he has frequently risen in the dead' of night and cast force glances around him, while teats of rage have rolled down his cheeks because of his incapacity to emulate even a dog or a horse in practically expressing Lis gratitude. He then draws a vivid picture of the perils to which the Empire is exposed, and urges the necessity of defence. Phere are dangers from Russia, he says, whp grips Ching by the throat, clings to her back, and menaces her vitals; while Chins, suffering from the infirmities of age, is powerless to help herself. He then proceeds to enn-morate the advantages of the railway-system in figurative bat forcible lauguage, urging with no small courage that the coercion of Russia and the contempt of Japan have resulted from China's immobility. The funds necessary for the enterprise, he says, need present no difficulty. Foreign capitalists would be only too glad to provide China with what loans she wants for the development of her internal resources; and to delay in the mat. ter would be to imitate the example of the proverbial man of Chou, who slept on firewood and fed on gall, The opportunity thus afforded to Li Hung-chang of enlarging on the whole subject was taken fall advantage of in his report. While the placet of General Lia startled by its somewhat sen-national style, the report of the Grand Secretary went into the details of the subject in a practical and statesmanlike manner. He proposed that there should be two main lines; one running from Tsing-Kiang-pa across the province of Shantang, and the other from Hankow through the province of Honan, both terminating in Peking. In the north, and wilh a view to communication with the western and Manchurian provinces, he suggested two other lines, running between the Capital and Kansu, and the Capital and Moukden, respectively. The benefits which would arise to the Empire were this project carried out, are nine in number. The would accrue to Kinng Pei—the districts north of the Yang-teze—whero there is no intercommanication by water, and where locomotion is consequently slow and difficult. In the second place, the construction of railways would be useful in effecting the rapid concentration of troops in cases of emergency. Thirdly, the Capital itself would be advantaged, from politi commercial, and social standpoints, of which are dilated on with much dis. crimination. Fourthly, it would redound to the groater well-being of the people, especially in times of famine. Fifthly, it would be of use in the transport-service during war, and in conveying tice from the south, Sixthly, it would greatly expedite the transmission of official despatches and private letters. Seventhly, it would be of the highest possible value in working mines. ive an impetus to steam-navigation, and redound to the stage of both undertakings. Ninthly, it would be of the greatest possible service to travellers. These nine points, which we have but briefly enamoratod, are all argued with great acuteness and force, avd placed in a vivid light, The Memorialist proceeds to deal with the old and exploded objections to the introduction of rail. ways: that it would throw boatmen one carters out of employment, and orestes widespread gnd irremediable misery among a large class of the population. This point is admirably taken up, the Memorialist showing that so far from such persons suffering, they would have extra work to do, and be placed in possession of increased means of livelihood. But of course all this is hedged round with certain couditions. The project of the Viceroy does not contemplate the interference of foreigners in the undertaking. All such interference is to be avoided, in so far as it would prevent the Chinese having fall mastery over the lines, Foreign employes, we presume, would be a necessity;'but they are to have no authority or interest in the matter beyond such as would accrue to the position they hold in the service, In—leed, says His Excellency, it would be hetter not to permit foreigners even to become shareholders. This of course is comprehensible enough, and we do "of feel disposed to quarrel with what the Viceroy no doubt considers a natural and fair precaution. Ho then goes into questions of finance, speaks of how to regulate the annual expenditure, and concludes by proposing that Lin Ming. chuan be appointed Director-General of Railways in China, The project, we know, has failed; but the Viceroy has not given up all hop by any menus, of carrying through his wish eventually. It is at least satisfac. tory to feel that all that can be said in favour of it has been said, and that it was only a private intrigue that prevented the sanction of the scheme at the time it was brought forward. It is satisfactory, too, to know that Li Hung-chang is 80 conversant with the exact advantages to be derived from its adoption, and that he has not scrupled to lay them one by one before the Throne. When His Excellency emerges from his retirement, and assumes the Commandership of the Military and Naval Forces in the North, he will be in perhaps a better position to pross his views upon the Throne than hitherto; if, as seems probable, he will not be forced to resume the Viceroyalty of Chibli for good. His hands will then be freer, and he will have a fall op. portunity of devoting his attention to matters affecting the welfare of the country as a whole.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.