Tuers is a slight but growing fooling 88 with respect to the prow a d outcome of the Franco" Chinese negotiations in Paris and Tien-publio attention has been almost entirely concentrated upon the English dispute with Russia, and mattaro affect-iii us in other directions have been almost allowed to drop into temporary oblivion, With more pacify intelli reaching na from Europe, however, it is natural that our thoughts should revert once more to the subject which has been the pi dee de resistance of interest and discussion for so long a time, and that we should resume our watch over the fluctuating situation between France and China, An armistice, as Lord Besoonfield once said, is no more a peace than courtship is marriage; and although it ie a very great step towards peace, and the French and Chinese Commissioners have met at Tientsi with the express purpose of cousolidating it into pence, the difficulties of the position must by no means be overlooked. Now it is not to be denied that the conditions prevailing at' the present moment might be a very great deal more favourable to a speedy and pacific issue than they are. "Had the negotiations been instituted immediately after a series of really "big French victories: were the French forces. in actual possession of the Kaangsi and Yunnan frontiers: had they taken the fortress of Tamsui: did they, in a word, hold China by the throat, then, always supposing France to be as moderate and courteous as such advantage would allow, we might have heard weeks ago that @ permanent and solid agreement had been come to, But unfortunately these conditions do not exist. The Chinese, in the last struggle of any note that las been reported, gained a signal advantage, and may so far be excused for assume! titude of superiority and exaltation. "The po-place of Tientsin," writes our Correspondent in that place, "are most dangerously elated at the success of Chinese orme in Tongai d this fooling of elation, if de in any mensure to the authorities, is not likely to lead them to deal yieldingly with M. Patendtre, but ratler the reverse. The foolish ramour which was circulated Lore weeks ago to the effect that had demanded an indemnity from France, was doubtless born of this popular excitement, the triamphaut feeling of the people taking the form of a report which represented something that they would have liked should actually be; and while there was prob ably no ground whatever for the statement, it is evident thnt the principle which ander lay it is actually at work. The French are in a "yielding humour and the Chinese, swift to take advo tage of this, intend to "keep th back from the frontier agreed upon in the Fournier Convention." Now it was understood that the Treaty of Peace was to be based upon the Four-Cor iou—~that is, that the provisions of that instrument should be ratified; if, then, the Chinese are secking to deprive the French of one jot or one tittle of what was then agreed up: it is clear that much unforeseen difficulty may arise, We are told that the French are preparing for a diplomatic capitulation. Is this possible? Do they seriously contemplate giving their consent to an arrangement which would leave them worse off than they were on the 11th May 1884, and that, too, after a year of bloodshed, anxiety, disappointment, and expense? If indeed the French are preparing for a diplomatic capitulation to such an extent as then farewell to any hopes which might otherwise have been cherished respecting the future relations of China and the West. The influence of such surrender as there seems reason to fear could not be productive of good. That China should have it in her power to boast that she wou first a strategic victory and then a diplomatic victory over one of the first-class European Powers would be disastrous tauli foreign interests in thie country, and provoke feelings of just resentment aguinst France on the part of other nationalities.
At the moment of writing we hear from a Correspondent in Canton, whose views of the situation, based upon the state of public opinion in the South of China, arrive very opportunely, and bear out in a remarkable way the statement of our Tientsin Correspondent. The Chinese there, he: writes, do not think it possible that: peace can be "granted" to France on the terms of the Fournier Treaty, or that the Imperial Government would be even able to carry out such an arrange. ment in Tonquin. That the Southern Chinese are correct in their surmise is proved by the statement that the Commissioners in the North are seek. ing to deprive the Frouch of some, at any rate, of the advantages they accorded a year ngo; and it is possible enough that the popular exch ment may force the Government to as. sume a stiffish attitude. Besides this, M. Patendtre is now, in the eyes of the Chinese, a suppliant for Imperial toni" oncy; and already they are beginning to speculate as to whether the peror he asks for will be "yrauted" to him, A week ago we warned our readers that we should soon hear of China having turned the tables upon France, and brought forward some unexpected obstade in the way of " speedy settle. ment, These words have been strangely fulfilled, and their fulfilment has come promptly. Now there is only one remedy for this to of affnira, and that is a core responding attitude of firmness on the part of the French Minister, In any onse, the position of Europeans in China las suffered greatly from the war; but the evil that would accrue from any settle-mont detrimental to theprestigeof Brauce would be simply and irremedinbly fatal, But the end is not yot, At the pro. sent moraeut, France occupies a ver, much more independent position th she did a mouth ago, 'The pacific ad" vances between Kugland and' Russin will liberate her from the fear of Karo. pean complications, and this will curely strengthen the hands of her negotiators both in Paris and Tientsin, Lhe Chi-would do well not to overlook foot, and abstain from an arrogance of demeanour which might bring about anforeseon and unwelcomeconsequences.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.