Tore -are several points in the last letter of our Peking correspondent which call for a little comment at our hands, for Peking this winter is by no means the Sleepy Hollow that it used to be during the months in which it is closed to the outside world, except when an adventurous financier dares the rigours and discomforts of an overland journey, to prevent someone else lending money to Chita on more lucrative terms than he is prepared to accept. Peking, we understand, is full this year of pioneers, exploiters, and agents of syndicates, from the retired Doyen of the Diplomatic Body, whom the mem-! ters of the Tsungli Yamen must enjoy seeing begging favours at their hands where housed to threaten, to the versatile engineer who is equally ready to cut canal, build a railway, or undertake the collection of the revenues of the Enpire. In the midst of all this hurly-burly the Legations, we see, find time to get up such delightful theatrical and musical performances as that which made memorable the last New Year's Eve; iv fact, such-distractions are, no doubt, a happy relief to the importunities of suitors who think their Minister is not so much interested in turning the grindstone for them to sharpen their axes as he ought to be. From amusements our correspondent passes to railways, of which it is believed that one—from Peking to Nentsin—is really going to be built. We shall be glad indeed to know that it is actually begun, but those who best know the Chinese mind doubt if much farther progress will be made in the extension of the iron way over this roadless Empire, until all the touts and.syn cates have been recalled to their nests. "If you all ask at once, we won't} give anyone anything," is the reply that the Chinese Government has in/ its mind, though it may not put it; Shanghai are safety-valves of a kind and the unteachable Government sits." into s0 wany words.
The coming rail- on the safety salves. Buphatioally, it is ways in China will be built by the) neither our wish uor our interest. to see Chinese themselves, with the help of China fall to pieces; but how this-is to employes of their own whom they trust, be prevented unless there is seme reas they do Mr. Kinder, for instance, and with materials bought in the cheapest market. 'This is the right way' to do the work; meanwhile the railway: movement will be seriously checked if the French Government insist on M. Gérard's reading of the second paragraph of the VIiIth Article of the treaty of Tientsin 1885, between France and China. The wording of that paragraph is: " When China on her part shall have decided to construct railways, it is agreed that she shall have recourse to French industry, and the Government of the Republic; shall afford every facility for procuring in France the staff that may be required. It is, moreover, understood that this clause shal! nat be looked upon as coustituting an exclusive privilege in favour of France." 'I'he last few words of this paragraph contradict the first j part, and the whole is of no more effect than the Chinese intended it be. M. Patendtre wanted to get railways for France exclusively, and put the first part of the clause in; Li Hung-chang did not intend to favour the French exclusively, and he put the latter part in; and the result is nothing.
It is pitiable to see a rift in the international and only Club in such a small place a3 Peking, where political dissensions between the various Ministers are undesirable enough, but it becomes much worse when these dissensions are prolonged into the hours of recreation. The ostensible form in the highest places in Peking, it is impossible to see.
We cannot follow our correspondent: in his condemnation of Lord Salisbury's action on the Mekong question, until we get fuller particulars than those given in another column of the settlement made with France. Tord Salisbury has his generous moods, wer know, He gave away Heligoland to gain the friendship of Germany; we see the result in the Transvaal; but this has not prevented him, perhaps, fom giving away a Shan State or two to gain the friendship of France; though they are not of very great value, these Shan States, Well, the friendship of France is very important to Great Britain, and is worth making a sacrifice for, At the same time, we should like to' know that while he was negotiating with France, Lord Salisbury has done.something more for Siam. Where is Mr. Curzon, with his expert advice It seems to be generally understood that the forthcoming loan is to be an Anglo-German one, divided between the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation; but whoever gets it is to get terms that will be very. favourable to the borrowers, 'I'he syndicates have done one thing for the Chinese government; they have taught it to make the utmost possible out of their frantic competition. reason for the withdrawal of the French and Russians from the Club is that no Russian or Frenchman was elected to office by the members. It is difficult to understand a man like Count Cassini making this a grievance, particularly as it was generally known that he intends soon returning to Europe. His ation, however, appears to be due to his fidelity to the entente with: France; it is not surprising that M. Gerard should feel a little put out at only receiving two votes when the French Legation alone, not ta mention the Russian, numbers five Club members. It would be interesting, if it were possible, to penetrate the secret of the ballot and find: out whose those two votes were. Tt is a great pity that the news of a happier understanding having been arrived at at home between France and England—a condition which Englishmen at least are always anxious to see established—has not yet reached the French Legation at the Chinese capital.
The news of the suppression by: the Chinese Government of the new Chinese Reform Club at Peking is very heartening to all who hope to see China lift up her head again in the world, Talk of rebellion against the present dynasty is rife all over China, expecially in the South; Reform Societies, such as those recently started in Peking and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.