By the Convention of 1894 the State of Kokang was recognised as being under Chinese jurisdiction, China, however, transgressed the Convention, which rendered it subject to modification. A more satisfactory arrangement seems to have been come to now, for it was generally recognised as a mistake to give up Kokang China, The other terms of the protocol, modifying the Convention of 1894, should tend largely towards the promotion of British trade in Yunnan. It would have been more satisfactory, however, if the British Government had also obtained the consent of China to the construction of a railway through Yunnan by British subjects, for the way is now open to an exten sion of the Mandalay-Kunlon Railway to the Chinese frontier. Unless China is willing to grant this concession it is unlikely that the extension of the railway beyond the Kunlon Ferry will be undertaken. Lord Salisbury said that the policy of the Government would not permit of its interfering with private enterprise in foreign countries, but by obtaining the consent of China to the construction of a railway through Yunnan the British Government would he no more pledged to back those undertaking the construction of the railway than it is to support sh traders, who, under. the terms of the modified Convention of 1894, may settle at Szeinao or Momein. The unfortunate circumstance about. the agreement with China is, that, according to the Agreement of January, 1896, France will share equally with Grent Britain all the privileges conceded to the latter by China in Yunnan and Suechuan, British enterprise, however, way be well in. the field before the French are in a position to exploit with advantage the markets and reputed mineral wealth of Southern Chins.—Rangoon Times.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.