"26th Feb.
'Tre news wwe published on 'Tuesday that the Chinese Government has consented to admit foreign and motive steamers to all inland' waters i8 confirmed by later advices,'atid thers would seem to be no doubt that this important concession has actually' been obtained. We ure still in the dark'as to' the riegotiatious- which have resulted in this important agreement, and we'have' yet to Idan what has persuaded the authorities in Peking to take a step which evinces i degree of wisdom and foresight beyond anything we'bave' been accustomed to look: for in that quarter. 'There ara two aspects of the question which immediately' force themselves on the attention. From the foreign point of view the concession' should mean an "enor-thous inetedse' inthe trade, dvd from the Chinese it "should mean, not only iticreased wealth: and enlighten ment, but also the safeguarding of the integrity of the Empire. "That so radical a change should'vome into full operation in the short delay of four months is difficult to believe. 'I'he peculiar but deep-seated conviction of Chinese officials that commerce exists only that it may be taxed for their support, will undoubtedly lend to attempts to restrict in every possible way the freedom which is essential to an expanding comuierce;: and vexatious' regulations, foutided upon' the supposed necessity of protecting their private interests, but -supported by plaviSible "arguments, will no "doubt: be persistently proposed: and, it is to' hoped,* vigorously objecied- to.' 'The foreign' trade of China, capable of enormous expansion, has increased bat slowly. 'The opening of uew 'Treaty Ports,: although a move-in the right direction, has névet brought about the increase which' was expected, and the explanation is simple. Oiving to the want -of means of communication, only restricted areas can be served without a cost: for carriage which is prohibitive. tue people "cannot purchase imports unless they can-sell: their exports in exchange for them, and-without cheap cattidge they" carnot place their exports onthe market at a reasonable figure.'"The inland waters are the roads of China, and if once they ate thronged with steamers" one of the greatest obbeen removed. As regards foreign goods, the Trausit~ Piss system,' which has shown considerable development, especially in the south, during" the past year, should, with some modifications, make everything easy. I seems°to us that it is the traffic in native goods' which will offer the officials the best field for obstruction'; for itis not to be supposed that the steamers will carry back only goods destitied for export to foreign countries. 'I'his class of goods can, of course, obtain' the protection of Transit Passes, but if other native goods are still to-be taxed at every likin station, the working of the steamers will be hindered to an extent which will greatly diminish the value''of the concession, However, it is premature to discuss these questions before we hear what regulations have been' drawn up and agreed to, and we have still to consider the second aspect of the ques-ton.
China has hitherto aroused 'a feeling of antagonism simply on account of her exclusiveness. The enormous possibilities of trade, which the tiations of the West believe to exist in this country, have naturally excited a competition to share in them. Hitherto it las been found that trade was only to be gained by force or threats, and a tendency has Intely become manifest to take action which, if not checked, would undoubtedly lead to the disméniberment of the Empire, Sphere' of influeiico" is a convenient phrase for glossing over what. is apt to become actual'control, and by agreements among the Powers that any "sphere of influence" should be open to the trade of all of them on equal terms, it is"conceivable that we might seo" rapid' developments in this direction which' would soon leave very little of China independent, But ifthe Chinese adoptia liberal policy and throw their country open freely to all, it is evident that the' old grievances will no longer exist.. China becomes one of the comity of natioriyand her interests become those of her friends and customers. Any Attempt oii thé'part of one nation to obtain a preponderating influence which might' be used to the advantage of its own commerce and to the detriment of that df! the others, would at slice atotise diploiiatic resistance. Is.it possible that the Chi-these are at length awakening to this view? "Yes, we are at the'beginhing of a great'change which will "have atupetidons "issues. Let the Chinese once realise that they are safe from aggression as long'as'they ara'frlondly, atid that they' secure' the protection of foreign nations by utilising foreign' capital and foreign enterprise, and'we shall see this country make such strides forward as may in'time make'it one of the richest and most powerful in the world.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.