The sensation of the week has been the publication of a reported intention on the part of Russia, France, and Germany to practically commence the dismemberment of the Chinese Empire. A letter or telegram was received by a well-known resident from the North to the effect that the Powers in question had mutually agreed on 2 policy by which Germany is to retain the port of Kiaochou and ultimately acquire the whole of Shantung; Russia is to annex Corea and M: i such portions of the North-west of China as seem desirable Sook, in rectifying her frontier; while France is to dispossess Japan of Formosa and take Fukien from China, This seems a la order, and the Latter portion sounds specially unlikely, inasmuch as the French would thereby needlessly arouse the hostility of both Great Britain and Japan. Whatever substratum of truth there.may be in the first part of the report, I.caunot.credit the Intter. France would, I. believe, very much like to annex Yunnan, which borders Indo-China, andthe has a decided inclination for. Hainan, which has lately been explored by Frenchmen, but Ido not fancy she mould care to acquire Formosa and Fukien atthe cast-of-a big star, zupless indeed their seizure was designed to provoke a decisive conflict for the supremacy in these waters. There is no doubt, however, after' making all alfowaiices ° for possible Vexaggeration, ice that great change Nas'"come' "over the of the "eadinig.:"Powe stand any Honsende dréth''Reking for "the "that: they /feltiér intend: to future, nor~do' they imeati: t0 allow Chinese. rights, or, claims, to, stand, in,, the way of Western interests... Moreover, they are evidently' resolved that Chi Jonger remain closed tothe elite: they have'detetmined to pat anid: for -all,. to the Dragon 'Throne over "all outside bar-inese. Goverament to fe mént.of thi ination' can, of cour, ai but spatched. to the. office of. the, Association in London..-I. trust that the Foreign Office will awake to.the necessity,.in, any. case, of Aggression both by immediate fortification secirring this Colony., against all possible of the southern: side" ofthe island and by increasing. the. garrison.: Havi 'Having regard to the absolute necessity: for' leaving: the fleet ree, the ace ion of Victoria, and: bearing: tance from any base, the minimiam garrison of this Colony oughty.at least, to be tea thousand men of all arms.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.