We have noted already the formation in the House of Commons of a group of members interesting themselves especially in Far Eastern affairs, and in reference to this group the Globe writes on the 24th of March It will be observed that the group of members who have undertaken to watch the progress of affairs in China have no intention of relaxing their vigilance, and that the chairman has put down an important question for Mr. Curzon to-day. The Church Committee, the Committee of Service members, and other to ups have all won their measure of favour, we do not recollect any combination which has been created in the present Parliament which has acquired so much support and to boat up recruits, but to keep the group wired its quickly. The difficulty is not within manageable size, and the whole movement displays the existence of a most gratify-amount of interest among members in the Krombers of the majority are rightly cautious of the Government in the Far East. about sharing in any combination which may embarrass the Government in their relations with foreign Powers, but Mr. Yerburgh and his committee have made it so plain that they have nothing of the sort in their minds that this difficulty has not been felt at all. The to be an aid, and not a hindrance, to the existence and work of the group is intended Government, and, the fact being recognised, it is not surprising that it should receive continual accessions of strength. In resisting, for instance, the designs of certain Powers upon the integrity of the Chin Empire, nothing is of greater value to Ministers than the demonstration that there li strong body of public opinion: behind them. By making this perfectly clear, the group in question is doing excellent service not only to the nation, but to the Government as-well.
Administration in a free country, no matter how strong, can use really firm language to an aggressive Power if that Power has good reason to believe that its aggressions existence of the: Government -deponds. On the other hand, foreign statesmen: are quick detect. a genuine stirring of opinion in the House of Commons, and to respect the attitude of Governments which. are known to-have the real sentiments.of that assembly behind them.
As to the. practical value of this committee-the Globe, seems to have been alittle too sanguine, for it-did nob succeed in inducing the Government to. make. any forcible opposition to the demands of France or Russia, and the Overland Mail again heads its k article on: the situation idle," and. declares. that ohoy: "is calculated to obtain the minimum of: benefit with: the maximum of- humiliation." The Overland is d felt that for years our Foreign Office has either: failed to appreciate, or has the duty it owed to the country in maintaining-a firm attitude towards the Government of Peking and our rivals in China, Their complacency has been carried to the verge of cowardice,. They have not vindicated our treaty rights against the one and the predominance of acquired inter-the others. They do not appear formulated in their own; minds any clear, definite, consistent policy, or 1 down for themselves the principles which should guide. their action in eventualities which could be foreseen and ought to have been provided against, The record of our diplomacy at Peking will constitute one of the most humiliating chapters in the history of our relations with foreign States. during the Intter \part of this century. We have allowed China to haile us when we had distinct treaty engagements to appeal to, and have stood Ly helplessly while other, Powers were subjecting China to squeezes which, not only restricted her' power of fuldlliog her covenants with us but were distinctly' in-juncus to our rights and interests, It.is no wonder that, a8 the Zimes suggests, the country has felt uneasy about the sincerity of the assurances the Ministry have given, and of their intention to fulfil them, The Times, relying greatly upon its oxcellent correspondent at Peking who has on several occasions given it news before the Foreign Office has received the same information, has again a sories of articles on the Far Eastern situation, from which we make a few extracts, all that the spae at our disposal this morning allows.. It writes on the 19th of March We publish to-day an interesting article upon the military position of Russia upon the Mancharian treatier, from the pen of a til, tary correspondent who knows the facts, will be seen that, while M i absence of effective defence, lies an easy prey Russia, her actual strength in these regions is considerably less than has been gene-her ordinary system of slow and methodical rally suppered. She is powerful enough for advance, but is not in a condition to.moot a well-equipped adversary. The Japanese have evidently taken the measure of her strength, and the result is.to: be, read in-the St. Petersburg telegram we publish to-day stating that the Russian Government has informed the Emperor of Corea and his Ministers that, if in their opinion Corea no longer requires foreign help,, Russia will not hesitate to recall the Russian financial adviser and to relieve the Russian military instructors of their duties. Of course Corea is a mere pawn in the game. She requires foreign help just ax much or as little as ever she did. She 8 put up with Russian help because Russia's hand seemed to be the strongest. Japan has put on pressure heavier than that of Russia, and the Coreans no longer desire: Russian tutelage. That is the real meaning of this unheard-of complaisance on Russia's part: and the transaction affords an admirable object-lesson for Her Majesty's Government. The Japanese have made no fuss, and no protestations about their policy, nor have they asked for any. gratifying assurances: either from Corea or from Russia. But.they have quietly acted. So quiet, indeed, has been their action that it stands revealed. for the first time by ite resulta." They are, however, both unmistakable and instructive,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.