In a discursive debate on China the Right Hon. St. John Brodrick said that Englishmen naturally viewed any reforms in China favourably, but that the customs of centuries cannot change quickly. He said that the Government hoped for good results from the ce-operation of Germany in keeping ports open to their trade. He said that the Government though appearing to proceed alone was often voicing the opinions of other Powers, and in adverting to the Manchuria-Peking Railway, it would probably be found that other Powers shared the British view that the predominance of a single Power at Peking cannot be viewed without concern. He said that the condition of affairs in China must continue (o be fraught with some peril to peace, but that the attitude of the Government was one of patience and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.