20th Jan, Tne Reuter's telegram that we publish this morning will be read with deep interest and satisfaction by all Englishmen in the Far Bast, and many men of other nationalities also, The British Government hing at last made up its mind to coma out boldly with the ery of " Hands off!" Here is a distinct warning to aggressive Powers, whoever they may be, that weds not want to take any portion of China ourselves, and will prevent, at the cost of war, i necessary, any portion of China being taken and closed. to us This is the right spirit at. last, and the only pity is that this declaration was not made two years ago, when the intended Russian aggression on Manchuria made knows, We opened China to the trade of the world freely and unreserved ly, and it is our right and our duty to keep it open; and all those whew ths declaration afl we can make it gaul if w.
We may mention in t that the Germans have decided to Kiaochou Bay an open port for trade, as the regular treaty ports are.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.