11th April Tue American Association of China published last month its first annual report, and so united in every way in China ate the two grent. English-speaking nations, that this report is almost of as much interest to our English as to our American readers. In the course of its brief career the American Association has done a great deal of good work, its attention having been given, in the words of the report, to such matters as the Customs Statistics, Settlement tension, the Open Door, and the Isthmian Canal. As_ re; Open Door, which it is hoped the U. S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Hay, has succeeded in fixing open, the report says: "Especially gratifying is the fact that, in the face of what was apparently a forlorn hope, the committee repeatedly and strenuously agitated the ynestion of the Open Door in—Chi by commninication and directly and indirectly. resolutions were forwarded to the State Department and to the Presi dent, as well as to our kindred Association in New York: while talented speakers, provided with letters and credentials from this body, have addressed the Chambers of Commerce of New York and other large cities on this subject. All of this has not been without its influence, and the satisfactory outcome is as pleasing to the members of this body as ibis satisfactory to all who are the recipints of its benefits. Too much Appreciation cannot be manifested for this feat of American diplomacy, which will not only safeguard the perpetuity of our missionary and commercial institutions throughout the empire, but ensures the stability of all our various enterprises."
One of the most prominent incidents in the history of the Asso tion for the year was the discussion in December last as to the necessity for and value of canal to join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A full report of the proceedings at the discussion appears in this annual report and has been forwarded to the Commission at Washington, and, as this report says: Public opinion' on the canal question has crystallized rapidly since Philippine matters have brought Asiatic countries more prominently before our people, and within a few weeks we may expect the telegraph to announce the inauguration by Congress of this grand scheme."
The meeting on the Isthmian Canal was held on the 22nd December last, and the chair was taken by the Rev. F. L. s Putt, who mentioned that it was the first public meeting of the Association, and heartily welcomed the English who were present at it. He mentioned the objects of the Association, showed how readily it had been taken up by the Americans in Shanghai, and then called upon the Secretary to introduce the subject before the meeting. Mr. Lyman then gave a short historical sketch of the movement from the time of the carly Egyptians, pointing out how the Chinese of old had realised the advantages of artificial waterways, as is evidenced by the marvellous and invaluable network of canals in China.
He referred briefly to the Suez Ca and to the Panama Canal, of which only two-fifths have been completed twenty years, after an expenditure of twenty-five millions He mentioned the superiority of the Nicaragua route, and wound up by saying: " When this great work shall have been accomplished—and_ we may await its consummation in full confidence—we witness the most beneficial influences upon our trade with the nations of the earth: and let hope that at the same time we shall see the rejuvenation of our once powerful merchant fleet, throwing to the breezes from thousands of mastheads and in every clime the folds of that graceful emblem, the ever expanding Stars and Stripes."
US. Consul-General Goodnow followed with a long and very interesting address on the commercial value of the proposed canal to the trade between the United States and China. He showed the saving in distance that would be achieved be-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.