6th June.
Lo judge from the speech of the Chairman, Mr. W. Keswick, M.P., at the annual general meeting of the China Association in London on the 9th of April, that institution has passed its youthful period of fiery energy, and has fallen prematurely into the stage of middle-aged contentment with things as they ar Perhaps this comparative apathy is only temporary and will pass away when the war in South Africa is over; and no doubt Sir Thomas Sutherland expressed the feelings of many members of the committee of the Association when he said "he was not one of those who expected the British Government to do a great deal with regard to Chinese affairs at the present moment, owing to the efforts they are obliged to make in other directions." If our war in South Africa absorbs the attention of the strongest Government of modern times so completely, what would become of all other questions if we were involved in a great European war But to return to Mr. Keswick and his speech. He began by drawing attention to the very interesting report published by the honorary secretary and said, as was only its due, that "it was full of matter of the very greatest importance, and he thought no one could read it without being impressed with the great attention that our interests in China had received from Mr. Gundry." Mr. Keswick went on to say The subjects treated upon were these with which the Association, in its repre sentative character, was more or less con-neeted; and when they considered the changes which had occurred and were still taking place in China, they could not hut feel that the matters treated of in the report should carry the very greatest with the British Government. There were, of course, circumstances outside of Cina at the present time which, perhaps, might hinder for a little period such attention being given to China as i "litly deserved and w rests, he hoped it would very soon receive. Even as it was there was no doubt that the subject of China was by no means excluded from Foreign Office action, and the inter rests of the country were ever present to the minds of those who were responsible the foreign affairs. Our energetic Sir Claude Although progress mig would be sure under Si cnerzy and firm insistence on ro very glad to see Mr. sing publicly in such high terms of Sir Claude's Macdonald's energy and ability: our only fear is that our Minister's energies are sometimes inevitably checked by a want of proper backing from the Foreign Office, from which his predecessors have suffered in the past Mr. Keswick next went on to speak of the suppression, of birney on the West River, a duty which some reports say that H.E. Li Hung-chang is undertaking with vigour. "Meanwhile, said Mr. Keswick, "our own government must take action if the Chinese neglected this duty, and had already supplied force to prevent lawlessness and to make those waterways (in the province of Kuangtung) safe."
The next subject referred to by Mr. Keswick was the revision of the tariff, in connection with which we publish this morning a translation of a very important memorandum by the Viceroy H. E. Lui Kun-yi, which will be read with very great interest. Mr. Keswick's remarks on this subject were The most important matter which, would probably engage the attention of the Minister during the present year would he that represent the Asso calculated to ina might receive a just and at the sune time there should be no exactions which were not sanctioned by treaty and collected He thought it was most important in the future, based on term and conditions that_would impose dir ponsibility on the Imperial Government for the just administration of the revenue departments.
The tariff revision question is in xather a peculiar position. Japan cannot be asked to revise the tarily for six years more, and by the favoured nation clause, other treaty Powers cannot be called upon to pay higher duties than Japan does. Sic Claude Macdonald has engaged himself to the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce that no revision shall be finally agreed to until the Chambers of Commerce of Hongkong and Shanghai have been fully con-suited: meanwhile, negotiations seem to be going on with Sir Robert Hart and the Chinese commissioners and the British Legation as if nothing more were necessary than the consent of the British Government. It may be that the consent of all the other Treaty Powers has been obtained, but if so it has not been made public.
making the remarks on sion that we have quoted Keswick went on to speak the ble and successful efforts of Mr. John Hay, U.S. Secretary of State, to get the principal Continental Powers to agree to the maintenance of the Open Door in China. Mr. Keswick said They would all have noticed the very i ut action taken by the United lew to the preservation of termed the "open door" in China, Th was a very" far-reaching change which was de by America in her foreign movements, and it was pleasant to see t at our G ud other Gov ug be he views of America. It would oficial to China, as it was calculated to give the country time to resuscitate, and it would also have a good elect in the interests of our commerce. Thi dispatch which Mr. Choate had addressed to Lord Salisbury on the subject went on to nto bring about. *ad-reforms," were which 80 he strengthening of the ment in China, and the introduction of reforms calculated to promote the welfare of China and to lexd to the friendly intercourse with her of foreign nations.
A speech like that of Mr. Keswick's must necessarily be compose to a considerable extent of platitudes and generalities. We all realise that successful ce-operation to bring about admini fi which are so necess ure of Chil and the preservation of its integrity. is most desirable. The present coudition of affairs in the North is an interesting commentary on these
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.