10th Aug.
THE question of the security of Shanghai is one which recent events have brought into prominence, and one in which a large number of natives as well as all foreigners are interested.
The naval force now ivin river is very considerable, gin the ut the Admiralsof the Allied Fleets havea some experience in the North of the consequences of landing large bodies of men from their ships, which they will probably be unwilling to undergo again, except in cases of extreme urgency. It is an open secret that) the efficiency of a large portion of the great fleets gathered together at, Taku was considerably impaired by the withdrawal of men for the protection of Tientsin and the attempted relief of Peking. Very few if any ships now-a-days are over-manned, and the withdrawal of any large number of men for operations ashore is a contingency which is not provided for in any of the great navies of the world. It follows, therefore, that if the mobility of the fleets now in the China seas is to be maintained intact,
can be spared for defensive operations the proportion of their crews which ashore must be small in comparison with the strength afloat. Another point to be considered, when naval defence is relied upon, is that circumstances may render it imperative to concentrate a fleet, and as those circumstances are only likely to arise in times of emergency it may happen that the fleets assembled here may have to be withdrawn at a time when their presence is indispensable in the absence of other means of defence. Until this crisis is over, therefore, it is only a wise prevention to supplement our local defences by a moderate number of, troops; a very large number of lives both foreign and native are dependent upon a continuance of the friendly relations which have happily been established with the local Viceroys great many millions are at stake in property and merchandise, and as long as the Viceroys are willing that we should take precautions to guard against unforeseen events happening, it would be extremely short sighted of us to neglect to take advantage of the opportunity. In a mixed community such as this, in which fourteen nationalities are represented, it is manifestly impossible that all of them can contribute towards a scheme of defence; the confusion and conflict of authority which has arisen in Tientsin owing to occnpation by troops of six nationalities have been very great, and it is highly desirable that any repetition of the serious trouble and inconvenience experienced in the North should be; defence scheme should be drawn up, avoided here. As long as we have; and that defence scheme demands sufiieient protection we do not want; the presence here, while matters are more. British subjects number still uncertain, of the troops who are about 50 per cent of the entire} now on their way. There no foreign population, and their trade} menace in this to anyone, foreigner and property as represented by local or native; the troops are' intended taxation is nearly 75 per cent of the/ for the defence of all alike, foreigners amount paid by all other national-j and natives; and their intention ities combined. As British popula- leaves no reasonable room for obtion and interests therefore predomi- jection on the score of jealousy or nate very largely, itis only reasonable distrust of any kind. There seem that Great Britain should provide unfortunately to be—and we sup-the security required, more especially pose it is inevitable—elements in as it is believed that no objection] the community anxious to disturb to the step is taken by the Viceroy the cordial understanding between in whose jurisdiction Shanghai lies. all the Powers that has marked the If that necessary protection is pro-operations in the North; but after vided by Great Britain, solely on i all, it is the common sense of the account of the great material interests! majority that rules in the end, she has at stake here, any addition to! and the unprejudiced majority even the forces by other nationalities will of the non-British portion of the only lead to complications; in all, probability in the first place with the that the bringing of a small residents of Shanghai must sce native authorities. force of Indian troops here is a If there is no necessity for a mixed ' wise precaution for the benefit of occupation for defensive purposes it' all residents of Shanghai of all can only be political considerations nationalities equally, and for the which influence those who recommend it; it is not improbable that Chinese officials with reactionary tendencies would like to see an element of strife raised here as well as elsewhere, in" the hope that strained relations might be engendered between the Allied Powers; those who adv such a course take heavy responsibility upon their shoulders if they are successful, but there is every probability that! they will not succeed.
There is considerable confidence! regarding the intention and the ability of the Powers to maintain, not only in their warlike operations, but also in diplomatic action, the spirit of ce-operation and concord which has hitherto characterised their proceedings, and it will be strange indeed if discord should be created} by defensive measures taken for the general benefit and protection of the vast interests centred in our midst.
IL 1th Avg. Ir was announced in our columns yesterday morning that General Creagh and staff, with two Indian regiments and a field hospital, were to leave Hongkong for temporary service in Shanghai yesterday afternoon. The size of Shangha and the vast amount of foreign and native property that has to be defended—for the defence scheme contemplates just as much secur-/ ing the safety of the law-abiding! Chinese as of the foreigners—make the task too heavy for the number of men that could be landed from the men-of-war, added _to the Volunteers and Police. There is very little fear of Shanghai being attacked by anyone: the Kiangsu people are not like the Chibli people, nor have we any Kansu troops in our vicinity, but it has been very properly decided that a injury of none except law-breakers. If anyone feels injured by their coming, it must be someone with whose private scheme it interferes, and who has not the interest of the community as a whole at heart.
The attempt to show that Great Britain has some sinister motive in bringing these troops here must be the result of unreasoning jealousy. Our Government has formally disclaimed any intention of joining in or encouraging any partition of China, nor has it any purpose of altering the status of Shanghai as an international Settlement.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.