th Aprit.
THERE is a principle connected with Treaty Revision which we fear is not receiving merited attention by some who are discussing the subject. The principle is fundamental "and cannot be ignored with safety to foreign life and property in China. Whether the one tax theory is adopted or not, we believe all will concur in the opinion that it would be unsafe to begin treaty revision with the declaration that China would not fulfil her obligations. Such a declaration defeats the ends of revision and negatives tha necessity for any treaty at all.
A treaty is inthe nature of a ci contract between nations, and a similar moral and legal obligation governs as would govern a contract between individuals. The law recognises_no difference, except the form in which it would have to be enforced; and for nations to undertake the revision of their treaty relations, prefaced with the declaration that mutual confidence dil not exist, would as seriously impair national faith as such a declaration would derange all business between individuals. In the former contingency trade between nations would soon be destroyed, and in the latter the mistrust between individuals would disorgunise society.
We believe it was this principle which the "Times" intended to impress on merchants in England, and perhaps also in China. It has not occurred to us*that the "Times" meant o threaten English merchants with indifference to their future interests, because of opposition to any conviction it might have with reference to treaty revision. Such is not the relation, which has existed between English merchants and English journals, Both are too independent to believe that the one would threaten the other, and it is that very independence which elicits decided views on qui ions allied to English interests. Criticism should not be understood in the sense of a threat, for it is often that under the search light of criticism the pivot of a great question is seen and made to turn in favour of the general There has been no time, since the establishment of commercial relations between England ani China, when English merchants ever failed to find in the English Press the ready and courageous exponent of their best interests, and now wheusuch relations are being revised under careful and capable scrutiny, the English Press does not hesitate, as in the past, to submit its views to the impartial judgment of its national We have not disguised from our ves the difficulties in the way of abolishing likin, but likin has' not always been in force as a source of revenue to China, and it is not now an indispensable source. All admit that the stations are serious hindrances to the enlargement of commercial relations with China, and as the "Times" contends, why not avail of the opportune moment, now present, to move as an earnest unit for the abolition of the hindrances? The alliances which have been entered into to keep the commercial door open in China can be half effectual only so long as the internal trade of China is restricted by likin barriers, The export and import trade of China must be exempt fron all petty tariff annoyances, in order that both n: ay expand to natural proportions, and this much-desired result can best be attained by the revision of the present treaties on broad and liberal lines, The subject cannot bs justly considered on the line of any particular interest, for it is too far-reaching in its consequences to he approached through any channel of selfishness.
China should be made to understand that she can never go to sleep again, but will have to act her part in the movements of civilisation. If Chinese statesmen expect to find, in any alliances between nations for the preservation of Chinese territory, the security for the indulgence of their heretofore intense conservatism, they will soon realise their mistake. The proof which England, Japan, jand the United States have given of their purpose to maintain the open door policy means also the policy for opening up China to trade, and China will be held to the strictest accountability for the faithful fulfilment of her treaty obligations. We do not know what kind of treaty will grow {out of the revision, but we do know that its provisions will be' enforced.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.