Unfortunately, it is impossible to feed confident that the task of relieving Peking will not be hampered and delayed by the jealousies of the Powers. Me. Brodrick informed the House the other day that no European Power had interposed any obstade to the inding of a relief force by Japan: but although his statement is no doubt true. ina verbal, official sense, or he would not have made it, is difficult to believe that some European influence has not retarded the landing of a Japanese force long ere this We have just learnt, tov, that at Tientsin the condition of affairs the allied foreesis one of chaos, owing to the luck of a recognised leader, and consequently of properly concerted action and yet Mr. Balfour, when questioned on the subject last night, was unable to give usJkny information on the subject. It is somewhat ominous, too, that the question was raised by Sir Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, who wanted to know whether a British officer was to be in supreme command. There are perhaps Ashmead-Bartletts in other countries who will also insist that, the oticer comnianding shall be of their nationality and no other.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.