Northern newspapers are much excited over the absence of the British Minister, Sir Beilby Alston, from among callers on the President on New Year's day, allegedly owing to the failure of the Waichiaopu to repress the anti-British agitation at Amoy (the controversy with Butterfield & Swire).
In this connexion the "P. & T. Times" relates a further story of a breeze between Sir Beilby and General Chang Tso-lin.
It appears that the British Minister was notified by telephone that the War Lord intended to visit him at 1 p.m., and as that happens to be Sir Beilby Alston's usual luncheon hour, the reply was given that he could not receive callers at that time. As a result of further telephonic conversation the hour of 5 o'clock was settled for the call, but Chang Tso-lin who was visiting another Legation at that time arrived at the British Minister's sidence half an hour late.—It is probable that the report that he was frigidly received is incorrect. He could not expect to be received with great enthusiasm, but we may be sure that the British Minister showed no ill-temper over the delay.
During the interview Chang Tso-lin is reported to have asked the British Minister's opinion on China's present-day political and international position, with the result that Sir Beilby Alston inquiry ed why the British protests against the removal of the aeroplanes to Mukden had been ignored. Chang Tso-lin is stated to have replied that he came for a social call, and that any business questions must be taken up with him through the usual channel, namely, the British Consul at Mukden. As repeated representations had been made through this official, this suggestion was not considered satisfactory and the great man left in a huff.
If the facts are as reported the British Minister is, it seems to us, to be congratulated upon this attitude, says the "P. & T. Times." He is not accredited to Chang Tso-lin, who though he may be able to keep the Premier and members of the Cabinet dancing attendance upon him like so many _lackeys, has no right to expect similar subservience on the part of the accredited representative of the British Empire. If Chang Tso-lin, on the occasion of his belated call, asked for the British Minister's opinion on affairs in China, it was very natural that Sir Beilby Alston should raise the question of the stolen aeroplanes. Representations in regard to their restoration have been made through the usual channels, and have been impudently
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.