At the same time, it is clear that China, in her present state of confusion, is not ready for the application of the principles it contains and nothing but harm can come from premature action. (Ifear hear). The building of conciliatory bridges Jeannot be done by us alone. Chinese political leaders, if they are sincere in the fairer words to which they appear now to commit themselves, must, on their side, follow up these words with suitable actions also.
The report takes the form of an historical survey of events in the period with which it deals and as such T hope may prove of both future and present value. My attention has been attracted, and. 1 daresay yours also, by some eriticism in the February number of tae "National Review." I take no exception thereto at all. It was to the effect that the Association faile? in the matter of publicity. Publicity. is ensy to ery for, but its attainment is fraught with thorns. the first place, it is essential to know what you want to publish, Ate you to confine yourself to state~ ments of fact, or are those statements to be accompanied by comments?
Wide Publicity regarils statements of fact, I do not think the China question has Incked publicity. I believe that, through the outpourings of this Association, every Member Parliament' has more information about British interests in Chit their value and jeopardy, than ever before.. When it comes to publish-jing comments on those statements Jof fact, difficulty arises. After being Chairman of this Committee for four years, and after serving on the kindred body, the China Committee, Iam bound to say that T have never been associated with con-troveness about which unanimity of treatment was so difficult to atta Then thera is the question of cost, and my friend Mr. Simms, the hon, treasurer, may have something to say on that soon. So, within our natural litvitations, our publi fearspaign has, T think, done all it could.
Another suggestion was that we Pay too much attention to Chincee politicians, and too Wttle to the Teteguarding of British. interests, tut it is. the absence of order China which has dealt such a blow fo British interests im that country. Onea some form of Government can te" constituted, deriving ts authtrity from some reqgnized source, Bue interests wi qoekly adapt themselves fo such an unusual fnexpacted environment, abd it. Is in asnsting the Chinese to do this that lies the chief task confronting
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.