For a clever and educated man, Mr. Trevelyan made an inexplicably foolish speech. "British trade had suffered severely," he said, "as a result of the presence of our troops in China." If troops had not been sent, it is difficult to see how our: trade would have suffered less, while it is certain that a great mans: British and Chinese lives would various Chinese Governmenis and ruling powers, for they are all engaged in fighting one another, and none of them has yet acquired a fixed habitation. But he and Mr. Looker were right in declaring that ce-operation amongst the Great Powers interested in China is the only way of stopping a chaos of civil war that is discreditable and damaging to all concerned. Once lot it be seen that the Great Powers have made up their mind to support Peking, and all the rival politicians and' factions will quickly disappear, or "sett say. There are Italian interests in the Far East, and certainly as a matter of courtesy representatives of France and Italy should be invited to attend any conference of the Powers. But the four nations or Governments: that are really interested in the Celestial Republic are Japan and Russia in the East, and England, and America in the West.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.