From a Correspondent, Weihaiwei, Sept. 21.
On the 19th. instant there arrived at Weihaiwei by the OE. M. 8: Hsinming Mr. M. T. Liang, High Commissioner, his fellow-Commis-soners, and their secretaries—a party of about 20 in number—who are to represent the Chinese Government on the joint Anglo-Chinese Commission which is to draw up the preliminary scheme for the retrocession of Weihaiwei. The scheme when prepared will be submitted to the London and Peking Governments for approval or modification.
Naturally the occasion was one for rejoicing on the part of the native population and a large crowd assembled to witness the arrival of the delegates. Their feelings found vent in the construction of an arch at the pier, the firing of crackers and the bedecking of houses and shops with flags. I am glad to ba able to add that there has not been any exhibition of anti-British sentiment.
This, of course, is as it should be, for the local Chinese would be blind indeed if they do not recognize that under British rule peace and prosperity have been their portion.
First impressions of the personalities who compose the Chinese Commission are distinctly favourable: more particularly is that Government to be congratulated on their selection of Mr,<Liang as their principal delegate. From conversation one would judge him to be a man of wide experience, broad-minded, determined, of course, to defend his country's interests to the utmost, yet able and prepared to see and recognize both sides of a question or disputed point. It is a happy augury for the future of Weihaiwei and its people, both British and Chinese, that the Chinese Commissioners hava come and have been received in so friendly a spirit. In an atmosphere of cordial ce-operation it ought to be possible, as Tr. Liang puts it, for the representatives of both nations to "meet ata round table" and arrive at a satisfactory settlement—satisfactory to all who have interests to be protected.
Mr. Giles, Consul-General at Tsinanfu, who with the Acting Commissioner, Mir. A. P. Blunt and Commander FE. Collins, z.n., will represent British interests on the joint Commission, is due to arrive in a few days. The date for the formal opening of the conference, and the procedure to be followed at it, have yet to be arranged. The newly arrived Commissioners are at the moment busy in ascertaining the views of leading members of the Chinese community.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.