With reference to the Washington Conference and the Shantung question Mr. Liang wished to state that Lord Balfour was of immense service to China. He was instrumental in bringing the Japanese and Chinese Delegations together for consultation, which resulted in an agreement the terms of which were now public property. In addition that great statesman had voluntarily offered to return the Territory of Weihaiwei, "whicn we all now Jove," so that—as he said in his speeches—this great province should again be what every Chinese citizen must desire that it should be, in the fullest sense an integral part of this great Republica part of a general settlement confirming the sovereignty of China and giving effect to the principle of the open door.
"China is greatly indebted to Lord Balfour for his friendly services in matters pertaining to China at the Washington Conference. Nay, the world is indebted to him for His great assistance in effecting armament reduction and other matters relating to interna tional problems."
Mr. Liang said he regarded Lord Balfour as one of the "guiding stars" of the Conference at Washington that had led to such happy results. He felt sare that "his inspiring spirit" was also presiding in their humble chamber of discussion, and this was his warrant for his dream,—'that it will not' be very long before the successful end of the Anglo-Chinese Commission can be announced to the world.""
This frank tribute to Lord Balfour's work for China—and, incidentally, to Great Britain's disinterested attitude, is of more than passing interest, and, as the considered opinion of a leading Chinese official, is worthy of being put on record. It is to be hoped that Mr. Liang's sentiments, the agitator notwithstanding, will find an echo in Peking, and that generosity will Deget generosity.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.