Aug. 13.
ANTIcIPaTION had given us the main terms of the Lincheng Note as it was presented last Friday, with more. intelligence than usual. But we think it must freely -be admitted, Tags 12 peR ANNUM. anticipation was not quite fair to the Note. Although we have not the full text, Reuter's summary was ample enough to give a good idea of the terms and the general opinion should be that the Note, though short 6f what it might have been, is better than was feared. Had it been presented the day after the prisoners were released, it would have been attacked by foreigners but would have proved more impressive among Chinese officials. The former class may now be more disposed to see its good points, while the latter will undoubtedly be more obstinate in resisting them. The feature most open to criticism in the Note is the delay that has intervened in the presenting of it. That is the common trouble in all the dealings of the Powers with China—except when, as at the Washington Conference, they plunge to the other extreme of delay's half-sister, raw haste—and it is to be feared they will thereby have given themselves unnecessary trouble in enforcing these just and very moderate terms.
Taking the Note in detail we certainly think that its authors are to be congratulated on the schedule of compensation." They appear to be worked out with skill, to be sufficient and at the same time not too much for whatever source of revenue will have to bear the payment of them. It i8 also satisfactory that the Note is retroactive in respect of last year's losses by brigandage in Honan. Nobody wishes to impose a monetary indemnity on China, but at the same time it is only reasonable that the victims of these outrages should be recompensed for their losses and personal suf-forings. These aims appear to have been very well secured the Note. The measures laid down for future dealings with provincial officials who neglect their duties to the encouragement of lawlessnesss and brigandage also read well. The Powers have here officially accepted the principle of making the biggest man on the spot.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.