ENGLAND AND CHINA.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 448, 20 November 1875, Page 3

ENGLAND AND CHINA.

The Hong Kong correspondent of the Cologne Gazette, referring to the report that the Chinese Government has at length yielded to the demands of England in the Margary affair, observes that it may perhaps be inferred, from the firmness shown by the British Ambassador in this matter, and the recent statements of the Disraeli Cabinet as to its foreign policy, that a change is preparing in the attitude of England towards foreign powers. " Among the many southern nations," he savs, " with which England is directly or indirectly connected, a policy of good-natured laisser allcz may lose everything, while determined action gains respect and secures the removal of annoying difficulties. There can hardly be a doubt that the murder of Mr Margary is attributable to the lowered influence of England. The Chinese are now testing the patience of England and the treaty powers in various ways. The attack on the English Consulate at Tchin-Kiang, the outrage on the surgeon of the British Embassy at Pekin, .... and other incidents of the same kind, show that the anti-foreign party in China is gaining the upper hand. It should not be forgotten that China only signed the treaties with the European Powers after she had been compelled to do so by repeated defeats, and, unless the Powers insist on the perpetrators of such outrages being punished, it will be impossible for their subjects to remain in the country Religious fanaticism, and au ill regulated national pride, combine in intensifying the feeling of hatred for the foreigner, and it has become absolutely necessary that the Powers should insist on the strict fulfilment of treaty obligations in all parts of the Empire. One of the engagements entered into by the Chinese Government was that it should accredit ambassadors and consuls Jo those Powers wh© maintain representatives at Pekin and in the seaports. A Chinese ambassador in London or Berlin would not only learn the importance of his office from his colleagues, but would keep his Government accurately informed of the state of feeling in the country to which he is accredited, while at present the mandarins at Pekin have not the least idea of the sentiments of other countries towards China—in such a matter, for instance, as the Margary affair." The correspondent adds that the Governor of Yunnan, on being ordered to institute an official inquiry into the matter, replied in a despatch that he was astonished to hear that such an event had taken place in his district It is said, however, that he at the same time wrote privately to Pekin that he had driven back the "intrusive foreign devils," and that he was ready to continue to protect the holy ground of the Celestial Empire against foreign intrusion. "This patriotic language," remarks the correspondent "is probably not unwelcome to the authorities of Pekin ; at least nothing has been done to prevent the Governor from carrying out his intention. If he succeeds, he will be loaded with honors ; if he fails, he will be disavowed and censured —perhaps punished. . . . As to the murderers of Mr Margary, they have very likely fled to some other country, or, if not,_ it is quite possible that some condemned criminals will be given the name, and clothing of the guilty officials, and then taken with much ceremony to the scaffold. But, however this may be, it is refreshing to see that England is taking up a firm attitude in the East."