Chinese Affairs.

Manawatu Herald, 6 December 1902, Page 2

Chinese Affairs.

BRITAIN’S CLAIMS ON THE

YANGTSE. Official shows that Britain deeply resented Prince Ching's conduct in denying China's acceptance of Germany’s stipulations regarding the Yangtse river, and declined to recognise any of Chinas pledges limiting Britain’s freedom ot action in the Yangtse territory. The British Government also protested to Germany. A blue book which has been issued shows that on the 3rd; November Germany yielded to Britain's protest. Lord Lansdowne, on the 6th, explained that he had protested because Britain objected to the needless rcaffir* mation of the open door policy on China’s sovereign rights, or for purposes of remuneration seemingly specially aimed at Britain. Replying to Germany’s intimation that she had satisfactory assurances from China, covering, besides the Yangtse Valley, the whole of China, excepting any previous alienation of sovereign or territorial rights, Lord Lansdowne declared that Britain would be no party to this arrangement, though she was not affected thereby. There is a consensus of opinion that Germany had attempted a piece of sharp practice to limit* British influence in Central China for her own advantage.