War in China.
Months ago, Earl Granville declared that, in the event of war breaking out between France and China, it would require all the moderation and forbearance which the British Government were capable of exercising to prevent serious complications ensuing between them and the French. After a long period of trembling of the balance between peace and war, events have taken that course which will have the effect of putting British forbearance to the test so much and so justly feared by Earl Granville. War is declared between France and China ; the former Power is said to have formed a plan of attacking Canton in force, and the latter is making vigorous defensive preparations, which include the employment of torpedoes to protect the river approaches to the city — showing that the Celestials are quite abreast of the times in the matter of engines of destruction. It is unlikely, however, that the French will be so foolhardy as to attempt to take Canton with the forces which they have at present in or near Tonquin, but will await the arrival of further reinforcements. Th 6 only hope which they have of being able to dictate terms to China is by success fully and rapidly carrying a series of coups before the Chinese have time to collect their vast hordes of brave if ill-trained soldiers. That course also holds out the only hope of British entanglement in the quarrel being avoided. Desultory and protracted warfare, interfering with commercial intercourse for a long period, is what willmosttrythetemperoftheßritish lion, who in these days is a rather mercenary beast ; and if France is wise, that is the kind of warfare which she will avoid. The ' ' British interests " at stake are most important, and such as cannot be left altogether undefended. Besides the large number of British subjects in the Chinese Empire, whose lives will be placed in jeopardy by the war, the trade of Britain and her dependencies with China is of vast proportions. The external commerce of China in 1881 reached the total value of £43,000,000. Of this, more than one-half is with Britain, British India, and the Colonies. India sends into China £8,000,000 worth of opium every year, while the United Kingdom sends imports to the value of over £6,000,000. The trade between China and the United Kingdom alone reaches the annual total of about £17,000,000, and the trade between China and India and the colonies very nearly reaches the same figure every year. America has also, within the past few years, been opening up an extensive trade with China, and is not likely to view with complacency the prospect of her commerce being cut off by Gallic aggression. In these circumstances it is but natural that the various Powers interested should have combined to guarantee the security of their subjects and their trade in China. It is also understood that the Marquis Tseng has been negotiating a treaty with these Powers, under which they shall assist in the maintenance of order and commerce ; and this gives to the position a most unfavourable aspect for the French, who, as the disturbers of trade and tranquility, will find the commercial world arrayed ; against them. The projected attack on Canton, if not on a vulnerable point, is on one peculiarly susceptible to arouse the hostility of other Powers. There are in that city a, large number of European subjects, its external trade is considerable, and the British garrison of Hong Kong is in close proximity. The aged Emperor of Germany xb said to have predicted on New Year's Day that 1884 would be a year of peace amongst European nations ; but despite this statement we find it difficult to see how a serious and general embroilment is to b© avoided.
The Duriedin " Star " says :— This year will, fully prove the .effect of the direct steam service upon our markets, and great caution will have to be exercised to avoid j the evils of over-importation. 1 1, 140 forfeited shares of the Southern Petroleum Company have beeiv sold in Christchurchftt4s per ehwe. •-•' • < u >< f ■ •
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Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 33, 19 January 1884, Page 4
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679War in China. Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 33, 19 January 1884, Page 4
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