ANNEXATION OF MACAO.

Temuka Leader, Issue 269, 3 July 1880, Page 2

ANNEXATION OF MACAO.

It was staled a few weeks ago in the Pall Mall Gazette that the Chinese were laying claim to the Portugese eettlemen t of Mocao, and according to the Standard's correspondent at Lisbon, the strange news produced no little sensation in that city. W© now learn the fonnallity of annexation has been carried out in true Chinese fashion. It appears that the Viceyoy of the “ Two Kaangs ” made bis appearence at Macao quite unexpectedly in great state and was received with befitting honors. He laid, street upon the fact that although the Portugese had held intercourse with China longer than any other European nation, yet there was no treaty between the two Powers. There would, however, so he was pleased to say, be no difficulty whatever in fettling a treaty j

which should put the Portugese on the same footing as other nations, “ not forgetting that acquired rights should bo respected. ” In fact ho was mo t pleasent in his nsb'umnci s, thanked the Governor for his'inost corteous reception, and departed as he come, after, a stay of three hours. It was, a new rendering of the famous saying, “ I came ; I saw; I conquered.” Having returned home, he at once communicated to the Pekin Government the fact that in pursuance of instructions he had visited Macao, had been received by the Governor with humility, that Portugal had promised to pay tribute, and that in fact, Macao, had returned to Chinese posession. The Portuguese official, equally charmed, informed his Government that nothing but advantage could accrue to his country from such a friendly visit. As a matter of fact, however, China does claim Macao, and the Portu gese are likely to have some trouble in resisting the claim, as they are not secured by treaty rights.. This round about assertion of the porition of China at this particular time looks very much like a deliberately conceived plan for the recovery of all possessions taken from her during the last few hundred years.