The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 323, 4 August 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1898.

From a cablegram wo publish this morning it will be seen that there is considerable uneasiness in England as to what will be the final ouicome of the struggle between the Powers to secure railway concessions and trade advantages from the effete Chinese government. There appears to be a feeling that the Government should undertake the construction of railways calculated to militate to the interest of British trade. Lord Salisbury, in replying to a question by Lord Ivimberley in the House of Lords, no doubt put this matter in its proper light when he pointed out that it was no part of the Government's duty to pro vide capital for the construction of railways. He added that Sir Claude McDonrld had been instructed to inform the Chinese Government that Britain would support China in the case of any Power committing an act of aggression in consequence of China permitting British subjects to construct railways or other public works. This implies clearly that Britain will treat any such act on the part of Kussia or any other Power as a casus belli. Lord Salisbury further said that the Chinese Government had always been extremely well disposed towards Great Britain, and that he was certain we should get concessions equal to those granted to other Powers. If this be so and the Chinese Government recognise that the promise conveyed by Sir Claude McDonald implies more than diplomatic support, they should be relieved of anxiety as to what other /Powers may threaten to do under certain contingencies. As to railway concessions, Lord Salisbury some time back told a deputation from the United Chambers of Commerce that they could not expect to get railway concessions unless they went with the money in hand prepared to pay for the work. It is argued on the other side that the British Gevernment was prepared to guarantee a loan to China without any tangible security, whereas by guaranteeing money for the construction of railways there would be something to show for the money. The question of all others which at the present time is calculated to brin" countries into collision id the extension of trade, and there is a tendency on the part of the commercial communities of nations to force their respective Governments to promote their interests, even at the risk of war or of war itself. This is a departure from commercial lines and is evidence of selfishness rather than patriotism, They have not paused to consider that a war between great Powers would cause the expenditure of hundreds of millions, setting aside altogether the loss which would accrue from the stoppage of trade while the war lasted. The principle which guides commerce is that a profit shall be probable on every transaction. Manifestly a war between any two nations would leave a balance on the wrong side of the ledger which it would take many years of prosperous commerce to extinguish. It is therefore no matter for wonder that men in the position of Lord Salisbury should use uycry diplo-

matic means to prevent war. A war may be justifiable to vindicate a righfc, hue is most unjustifiable if waged simply for the promotion of trade.