A STARTLING DREAM OF EMPIRE.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 506, 28 October 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

A STARTLING DREAM OF EMPIRE.

Mr Geoffrey Dragk, M.P., speaking' at a dinner given by the Mayor of Derby a few weeks ago, to the conference of* teachers of the deaf, made an important statement, which he declared was founded upon information which was absolutely reliable. His speech was in response to the toast of " The Houses of Parliament," and he said the firm attitude of the Government in the Transvaal, supported as it was by every corner of the Empire, would no doubt load to a paceful solution of their difficulty .in South Africa, but as soon as, and probably before, the latter problem was solved, attention would again be directed to China, and he believed in the Transvaal, a reform party had appeared consisting not of Uitlanders, but of tho most intelligent Chinese, led by Prince Ching, one of the highest of Mandhu aristocracy. He (Mr Drage) had always regretted that the Government did not see their way to support tho Emperor and the reform party last year, but there', were signs that the opportunity would recur. The reform party, led as it was by one of the ablest of the old aristocrary, would, he was iaformed, received not only the support of every part of Chins', but it was actually being supported by the Japanese Consul General at Shanghai and the Japanese Government. If tho reform movement succeeded, it might lead to the overthrow of tho dynasty, and to a dispute between Japan and Rnssia. He was informed that tho Viceroys in the Yang-Tse Valley would, under these circumstances, declare their independence, and one at least, the Viceroy of Hunan, would offer to place his province under British protection. Wo had always undertaken to patrol the ways in our sphere of influence, and tho - question would then arise. Were we prepared to go further and begin the work of the Yang-Tse Valley ? It would be an enormous task that of helping the Chhuseinthe district to gevern themselves, but he believed there would be found other Lord Cromers and other Lord Kitcheners when need was felt.