The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1898. ENGLAND AND CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1898, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1898. ENGLAND AND CHINA.

For ths cause that lacts assistance, For tho -wrong that needs resistance, 'For the futiiro in tlio distance, And tho good that wo can do.

The publication of the terms which have been negotiated between the British Minister in China, Major-General Macdonald, and the Chinese Government for a loan of twelve millions in consideration of certain concessions shows that England has nob been an idle spectator of the European partition of the Celestial Empire. To - day's cable news contains a significant declaration by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach that England will maintain her hold on Chinese trade, if necessary, by war. A statement of this kind deliberately made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer is clearly intended as a warning to rival European Powers and China that Great Britain must be reckoned with. The sphere of influence which is covered by Sir Claude Maxwell Macdonald's proposals embraces the whole of the central and southern provinces. A considerable area of territory on the side of Burmah was secured Ir.sfc year, and the right now claimed to extend the Burraah railway through Yunnan, together with the trade concessions in Quangsee, the two great provinces of China which lie immediately north of Tonquin, is intended to prevent any further extension of French territory to the detriment of English interests at Canton and in the districts westward. The goal in view, no

doubt, is a railway from Burmaa to Canton. France, it is stated teday, opposes this concession by China, while Russia has been moved to hostility by English claims to Taliewana Bay in the north. The Government of China hesitates between these conflicting claims, and much as it wants the twelve millions to settle the Japanese Waiindemnity appears apprehensive of the consequences which may accrue from an acceptance of England's terms. In any case England will insist upon the maintenance of her trading rights in China, and our two former wars must have taught the Government of that country that British claims cannot be lightly disregarded.