THE BRITISH FLEET IN CHINA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1135, 1 February 1884, Page 3

THE BRITISH FLEET IN CHINA.

We {Broad Arrow) are enabled to announce that arrangements have been made for the immediate reinforcement of the British fleet in Chinese waters. Although Her Majesty’s Government have not altogether abandoned the hope of being able to effect an adjustment of the difficulties which have disturbed the relations subsisting between France and China, yet it is fully understood in Ministerial circles that the crisis is now rapidly approaching its acute stage, and that the two Powers are now within measurable distance of the embraces of '”ar. It is obviously impossible for this country to view with equanimity an invasion of this far Eastern nation, more especially an invasion whose initial stage would demand the blockading of the Treaty ports. British interests are paramount in China as against the inlereits of any other civilised Power. Information has reached us from a high diplomatic quarter that Earl Granville, recognising these interests, has directed all his energies for some time to the establishment of a modus vivendi between Paris and Pekin. It is, however, difficult to see how such an arrangement is to lie arrived at where one nation is notoriously desirous of war and the other, it is equally notorious, is anxious to put to the test the power of those vast levies of men which for years have been equipped and organised upon a European ramie I. Meanwhile France is pushing forward reinforcements ostensibly intended for service with the army in Tonquin. but secietly destined for the greater campaign against China itself.