CHINA DEFIANT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10241, 2 September 1909, Page 4

CHINA DEFIANT.

BRITISH SUBJECT MURDERED. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] (Pee Press Association.) Received September 2, at 8.25 a.m. London, September 1. Renter's correspondent states that China lias declined the suggestion of Sir John Jordan, the British Minister, that she should investigate the circumstances surrounding tlio death of Hazrah, a nativo Indian surveyor attached to Lieut. Clark's meteorological expedition, who was killed by Chinese near Lanchau. [The failure of Sir John Jordan to obtain an- investigation of the apparently unprovoked attack on a British scientific expedition, may be explained by tlio incapacity of the _ head of China's Foreign Office, the Wai-wu-pn. In this connection wo note Dr Morrison's remarks on the princely successor to Yuan-Shih-kai: "Siuco the downfall of Yuan-Shih-kai the Wai-wu-pu lias relapsed into its former stale of incapacity, and i'or this Prince Cliiiijj; is to blame! Amiable but corrupt, lie lias for a generation stood l'or all that is worst in Chinese officialdom. A'l stories tell of his rapacity, his greed, his unscrupulous sale of office, his indifference to the. affairs of State. His wealth is enormous, yet no generous or charitable action has over been recorded in his favor. Every new Minister in every ofliee of emolument has to pay him toil. For years he has not visited the Wai-wu-pu. Ho dwells in a sphere apart from his fellow Ministers, and, in his private residence, reluctantly accords rare audiences to the representatives of the Great Powers. Tliey are rare audiences indeed. For the discussion of foreign affairs lie has granted one of the most powerful Foreign Ministers in Peking two audiences in three years. The average number of times that, as President of the Foreign Office, lie discusses foreign affairs with the foreign representatives is less than one interview per representative per annum. Age and decrepitude are the reasons given i'or his neglect of duly. His age is 72, but, while this can l» s » urged as an excuse for his neglect of office, it cannot bo advanced as an excuse for his retention in office."