CHINA—A NAVAL POWER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1725, 17 April 1888, Page 3

CHINA—A NAVAL POWER.

English engineering enterprise and English naval skill are helping, in combination with those of Germany, to make China a respectable power on the high seas. The Chinese Government is protecting itself by vessels which have been recently constructed of the latest design and the most improved equipment. Two of the vessels are of the swift protected cruiser class, and two others built in Germany are of the same general design. A fifth is one of the fastest torpedo boats ever launched. In these colonies we are hardly in a position to judge calmly and fairly or fee future of China. The name of John Chinaman sticks in the nostrils of the laboring classes, and politicians are obliged to think as they think, to feel as they feel, and to hate where they hate ; so that we cannot judge the Chinese without a prejudice that distorts the vision. But we know well that the Chinese are splendid imitators, and patient and persevering almost to a fault, and there arp few. things that Englishmen can do with their-hands that Chinese cannot learn to do We can keep them out ol the trade’ here by laws and customs; but we cannot do that in their own country. Whatever they import they will learn to imitate, and they will learn to use. We are supplying them with our finest destructive weapons, and with officers to train them to their use. They have millions ot lives to spend, and if need be to waste, and for that reason they will be formidable foes. There is no need wantonly to make enemies of this people. What it is necessary for us to do in the strict way of self-defence, to prevent being overwhelmed, we are justified in doing; but this should be done with courtesy as well as firmness.—Exchange.