AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4869, 29 June 1901, Page 4

AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Field Mabshax Yon "Waldersee, the Comtjbander-in*Ghlef of the allied troops that have been operating in China, has sailed for Europe, having resigned bis command. It does not appear, however, as if the departure of the Commander-in-Chief from China means |hat peace has been comple+elyTestored any more than the return of Field-Marshal Lord Roberts meant that Boer resistance had been utterly quelled: Indeed, the position in China is even more ominous than was the outlook in Bouth Africa when Lord Roberts returned some few months ago; It is still necessary, and will be necessary for a number of yeariV' to maintain extraordinary guards for the embassies at Peking, and now we have the assurance of Field-Marshal Ton Waldersee that the allied garrison at Tiensin should be allowed to remain there for five years. This looks as if in tbe opinion of the Field- Marshal, the hopes of a prolonged peace are vain, and that, if the garrisgn is soon .withdrawn, all the trouble will begin over again. Conflicting accounts reach us as to the in tentione of the Dowager Empress and as to the probabailities of the Emperor really^deftaking the government of the eoXunl*>: until a stable g/>v«*am«>»fc i* ftetaVHebfcl ifc will be necessary for the protection of foreign merchants and missionaries that an adequate force should be available for tbe preservation of order in the event of another outbreak of ferocity. Tien, tain seems to be the most advantageous position to occupy because of of its readiness of access from tbe sea and its nearness to the capital. A possible-difficulty lies in the international enmities" which have already led to serious quarrels amongst tbe allied troops, but as the men get more accustomed to each other this difiicalty should fade away. At any rate it would not be wise to risk a renewal of the scenes when helpless foreigners were at the mercy of the Boxers.