THE TROUBLE IN CHINA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 37, 13 September 1900, Page 19

THE TROUBLE IN CHINA.

Matters have apparently been very quiet in China for some days. The Empress-Dowager and the Court seem to have been lost sight of altogether by the news agencies. Maxim guns and rifles have performed their part of the work, and now diplomacy takes a hand. The allied forces — or at least the greatest portion of them — are etill in the Chinese capital, and will very probably stay there for some time, until a stable Government is established. With the exception of Russia the Powers do not seem very keen on withdrawing their troops from Pekin, and allow it again to become a recruiting ground for the • Boxers ' and other malcontents. It is evident that Russia's proposal to to withdraw was actuated by some ulterior motive, which pointed to an understanding with the Empress-Dowager and the Court party. The Emperor of Germany is credited with a desire to keep troops in Pekin until matters have assumed their normal condition, and full reparation is made for the mischief wrought either through the incompetency, or at the instigation of the Imperial authorities. France displays no eagerness in supporting Russia's proposals, so it looks as if the latter country is about to play a lone hand. It is paid that Lord Salisbury has assured the German Emperor that Great Britain has no intention of backing out until gome definite arrangements have been made.

Sir Robert Hart has put his Customs' machinery in working order again. It is more than probable that to this ' foreign devil ' will be entrusted, by the Empress- Dowager and her supporter-, the delicate task of negotiating with the Powers. This is not the tirot time that he lias got China out of an awkward predicament.