Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/62

 54] ENGLISH HISTORY. [march

made with the intention of calling attention to the tendency displayed by the Chinese Government not to* keep its engage- ments with Russia, and that there was no opposition on the part of Russia towards the conclusion of a loan for the con- struction of the railway. With regard to the Italian demand for a coaling station, it had the full sympathy of the British Government, but the question was one for the Chinese Govern- ment to consider. This soft answer did not suffice to turn away the wrath of Mr. Pritchard Morgan (Merthyr Tydvil), who insisted that the benevolent neutrality of Great Britain in the matter of the Italian demand was in flagrant yiolation of the resolution of the House of the previous session, maintaining the independence of Chinese territory. Sir Ashmead-Bartlett (EcclesaM, Sheffield) generously waived his special interest in the resolution, on the ground that Italy was one of our oldest allies. Mr Brodrick, however, stood to his guns, and declared the intention of the Government to support diplomatically Italy's negotiations — that they welcomed the presence of Italy in China, and that the policy of the Government was not to stand in the way of any friendly Powers so long as British interests were not threatened. No one on the front Opposition bench appeared desirous of taking part in the debate until Mr. Courtney had expressed his mournful regret that our attitude had not been more reserved. Sir Edward Grey thereupon retorted that it was no longer possible for Great Britain to stand aside and hold no intercommunication with other Powers. Our policy should be to keep in constant touch with other countries in- terested in the Far East, and to guard against the danger of drifting into an unfriendly attitude.

Speaking at Reading (March 13) Sir Edward Grey defined his views more specifically, urging a better understanding with Russia. The obstacle to such a policy was Russian distrust of our policy. " A distrust, written large and very unpleasantly all over the last blue book on China affairs. We had created that distrust in the mind of the Russian Government in past years, and to discover the cause we might go back even to the time of the Crimean War."

A fuller debate on the whole Chinese question was raised some days later (March 20) by Mr. J. Walton (Barnsley, York- shire, W. B.) who had made a special study of the subject. Member after member admitted that the policy of the "open door," which implied the integrity and independence of China could no longer be maintained, and that spheres of interest or influence were necessary to fall back upon. The difficulty was to clearly define our sphere and to " ear-mark " it, whilst abstain- ing from any attempt at annexation or administration. Mr. Brodrick, however, speaking for the Foreign Office, was not prepared to admit that the policy of the "open door" had failed, and he enumerated the solid advantages obtained through it by this country, far outweighing the concessions granted to