In the House of Commons on Friday week Lord Charles
Beresford attacked the Chinese policy of the Government, and once again vigorously supported the policy of the "open door," and deprecated that of "spheres of interest." He apparently thinks that it will prove beyond our strength to ear-mark the Yangtse Valley as our special "sphere," and, therefore, advocates that we should take upon our shoulders the maintenance of the integrity and independence of the whole Chinese Empire, and the reorganisation of its Army, finance, and civil administration. Of course Lord Charles Beresford has a right to his own opinion, but we cannot profess to be able to argue about such a point of view. Even if Lord Charles could induce Germany, America, and Japan to join as in setting China on her legs and maintaining the "open door,'' we believe that the dangers and difficulties would be far greater than those involved in ear-marking the Yangtse Valley. But is there the slightest reason to think that the three Powers just named would join us P No doubt they would be very willing to see us pull the chestnuts out of the fire, but would they go beyond that P It is evident that in the last resort Lord Charles Bereeford's policy is based on the assumption that Russia can and will close the door to China wherever she is allowed to obtain influence. But what right have we to make this assumption ? Other places held by Russia are not tradeless deserts where no British merchant can show his face.
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