Shanghai is obtaining unusual protection from the jealousies of the
Powers. All Europe suspects that Great Britain, which is fully occupied elsewhere, is about to strike some grand but undefined coup for predominance in the Yangtse Valley. They are therefore hurrying men-of-war to Wasting until it is reported that the combined fleet there has seven thousand sailors and Marines on board, and could land a really formidable naval brigade for the defence of Shanghai. The residents, however, are still alarmed, and the Americans have asked their Government for troops, pointing out that Shanghai requires at least fifteen thousand men. We believe that is scarcely an exaggeration, and cannot but muse over the question how many men China, if partitioned, would require as garrison. If garrisoned like India a small force might do, say four hundred thousand men, but then India is not full of potential " Boxers." Her secret societies are not pure criminals, like the Thugs, but criminal politicians.
