Once broken off, or even partially disturbed, it would require a lengthened period, and great expenditure to renew them. It is because we fear a war, and its disastrous consequences, that we now address your Lordship, and through you, the British Government. Affairs in China have reached a critical point, and each day their aspect becomes more ominous. It is because we feel convinced that the policy which ought to be adopted by Great Britain, is a vigorous and consistent one; not employing under pressure, nor yet making injudicious concessions; that we so strongly condemn the ill-advised and retrogressive action Mr. Burlingame and those who share his views, are advocating. In China not to advance is emphatically to recede. Great Britain cannot afford to lose ground.
From the vast preponderance of her commerce in this portion of the world, and by the last Returns it exceeds eighty per cent. of the entire Foreign Trade—she ought to exercise a paramount influence in China. Her victories have made her respected, she has ever been moderate in her demands, and in her dealings with her vanquished enemy, she has always displayed consideration and fairness. Her advice should therefore be eagerly sought for, and her wishes carried out, by the Chinese Government.
We believe that the important changes we have recommended to your Lordship would, if introduced, be attended with the most beneficial results; and could easily be effected by the proper exercise of the influence which Great Britain still possesses in China and of which we earnestly hope she will not soon be deprived. On the other hand, we greatly apprehend that if she any longer permits her Treaty rights to be violated with impunity, she will not merely be looked on with increasing contempt by the Chinese themselves, but will rapidly sink in the estimation of foreign Powers, who, by the adoption of more vigorous action than she can be induced to use in China, have recently succeeded in obtaining immediate ample redress for injuries inflicted on their subjects, while they have at the same time added to their political influence in the East.
I have the honor to be,
Your Lordship's most obedient and very humble Servant,
(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman, on behalf of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
257
Once broken off, or even partially disturbed, it would require a lengthened period, and great expenditure to renew them. It is be- cause we fear a war, and its disastrous conse- quences, that we now address your Lordship, and through you, the British Government. Affairs in China have reaobed a critical point, and each day their aspect becomes more ominous. It is because we feel convinced that the policy which ought to be adopted by Great Britain, is a vigorous and consistent one; not employing under pressure, nor yet making in. judicions concessions; that we so strongly con demn the ill advised and retrogressive action wMr. Burlingame and those who share his nigga, are advocating. In China not to ad- Vance is emphatically to recode. Great Britain cannot afford to lose ground.
From the vast preponderence of her com- merce in this portion of the world, and by the last Returns it exceeds eighty per cent. of the entire Foreign Trade-she ought to exercise a paramount infusuce in China. Her victories have made her respected, she has ever been moderate in her demands, and in her dealings with her vanquished enemy, she has always displayed consideration and fairness. advice should therefore be eagerly sought for, and ber wishes carried out, by the Chinese Government.
Fer
We believe that the important changes we have recommended to your Lordship would, if introduced, be attended with the most bene ficial results; and could easily be effected by the proper exeroïse of the influence which Great British still possesses in China and of which we earnestly hope she will not soon be deprived On the other band, we greatly apprehend that if she any longer permit her Treaty rights to be violated with impunity, she will not merely be looked on with increasing contempt by the Chinese themselves, hat will rapidly sink in the estimation of foreign Powers, who, by the adoption of more vigorous action then she can be induced to use in China, bare recently succeeded in obtaining immediate ample re- dress for injuries inflicted on their subjekte, while they have at the same time added to their political influence in the East.
I have the honor to be,
Your Lordship's most obedient and very
bumble Servant,
(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman, on behalf of the Hongkong General
Chamber of Comme, re.
257
}
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.