There is a great quantity of rumour in the papers
as to some diplomatic quarrel about Shanghai, of which we confess we believe very little. It is, of course, true that the nations are jealous of each other about that position, each one fearing that if another becomes dominant there, that one will monopolise the trade of the Yangtse-Kiang. So bitter is this jealousy that, as our readers will remember, when we strengthened our squadron off the - mouth of the river, Germany, France, Italy, and even Russia strengthened theirs too. That this jealousy will produce war we do not, however, believe. The Powers want trade, not territory, and another war with China, and will arrange a method in which competition, however fierce, will not lead to blows. There will be free inter- national trade on the Yangtse-Kiang. Our people do not like this because they once had a practical monopoly ; but what is the remedy ? We cannot monopolise the trade of the huge valley unless we govern it, and to try to govern its vast popu- lation now without a conscription would be madness. We have too much on our hands already, and all we can do now is to insist on the "open door" in the Yangtse.
