In the Commons on Friday, April 14th, an interesting little
discussion took place during the Navy Estimates as to our true policy in regard to Wei-hai-wei. Lord Charles Beresford declared that it was as good a place to make into a naval base as could be found anywhere. It was the best deep-water harbour in the whole of China, and an infinitely better place than Kiao-chow, which would require the spending of a very large sum of money if it was to be made into a good naval base. Later, Mr. Goschen explained very clearly the future intentions of the Government. They do not mean to spend a vast sum of money into making it into an impregnable place of arms provided with a dockyard. All that will be aimed at is providing Wei-hai-wei with stores and coals, and with facilities for minor repairs. It will not be a place of shelter for a fleet, but rather a place of refreshment. But, of course, the- stores and coal deptte will require protection, and therefore there will be fortifies- tions on a reasonable scale and mounting guns in moderate numbers sufficient, in fact, to prevent raiding. Mr. Labou- chore professed himself dissatisfied at this, and seemed to think that either the place ought to be made impregnable or not defended at all. But is not that about as reasonable as saying that unless a cupboard is made into a burglar-proof safe it ought to have no locks or bolts?
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