25 JULY 1908, Page 1

The Peking correspondent of the Times in a message pub-

lished on Saturday last announces that Germany has suddenly assumed the protection of Turkish subjects in China. This office has always been discharged by France, the kindly services of some third country being necessary as Turkey has no Treaty with China. The transference of a not very tractable set of people from French to German care is not in itself disadvantageous to France. But the manner of the transference is certainly singular. The French Govern- ment heard of it indirectly, having received no notice from the Porte, nor any acknowledgment of their services. In a message published on Tuesday the same correspondent says that the Chinese Government are willing to receive communi- cations in reference to Turkish subjects through the German Legation, but will not abrogate their own rights of dealing with such persona. The important question is whether Germany is definitely trying to spread her Influence among the Mussulma,ns of China,—among Chinese subjects as well as foreigners. The Paris correspondent of the Times, we are glad to say, sees no' evidence of this. But, at all events, another link now ties Germany to Turkey in a union which we cannot but watch with care.