NEWS OF THE WEEK.
AWAR with China seems imminent. Mr. Wade has given notice that he should leave Pekin on the last day of Septem- ber, unless by that time satisfactory concessions had been made in re- lation to the murder of Mr. Margary. The points on which it is stated that resistance is offered are the punishment of the Yunnan offi- cials who connived at or permitted the murder, and the publica- tion in the Gazette of those Treaties between China and foreign Powers the popular knowledge of which in China would con- vince the provinces that foreigners have a right, acknowledged by their own Government, to travel there. On both con- cessions the Minister Li appears to hesitate. The punish- ment of the Yunnan officials would be extremely disagreeable to Burrnah, as it would be a notice that expeditions like that of Mr. Margery must really be protected. And the publication of treaties with foreign Powers in the Gazette would be an announce- ment to the whole country of the downfall of Chinese pride. If Li stands firm, we shall be at war with China as soon as the news of Mr. Wade's departure comes. But it is by no means certain that Li's resistance will not have collapsed at the last moment. The English force in Chinese waters at present amounts to twenty-one ships, with 112 guns, and upwards of 2,000 officers and men.
