31 OCTOBER 1896, Page 2

Sari Yat Sen, the Chinese doctor who was, as he

alleges, kidnapped by the Chinese Embassy on October 17th was on Friday week released. He had contrived to send notice of his imprisonment through an English servant of the Embassy to a friend, Dr. Cantlie, who informed the Foreign Office of the facts. Lord Salisbury thereupon made inquiries, and, finding that the fact of detention was admitted, sent for Sir Halliday Macartney, the English Secretary of the Chinese Legation, and addressed to him a remonstrance in such terms-thatSun Yat Sen was immediately hustled out of a back door and restored to his friends. No force was employed or was needed, but it is stated that the police officer who watched the liberation of the captive would, had it been necessary, have overborne any resistance. It seems clear that Sun Yat Sen is really Sun Wen,at leader in a secret society hostile to the Tartar dynasty which reigns in China, and that his capture and execution were greatly desired at Pekin, but those facts do not justify so astonishing a breach of the comity of nations. A technical right, even if it exists, has been so stretched as to constitute a grave affront. Strong represientations as to the necessity for apology win doubtless be made to Pekin, where Li Hung Chang has just been ap- pointed iForeikn Miniettir, and we may hope that -the Chines. Ambassador 'and his 'English adviser will be at once recalled It is cliaitthat while the Embassy is occupied as at present relations of confidence with it are quite impossible.