The wretched so-called Central Government in Peking is at its
wits' end for money with which to exist, but Sir Francis Aglen has not failed to do his obvious duty of refusing to allow the Customs to be used as security for any new loans to them. A strong Note from the United States must also have made the Chinese pause in their proposals. Belgium is also making a stand against a wholly unjustified intention of China to denounce the existing Treaty between those countries. The European Powers, the United States and Japan are faced with difficulties that we do not minimize, but we fear that they are not prepared to treat firmly and unanimously with any Government worth the name that may arise. They ought to make ready for that moment by a revival of the Washington Conference or by any better means that they can devise.
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