The news from China, apart from the gloomy vaticinations
of the higher Roman Catholic clergy, who, as we mentioned last week, seem unanimous in expecting a popular rising against the foreigner, is almost confined to what is called the " battle of the concessions." Every great syndicate with interests in China is seeking some concession, and if its members are Continentals, is seeking and obtaining official support. This puts the British Government in something of a perplexity. If it does not support its subjects it is accused of neglecting British interests, while if it does it makes itself responsible for commercial undertakings to a degree scarcely consistent with its dignity. The best compromise. perhaps, is the one adopted,—viz., to treat each question on its merits, and insist only on the " open door " ; but we could wish it were possible to avoid " the cesspool of agio " alto- gether. There is, however, one concession which, if the current reports are true, will require watching. It is said that a German syndicate is making large offers for a monopoly of local opium, which, if granted, will almost certainly sooner or later bring it into collision with the Indian Treasury. The collision may be avoided by a careful discrimination as to qualities, Indian opium being to other opium what a first-class Savannah is to other cigars; but negotiations on the sub- ject would be exceedingly delicate and perhaps bitter.
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