9 FEBRUARY 1895, Page 2

The Queen, it will be noticed, mentions that the Powers

interested—that is, in fact, Russia, France, and Germany— are "cordially" agreed with her in their policy as to the war in the Far East. That is a noteworthy remark, the more so because it is now affirmed, with an appearance of authority, that this agreement has taken a definite form. Japan is to be allowed to claim islands and Corea from China, and an indemnity, and the two great arsenals as pledges that the indemnity will be paid, and free commerce throughout the Empire ; but she is not to be allowed to take any territory on the mainland of China. We can hardly believe this state- ment; for while it will not in the least prevent the real danger to Europe, viz., a subordinate alliance of China with Japan for general purposes in Asia, it may protract the war indefinitely. Why, indeed, if China is guaranteed against territorial cession in any eventuality, should she ever make peace ? The sole object which would justify interference by combined Europe is to prevent a union of the whole Yellow Race into one vast mass under the scientific leadership of Japan, and a Japanese annexation on the mainland, say, in Manchuria, might prevent, instead of facilitating that. We suppose some question will be asked in Parliament on the subject.