Another totally useless China debate. On Monday night Lord Naas,
in a most exhaustive but dreadfully dry speech, recapitulated the history of our recent connection with China, and pointed out that we were trying to secure the government of China on European principles, and that "European princi- ples" meant government by Europeans. His speech only elicited a statement from Mr. Layard as to the popularity of the Customs Inspectorate among the better class of merchants, and the stereotyped speech from Lord Palmerston that Eng- lish officers took service with China as with any other friendly power. His lordship made, however, one statement which contains the very pith of his policy, and is, moreover, its best defence. "France and Russia Lord Naas says, are bent upon aggressions in China, and if we are there when they come we are sure to be brought into collision with them, and therefore we had better retire at once, and leave China to the future mercies of those two Powers. I do not at all admit the wisdom of that policy." The House was thin and inatten- tive, and the secret popular feeling is evidently that, if the Anglo-Chinese officers do not conquer China there is no harm done, and if they do, so much the better for trek
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