The Times correspondent at Pekin strongly advises the im- mediate
withdrawal of the international army of occupation from Pekin. The troops have nothing to do, there is much " friction " between them, and one day there may be "a serious collision." There is nothing to fear from the Chinese Government and little from the people, though the eight months of occupation have greatly deepened their horror of the foreigner,—a change due to the German punitive expedi- tions. He fears anarchy when the troops withdraw, and recommends that evacuation should be gradual, and that the leading Chinese should be invested with authority. The cause of delay seems to be the difficulty about the indemnity, Sir R. Hart fixing the maximum sum at 250,000,000, while several Powers are talking of £80,000,000, or even 2100,000,000. These seem to us sensible views, but the difficulty in the way is. the international character alike of occupation and demands. The Concert is like an overloaded train. There are the rails and the steam and the engine, but the wheels cannot be made to bite. The Chinese, it should be added, are eagerly desirous of our departure, but instead of settling at-once, want evacua- tion to precede settlement.
