On Wednesday the second reading of the Appropriation Bill gave
occasion for a full-dress debate on the Far Eastern policy of the Government. Sir Charles Dilke opened the discussion in a somewhat inconclusive speech. His chief point was to dwell upon the inconsistency of the Government, at one and the same time supporting the policy of the "open door " and the policy of " spheres of influence." " On the whole, he could not but fear that the situation would develop in a very short time into this state of things, that China would take her place by the side of Turkey and Persia as one of the chain of protected Empires which surround Russia." Though it is not the fashion just now for Unionist Members to support theGovernment, Captain Bethell had the courage of his opinicei a 3, and in a very sensible and moderate speech appealed to The House not to make too great a bogey out of Russia. Sir Thomas Sutherland, who, as chair- man of the Peninsular and Oriental, speaks with autho- rity, was not disposed to take a very pessimistic view of the situation. "He also looked upon it as an enormous boon that we had been able to extend the Colony of Hong-kong to so great an extent. He was quite sure that in the course of a few years there would be established there one of the greatest manufacturing centres in the world."
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