The German Emperor has made up his mind, it would
seem. a little suddenly, to quit China. Orders have been received in Pekin for the withdrawal both of the warships and the soldiers, the transports are being collected, and two thousand marines are already en route for Kiao-chow. Count Waldersee of course returns to Europe. A small garrison will be left at Tientsin, and perhaps another extra garrison at Kiao-chow, but two-thirds of the troops at least are to return to Germany. The precise motive for this very decided retreat is still unexplained, but it is said to have produced universal satis- faction in Germany, where the expedition has throughout been regarded as a rather wild adventure, likely to increase taxes and to benefit only the richer traders. The Austrians are also greatly pleased, though they see and say that Europe has on the whole been defeated by China, the Allies having succeeded only in rescuing the Legations. The effect of the movement on the counsels of Sian is not yet ap- parent., but it will hardly quicken the readiness of. the Empress-Regent to pay the indemnity. The Chinese nego- tiators are now "objecting to pay interest," their idea being, we take it, that each annual payment should be counted as so much in liquidation of the principal; and although by the latest accounts they have given way, we doubt whether their mistress has. The reports of a return to Pekin are still denied, and are in themselves most improbable. A tiger does not voluntarily return to its cage.
