The news of the week from China is not reassuring.
A plot has been discovered to seize the arsenal at Foochow, and it is believed that even Shanghai, the greatest of the ports open to foreigners, is threatened. The agitation is spreading throughout the Valley of the Yang-tse, and the Government is nearly powerless, the bravest section of the soldiery, who come from Huanan, sympathising with the discontent. Indeed, they are accused of overt mutiny at Ichang: Under these circumstances, the Governments of Great Britain, Germany, France, and the United States, have agreed to act together to protect Europeans, and, if needful, to compel the Imperial Government to use force in suppressing anti-foreign riots. The Russian Government alone holds aloof, alleging un- willingness to quarrel with an ally with which it has such intimate relations. That is rather an ominous with- drawal. If the Government of China is sincere, the foreign Powers can protect their subjects with gunboats ; but the Russian statesmen obviously distrust its sincerity. Otherwise they would perceive that Europe, in menacing the agitators, is protecting, not coercing, the Government in Pekin. It is difficult for foreigners to see clearly what is brewing in China, but the signs are those which usually precede rebellion.
