The intelligence from China does not quite bear out the
sen- sational announcements of last week, but it appears to be true that Mr. Wade has warned the Government to expect trouble; that he has been kept waiting in the mud by Li Hung Chang, the most important person in the Empire, though he subsequently received an apology ; and that the British Government is resolved to in- sist on redress for the murder of Mr. Margary. As we have tried to explain elsewhere, this demand is just at this moment most obnoxious to the Cabinet of Pekin, which is highly delighted by the King of Burmah's submission. It is now certain that the King has acknowledged his vassalage in form, and most probable that he is emboldened by assurances of support. At all events, the Chinese populace are under the impression that their Government is unfriendly to foreigners, for acts of insult and outrage to Europeans increase. The British Government, even if convinced that danger is at hand, will probably desire to collect transports silently at Calcutta and Madras. One of its difficulties is the want of transport there, which encourages the shipowners to .._excessive charges. We have never been able to see why ships -4' should not be taken, subject to a premium, say of 20 per cent., for forcible detention.
