If they were to rebel against England's authority at this time, the
consequence might be very serious.
* * * * *
Just now England is under such terrible expense that it is thought that
her present exchequer is in danger of exhaustion.
She is sending forces to the Nile to settle the Egyptian troubles there,
and she has the uprisings on the Indian frontier, which are likely to
cause her considerable expense.
Then, too, there is that vast loan which she has offered to China and
which is creating a sensation among the European Powers.
* * * * *
England has taken a firm position with regard to the occupation of
Kiao-Chou by Germany and the seizure of Port Arthur by the Russians.
She has openly sent two war-ships to each of these ports.
This does not mean that she wishes to provoke war. It is intended
probably as a hint to Germany and Russia that if they go too far she is
ready to fight.
Germany, however, has repeated that Kiao-Chou is to be a free port, and
this statement is being echoed with satisfaction by the English press.
Nevertheless, the English papers show an astonishingly warlike spirit,
and the English people are said to be delighted by the pluck and force
which Lord Salisbury has shown in this crisis.
During the past few years Lord Salisbury has been accused of a
willingness to make almost any concession to avoid dragging England into
a war.
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