3-085-645 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Chinese Crisis: the British Consulate, Shanghai, 1898. 'The scramble for the ports of Northern China goes on apace, and the plot of the political situation in the Far East thickens day by day. In view of the fact that Great Britain commands some four-fifths of China's total commerce, it is, of course, of the utmost importance that the balance of European power in the Chinese Empire shall undergo no material change. The establishment of Russia and Germany in either united or divided command of the Gulf of Pechili must, before long, deal a severe blow to British interests in Northern China, even if Russia or Germany were likely to remain content with their newly found ports. That neither Power would remain so content is sufficiently attested by the influences which each has already brought to bear upon the Chinese Government. It is clear that any move on the part of Russia, Germany, or either of the other Great Powers which threatens a redistribution of naval strength in the Far East must be strongly checked by England - how strongly remains to be seen'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.